| Author | Message | ||
| flaxattack
Intermediate Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 184 Registered: 4-2004 |
i had a post in here a while back about strings,and a lot of folks use DR Hi Beams and I like them a lot. so i decided to try the new coated ones. Firstly the strings are color coated through the entire string. they are precoated prior to winding for "FOR EXTRA LIFE AND EXTRA PROTECTION." They come in black,red and blue. i got the reds. i cant put my bass down, They are like butta!!!! i think they actually sound a tad better than the regular hi beam. Something i think fans of DR should give a try | ||
| pookeymp
Intermediate Member Username: pookeymp Post Number: 180 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hey Jeff, I currently use either Hi Beams or the GHS Super Steels...I like both. In the past I used Elixir Nanoweb (which are coated), and while I liked the tone and it did last for quite a long time, it didn't have that initial 'new string' brightness (such as a Hi Beam)...it seemed more like a string that was used for a week or two, but still had some brightness to it. Do you feel that these DR Coated strings sound as bright out the box as the non-coated? Mikey/ | ||
| flaxattack
Intermediate Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 188 Registered: 4-2004 |
absolutely | ||
| flaxattack
Intermediate Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 189 Registered: 4-2004 |
btw- best price i have seen is $34 on ebay | ||
| pookeymp
Intermediate Member Username: pookeymp Post Number: 181 Registered: 7-2002 |
Cool...I'm gonna put my order in now and check these out. It sounds like it might be time to add some color to my playing  Mikey/ | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1727 Registered: 9-2002 |
Given the fact that I play with Red as standard (Red = my red cable) it would be cool to have red strings too no??? PTBO | ||
| pookeymp
Intermediate Member Username: pookeymp Post Number: 182 Registered: 7-2002 |
Oh Yes!!! Brother Paul...the red would be quite complimentary with your cable...I like the idea. I found the ebay listing Jeff was speaking of, and I went straight to the seller's website (www.highnotemusic.com) and put my order in. I'm getting the red's as well Paul...so can you tell me where can I find that red cable? Although the contrast between the red strings and my new silver (Cobalt) cable might be interesting. Mikey/ | ||
| dadabass2001
Advanced Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 283 Registered: 6-2002 |
I found a set of the DR Black Beauties at Sam Ash in Villa Park !!?? I'll be putting them on my fretted Epic since they are different (slightly heavier) than standard Hi Beams. I'll report back after a trial. Mike | ||
| pookeymp
Intermediate Member Username: pookeymp Post Number: 183 Registered: 7-2002 |
At Tom's suggestion a few weeks ago, I purchased the QuickSilver Cobalt Cable, and now I ordered new strings just because I like the colors...man, I'm going to go broke hanging around this site. If only I could be this spontaneous with my next Alembic purchase...but it's taking a little longer to get my pennies together for that. Mikey/ | ||
| bsee
Advanced Member Username: bsee Post Number: 380 Registered: 3-2004 |
Are they taper core, exposed core, or full size all the way to the ball? Hoping the latter so I don't have to play with setup too much... | ||
| echo008
Intermediate Member Username: echo008 Post Number: 128 Registered: 2-2003 |
I would like to give these a try does anyone know if they make the coated ones in Short scale. I did manage to find DR high beams (non coated) I think (Short Scale SMR-45) are these the same? pookeymp : How did the Cable work out for you, I hope you like it???? - Tom | ||
| bsee
Advanced Member Username: bsee Post Number: 381 Registered: 3-2004 |
I just sent a query off to DR to see about core, guage, and scale length options. I'll post back if/when I get an answer. I would like a 130 B on the bottom of a 45-105 set for my medium 5 to maintain the feel and heft, or maybe a 50-130 set. I suppose green front LEDs and red coated strings will be the latest thing for holiday gigs this year, eh? | ||
| pookeymp
Intermediate Member Username: pookeymp Post Number: 184 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hey Tom, I've used it a good bit and so far I love it. I even like the shiny silver. It was much lighter (in weight) than I had expected. I haven't yet had the chance to A/B it against my other cables. All my other cables are in the $20 range...this is the first high-end cable I purchased. Would you expect I would be able to hear an audible difference in tone or volume? Mikey/ | ||
| bsee
Advanced Member Username: bsee Post Number: 383 Registered: 3-2004 |
It was most of ten years ago when I was A/B-ing cables and decided to spend the money on Monster. I could really hear the difference between the Monster bass and all the $20-30ish cables in the store on that day. I went in expecting it to be all hype and was surprised at how much difference the cable made. I suspect other high-end cables will have similar benefits so you probably will notice a difference if you compare more scientifically. | ||
| echo008
Intermediate Member Username: echo008 Post Number: 129 Registered: 2-2003 |
