D'Addario EPS 170 Pro Steels - Advice please!!

[Paolo]

Hi all,
I've read some really good reviews on these strings & was wondering if there are any users out there who can comment & advice.
I have a 2010 4003 JG.I play mostly Punk Rock,Hard Rock & a bit of Metal.I've been using DR Hi Beams (45 65 80 100) since i purchased the bass,but i really want to try some different strings next.
My main questions are;
Are these strings high tension? Higher than my Hi Beams??? I do quite a bit of string bending!!
What are they like on the frets/fingers?
Which length should i buy for a 4003? Medium scale (32"-34") or Long scale (34"-36")
How do they sound on a Ric? Punchy,Growly & Bright??

Thanks...

[rickenbrother]

I have the EPS 170 set installed on a couple of my Ricks. I like them. They are medium tension. I couldn't give you a fair comparison between them and the Hi Beams since I really don't have much experience with DR strings.
You definitely want the long scale set.
They are punchy, growly and bright, but not quite as zingy as a Rotosound Swing Bass set.
I don't find them to be as hard on the frets or fingers as a set of Rotosounds either. How heavy handed you are with your fretting hand has alot to do with fret wear also.

[cheyenne]

I've been wondering about that same question for quite a while. You can go to http://www.juststrings.com and they list the string tension in lbs. for the D'Addario's, but give no info on the DR's.

I wish you could go somewhere and get this information for all strings. Its a useful tool to have.

Edit: you need Long scale strings.

[Paolo]

Thanks for the replies guys.I went ahead & bought them.I put them on a couple of hours ago.They're definitely more tense than the DR's,but not much.I had to adjust the truss rods which i've never done on my Ric before...It was a piece of cake!! I must admit i was dreading it,but i took the cover off,gave them both about 1/8th of a turn each & hey presto,spot on relief!!
I have to say that these strings sound fantastic.Much zingier & brighter than the Hi Beams.It's also cured my very slightly quiet E string problem (I did cure the majority by means of pickups/pole height adjustment,but these strings have made it even better/more pronounced).

I agree with you Cheyenne...There should be a reference to all string manufacturers tensions...DR definitely don't publish theirs!!

Thanks again from a very happy Ric player