I just put a new set of Highbeams on my Player 2 Jazz Bass. Completely stock, it sounds like I did a pickup change just from these strings alone. They replaced a set of Markbass Nickel coated SS ( they are all stainless steel, but they coat the last wrap with nickel) The round core on the DR set make my bass resonate more, even unplugged. For the money, I would say these are the way to go. Now, I'm curious what a similar set would be, if I were to spend more. Just for curiosity sake. Do Thomastik make SS rounds? I tried looking around and can only find flats. Other brands I should try?
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Wow, DR Highbeams. Any recommendations for strings on the higher end of cost?
- Thread starter Nomoncello
- Start date
DR is, IMO, one of the best string brands for electric bass. I’m not sure you’ll necessarily find “better” just by spending more. I do recommend trying other DR strings. Personally, I really enjoy Pure Blues.
More expensive strings such as Sadowsky, R. Cocco, Ken Smith, Thomastic, etc…. are great strings but they’re only better if you like them better.
D’Addario XL are among my favorite strings and they’re very inexpensive.
D’Addario XL are among my favorite strings and they’re very inexpensive.
Highbeams are also going to feel more limber(especially right hand if you're a finger player)than most because of that round core. If Fatbeams(stainless, same price)were a little stiffer I'd still have them on one of my Wicks. DR has the Fodera/DR strings in stainless and nickel. I think they have a larger round core so they're a little stiffer and they cost more. But more $$ doesn't mean they'd be better for you.
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Why spend more money when the Hi Beams are wow'ing you already? A higher price doesn't mean better.
Dogal Carbonsteel SS rounds and flats have round cores. They are excellent, but priced much higher than other strings. They have a magic bounce and sizzle. I would use them everyday, if the prices were not obscene. Imo, they blow highbeams out of the water. They are more refined than highbeams and smoother windings and nice red silks.
I like Magma SS better than DR highbeams and SIT SS Powersteels too. Note these are hex cores, but the feel/bounce & harmonics are better than alot of strings out there.
I like highbeams for about 10 hours, and then they lose their magic---for me anyways. Dogal CS rounds last me about a month or so. Same with Magmas and SIT Powersteels. But I play really hard core, thick pick.
Although, nickel you may like TI Powerbass. High output for a nickel and very boomy E string. Much more refined feel vs Highbeams and nice purplish silks
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I think of DR strings as the peak "expensive" strings or..boujee strings? I think of brands like D'Addario, Ernie Ball, Labella as like "standard" brands and then the "nicer" ones like DR, Rotosound, Elixir, Dunlop. Then in my head the other category are the brands made by instrument makers like Fender strings, Fodera strings, Ken Smith strings.
They're different things. I played DR strings for years, high beams from high school till 2020 then I was doing some recording, needed new strings and wanted them a little warmer so I tried pure blues. Used those till I checked out Ernie ball strings which are much tighter and I personally loved them. I switched to 105-50 gauges which I never liked before but my tastes have changed.
They're different things. I played DR strings for years, high beams from high school till 2020 then I was doing some recording, needed new strings and wanted them a little warmer so I tried pure blues. Used those till I checked out Ernie ball strings which are much tighter and I personally loved them. I switched to 105-50 gauges which I never liked before but my tastes have changed.
Brandon Shea
Commercial User
I love the tone of fresh Hi-Beams, but they never last very long for me. YMMV depending on how much your hands tend to sweat while playing.
More recently, I've been using DR Dragon Skins on my basses when I want rounds. They're close enough to the Hi-Beam sound, but they last me months instead of weeks.
More recently, I've been using DR Dragon Skins on my basses when I want rounds. They're close enough to the Hi-Beam sound, but they last me months instead of weeks.
I agree with this. You can try the other flavors of DR. They are all great for different things/tones. I personally like the DR Fatbeams on my jazz. They have a nice low mid nose after they settle, and they seem to last a long time for me as well. YMMV.
To my ears and hands a good comp to the HiBeams is Dunlop Super Bright. The Stringjoy Rangers are hot too.
I Love TI Jazz Rounds you mentioned. They aren’t as bright but they are very consistent along the neck so it makes up for it. Plus they last a long time.
There’s no best but it’s worth finding your favorite.
I Love TI Jazz Rounds you mentioned. They aren’t as bright but they are very consistent along the neck so it makes up for it. Plus they last a long time.
There’s no best but it’s worth finding your favorite.
Try the Dunlop super brights. They’re actually less expensive, but I think they’re a very similar string.
DR makes some of the best strings out there. For me, Dunlop is right behind them and they’re usually $5 cheaper.
Give it a shot and see what you think!
Agreed. I’m a big fan of Lo Rider and have been using them for 20 years or more. I usually play in larger ensembles, They provide a solid low end, but just enough definition without being shrill. They anre really good at fitting into a sonic space. Further, they are reasonably priced, about $25 US. I get about 75-100 hours of play time on a set before they get clunky, although some would prefer that aspect.
One of the things I've always liked about DR strings is their finer and smoother surface texture, resulting in reduced finger noise, due to the thinner wire used for the final wrap.
I do prefer hex core over round core, though, so Lo-Riders (both SS and NPS) for me.
I do prefer hex core over round core, though, so Lo-Riders (both SS and NPS) for me.
I've always been a big fan of DR Sunbeams. Great tone, great feel, and long life.
I tried both Hi-Beams and Fat Beams, and despite I like them, I feel they are kind of "tame" in output when compared to the Daddario ProSteels and GHS Super Steels, or even the old SR2000 from Dean Markley (which I loved a lot).
My current strings are the ProSteels and my other option is the Super Bright SS from Dunlop.
My current strings are the ProSteels and my other option is the Super Bright SS from Dunlop.
Absolutely agree 100% on the Dunlops and have been singing their praises to anyone that will listen. I stumbled on to the Super Brights when they came on a used bass I purchased a while back. Instantly likes the sound and feel and the replaced DR on everything from that point forward. I was actually starting to find the later DR Hi Beams to be a bit 'clanky' for some reason. And the Super Bright name is a bit misleading because they are not. That alone woudl have kept me from them had I not been able to try blindly. They're beautifully balanced and modern sounding and last a long time for me.
LaBella for flats are "worth" the cost, but for rounds and bright flats of everything I've tried I always come back to DRs. I currently run Sunbeams for any bass with rounds, and have started using DR Legends as a "bright" flat and really like the punch, smoothness, and more modern tone. I keep the Labellas on my more vintage voiced instruments.
I'm not a clank person and find DR Legend flats as a good compromise.
Been using Curt Magnan strings and loving them! Best Guitar Strings for Acoustic, Electric, Guitar, Bass