Im glad you love it ! I know everyone is different, but I would think there might be a noticable difference if you were switching from "lower end" cables to the cobalt. - Tom | ||
| echo008
Intermediate Member Username: echo008 Post Number: 130 Registered: 2-2003 |
For what its worth I also noticed a difference when I switched over to monster and cobalt. maybe it was in part pyshcological but I felt like the notes were more articulate and sounded stronger. - Tom | ||
| bsee
Advanced Member Username: bsee Post Number: 384 Registered: 3-2004 |
On cables, I didn't just switch over. I sat in a Guitar Center one quiet weekday afternoon for over an hour going back and forth with every cable they had. I think I was using either an SWR Super Redhead or an Eden Metro combo and some $2Kish five string bass, probably a Pedulla, Zon or Warwick. I tried two different sets of tests. In one set, I just switched the cables and left all the other settings exactly in place. The bass response, sparkle, and general output were all better with the Monster. In the other set, I tried to dial in the best sound I could get with each cable. This was harder to do and more subjective. I found I had to add a bunch more EQ to get something I liked with the cheaper cable, and it was never quite as good. As a cheapskate, I wanted to prove that the $20 cables were just as good as the $35 cable. I couldn't do it. Also, I just got word back from DR on the coated strings. What they list is what they sell. The coated strings are only available in standard length and 45-105, 45-125, or 30-125 guage sets. Maybe if you were a somebody in the business you could get some special treatment, but I sure as heck don't qualify. -Bob (Message edited by bsee on October 25, 2004) | ||
| flaxattack
Intermediate Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 190 Registered: 4-2004 |
poor bob- you might try this for your short strings. put 2 90 degree bends at the end of the string. make the cut at the furthest leg of the bend so when you cut it the other leg is still at 90 degrees. this might eliminate any unwinding concerns, practice on worn strings, DUH and imho, monster bass cables do make a difference | ||
| flaxattack
Intermediate Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 191 Registered: 4-2004 |
   | ||
| pookeymp
Intermediate Member Username: pookeymp Post Number: 185 Registered: 7-2002 |
Nice...she looks sweet, Jeff. Mikey/ P.S. I sat down last night for about a good hour comparing my new Cobalt cable to my other inexpensive cables...and I was pleasantly surprised at the difference in the clarity of the tone...particularly noticeable in the high-end. | ||
| pookeymp
Intermediate Member Username: pookeymp Post Number: 195 Registered: 7-2002 |
I just put my DR "Reds" on yesterday and used them at a rehearsal...to quote Jeff: "They are like butta!!!!" Very sweet sounding strings, and the feel is off-the-hook...your fingers just glide around the neck. Now the test will be to see how long they last...but so far, they're keepers. Mikey/ | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 466 Registered: 6-2002 |
Anyone know more about these strings? Are they really Hi Beams that are coated, or are they Low Riders or something else? What is the core? I am curious because I love the flexibility of the Hi Beams, but hate the stiffness of the Low Riders. I would like to try out a black set on one of my basses, but I would hate them if they are too stiff. I did a web search on them, but I couldn't find anything about the core construction. In the web search, I noticed that they were called Black Beauties, and not coated Hi Beams. Confused. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 419 Registered: 3-2004 |
Michael- Try contacting DR through their website. I asked a few questions about guage availability last week and they got back to me very rapidly. | ||
| pookeymp
Intermediate Member Username: pookeymp Post Number: 196 Registered: 7-2002 |
I'm reading the packaging the strings come in and the HiBeams say: "Stainless Steel Wrap on a Round Core" and the Red Devils say: "Red-Coated over Silver/Stainless Steel Wrap on Round Core." I've never played the Low Riders, so I can't compare in terms of stiffness, but I've played the HiBeams for a while now, and the Red Devils feel comparable, very easy to bend and move the string, just much slicker to slide the fingers across. Hopefully someone can give you a more technical breakdown of these guys, but if you like the HiBeams, I think you would be very happy with these. Mikey/ | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 467 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thanks! That is exactly what I am looking for. I shot off an email to the folks at DR and am waiting for their reply. I like the round core more than the hex core. They are much more flexible. I think I will get some of these too. Michael | ||
| flaxattack
Advanced Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 211 Registered: 4-2004 |
here are the blues...  | ||
| pookeymp
Intermediate Member Username: pookeymp Post Number: 200 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hey Jeff, Where did you find the Blues? I got the Reds from High Note Musical Supply (which was the dealer on ebay), and I see they have the Black Beauties also, but not Blues. Mikey/ | ||
| flaxattack
