Myke Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 (edited) Hey, I'm looking to get a set of Dr Lo-Riders for my TRB. I was all ready to buy until I saw that there was Nickel Plated ones. The first set was Stainless Steel. Both the descriptions sound good to me but I don't know which to go for? Has anybody tried both? Or have any general opinions on them? Links [url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/p/912036/dr-handmade-lo-rider-5-string-bass-45-125-mh5-45/"]http://www.stringsdi...-45-125-mh5-45/[/url] [url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/p/912747/dr-handmade-lo-riders-nickel-45-125-5-string-bass-guitar-strings-nmh5-45/"]http://www.stringsdi...trings-nmh5-45/[/url] Cheers! Edited January 16, 2014 by Myke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 Bumpppppp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Hmm... I think they change the specs of their strings quite a lot. I'm sure their coated ones used to be steel and are now nickel.... Either that or regular coated ones are steel and the neon's are nickel. It's so confusing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 It really is! I was all happy to get the SS and then I noticed they had the same but Nickel plated. It's killed me, I hate decisions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I read your links properly this time. They actually have different product codes so it might be that both are available. Fair enough! I've never tried DR strings, but the best way to describe the difference in tone for nickel and stainless steel is that nickel tends to be slightly warmer with more of a low mid growl... And stainless steel have a brighter, slightly more scooped sounding tone. Sometimes the steels feel slightly rougher under the fingers but it differs from one manufacturer to another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 Ah, okay then. Right so.. Low Mid growl or Brighter sound :/ I really have no idea which to choose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 It is a typical difference between nickel and steel really. My own view is that nickels sound better than steel for me on denser, heavier woods (Warwicks ). They also have a gentler feel to the fingers, as opposed to steels that can feel like they are ripping your tips apart if you like sliding It really is personal preference, though. There used to be a video that Ed Friedland put up comparing all DR strings, but I can't seem to find a working link now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I use DRs all the time, in fact I'm waiting a 'shipment' of half a dozen sets from the States. I prefer Nickels to SS generally, but this will be the first time I'll have tried their coated strings, too. I use Nickel Lo-Riders and Sunbeams, I prefer the nickels slightly rounder sound - the SS are a bit harsh-sounding for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted January 16, 2014 Author Share Posted January 16, 2014 Awesome so I'm now thinking Nickel because that's what I have on my bass now (D'addario) so go with what I know essentially. Thank you for all your advice. I am seriously indecisive and this choice has been going round my head for about a week now. It would have gone on and on otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted January 17, 2014 Author Share Posted January 17, 2014 It was only confusing because I didn't understand the tonal differences between SS and Nickel strings and which would better suit my playing. And also because I have difficulty deciding things so there was a slight bit of wanting someone to offer their opinion to push me into a certain direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 I always go for brighter. You can always reduce brightness if you don't want it - but you can't increase brightness if it's not there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1389963429' post='2339996'] I always go for brighter. You can always reduce brightness if you don't want it - but you can't increase brightness if it's not there! [/quote] I'm exactly the same! Steel strings, Class D amp, neo cabs with tweeters.... Then I bugger it all up with compression and overdrive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handwired Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 [size=4][color=#222222][font=Arial]Anyone that loves DR Sunbeams or Highbeams as I have for many years ought to try out the Dunlops. DR Strings old production manager now works for Dunlop string manufacturing and has a big influence; subsequently Dunlops sound and feel 'DR'ish'. I'm currently using the nickels on my vintage G&L's and I'm very impressed, almost SS sound but still warm and available at less than £13 per set delivered, they’re well worth a punt.[/font][/color][/size][color=#222222][font=Arial][size=1][/size][/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Nickel turns my skin black, so don't use 'em. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 [quote name='Handwired' timestamp='1390035315' post='2340655'] [font=Arial]Anyone that loves DR Sunbeams or Highbeams as I have for many years ought to try out the Dunlops. DR Strings old production manager now works for Dunlop string manufacturing and has a big influence; subsequently Dunlops sound and feel 'DR'ish'. I'm currently using the nickels on my vintage G&L's and I'm very impressed, almost SS sound but still warm and available at less than £13 per set delivered, they’re well worth a punt.[/font] [/quote] Just picked up a set of dunlops from amazon for £5.29, only one set from that seller, result Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterfire666 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 ss every time for me, they have that lovely zingy top end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 Just put them on. They are lovely! I'm glad I went with Nickel now because these are bright enough. Just need to get used to higher tension of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 If they're a bit too stiff that might be because of the hexagonal cores. You can either go for a lighter gauge next time, or go for something with round cores (DR Sunbeams are nickel with round cores I think)... Unless you find you prefer them a bit tighter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 I think they're going to grow on me tbh. Been playing them for longer now and I'm really enjoying them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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