My first Hi-Beam has a problem

[bste9]

It sounds like the guy is a hack rather than a luthier. I’ve used the Hi-Beams 40-100 on Fenders, Warwicks and Spectors for over 20 years and they are my go to strings.

same here...started using them 20 years ago after trying several brands and haven't used another brand since

 

[drumvsbass]

What are brands with consistent quality? I used D'addario before and I had no problem with it, so I'm thinking of returning to Daddario.

I have personally experienced problems with every type of string on one occasion or another, regardless of brand. Dead strings out of the pack. Strange warbly noises. I once put a D'addario on my fretless and it sounded like microtonal autotune as I could hear each wrap place down on the fingerboard as I would slide. Super strange. D'addario's are my recommendation for people who have no preference of string. They are good neutral sounding and cheap comparatively. Are there better strings? Sure thing. Strings that are always 100 percent out of the pack every time? None. I have had at least 3 bad Thomastik E strings in the past 8 years of using them.

 

[2thAche]

Seems like the simplest solution is to go back to what you were using.

I've been using HiBeams on multiple basses without issue, and contrary to what the guy said about "some people just don't hear it" I get bothered by any little sonic nuisance and wouldn't be able to leave it alone, so I don't think it's simply a thing with HiBeams.

I have noticed that some basses respond to certain strings and gauges differently than others. Maybe your bass doesn't like HiBeams, but you'd have to try another set using the suggestions at 2/7 IMO.

 

[ThomasTronics]

I'm a steady Hi-beam user and would recommend them to anyone!
But I am also a firm believer that some strings work on some basses and some don't.

But the chorusing effect usually comes from my experience with pickups too close to the string or a very slight intonation problem. When your hitting the octave it wants to make the other sting rattle but the Freq is slightly off making it chorus.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

What are brands with consistent quality? I used D'addario before and I had no problem with it, so I'm thinking of returning to Daddario.

Before you buy another new set of D’Addarios, I suggest that you get in touch with DR, and explain to them what’s going on. There’s a very good chance that they’ll send you replacement strings, or even a new set of Hi-Beams, and they’ll most likely give you very clear instructions on how to install them on your bass properly.

I’ve only used DR strings one time, they were a 4-string set of Pure Blues, and I was impressed with them.

BTW, they were only the second set of round core strings that I’ve tried. Cutting them to length and putting them on your bass is slightly different than strings with hex cores.

Definitely reach out to DR.

 

[mmbongo]

I mentioned that years ago, may have started a thread on it, and I remember a bunch of angry replies. Haha.

The belief that we're supposed to crimp and cut round-core strings before installing them doesn't jive with DR's own instructions.

I either remember that thread, or started one myself...either way I remember the angry replies and they didn't like the suggestion of actually reading and understanding the instructions

 

[michael_t]

I either remember that thread, or started one myself...either way I remember the angry replies and they didn't like the suggestion of actually reading and understanding the instructions

Talking about this one?

Is the "rule" about crimping round core strings a myth?

 

[mmbongo]

Talking about this one?

Is the "rule" about crimping round core strings a myth?

That's the one!

I still don't crimp my DR's

 

[michael_t]

I still don't crimp my DR's

My first encounter with DR round core was the Sunbeams back in 2013. I actually read the instruction and understood what it said. That's why I haven't bothered with this crimping thing.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

My first encounter with DR round core was the Sunbeams back in 2013. I actually read the instruction and understood what it said. That's why I haven't bothered with this crimping thing.

I totally missed it, and I thought I read the instructions correctly.

I made the bend in the string, then before I cut off the excess string, I used the end of needle-nose pliers/clippers to crimp the string right below where I was going to cut it.

I did the same thing with the round core Fodera nickels that I bought, too.

No problems with either set, so I either got lucky, or I did something right.

 

[michael_t]

I totally missed it, and I thought I read the instructions correctly.

I made the bend in the string, then before I cut off the excess string, I used the end of needle-nose pliers/clippers to crimp the string right below where I was going to cut it.

I did the same thing with the round core Fodera nickels that I bought, too.

No problems with either set, so I either got lucky, or I did something right.

Crimping is one of those things that wouldn't hurt to get into the habit of doing as nothing is wrong with the process itself.

The only point I'm making is this crimping thing is not as crucial or even necessary as some people make it out to be even with round-core strings. There are other things that are more important when it comes to avoiding "dead strings right out of the package" or "chorus effect" the OP is experiencing, such as taking proper precautions to prevent twisting and knowing how to set witness points.