Need new strings

[woody357]

I'm looking for a new string, and would like some of the TBers opinion I do both finger, and slap style and i like to do harmonics alot. What stirng would you suggest out od these.

 

[Solarmist]

I think LR's are HB's, but with hex cores (for more stiffness) rather than round cores like HB's. LR's come in NP or SS. BB's are coated, and not as bright.

 

[Double Agent]

I prefer Lo-Riders to Hi-Beams because they have a slightly darker tone, yet are still very bright. I also prefer the tension of Lo-Riders, especially for slap/tap styles, over the looser feeling Hi-Beams. All DR rounds have excellent harmonics IME.

 

[mothmonsterman]

been addicted to high beams for a while now, Might give lowriders another chance next time (ASAP I haven't changed strings in about 8 months).

I haven't found anything better than DRs in general.

 

[matskull]

I bought DR strings for the first time last week.
I liked the tone I got.

Problem is I'm realizing that after a 5 hours jam they're already dead sounding.

Can I clean them with alcohol or is there anything to do without damaging the fretboard, except boiling them?

I've tried some cleaning and "fastening" stuff in the past but I didn't get really good results, the strings sounded as dead but also they got slippery and I didn't like that feeling...

 

[Double Agent]

Problem is I'm realizing that after a 5 hours jam they're already dead sounding.

What kind of DRs are you using? The reason I ask is because IME DRs last quite a bit longer than almost any other brand of string. They are very, very bright when first installed on a bass, but they usually settle down after a few hours of play. The resulting tone is a little darker than brand new, but still bright enough for just about any tapping, harmonics, or slap/pop style. And that tone will stay the same for several weeks, or even months.

My experience is almost entirely based on Lo-Riders, because I like the extra tension that they have. Your strings might sound dead compared to brand new, but I don't know if there is any string that doesn't die down after a few hours of playtime. Or, it could be that you got a mellower DR string that isn't meant to sound as bright.

 

[matskull]

What kind of DRs are you using? The reason I ask is because IME DRs last quite a bit longer than almost any other brand of string. They are very, very bright when first installed on a bass, but they usually settle down after a few hours of play. The resulting tone is a little darker than brand new, but still bright enough for just about any tapping, harmonics, or slap/pop style. And that tone will stay the same for several weeks, or even months.

My experience is almost entirely based on Lo-Riders, because I like the extra tension that they have. Your strings might sound dead compared to brand new, but I don't know if there is any string that doesn't die down after a few hours of playtime. Or, it could be that you got a mellower DR string that isn't meant to sound as bright.

I got the nickel sunbeams, no particular reason, I wanted nicked and they seemed better than the lo-rider from the description on the box...

I play alternative and rock, I'm a pick player most of the time, I like the sustain of new strings, that's part of my tone, I'm also a recording technician so it's important to me to have the perfect tone everytime but it gets really expansive to buy a new set after every couple of hours haha.

 

[Double Agent]

I got the nickel sunbeams, no particular reason, I wanted nicked and they seemed better than the lo-rider from the description on the box...

I play alternative and rock, I'm a pick player most of the time, I like the sustain of new strings, that's part of my tone, I'm also a recording technician so it's important to me to have the perfect tone everytime but it gets really expansive to buy a new set after every couple of hours haha.

Well, I am pretty sure that is gonna be your problem. Sunbeams are probably DRs most mellow, "traditional" string, and nickel tends to be mellower than stainless anyways.

I would try nickel Lo-Riders. They are not as aggressive sounding as the SS Lo-Riders, but they still have an edge to them. Not really a nasty edge, just a crispness but with a nice thick low end, if I'm describing it right. I had a set on a Jazz bass a while back and they still sounded great after 3 months on that bass. Using a pick, you might actually like the nickel tone better than stainless because the nickel won't have as much crazy-over-the-top treble when you first put them on, but they will still be bright enough to sound good with the pick. I still prefer the SS Lo-Riders, but the nickel Lo-Riders are very nice and I would use them without hesitation if I wanted to switch to a nickel string.

 

[matskull]

Cool, thanks for the info.

I'll try them next time.

 

[RickenBoogie]

DR's, (all of them) get alot of love. I've tried both a set of LowBeams, and HiBeams, (different basses, different times), and hated them both. I normally use either Ric brand, Roto's, Slinky's, or Fender brand strings.

 

[woody357]

Does anyone use the Fat beams? I've looked on their web site, but they don't tell you anything about the strings.

 

[Kyon`]

I use Fatbeams, and I feel they're kind of a grounds between lo riders and hi beams. More like hi beams but the highs aren't as harsh and much more mids in general with more overtones and just a warm sound.