misrule Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 Hi, folks -- I'm looking to replace my DR Sunbeams with something a little brighter. I understand that Lo-Riders are tighter versions of Hi-Beams, useful for slap and accurate harmonics. I'm not really into slap but I wouldn't mind tighter strings because I hit them rather hard at times -- and the E especially tends to flop about. Has anybody used both? Can you tell me how different the Lo-Riders are? Would they be suitable for a rock plodder like me? Normally, I'd just buy two packs and try them. But at £40 a shot ... Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 i find lo riders to snap very very easily they are the only strings iv ever broke the E string on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misrule Posted September 25, 2007 Author Share Posted September 25, 2007 [quote name='BassManKev' post='65263' date='Sep 25 2007, 12:13 PM']i find lo riders to snap very very easily they are the only strings iv ever broke the E string on...[/quote] Hmm, thanks for that. I pretty much only play with a pick and usually give the E a good hammering. I'll bear that in mind. Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-77 Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 i used to use HiBeams30 but now use Status string, for me they seem about the same and are a lot cheaper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misrule Posted September 25, 2007 Author Share Posted September 25, 2007 [quote name='G-77' post='65290' date='Sep 25 2007, 01:05 PM']i used to use HiBeams30 but now use Status string, for me they seem about the same and are a lot cheaper![/quote] Thanks -- but I'm really looking at the difference between those two DRs. Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 £40?! Go here: [url="http://www.stringthis.com/drbassstrings1.html"]http://www.stringthis.com/drbassstrings1.html[/url] I've been using Bootzillas for a few years which are basically coated Lo-Riders - I much prefer the extra stiffness compared to Hi-Beams. I've kept each set on for over a year, I don't have the lightest touch and all my playing time is on that one bass, and I've never broken a string. Another good choice if you like tighter strings are LaBella's Deep Talkin' Bass roundwounds, in 44-110 balanced gauges. I used them for a few years with great success. The heavier E really stands up to some abuse without fret rattle! The Bootzillas have a bit more growl and a bit less thickness and are less balanced in feel but more balanced in tone. I wish all E strings felt like the LaBella's! Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 I have used Lo-Riders, 45 - 125, for more than 5 years and I think they are great. I have a high action on my US Lakland 5 string because I "dig in". I also string the bass through the body, which puts the strings through a 90 degree turn on the bridge, and I haven't broken a string yet (ever!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misrule Posted September 25, 2007 Author Share Posted September 25, 2007 Thanks, guys. Alex -- thanks for the link. I realise I can get them cheaper from the States but I need to get some within the next few days. I'll probably buy from Germany. And I don't want to be messing with buying two sets of everything. It looks like Lo-Riders might be worth a try. Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 (edited) Mark, I have LoRiders on my Lakland DJ5 and they are magic however I also have Lo-Riders on my DJ4 and they are also magic. Hmmm. Edited September 25, 2007 by obbm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6stringbassist Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 Try this place, very nearly half the UK price and you should get them within a few days, I tend to buy a couple of sets at a time to save on postage. [url="http://saitenkatalog.de/shop1/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/51/products_id/3285?osCsid=52557f64e37374066de9fda121756b18"]http://saitenkatalog.de/shop1/product_info...de9fda121756b18[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misrule Posted September 26, 2007 Author Share Posted September 26, 2007 [quote name='obbm' post='65641' date='Sep 25 2007, 11:46 PM']Mark, I have LoRiders on my Lakland DJ5 and they are magic however I also have Lo-Riders on my DJ4 and they are also magic. Hmmm.[/quote] Thanks, obbm. I take it you like them, then? Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misrule Posted September 26, 2007 Author Share Posted September 26, 2007 [quote name='6stringbassist' post='65648' date='Sep 26 2007, 12:04 AM']Try this place, very nearly half the UK price and you should get them within a few days, I tend to buy a couple of sets at a time to save on postage. [url="http://saitenkatalog.de/shop1/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/51/products_id/3285?osCsid=52557f64e37374066de9fda121756b18"]http://saitenkatalog.de/shop1/product_info...de9fda121756b18[/url][/quote] Thanks, 6string. That's exactly where I was going. Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 [quote name='misrule' post='65676' date='Sep 26 2007, 07:48 AM'] Thanks, obbm. I take it you like them, then? Cheers Mark[/quote] It was very late when I wrote that. The DJ5 has Stainless Lo-Riders whereas the DJ4 has Nickels. I'm really happy with the tension on both but find the Stainless are a bit growlier so I will put Stainless on the DJ4 as well next change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misrule Posted September 26, 2007 Author Share Posted September 26, 2007 [quote name='obbm' post='65693' date='Sep 26 2007, 08:46 AM']It was very late when I wrote that. The DJ5 has Stainless Lo-Riders whereas the DJ4 has Nickels. I'm really happy with the tension on both but find the Stainless are a bit growlier so I will put Stainless on the DJ4 as well next change.[/quote] Thanks again. Growly is good -- so I'll go for stainless. Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 [quote name='misrule' post='65703' date='Sep 26 2007, 09:14 AM']Thanks again. Growly is good -- so I'll go for stainless. Cheers Mark[/quote] Be careful because stainless is also bright of course. I've found that the combination of Lo-Rider Stainess, J-Retro, maple neck and Aero pick-ups seems to work rather well. Like all things it's a matter of experimentation until you find a combination that works for you. Problem with the cost of bass strings is that it tends to get a bit expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misrule Posted September 26, 2007 Author Share Posted September 26, 2007 [quote name='obbm' post='65742' date='Sep 26 2007, 10:36 AM']Be careful because stainless is also bright of course. I've found that the combination of Lo-Rider Stainess, J-Retro, maple neck and Aero pick-ups seems to work rather well. Like all things it's a matter of experimentation until you find a combination that works for you. Problem with the cost of bass strings is that it tends to get a bit expensive.[/quote] Bright is also good. Mine will be Lo-Riders, maple neck and Nordstrands. Sunbeams sound pretty good but something just a touch brighter would be perfect. I'll let you know how it goes ... Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 Don't rule out FatBeams! They're good (but quite soft feeling- due to the round core) If they're good enough for Marcus Miller, they're good enough for me... (45,65,80,100) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misrule Posted September 30, 2007 Author Share Posted September 30, 2007 [quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='67704' date='Sep 30 2007, 03:53 PM']Don't rule out FatBeams! They're good (but quite soft feeling- due to the round core) If they're good enough for Marcus Miller, they're good enough for me... (45,65,80,100)[/quote] Thanks, Lfalex. But two packs of Lo-Riders are in the air over Germany. Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnylager Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Just done me first gig with DR Lo Riders (been on a week or 2 with just home practice) - fantastic sound and all the other things DR say. Except they are now dead as a dodo. Got 'em for £18 from the US ebay (though I waited a month for them), but doubt I'll use 'em again. I do sweat like a bastard on stage, but one gig? They were cleaned after like I normally do and every other make of string I've used gets a few gigs out of them. I'll email DR to see if they were duffers, but until then, it's back to the cheapies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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