DR strings

[Jeff_H]

Re: DR strings

If some of you guys would just try some Snake Oil strings, you would never have to worry about some of these issues. They feel great, sound great, come in pure nickel for a warm vintage tone or Rock Formula for a brighter, modern tone. I've never broken one and they last 3-4 times longer than any other strings I've tried....at least.

I always keep some Slinky's on hand as extras, but the Snake Oils rock.

 

[sosomething]

Re: DR strings

I used DRs for years, but recently had to find a new brand - I even had a thread about it a few months ago.

They sound great and last forever.

but

I have had some issues with consistency. Sometimes they will come out of the package "bad" and refuse to intonate or hold tune. When that happens, it's a wasted set.

 

[sosomething]

Re: DR strings

If some of you guys would just try some Snake Oil strings, you would never have to worry about some of these issues. They feel great, sound great, come in pure nickel for a warm vintage tone or Rock Formula for a brighter, modern tone. I've never broken one and they last 3-4 times longer than any other strings I've tried....at least.

...and this is the brand that won my loyalty.

I've got Snake Oil Brand (SOB) strings on most of my guitars now and I think I'll be sticking with them.

I have an order with NakedStrings.com incoming, but they're apparently having supply issues so the jury is still very out.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: DR strings

That's the only downside to SOB strings, you can't just walk into a store and buy them. I've never had any issues with getting an order from Dean, but I've heard a lot of folks have. Whenever I ordered strings from him, I got a dozen sets or so. It's a bit more expensive to buy that many sets, but they will last you forever if your saddles are filed properly so they don't have sharp spots to cause breakage.

I do wish Dean was a bit more reliable with his service. If he could get that sorted out and find a way to advertise more or get some retail outlets to carry his strings, I think he would be in a whole different league before he could shake a stick.

 

[sosomething]

Re: DR strings

Just to be clear - my delayed order is with NakedStrings.com, not with Snake Oil Brand.

 

[JeffB]

Re: DR strings

Great sound- great feel (the best IMO), but...

I have had some issues with consistency. Sometimes they will come out of the package "bad" and refuse to intonate or hold tune. When that happens, it's a wasted set. .

^ Same issue for me.


Because of how good they sound & feel, I wasted alot more money than 3 sets worth though, hoping I was just having some bad luck and things would turn around. Gave up when I finally noticed DR themselves putting special clipping/installation instructions (including 'don't stretch your strings- that is causing the issues you are having') in the package trying to provide some damage control for the tuning/intonation problems.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: DR strings

Roundcore pos stuff......
Could ever never get them to tune right.
Keep them.....
Hehe

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: DR strings

That's interesting, I too had both of those issues, breakage (a couple of times during the first tuning after winding) and some strings that would quite simply refuse to intonate, funny thing is for both I blamed the guitar for the longest time...

However once they were in they'd last a lot longer than, say, Ernie Ball which is the other brand I use and will both feel and sound much different (they feel somewhat tighter and do sound quite brighter, less midrangey) so depending on the guitar I'd far prefer them to other strings...

 

[malymal86]

Re: DR strings

I have never had a problem with DR strings... They are my favorites...

They feel great, have more sustain than Daddarios.... etc. Just better strings...

i like the dr acoustic strings a lot

 

[wahwah]

Re: DR strings

I used them years ago until they became so inconsistent and unreliable that I abandoned them. When they were good, they were good, when they were bad, they were rubbish. I have the local distributor sending me sets now to try out, but I won't risk them in the midst of a busy touring schedule. I'll try them again when I have a break from the road.

Long since giving up on DR, I found Snake Oil Brand strings, in particular their rock formula, which really show DR up to be mediocre in all of the important areas, tone, feel and longevity. In fact SOB strings show up all other string brands as being mediocre. I tried to like Curt Mangan strings during a time when there were supply issues, and while the Mangans were better than most of the commercially successful string brands, they were still not a patch on the Snake Oils.




Cheers...................................... wahwah

 

[LesStrat]

Re: DR strings

Interesting.

I've never had a problem w/ DR strings in the 10+ years I've used them. I usually keep them on until they won't stay on pitch. I'm on my second set on the Mojo... I bought it over 1.5 years ago.

I have no experience with their coated strings.

 

[icantbuyafender]

Re: DR strings

coated? If it were me I'd stick to your elixers. Drs have yet to impress me in the least, and the uncoated sets ive tried never last more than a week without sounding gross.

I like Ernie's

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: DR strings

I used the DR Pure Blues for several years when they first came out...Loved them and didn't have any issues with their strings...I currently use D Addarios on almost all of my guitars..Have for many years now..

 

[Quencho092]

Re: DR strings

strings dont make a massive difference unless you're talking different material or gauge. I've been just getting the cheapest d'adarrio sets and replacing them more often instead of going with a 'boutique' string concept. I used to use DR's, ernie ball, basically tried every brand, but it's not worth the money to me if it gets changed so often and the difference in tone is so marginal.

