Sorry. I reported someone reviving ancient threads to sell their precious used high beams. Post deleted, except for mine.
Now it looks like you revived the thread.
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What makes DR Fat Beams different from DR Hi-Beams?
- Thread starter Tony G
- Start date
Now it looks like you revived the thread.
I think the Fat Beams are stiffer than the High Beams. To me the tone is very close but I do hear a bit more harmonic content in the Fat Beams.
Fat Beams have a more meaty sound for Hi Beams. That much is for sure. The winding speed is slower on Fat Beams as far as I understand.
I don't believe the tension is very different at all. Fat Beams are incredibly supple, as are Hi Beams and the rest of DR's round core strings.
I don't believe the tension is very different at all. Fat Beams are incredibly supple, as are Hi Beams and the rest of DR's round core strings.
I played Hi-Beams exclusively for years. And then I tried a set of Fat-Beams because my guitar shop was out of Hi-Beams. I definitely noticed a difference in tension. The Fat-Beams are a little stiffer.
I've always wondered about this. Good thread. Actually the only reason I've never bought a set of DR's is the VAST selection. I really wouldn't know what I was in for ahead of time. I wondered how different Sunbeams would sound than Lo-Riders. I gave up and ordered my usual XL165's. My next string might be Fat Beams!
I was looking for some info on Fat Beams versus Hi Beams, and bought a set, thinking I'd put them on my Pentabuzz for a little brighter sound, but I didn't like the way they sounded on that bass AT ALL...
So, I put them on my Rapture J2-5 instead, and for that, I love them. Best sounding strings I've ever put together with that bass. Really even, bright when needed but on a jazz gig I found them to be very nuanced, lots of color. People who hear me play often commented on it...I had Rotosounds on that bass previously.
So, I put them on my Rapture J2-5 instead, and for that, I love them. Best sounding strings I've ever put together with that bass. Really even, bright when needed but on a jazz gig I found them to be very nuanced, lots of color. People who hear me play often commented on it...I had Rotosounds on that bass previously.
I agree with this. Ive used FatBeams as well and would choose them over HiBeams in a minute, although I use neither. The FatBeams sounded better to me on my Jazz Bass
Old thread, still valid.
The Hi Beams are said to last a long time. "renowned for durability, unusually long life, consistency, and string-to-string balance."
How do the Fat Beams last?
How about their consistency?
What about their string to string balance.
I am looking for the best available strings for my Fender American Standard Jazz V. I need a great B string and long life. I don't change strings very often. I was using TI Flats, but those are just uninspiring on my Jazz. Great on my Precision.
It seems like all I have done for the past week is research bass strings. I am going to have to make a decision and give something a try.
The Hi Beams are said to last a long time. "renowned for durability, unusually long life, consistency, and string-to-string balance."
How do the Fat Beams last?
How about their consistency?
What about their string to string balance.
I am looking for the best available strings for my Fender American Standard Jazz V. I need a great B string and long life. I don't change strings very often. I was using TI Flats, but those are just uninspiring on my Jazz. Great on my Precision.
It seems like all I have done for the past week is research bass strings. I am going to have to make a decision and give something a try.
I have two US Masters 5s. One is maple/maple/maple + P/J, the other lacewood/maple/ebony + H/H, both had the EMG B30 preamp at the time. I had a set of Black Beauties on the P/J and Fat Beams on the H/H. They sounded both fine. When I swapped the strings to see what would hapen, I could tell that it was a better match both ways. The Fat Beams on the heavier, denser maple instrument were just better - like the sonic range had been expanded. The BBs on the lighter lacewood bass were smoother and seemed to balance better with the bass' natural sound.
I bought the Fat Beams form Bass Strings Online, and Jason swapped the .125 B-string for a .130 for me. Solid sounding B, but part of that is your instrument, too. I have had that set on for two years, but am not using that bass constantly. I do a couple hours of performance with it every couple months; I'd guess 60-80 hours play time on this set. They stil sound good enough to me to not consider changing them out yet.
I hope this has been helpful.
Last night I actually ordered Fat Beams from Jason at Bass Strings Online. With the .130! You have only reinforced my decision to at least give them a try. My second choice was either Chromes or Pressurewounds. I am really enjoying my Jazz V with the old XL stings on it until I get the Fat Beams. Rounds on a Jazz seem to wake it up in a great way!
I recently bought a set of strings. I put them on thinking they were my usual Fat Beams... and I was not loving them. I was going for a higher gauge so I could not comment on tension differences, but it sounded too bright and a little scooped on the mids.
At first I thought it was just the initial brightness. I never like the strings the first few days, they take about a couple of weeks for them to settle and lose the initial 'zing', after that I like them a lot and they last a long time. But I didn't remember feeling this way about the Fat Beams before. They seemed to be a bit too bright and slightly scooped, and just not having that low midrange presence I like.
Then, I saw the package which I had not yet thrown away: they were Hi Beams. I bought Hi Beams by mistake.
At first I thought it was just the initial brightness. I never like the strings the first few days, they take about a couple of weeks for them to settle and lose the initial 'zing', after that I like them a lot and they last a long time. But I didn't remember feeling this way about the Fat Beams before. They seemed to be a bit too bright and slightly scooped, and just not having that low midrange presence I like.
Then, I saw the package which I had not yet thrown away: they were Hi Beams. I bought Hi Beams by mistake.
I find the fat beams have less of a mid scoop and slightly less, (Very slightly) highs compared to the Hi Beams. Both are a good long lasting string and break in very nicely. But I like the sun beams also especially on my P bass. Low Riders are great also and had used them for years. I like DR as a bass string maker cause all their brands have a great tone to them. And very consistent. But what I have been using for the last year are Fat Beams on all my basses except the P Bass.
Yes Hi- Beams have a big mid range scoop!
Ive read where several folks have said that the two sets feel identical but not to me. The Hi-Beams sound very bright (obviously 
) but very smooth, especially for a stainless steel string. The Fat Beams in comparison feel rough to my fingers and seem to lack some of the flexibility that the Hi Beams have. But they have that awesome mid range GANK that's hard to describe. Very close to Rotosounds. Both are great! I have a set of Hi-Beams on my USA Peavey Cirrus.Best wishes,
Brent
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I put a set of HI Beams on my 2015 P a couple weeks ago. I have to say that I'm really diggin them. I was going to try a set on my Jazz but after reading this thread, I may try a set of Fat Beams on my Jazz instead. Decisions decisions.....
The Hi Beams are not "terrible"... I bought a G&L L2000 once that came with Hi Beams, and I kept them on very happily. Having said that, that bass is a beast and not shy on the midrange. I just prefer Fat Beams. I recently got a set of Sunbeams as I am curious, but I can't decide where to use them...
It's a hard life
Yes Hi- Beams have a big mid range scoop!
Best wishes,
Brent
I like the way they feel, the Fat Beams.
Which Rotosounds are you talking about? Are you comparing them because of the roughness or sound? Or both?
