I have a MIA P-bass and I always play with Rotosounds Swing.
Now I'm thinking about DR strings, but I don't know which to choose; the Sunbeams or Nickel Lo-Riders!
Any idea about how their sound?

Yes, I've tried both.

Generally, nickels are a little warmer than stainless steel but not that much. The difference between the low riders and Sunbeams is rather subtle. They have different cores and so feel different. The Sunbeams are a little more flexible and give more feel and feedback IMHO.

Sound wise they are in principal roundwound with fantastic harmonics and sustain. Good detail in the mids and plenty of controlled bass.

Yes, I do like them.. They are my favourite string.

Davo

+1 Davo. I would add, though, that the Rotosounds you're used to are MUCH rougher feeling than the nickel strings you're considering, and you'd be wise to take that into consideration. Some people (Billy Sheehan talks about this) prefer the roughness of the Rotos because they can get a good grip on the string. It's a rare complaint, but worth thinking about.

For what it's worth, I, too, made the switch from Rotos to DR's. I've only played the Sunbeams, but in the past I used both Rotosound Swing Bass and Solo Bass strings. The nickels are warmer (especially comparing them to the bright, aggressive Rotos) and smoother than the stainless steel. And the round core Sunbeams are definitely flexible. That said, while the DR's have definitely lasted me longer than the Rotosounds, I have noticed a fair amount of deadening in the top end, but that's pretty standard for roundwounds... I suppose I was just expecting less of it with the DR's from how long everyone says they last. Anyway, Swing Bass, Solo Bass, and Sunbeams are all great strings (as I imagine the Lo Riders are, too), so it's largely just a matter of preference.

Bright, aggressive sound? Rotosound.

Longer lasting, warmer, less tension? DR Sunbeams. The Lo Riders should be pretty comparable minus the low tension.

Brian

I use Sunbeams on my jazz and nickel loriders on my 08 P.
I think im gonna put sunbeams on my P too as I've come to like the lower tension feel and there warmer tone. That said the loriders sound real good on my P.

I put Sunbeams on my P a while back and the search is over, fantastic sound and feel.

Sunbeams on everything for me. They are the finest strings I've used. They do lose some highs after I sweat on them real good once, but then they just sound real nice and warm.

I use Sunbeams on my jazz and nickel loriders on my 08 P.
I think im gonna put sunbeams on my P too as I've come to like the lower tension feel and there warmer tone. That said the loriders sound real good on my P.

I use Sunbeams in my DJ4 jazz and Nickel Lo-Riders on my Glaub P.
The Sunbeams are more flexible and the sund is amazing. I haven't tried them on the Glaub, as I like how the stiffer Lo-riders sound in it.

I think one cannot go wrong with either of these strings, IMO, the best out there for my tastes.

I use Sunbeams in my DJ4 jazz and Nickel Lo-Riders on my Glaub P.
The Sunbeams are more flexible and the sund is amazing. I haven't tried them on the Glaub, as I like how the stiffer Lo-riders sound in it.

I think one cannot go wrong with either of these strings, IMO, the best out there for my tastes.

That sounds like a great combo, is the the sound the same, just different tensions because round vs. hex core?

That sounds like a great combo, is the the sound the same, just different tensions because round vs. hex core?

The Lo-riders in my Glaub are a little more aggressive and raw, without sounding like SS strings. I like the tension, specially when playing pickstyle and since I drop tune half-step, it keeps the strings tight.

The Sunbeams are a little mellower and warmer with an amazing little bend and flexibility to them.

I still need to try Sunbeams on the Glaub, but I've found my 2 fav string sets.

Well I was going through this same comparison for my Stingray HS. I just got really tired the the donkey squawk on the EB strings...So I bought both sets and compared em .

First up were the Nickel Lo-riders : First note played I was in love. VERY defined fingerstyle tone with just the right balance of top end and bottom. Not harsh or overly bright but still a nice snap. Nice warm growl. They have a slightly higher tension than I like...reminded me a lot of Daddario XL's feel wise. Girth in the mids but not in your face .
Treid the Sunbeams yesterday. I haven't played em though my church setting ..just in my home setup. Right off the bat I can tell you they are (to my ears) VERY mid- pronounced. I actually had to roll off the mids on the 'ray to chill things out. Very similar in the top end...maybe a little more zingy but not hugely different. The low end was also lacking a little. Even boosted it still really focused on the mid punch. Not overly growly .just smooth and warm I would say.I noticed a bit more string noise as well. The tension is right where I like it and less than the LO-riders.

I wish I could have the tension of the Sunbeams with the tone of the LO-Riders.

My vote-- LO-Riders

I've only played the stainless steel lo-riders, so i can't compare, but if the nickel version is as good, go for it.

I have tried 3 brands of strings while playing for 2 years, but after trying the 4th brand, i stuck to it. DR Lo-riders stainless steel all the way.

That sounds like a great combo, is the the sound the same, just different tensions because round vs. hex core?

no, the sunbeams are warmer/softer sounding imo , less aggressive with less highs or clack.
Not that one sounds better than the other they both sound great.
It's a matter of what you want. I never gave a thought to string tension until I tried sunbeams now the loriders feel tight to me.
tony

Since you already play a stiff roundwound {Rotos}, try the Nickel Plated Lo-Riders.
They should satisfy. The Sunbeams you might find too rubbery because of the round core.

