Difference between DR Strings

g00dbye · June 30th, 2008, 12:15 AM

Hey all. So, my brand new Fender '69 Thinline is on its way and I couldn't be happier about it. I used to always use Ernie Ball Regular (.10) strings on all my previous guitars, but I've decided that with the Thinline I want a more organic sounding string. Thus, I'd like to start using DR Strings. I was wondering if anyone here has had previous experience with these strings and what they thought of them. I play mostly indie-rock, progressive music if that helps. I also wanted to know if people knew the difference between these two types of DR Strings as I believe I'll be using one of the two:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...avy?sku=105246

and

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ngs?sku=101149

If anybody would like me to take pictures of the guitar when it arrives, just let me know.

Thanks!
-Brian

dobrodoc · June 30th, 2008, 12:40 AM

I've been using DR Blues for three or four years now. I like 'em a lot. I think they might really be handmade, since I've heard some techs say intonation could be a problem due to slight variances in string diameter. But they REALLY sound good on all my guitars---10-46, Gibsons and Fenders. Try a set.

boneyguy · June 30th, 2008, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g00dbye

......... but I've decided that with the Thinline I want a more organic sounding string. Thus, I'd like to start using DR Strings. -

Not only are DR strings 'organic' but they're also free range as well.

Robin Nahum · June 30th, 2008, 01:21 AM

...I needed some warmer sounding .012s for my ES345 at short notice and was recommended DR Nickel .012s by a local guitar shop - that also happens to sell those Nash reliced Teles.

http://www.wildhorseguitars.com.au/

Normally I use Webstrings Jazz 12s (?) or Gibson L5s. I was very impressed with the DRs. They certainly sound... um... wholegrain but in a firm tofu-ey sort of way with a nutty finish. Enough of that. The tone is warm like the Webstrings or the Gibsons but they seem a bit louder and they also seem to be lasting a whole lot longer.

I have ordered some more sets and am also finding that the DR Nickel .011s are working well on my Teles.

All that said, I guess you are after a brighter string but I just wanted to chip in here.

Big John · June 30th, 2008, 05:18 AM

Happy DR user here for about the last 4 years, to me they always sound bright and are very consistent from one pack to the next, i was finding F*nder bullets were rusty as they came out of the pack.

I can't see me going back.

Big Mike Simpson · June 30th, 2008, 07:53 AM

I like the DR Pure Blues (I use 11-50), I think they sound smoother.. or warmer... heck.. I just like them.

Try a both kinds... what's it gonna cost ya like 6 bucks each?

serialsteve · June 30th, 2008, 07:58 AM

I'll never buy DRs again. In the past two years (I stopped using them about 6 months ago), I've had nothing but bad luck with them. Poor intonation I could get around, but I was finding that they were breaking like crazy in the middle of a set (new strings), no matter what guitar I was using or who strung the guitars up. What really tweaked me was breaking a new string on the first song of the set, changing mid-song, breaking a string on that guitar in the next song, then breaking a string on the THIRD guitar before the set was finished. Pretty bad to have to make a call as to which string you can live without and suddenly going "5 String". Had to end the set early. Spent the set break changing strings and then on the second song of the second set "boing"! That was the last straw. I've never been so close to smashing a guitar onstage and it wasn't the guitar's fault!

These strings were purchased at different times, so I don't think that they were from the same batch, particularly because I'd been having string breakage pretty regularly for the 18 months before that. Switched back to D'Addarios and oddly enough, I have yet to break a string in 6+ months.

Never again.

graphs · June 30th, 2008, 08:47 AM

there seems to be a lot of "love em or hate em" with DR's, particularly related to reliability/consistency.

i just decided to try them on my thinline and i am really enjoying them. i usually use .11 D'Addarios but i wanted to try something a little easier to play and these definitely are. i think i'll be sticking with them for a while.

oh, and it's the tite fit i'm using, not the pure nickel ones.

Telenator · June 30th, 2008, 09:09 AM

I use DR Extended Life strings on my electric guitars and finally broke a b string after playing 7 gigs on a single set. I wanted to see just how long they would last. Normally I'll only play two gigs on a set of strings and then change then. The DR's sound great, feel great and in the shiny silver color, they even look great. I don't care for the other colors though.

neatone · June 30th, 2008, 02:29 PM

ok dr pure blues are a pure nickel wrap string over a round steel core.
this is a vintage type string and the way all strings were at one time made.
however in an effort to prevent the wrap from seperating and breaking manufacturers went to a hex core believeing that this would offer more stability for the outer wrap. if ur breaking the high e or b string this is a moot point since they r unwrapped.

the fact is that most strings break because of improper winding at the pegs or a sharp bridge notch. when u break a string always check where it breaks. very seldom do they break in the middle of the fretboard!