Advanced Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 212 Registered: 4-2004 |
same place pookey. send him a email- but tell him to check the box first. apprarently they are running the shipments for blues so fast that the boxes dont even say the guages and i got 2 g strings and no b string- he called me right away to apologize and the other box he checked was the same- but real easy to do business with- | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 343 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hey Jeff. Pretty strings that sound good! Why don't you whip those sinister red strings off and model the pretty blue ones for us? I'll give ya an Alembic sticker logo and an Alembic magnet logo! | ||
| the_mule
Advanced Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 306 Registered: 1-2004 |
I really want to grace my Orion with the black variety! IMHO they would really complement her understated gothic look and she needs a set of new strings before the end of the year after all.  Any of the BeNeLux Alembicans incidentally know if Edwin van Huik has them in stock? Wilfred | ||
| basstard
Intermediate Member Username: basstard Post Number: 124 Registered: 3-2003 |
A friend of mine (who's currently after Adam's blue Essence, BTW (-;) uses Black Beauties on his Deluxe Jazz. Very good strings, keep their sound for a long time, 45s are about as flexible as 40s. However, they tend to break quickly... | ||
| flaxattack
Advanced Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 213 Registered: 4-2004 |
hey nigel- would love too- as soon as you learn to read- the set is not complete-lol | ||
| pookeymp
Advanced Member Username: pookeymp Post Number: 202 Registered: 7-2002 |
Thanks Jeff...very cool...I'm off to order some Blues. Mikey/ | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 346 Registered: 7-2003 |
Well Flax, I have decided to take your advice. I figure this woud be a good book to start learning to read in.  I can loan it to you when I'm done, if you like. | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 468 Registered: 6-2002 |
Romper Room!!!!!!!! Wow. I forgot all about that. I thought that Romper Room was a New Orleans thing. When I was around 5 or so, there was a local TV show called Romper Room. All those Do Bee and Don't Bee brainwashing came flooding back. Thanks! Michael | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 358 Registered: 7-2003 |
Each city had its own Romper Room show and teachers. Mine, in Sacramento, was taught/hosted by Miss Pat. I bought this '56 book and a Mr. Do Bee teachers' coffee cup, as that was the first year I starting watching. When is the last time you have see children bow and curtsy? You can never go home, again, but you can buy little pieces of it on eBay. | ||
| flaxattack
Advanced Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 214 Registered: 4-2004 |
sounds good nigel....think i have the cliff notes... Lmao | ||
| the_mule
Advanced Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 329 Registered: 1-2004 |
  Couldn't resist posting these here also. My Orion just looks so much better with Black Beauties... Wilfred | ||
| flaxattack
Advanced Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 257 Registered: 4-2004 |
sweeeeeeet- am putting blacks on the direwolf also like em? | ||
| mdrdvp
Intermediate Member Username: mdrdvp Post Number: 142 Registered: 7-2002 |
I got the blue and red ones and used the blue ones on my white Moon (there's a picture of that Moon bass in the showcase, series I, Dales 77). They look and sound great but were a bit hard on my fingers (blisters and blood). After one gig they were almost dead. It was a tough gig and I hit my strings pretty hard especially that night. But, they still look great. How do you guys clean your strings after playing? I use a dry cloth and keep on rubbing till the rest of the band is almost at home but still not happy with the result. I normally use elixir nanoweb strings and they last until they break, even without cleaning. So what am I doing wrong? Manfred | ||
| son_of_magni
Intermediate Member Username: son_of_magni Post Number: 143 Registered: 1-2004 |
I put a six string set of the black on my new (homemade) bass, with MXY pickups/electronics. Playing through my usual stack and without making many changes on the Navigator, the bottom end sounded fabulous. But the high end sounded too thin, and peaky in a sort of unforgiving way. Since then I have put on a new set of TI jazz flats... I'm home....... They did look cool though ;) ... oh, I just thought I should add, I'm playing fretless, so , umm, that bright sound, between the strings and the Alembic electronics, really shows off any intonation errors. But for a slapper they might be just the thing, for fretless though I think we really want a more solid punchy midrange. Ok, I'm just rambleing here so I guess I'll stop :p (Message edited by son_of_magni on November 23, 2004) | ||
| pasherm
New Username: pasherm Post Number: 2 Registered: 1-2003 |
Hey all, Check out www.juststrings.com. They have all of the DR line, including the black / red coated types. (They used to have the blue ones too, not sure why they don't anymore.) I had them on a fretless Orion for awhile, but eventually went back to TI flats. If you live in the stix like me, they are the best option. ~Pete |
