@Simon Barden and @ Sonic Mountain .... thanks lads. I had ordered a green coated set (I think they might be DR?) and the music shop called today to let me know they have arrived. I will grab them after work am am praying they fit. I noticed another thread relating to the DHB-5 and it looked like the strings were installed even though they were not long enough and apparently it did not effect the sound.

Is this a design fault on the DHB-5 as it seems to be a common problem?

I will fit the strings and do the final setup this eve and all going well, will enter it in the competition