Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

[JOLLY]

Any opinions between the Hi Beams and the Fat Beams?

I love a big fat round and full sounding string with a nice high end growl. I know dUg Pinnick uses the Hi Beams. I, just like everyone loves his bass tone, but I know probably 80% of that comes because of his amp setup, and 15% coming from his fingers.


HI-BEAM™

Stainless Steel Bass Strings wound on Round Cores
Hi-Beam stainless steel bass strings are round wound and constructed on a round core which is unique in the industry. Hi-Beams require much more time, care and extra steps to make than other bass strings. The extra effort DR expends making Hi-Beams results in a bass string that is highly flexible and musically but not harshly bright. They are renowned for durability, unusually long life, consistency and string-to-string balance. They don’t eat your frets. ​
HI-BEAMS are the string to choose for brightness, punch and ease of playing.



FAT-BEAMS™

Stainless Steel Bass Strings wound on Round Cores
Fat-Beams are compression wound to produce fat mids, bright highs and that distinct edgy Fat-Beam sound.
Hand-made with the finest American stainless steel available, wound on round cores for increased flexibility and tone.
DR Strings are hand-made (not machine-made) because our expert string-makers are capable of making micro adjustments needed through the winding process for the best sound and feel possible.
The Difference is Real.

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[JOLLY]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

Funk, I've never had the whole corrosive sweat issue. I'd be throwing them on one of my Carvin LB70 basses which both have Carvin Active J pickups in them. Master volume, pan pot, bass gain/cut, and treble gain/cut. Both bass guitars are not super bass heavy sounding. They both have more of that piano like quality to them.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

 

[dystrust]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

I've never used Hi-Beams or Fat-Beams, but I've gone through a few sets of Lo-Riders and loved the way they sound. Back then I was using them on an Ibanez Musician MC2942 which is maple neck-thru, ash wings, & an ebony board, so I was afraid of the Hi-Beams being too bright. The Lo-Riders were bright enough to cut through well, and plenty thick in the bass / low mids. My only complaint is that they didn't last very well, though I didn't try boiling them (since I didn't know about it at the time).

My and longcat's current bass strings of choice are the DR Extra Life Coated. They feel pretty close to regular strings, but maybe just the slightest bit more slippery and they last forever. In terms of tone they're not quite identical to Lo-Riders, but are very close.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

i started using fat beams years ago and havent looked back since they sound and feel great. they are the only round wound bass string ive bought in probably ten years. i still use rotosound flats though

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

My and longcat's current bass strings of choice are the DR Extra Life Coated. They feel pretty close to regular strings, but maybe just the slightest bit more slippery and they last forever. In terms of tone they're not quite identical to Lo-Riders, but are very close.

I use DR neons on a couple of basses, which is basically the same coating only withy color. I really like the sound and feel of them, and they do last quite a long time. (My guitar playing friend thought they were "gimmicky" until he heard them amplified.)

 

[dystrust]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

I use DR neons on a couple of basses, which is basically the same coating only withy color. I really like the sound and feel of them, and they do last quite a long time. (My guitar playing friend thought they were "gimmicky" until he heard them amplified.)

We use those as well on the Ibanez SR; the Spector's strings are black.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

Interesting, one of my basses with DR neons is an SR305.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

I like the Ernie Ball Cobalts. But of the two choices you offered, I'd go with the Fat Beams. You can dial treble back, you can't put it in where it isn't, not really, at least as far as what the pickup initially sees.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

When I was gigging and recording as a bassist I always used DR strings. I used the Hi beams, fat beams and the red devils. I really liked the tone of the fat beams the most, the feel of the hi beams the most and the look of the red devils the most. The bottom line is DR makes good bass strings IMO. I say give them a try.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

Never used the Fat Beams but Hi-Beams are where its at for me. Great amount of clanks without sacrificing low end. Unfortunately I've been having intonation/quality issues with their guitar strings as of late, hope it doesnt cross over into the bass word.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

Unfortunately I've been having intonation/quality issues with their guitar strings as of late, hope it doesnt cross over into the bass word.

I believe it is contagious. Wash your hands thoroughly between instrument changes; you might want to consider wearing gloves when you play.

 

[ex-250]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

I use DR neons on a couple of basses, which is basically the same coating only withy color. I really like the sound and feel of them, and they do last quite a long time. (My guitar playing friend thought they were "gimmicky" until he heard them amplified.)

And I thought I was the only one. I love the sound of the neons. Didn't expect to at all, it was a great surprise. Very…girthy.

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

Hi Beams are worth the money. Their brightness is more natural harmonics, not just new string fret ratlle and zing. The tone also lasts a long time. The only drawback is that the feel is much stiffer than Fenders. Your fingers are going to hurt a bit more, but your ears will be happy.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

I always liked the D'Addario Stainles XL's but they definitely eat up non stainless frets.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

And I thought I was the only one. I love the sound of the neons. Didn't expect to at all, it was a great surprise. Very…girthy.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

My bassist has gone through several brand before settling on the (dean markley?) flat wounds he uses now.

He used to use these DR strings, he used them for quite a while. I think they were the hi-beam range. DR must have gotten something right, this guy is very serious about his bass playing, you know?

 

[BRHGM]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

I use Hibeams on all my basses. My Warwick didn't sound right with other strings. Then I switched to DRs for all my guitars. So far no problems for several years.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Thinking About Trying Some DR Bass Strings

I ended up ordering some stainless steel Lo-Riders. I listened to the sound samples, and I liked them the most.

Click on "Product Details" at the right, and it will let you hear the different strings.

http://www.drstrings.com/#!bass/cnk7