D'adario 12's with wound G sound amazing on my strat. I want to experiment with a .19w or .20w instead of the .24 to see if i can bend it more than 3/4 of a step.

 

[LoFiBrian]

Re: DR strings

Here is my recent foray into DR.

2 weeks ago i scored 3 sets of 9 gauge tite-fits from guitar center for $15. My buddy told me they opened up a whole new world of spank on his tele. I was intrigued to say the least.

Cleaned up the CV tele and strung her up and set her up proper. And within the first few minutes the wound strings were breaking where the string leaves the body. I broke a D and replaced it thinking it a fluke. then the G.

I email DR and Steve@DR mailed me a replacement set of DR TF-9's admitting that a bad set can happen but they are committed to doing what they can to fix it. Awesome customer service! Ive been playing a new set for a week and today while rocking the tele into my Spina repaired Barber Direct Drive into my Galaxie 10...The D breaks. So here i am 2 hours into a set of D'addario 9's and they sound bigger and bassier and I'm sure like the sets before it will last and last.

tread lightly with DR. great customer service and good tone. But something tells me there is a QC issue with consistency in their wrapping.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: DR strings

I think David Collins covered DR's quality issues.

I use D'Addario because they are inexpensive, easy to find, sound good, last, and are consistent.

 

[LoFiBrian]

Re: DR strings

I think David Collins covered DR's quality issues.

He sure did. I was hoping to add into the pile my recent experience to show that nothing has changed in the past few years since he stopped using DRs

I also use D'addario because they are cheap, consistant and found at every local music store.

 

[TeleLubber]

Re: DR strings

I keep going back to D'Addario.. sets of 10s in bulk.. consistent quality, "glassy" feel, and lasting tone. They never break, and I am pretty hard on my strings.. Intonation is a breeze, set it and forget it.

I recently tried SIT (stay in tune) because I got a deal on them, but had intonation problems even between adjustments set to set, strange "warbles" etc.. what was cool about SIT was the extra high E & B strings, but I never broke any.. so they are durable..

All other brands I've tried.. DR, GHS, Ernie Ball, etc.. break and lose tone too quickly in my experience.. Elixir sounded like rubber to me

 

[icantbuyafender]

Re: DR strings

strings dont make a massive difference unless you're talking different material or gauge. I've been just getting the cheapest d'adarrio sets and replacing them more often instead of going with a 'boutique' string concept. I used to use DR's, ernie ball, basically tried every brand, but it's not worth the money to me if it gets changed so often and the difference in tone is so marginal.

D'adario 12's with wound G sound amazing on my strat. I want to experiment with a .19w or .20w instead of the .24 to see if i can bend it more than 3/4 of a step.

-1

Your opening statement is far from correct, if i may. (To me anyway)

a set of ernie 9's vs. DRs : DRs are a bit duller... even worse when coated.
The ernie's have more character and a great lifespan. DRs feel okay, but dont take to bending as willingly as Ernie's. Plus, DRs kinda sound worn after about a week...

Plus, Ive had too many DRs slip at the saddle to be inclined to purchase another set. Once.... okay. All 3 wound strings on multiple sets... NOT cool.

I just like the voice Ernies have. If you want warmer, EB makes pure nickel rock and roll slinkys which are (im willing to bet) far from drab and muddy as I've heard of some friends describe them.

 

[David Collins]

Re: DR strings

For the record, I've not personally run in to any string breakage problems with DR's, only the inconsistent windings which lead to intonation issues and sometimes some odd warbling tones.

In favor of DR, they do offer a different feel and tone which I've not found exactly the same thing from other makers. Also, their customer service is indeed very good, and if you ever did run in to a problem they will be quick to do whatever they can to take care of it and send you replacements.

The inconsistent windings were just such a chronic problem for such a long time that if any customer insisted on using DR's, I would always recommend that they bring at least 2 or 3 sets if their guitar was coming in for a setup so that I could be more certain to be able to assemble at least one proper set with no problems. Didn't always have problems, but then again I have run in to cases where 2 or 3 sets in a row would have at least one bad string.

Now again, it's been a few years since I've given them a fair chance. When they did have inconsistent windings I would often put them under the scope to look at the problem. The patterns of inconsistency were typically so consistent along their length (things like one wide gap, one narrow, two tight wraps, one gap on the other side, then a tight wrap, then repeat) that it seemed to indicate a problem that could have been traceable to a particular machine or guide. It's quite possible, perhaps even likely that they've tracked this problem down and corrected it by now, and maybe their current strings are perfectly fine. I just don't know for sure, but am speaking of experiences over a period of several years, dating primarily back 4-5 years ago or more.

Currently I use Daddario, GHS, and Dean Markley, which between them seem to cover about any need I may have, save for some odd flat or tapewound strings for which I turn to Thomastik and LaBella. Mostly I use GHS and Markley, simply because they're made in my home state, and their quality is very good and consistent.