What makes Fat Beams different from Hi-Beams?

[Chrisk-K]

I've been using Hi-Beams for a decade and am interested in trying Fat Beams to get stronger low mids. Both of them are stainless steel round-core strings. Are there other differences that make Fat Beams sound different from Hi-Beams? Also, are Fat Beams equally as flexible as Hi-Beams?

 

[michael_t]

Are there other differences that make Fat Beams sound different from Hi-Beams? Also, are Fat Beams equally as flexible as Hi-Beams?

Fat Beams are what they call "slow wound" (= wound at half speed), resulting in an extra tight winding with added compression. This also means FBs are slightly stiffer in feel than HBs.

 

[eriky4003]

I'll vouch for the fatness on the Fats. I started with Fats, tried the Hi's went back to the Fats back-to-back.

 

[Gorn]

Is it a real difference or did one have Marcus Miller on the box and one didn't?

 

[michael_t]

Is it a real difference or did one have Marcus Miller on the box and one didn't?

Yes, there is a difference between HB and FB both in tone and feel, not just Marcus Miller's name.

 

[eriky4003]

Is it a real difference or did one have Marcus Miller on the box and one didn't?

Gorn, you are correct. Fat Beams were Marcus Miller's string with DR. He's now endorsed with his Marcus Miller signature Dunlop Super Brights. There is some discussion on the differences on this site. My experience was the DR Fats were a more refined string whereas the MM DSBs are more edgy - similar to Roto 66s.

 

[michael_t]

Fat Beams were Marcus Miller's string with DR.

The only thing that was special about the FB Marcus Miller signature set was the gauge selection - 45-65-80-105, which DR no longer offers as a factory set.