• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Why DR strings are amazing

#121
Truth is, they will have more "duds" than a machine made D'Addario. And someone early claimed that string maker B had better customer service, but never contacted DR. And whomever says D'Addarios last longer is doing something abnormally wrong. With me its weeks versus months. DR has replaced many a new B string for me.

I hope readers can filter the noise out of the good info here.
 
#122
DR Strings are great, no doubt about it, at least what I've tried which is the Hi Beams.

Only problem with Hi Beams is, they do eat your frets, no matter what Marcus Miller says (maybe he's got stainless so they don't eat his). I checked my frets after only a few hours of playing and they were already worn. Put in Nickle coated strings and that took care of it.

Just an FYI for those who don't want to do a fret job every 6 months.
 
#124
I use HighBeams on 2 of my basses and Black Beauties on the other two - all of which are 5 string instruments. I use the 45-130 guage. I've been using them for years now and have only good things to say about DR strings.

Anyway, my band is back in the studio starting tomorrow and during this 4 day session we will be tracking a song in Dropped D tuning, which drops my E string to D and my B string to A. I like the feel of taut strings and during rehearsals I felt that perhaps a little tighter B string might work better for me. I always switch out my strings on the bass(es) I plan on recording with 2 or 3 days before hitting the studio, so yesterday I purchased a set of the DR DDT (55-135) and put them on. Yeah, it's a bit of a gamble, but that demonstrates my faith in DR strings.

So far, the feel is good - I'll report back after our sessions have ended and give a more detailed review.
 
#125
bassgod0dmw said:
I just bought a set of hi beams for my 5er (been a long time lo rider user). As I was stringing up the low B (.125) the damn thing snapped! A string 1/8" thick. I was amazed.

I called DR and they said they would send me a replacement. The mail just came, they sent me a whole new pack! I've been playing DR's for as long as I can remember...and that's one more reason why. THANKS!
Click to expand...

My B string (nickel low riders) unwound upon installation (a buddy was doing the work) and I contacted them. I was kinda hoping they’d send me a whole set, which would give me a whole new set for a four-string, but they just sent me a replacement B string.

Oh well, I can‘t complain.

I ordered another set of lowriders, but accidentally ordered the SS set. I think I’ll keep them and try them out on my Squier Jazz V.
 
#126
Marko5657 said:
My B string (nickel low riders) unwound upon installation (a buddy was doing the work) and I contacted them. I was kinda hoping they’d send me a whole set, which would give me a whole new set for a four-string, but they just sent me a replacement B string.

Oh well, I can‘t complain.

I ordered another set of lowriders, but accidentally ordered the SS set. I think I’ll keep them and try them out on my Squier Jazz

V.
Click to expand...


I ha the same problem with the Drop Tuned models. B unwound at the peg on two consecutive strings. And yes they were installed properly. Circle K Balanced standards are far superior.
 
#127
First - DR strings taper their strings at the nut a little farther down the string than some other string manufacturers.. So if the string (usually Low B because the tuning machine is closest to the nut) unravels or breaks at the tuning machine.. That's why..

Reason: The outermost wrap isn't supposed to wrap around the tuning post.. If it's a nickel string, it's a softer material than steel.. So nickel will do this more often that steel strings will.. If the steel strings will at all.
 
#128
Secondly, as previously stated: DR strings are hand wound.. Which means that they will have some duds more regularly than machine-wound. However, DR's customer service is the best I have ever experienced.

Reason: If you call/e-mail them telling them your issue with the given string, they will send you a new one for free (or a new set for free). You don't pay shipping, you don't have to send the dud back.. Nothing.. They just take care of you.

DR.. Done Right.
 
#129
lburton2 said:
Secondly, as previously stated: DR strings are hand wound.. Which means that they will have some duds more regularly than machine-wound. However, DR's customer service is the best I have ever experienced.

Reason: If you call/e-mail them telling them your issue with the given string, they will send you a new one for free (or a new set for free). You don't pay shipping, you don't have to send the dud back.. Nothing.. They just take care of you.

DR.. Done Right.
Click to expand...

+1 for this. they package strings very well, too!
 
#133
michaelgilleran said:
Just ordered some green neons.

Ive played elixers the last few years, but Im looking to try new things. Should I be excited?
Click to expand...

I have a set of green Neons on my main bass. they sound AWESOME! They feel great, and look very, very cool! :D

A couple of pics:

AUNeonDRs.gif


AUNeonDRsBody.gif


Cheers!
:bassist::bassist::bassist:
 
#134
moomoocajoo said:
Dr Strings are massively over rated IMO. IME their coated strings last the same time as normal strings and don't sound any better. I didn't like any of the gauges of the sets I tried too.

I mean they're not bad, certainly no worse than any other strings out there really, but theyre not the second coming which is what some people would seem to believe.

Just my 0.02...maybe I just got unlucky?
Click to expand...


I have to agree with this... as a former user. DRs dont suck but... I use TIs now ( because they are awesome and LAST FOREVER!!! ) but the RS66 IME are better than DRs.
 
#135
I must admit I have encountered bad sets (think they happened to be sunbeams or lo-riders) , but overall I would never play anything else than a heavy set of Hi-beams, there's just no other string like them.

And all this neon colour coating rubbish is a silly fad and looks tacky in my opinion.
 
#136
I have High Beams on 2 jazz basses and 1 precision, Black Beauties on a VMJ fretless, and MM Fat Beams on a Schecter 5-string. Just got a Schecter Stiletto 4-string, and I have High Beam Flatwounds on the way to replace the stock strings. I've never gotten a bad string, and I'm delighted with all but the Black Beauties. They're probably the perfect string for the fretless, but they feel funny to me. Kind of like rubber bands....These will be my first flats, and I'm eager to try them out. I've never bought anything but DRs since I bought my first set two years ago. Incidentally, that first set still sounds great, and they get daily use.
 
#137
I wish I liked them better, because their service is outstanding. Unfortunately, from my first set of Hi Beams, theyare just don't sound like I want my strings to sound. I usually use Rotos, and the Hi Beams seem to have a dip at my favorite frequency. They lack a little something in the sound. I love the way they sound, it's just not what I want.

I tried them to give some other strings a try, since I don't know how much I like the Rotos if I haven't tried anything else. But so far, I definitely prefer the Rotos. Might try some Prosteels in the future.

Hmm... anyone know how the Hex-core lo riders compare to the Rotos? I still probably wouldn't prefer them, because apparently nothing has the bite that Rotosound has. If the main difference between the Lo Riders and the Hi Beams is feel, I probably won't bother.
 
#140
LilloEsquilo said:
DR Strings are great, no doubt about it, at least what I've tried which is the Hi Beams.

Only problem with Hi Beams is, they do eat your frets, no matter what Marcus Miller says (maybe he's got stainless so they don't eat his). I checked my frets after only a few hours of playing and they were already worn. Put in Nickle coated strings and that took care of it.

Just an FYI for those who don't want to do a fret job every 6 months.
Click to expand...
If your frets were noticeably "worn" after only a few hours of play with some stainless steel strings, I would actually question if maybe there is something wrong with your frets.

I've used several sets of rotos stainless steel on 3 different basses, with at least 1 year of exclusive roto use per bass, and never noticed any visible fret wear. A Fender Jaguar and two different Ibanez (an SRT and one of the later EDBs made of wood).
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back