DR Strings

Vintage, Modern, V & C series, Fretless, Signature & Special Editions

Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4

User avatar
coolhandjjl
Intermediate Member
Posts: 621
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 5:42 pm

DR Strings

Post by coolhandjjl »

Been using DR Nickle Lo Riders lately. Nice and growly, I really like them. Anyone try the DR Black Beauties? Was thinking of trying them for no other reason than black would look cool.
'09 4003 | '93 4003s
John Luke aka Coolhand
User avatar
kernkamp
Member
Posts: 258
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:07 pm

Re: DR Strings

Post by kernkamp »

If you like nice a growly with the Lo Riders (and those are the strings I use too) the Black Beauties don't sound or feel anything like them.

I had them on a Black Rick once and they LOOK cool but don't feel or play like regular DR strings. I had to take mine off.
1STNAMEBASSIST
New member
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2010 7:03 pm

Re: DR Strings

Post by 1STNAMEBASSIST »

I'm curious as to how long the low riders last. I put a set of hi beams on my Rick about a month ago. They sounded great, but this week they are already sounded dead. I think my next set is going to Fender flats. I put a set on my churches new Precision bass and they sounded great and felt great too. I've always had good luck with longevity of flats in the past, but I give a slight edge to rounds for the sound. Never tried flats on a rick though. Any thoughts?
User avatar
ajish4
RRF Moderator
Posts: 8566
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2005 6:00 am

Re: DR Strings

Post by ajish4 »

1STNAMEBASSIST wrote:I'm curious as to how long the low riders last. I put a set of hi beams on my Rick about a month ago. They sounded great, but this week they are already sounded dead. I think my next set is going to Fender flats. I put a set on my churches new Precision bass and they sounded great and felt great too. I've always had good luck with longevity of flats in the past, but I give a slight edge to rounds for the sound. Never tried flats on a rick though. Any thoughts?
That's odd, I have DR Highbeams on almost all my basses and they usually last a GOOD LONG TIME, about 6 months. They do dull out after about a few weeks but then they stay put. Try some Naphtha and a cotton rag, it should bring them right back.

I DO have a set of Black Beauties on my cheapie Washburn. MUCH DIFFERENT SOUND...almost flat wound sounding. Not a lot of sustain but great for that OLD SCHOOL MOTOWN sound. LOL, had them for like 3 years now, the black is starting to rub away! LOL
1STNAMEBASSIST
New member
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2010 7:03 pm

Re: DR Strings

Post by 1STNAMEBASSIST »

I don't seem to have good luck with longevity on rounds. Don't know why, I keep them clean. Some people eat up strings because of sweat I guess. I did have good luck with Elixers on another bass I have, but they are a dark sounding string, so in my mind they probably wouldn't sound real great on the Rick. I've seen others give rave reviews for good quality flats on their Ricks, so I think they will be next to try. Thanks for the input.
Blackstar4003
New member
Posts: 34
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2010 11:04 pm

Re: DR Strings

Post by Blackstar4003 »

I also use DR low riders on everything. They last and last even after months of gigs. Nothing compares!
turlu
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 517
Joined: Sat May 05, 2001 5:00 am

Re: DR Strings

Post by turlu »

DR strings for me have been the best in longevity, the lo-riders and hi-beams are phenomenal strings in my opinion.

I would not go with the black beauties at all, the coating simply gets in the way of the Tone !
User avatar
rickenbrother
RRF Moderator
Posts: 13114
Joined: Sun May 26, 2002 5:00 am

Re: DR Strings

Post by rickenbrother »

ajish4 wrote:Try some Naphtha and a cotton rag, it should bring them right back.
This works best if you don't wait until the new string sound goes away. Best to keep dirt and sweat from getting settled into the winding of the strings.
The JETGLO finish name should be officially changed to JETGLO ROCKS! :-)
User avatar
Ric N. Backer
Member
Posts: 427
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2010 11:12 pm

Re: DR Strings

Post by Ric N. Backer »

rickenbrother wrote:
ajish4 wrote:Try some Naphtha and a cotton rag, it should bring them right back.
This works best if you don't wait until the new string sound goes away. Best to keep dirt and sweat from getting settled into the winding of the strings.
And if that should happen, boil a kettle of water and cook the grime away. :lol:
If Mozart were with us today, he'd play a Fireglo 4001C64! ~~~*~~~ Beethoven, on the other hand, would play a Matte Jetglo 4001C64S!
User avatar
woodyng
Senior Member
Posts: 4455
Joined: Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:11 am

Re: DR Strings

Post by woodyng »

#1 on dr strings,i prefer the sunbeams which are roundcore nickle roundwounds,i get a lot of longevity out of most string sets,i guess i have a mild body chemistry. never tried the black beauties,but have used lo riders and hi beams over the years,great strings!
User avatar
rickenbrother
RRF Moderator
Posts: 13114
Joined: Sun May 26, 2002 5:00 am

Re: DR Strings

Post by rickenbrother »

Ric N. Backer wrote:
rickenbrother wrote:This works best if you don't wait until the new string sound goes away. Best to keep dirt and sweat from getting settled into the winding of the strings.
And if that should happen, boil a kettle of water and cook the grime away. :lol:
Nah, that's definitely time for new strings.
The JETGLO finish name should be officially changed to JETGLO ROCKS! :-)
User avatar
johnallg
Rick-a-holic
Posts: 17688
Joined: Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:13 pm

Re: DR Strings

Post by johnallg »

I have not had very good luck with boiling strings. Mostly Rotosounds, because of the limited life. I've even added rubbing alcohol to the water.
User avatar
cheyenne
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 6244
Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2001 11:39 am

Re: DR Strings

Post by cheyenne »

Low Riders are great strings, I prefer them on my Jazz , but Hi-Beams really bring out the Squire tone on my V63.
"Knowledge is Power"
User avatar
weemac
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 2735
Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2002 1:28 am

Re: DR Strings

Post by weemac »

johnallg wrote:I have not had very good luck with boiling strings. Mostly Rotosounds, because of the limited life. I've even added rubbing alcohol to the water.
Yeah! when you put them back on they sound good for about 3 minutes and then go completely dead!

I've cleaned strings in an ultrasonic cleaner, Now that does work fairly well......

emac.
User avatar
cassius987
Senior Member
Posts: 4723
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:11 pm

Re: DR Strings

Post by cassius987 »

johnallg wrote:I have not had very good luck with boiling strings. Mostly Rotosounds, because of the limited life. I've even added rubbing alcohol to the water.
My understanding is that boiling strings can do as much harm as good, as the water (and trace metals in the water that are redox active) can oxidize the strings even more than before they were boiled. Using denatured alcohol should be a good alternative, with no need to boil. It works for me.
Post Reply

Return to “Rickenbacker Basses: by Joey Vasco & Tony Cabibe”