ive had a couple of ernie ball strings (which i quite like!) recently that have broken at the ball end.which to my mind is the fault of the manufacturer!

having said that, i also have noticed quality differences in the dr pure blues sets that i have bought but i still go with them cause i think they r a great vintage type string. for me there's nothing better than a pure nickel wrap string thru an alnico pickup and out an alnico magnet speaker.all nickel all the way!

btw dr is dronge..the son of the founder of guild guitars.so they have some roots.

cheers

RCinMempho · June 30th, 2008, 02:53 PM

DR Pure Nickle user here. 10-46's. For me, they last longer and intonate better over their lifetime than any other strings I've tried.

wetland10 · June 30th, 2008, 03:00 PM

I used DR Blues 10s for a few years but finally gave them up because they were not staying in tune very well. Nice strings and sound great when in tune, but for me they were not reliable. I'm now using Ernie Ball Classic Rock (or whatever they're called) 10s. They are the ones made of pure nickel. Classic tone and are reliable for me.

Wayne

g00dbye · June 30th, 2008, 07:19 PM

Thanks for all of your input! After reading all these responses, I believe that I'll be using DR Pure Nickle (.10). Or at least I'll be trying these first.

teleclarkster · June 30th, 2008, 07:26 PM

I've been using DR's for the past several year. I use the pure blues on one of my guitars and the Tite Fits on my Esquire. Never had a problem with them yet. They stay in tune and last a good while. I've no reason to change!

psychotelepathic · June 30th, 2008, 09:08 PM

Why mess with a great formula. Ernie Balls are the shizzle in my opinion.

Jake D · July 1st, 2008, 09:18 AM

I didn't care for the EB strings. I've put DR on every guitar I own for years. The Pure Blues .10s are what I am using now. I've never broken a string in my life. I love 'em.

B Valley · July 1st, 2008, 09:44 PM

These folks stock the full line.
http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/dr.html
I've had great service from them on everything I've ordered.

June 30th, 2008, 12:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
g00dbye NEW MEMBER! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Age: 20 Posts: 7	Difference between DR Strings Hey all. So, my brand new Fender '69 Thinline is on its way and I couldn't be happier about it. I used to always use Ernie Ball Regular (.10) strings on all my previous guitars, but I've decided that with the Thinline I want a more organic sounding string. Thus, I'd like to start using DR Strings. I was wondering if anyone here has had previous experience with these strings and what they thought of them. I play mostly indie-rock, progressive music if that helps. I also wanted to know if people knew the difference between these two types of DR Strings as I believe I'll be using one of the two: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...avy?sku=105246 and http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ngs?sku=101149 If anybody would like me to take pictures of the guitar when it arrives, just let me know. Thanks! -Brian

June 30th, 2008, 01:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
Robin Nahum Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 56 Posts: 1,607 12 Photos	Not Sure About Brighter Sounding DRs But.... ...I needed some warmer sounding .012s for my ES345 at short notice and was recommended DR Nickel .012s by a local guitar shop - that also happens to sell those Nash reliced Teles. http://www.wildhorseguitars.com.au/ Normally I use Webstrings Jazz 12s (?) or Gibson L5s. I was very impressed with the DRs. They certainly sound... um... wholegrain but in a firm tofu-ey sort of way with a nutty finish. Enough of that. The tone is warm like the Webstrings or the Gibsons but they seem a bit louder and they also seem to be lasting a whole lot longer. I have ordered some more sets and am also finding that the DR Nickel .011s are working well on my Teles. All that said, I guess you are after a brighter string but I just wanted to chip in here. __________________ RN

June 30th, 2008, 05:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
Big John Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Suffolk UK Posts: 4,114 32 Photos	Happy DR user here for about the last 4 years, to me they always sound bright and are very consistent from one pack to the next, i was finding F*nder bullets were rusty as they came out of the pack. I can't see me going back. __________________ If you are going to be a bear, be a grizzly !!

June 30th, 2008, 07:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
Big Mike Simpson Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gilbert, AZ (PHX) Posts: 1,356 54 Photos	I like the DR Pure Blues (I use 11-50), I think they sound smoother.. or warmer... heck.. I just like them. Try a both kinds... what's it gonna cost ya like 6 bucks each? __________________ Big Mike http://www.myspace.com/bigmikesimpson

June 30th, 2008, 09:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
Telenator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4,403	I use DR Extended Life strings on my electric guitars and finally broke a b string after playing 7 gigs on a single set. I wanted to see just how long they would last. Normally I'll only play two gigs on a set of strings and then change then. The DR's sound great, feel great and in the shiny silver color, they even look great. I don't care for the other colors though. __________________ Dogs have the right idea!

