DR Strings HI-BEAMS - Stainless Steel 5-String Bass Guitar Strings, 45-125, Round Core

I needed a stainless steel set of strings featuring a low B at .130 gauge for 5-string bass. This set is perfect because the G, D, A & E strings are .045- .105... which is the same gauge I use on 4-string basses. I use DR Hi-Beams on an Ibanez multi-scale, fanned fret bass, Soundgear SRMS805 and Ernie Ball MusicMan Stingray 5 HH. These strings are almost identical in life span and tone as Dunlop Super Bright Stainless Steel string which are the best round wound strings on the market, in my opinion. But....Dunlop 5 sets feature a .125 gauge Low B.... and I prefer the .130 of the DR set. The low B sounds good, punchy with good highs and mids.... not floppy or dull..... and fretted notes on the Low B sound just as good as the same notes on the E string, which is an issue with lesser brands of Low B strings. DR strings have longer than average life. The round wound tone sounds excellent with crisp highs, cutting mids and thumping lows. Nice piano-like full tone. Highly recommended for 5-string bassists who like highs and mids to go with their lows.

Over the last 10 years or so, I've been pretty obsessive about trying out new gear - amps, instruments, effects, etc - always wondering if there's something better for me out there. As I've evolved as a player, my tastes have also changed a bit.I've been with DR Hi-Beams for a while now, though, and usually only buy another brand if I'm in a pinch (got a show tonight and I forgot to buy new strings, that kind of thing). Here are some reasons I prefer these strings over your run-of-the-mill roundwounds:First of all, I personally cannot tell a difference in sound or feel between most strings of similar gauge and materials. D'Addario, GHS, Ernie Ball, etc all have their standard nickel roundwound strings, and they all sound and feel the same. DRs are different, though, and I suspect this is due to their round-core construction. The majority of strings out there are constructed with a hexagonal core. A round core makes the string a bit more flexible and appears to affect the tone.So, compared to other stainless strings, I find that the Hi-Beams have a bit rounder of a tone, not quite as bright or as "clangy" as most stainless strings. The softer feel makes them play just a bit easier than other stainless strings of the same gauge, in my opinion, which keeps my left hand a bit more relaxed - always a good thing.They also appear to last quite a while while still maintaining a useful tone. Don't get me wrong, they have a "zing" when they are fresh that fades quickly like any other string, but they maintain a solid tone for quite a long time. I find I don't have to change them nearly as often, and in some cases I actually like the sound they have when they are well-worn. They don't seem to become quite as "dead" sounding as other strings.Also, in terms of feel, they don't feel quite as rough as other stainless strings I've tried. They aren't as smooth as nickel strings, but they are closer to that feel than most stainless strings I've used. When playing an instrument with "standard" stainless strings, the strings feel more like sandpaper compared to the Hi-Beams.So, in summary, if you are like me and want a versatile string with a unique feel, these strings are perfect. I prefer to have a hi-fi string and then roll off the treble when I want a darker sound - you can always cut frequencies, but you can't put them back in if they aren't there to begin with. This is why I almost never use flatwound strings - they sound great, but when I need that treble back for another song, I have to switch instruments. These sound good on every bass I've tried them on, and will likely be my go-to string for quite some time.Until I feel the need to try something new again, that is.

After trying many other brands, including RotoSounds, I have settled on these as my "Go-To" for almost all of my fretted basses. They outlast anything else I have tried, keeping that stainless steel "Twang" for a very long time. And if you find a fresh set a bit too lively for your taste - it's easy to roll off the tone control just a hair, until they're broken-in. The light gauge set (LR40) is very easy on the fingers, and flexible enough for any style - including slap (if you're so inclined). In over 2 decades of using these, I have had only ONE defective string - which DR quickly replaced with no hassle. Give 'em a try.

I ain't no Bootsy Collins, I mean, really who is ? But I can surely try and do my best impersonations of him with these strings. Being Steel they lack flexibility but they do keep you locked in tight and funky. Put them on a stingray and look out Baby You'll be riding in that Stirling silver starship in No time !!

I have used these strings for over a year now. I change them before every gig to keep that bright sound. I switched to these strings because I heard Eddie Jackson of Queensrÿche played on them. I love his sound! I just recorded with these strings on an EP with my band as well. I love them and would recommend these to any bass player!

I would get these regularly, but they are around the $25 range and just a bit too much to bu regularly.SS with a nice full sound, flexible and easy to play on.

I was Dunlop super bright user for years I loved how bright and crispy they sounded only issue was they last for two weeks tops. So I decided to try else where as much as those strings still have a piece in my heart I’ve decided to try something that will stay bright for longer. I started with Ernie ball they were okay they lasted for two weeks but weren’t that bright than I went to ddadairo they were the worst than elixir and I hated them so I randomly got these hi beams and they have lasted me about three weeks so far and still pretty bright I love the pack job and the quality these string bring and also the price it’s not breaking the bank being able to last a whole month or more is amazing these are a set of strings that I will continue to use probably the rest of my career. My only complaint is they don’t make a .145 gauge for my 5 string bass as some will notice a 34inch scale bass with a 125 is a lil floppy. A 145 does the trick super well. This brand should make single strings for people who want to venture out of the box and be original. Not complaining too much tho since this is the first time I didn’t have to buy two to three times in a month.

I actually returned these because I ended up purchasing a short scale bass, BUT had i not decided to be different , these are my go to strings, DR's sound amazing and never let me down.