June 30th, 2008, 12:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
dobrodoc Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ware Shoals, S.C. Age: 53 Posts: 341	I've been using DR Blues for three or four years now. I like 'em a lot. I think they might really be handmade, since I've heard some techs say intonation could be a problem due to slight variances in string diameter. But they REALLY sound good on all my guitars---10-46, Gibsons and Fenders. Try a set.

June 30th, 2008, 07:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
serialsteve Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 581	I'll never buy DRs again. In the past two years (I stopped using them about 6 months ago), I've had nothing but bad luck with them. Poor intonation I could get around, but I was finding that they were breaking like crazy in the middle of a set (new strings), no matter what guitar I was using or who strung the guitars up. What really tweaked me was breaking a new string on the first song of the set, changing mid-song, breaking a string on that guitar in the next song, then breaking a string on the THIRD guitar before the set was finished. Pretty bad to have to make a call as to which string you can live without and suddenly going "5 String". Had to end the set early. Spent the set break changing strings and then on the second song of the second set "boing"! That was the last straw. I've never been so close to smashing a guitar onstage and it wasn't the guitar's fault! These strings were purchased at different times, so I don't think that they were from the same batch, particularly because I'd been having string breakage pretty regularly for the 18 months before that. Switched back to D'Addarios and oddly enough, I have yet to break a string in 6+ months. Never again.

June 30th, 2008, 08:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
graphs Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 504	there seems to be a lot of "love em or hate em" with DR's, particularly related to reliability/consistency. i just decided to try them on my thinline and i am really enjoying them. i usually use .11 D'Addarios but i wanted to try something a little easier to play and these definitely are. i think i'll be sticking with them for a while. oh, and it's the tite fit i'm using, not the pure nickel ones.

June 30th, 2008, 02:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
neatone TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: nyc Posts: 39	string things ok dr pure blues are a pure nickel wrap string over a round steel core. this is a vintage type string and the way all strings were at one time made. however in an effort to prevent the wrap from seperating and breaking manufacturers went to a hex core believeing that this would offer more stability for the outer wrap. if ur breaking the high e or b string this is a moot point since they r unwrapped. the fact is that most strings break because of improper winding at the pegs or a sharp bridge notch. when u break a string always check where it breaks. very seldom do they break in the middle of the fretboard! ive had a couple of ernie ball strings (which i quite like!) recently that have broken at the ball end.which to my mind is the fault of the manufacturer! having said that, i also have noticed quality differences in the dr pure blues sets that i have bought but i still go with them cause i think they r a great vintage type string. for me there's nothing better than a pure nickel wrap string thru an alnico pickup and out an alnico magnet speaker.all nickel all the way! btw dr is dronge..the son of the founder of guild guitars.so they have some roots. cheers

June 30th, 2008, 02:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
RCinMempho Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 741 2 Photos	DR Pure Nickle user here. 10-46's. For me, they last longer and intonate better over their lifetime than any other strings I've tried. __________________ Thanks to sites like the TDPRI, I've gone from pentatonic wanking to vastly more sophisticated wanking.

June 30th, 2008, 03:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
wetland10 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 345	I used DR Blues 10s for a few years but finally gave them up because they were not staying in tune very well. Nice strings and sound great when in tune, but for me they were not reliable. I'm now using Ernie Ball Classic Rock (or whatever they're called) 10s. They are the ones made of pure nickel. Classic tone and are reliable for me. Wayne

June 30th, 2008, 07:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
g00dbye NEW MEMBER! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Age: 20 Posts: 7	Thanks for all of your input! After reading all these responses, I believe that I'll be using DR Pure Nickle (.10). Or at least I'll be trying these first.

June 30th, 2008, 07:26 PM	#14 (permalink)
teleclarkster Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: East Bay, CA Age: 54 Posts: 614 8 Photos	I've been using DR's for the past several year. I use the pure blues on one of my guitars and the Tite Fits on my Esquire. Never had a problem with them yet. They stay in tune and last a good while. I've no reason to change!

June 30th, 2008, 09:08 PM	#15 (permalink)
psychotelepathic Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Charlotte Posts: 419	Why mess with a great formula. Ernie Balls are the shizzle in my opinion.

July 1st, 2008, 09:18 AM	#16 (permalink)
Jake D Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 161	I didn't care for the EB strings. I've put DR on every guitar I own for years. The Pure Blues .10s are what I am using now. I've never broken a string in my life. I love 'em.

July 1st, 2008, 09:44 PM	#17 (permalink)
B Valley Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: Glendale, Az Posts: 254	These folks stock the full line. http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/dr.html I've had great service from them on everything I've ordered. __________________ How many guitars is enough? Just one more...