The sunbeams are great,and get really spongy if you tune down at all.That in mind get the loriders if you tune down.Sunbeams are the stuff though.

I just too off the ernie balls, and put ss Lo-Riders on my Bongo, they feel stiffer than the EBs, and don't have the same twang the EBs have. In the past I've used Ken Smiths, but my cuz has been trying to get me to try the DRs, so I'll give them some time. My first thought was to go back the the GC and get the Hi-Beams, and give these away. They don't sound bad in fact I can't wait to hear them with my main rig, I guess i can get use to the feel. I did like the EB slinkies, but they had too much board noise, for new strings these don't have a lot of finger board noise. I put the EBs on my Schecter, heck I just got the Bongo, so the strings are still like new.

I love DR strings, and in particular, the SS Loriders on my MIA Jazz..... and the sunbeams are very articulate.... I like them a lot. But my favorite non-SS string right now are TI SA's. They settled into this groove, and have stayed that way for well over 6 months now.

Coming from SB Rotos, I'd say if you're still after that SS sound, then go with the SS Loriders.... they've got this killer low mid thing goin' on that make them sound a bit darker than the rotos, and they last a long time. I do not like the nickel Loriders nearly as much.

All of that said, it really comes down to the bass you're putting the strings on, and the tone you're after. I have different strings on all of my basses, because each one requires something different to get the tones I'm want.

Ljazz

The sunbeams are great,and get really spongy if you tune down at all.That in mind get the loriders if you tune down.Sunbeams are the stuff though.

I just finished putting a new set of Sunbeams on my DJ4. Since I first got them I can't play anything else on this bass. I tune down half a step but anyways the feel and bounce of these strings are amazing.

i use Lo-Riders on my Glaub but I'm gonna put some Sunbeams on it tomorrow and see how I like it.

I agree that the Lo-Riders tension is better for down tuning.
But the Sunbeam sound is just remarkable.

Anyone using Fat Beams :confused:

if ur getting DR's, just make sure they are stainless ones. Aside from elixirs, they are bar-none the longest lasting strings I've ever played....I'd say maybe 8 or 9 months playing 4 hours a day.

Anyone using Fat Beams :confused:

I use fat beams on my FrankenJazz w/ Nordstrands and J-retro. Those strings are stainless and have that clangy and sharp sound. I also use Sunbeams on my Fretless, Nickel LoRiders on my T-40 and Stainless Loriders on my Grendel 5. I also have Black Beauties on my P. After going through many strings, I settled into DR's. Each set seems to be the right string for that bass.

To answer the original question. The sunbeams are warmer, softer and more flexible. the Nickel Loriders are stiffer and have more growl. To bad you can't just try both:crying:

I like the nickel Lo-Riders better for exactly the reasons Gintaras says - growlier and stiffer. My ham-handed technique makes the Sunbeams too floppy for me, but they have a great, warm sound, perfect for a maple board.

I'm using Sunbeams on my CS NOS '59P ('57 PUPs), tuned down 1/2.

Nickle LowRiders on my 55-94, also down 1/2

D'addario soft Chromes on my '66J, down 1/2

TI's on the Jack Casady, standard tuning.

I recorded Sat's gig on a Zoom H2 and have listened a few times, overall they all sound good (of course because of the 10 year long GAS merry go round they should, since they're all survivors). But overall, the Sunbeams on the '57/'59 P sounded best. Punchy, growly or vintage sounding with the tone roll-off. If I didn't need the 55-94 for a few songs, neither it or the '66J would see any use in this band (Classic/Top 40 Rock).:bassist:

Since you are used to the stiffness of Rotos go with the
Lo-Riders. They have the same core {Hex} and about the same stiffness.
Sunbeams might throw off your style because they are in fact,
more flexible and looser.

Nickle Lo Riders for me. I like stiff, and they are smooth and great for fingerstyle on my 'Ray.

I just tried some Sunbeams on my Glaub. I've found I prefer the higher tension Low-Riders on this bass.

I drop tune half a step so the lesser tension of the Sunbeams + drop tunning is not to my liking on the Pbass. On the other hand, on my DJ the Sunbeams sound perfect.

So I'll go back to what i already know I love,
Glaub = Low Riders
DJ = Sunbeams
Me = :hyper:

Sunbeams are my everything.

Not a straight comparison, but: The Lo-Riders felt stiffer and had more mids and tighter low end. The Sunbeams felt a little looser but had a sweeter top end.

I’ve been a nickel guy from go, but ordered a set of SS Lo-Riders the other day just for a lark. I figured why not. I needed to change strings and wanted to see how they would act on the JO5 (no longer have the 55-02). If I don’t like them, I’m gonna try Hi-Beams or Fat Beams. Not easy to find the right gauge and be able to string through the body.

Just slapped some Sunbeams on my Squier 60's Precision. which had dead Fender 8250's. Can't really tell much of a tone difference. Sounds like new roundwound strings. Nice strings though. The loose feeling is kinda cool, but I'm not sure if it matters either way. My American P is still wearing the 8250's it came with and has been setup, so I dont want to touch it. I am trying to see if I like Sunbeams or Lo-riders before I mess with a bass that doesn't need new strings. It seems the Fender strings have more mids so I may stick with them in the future. DR's are definitely great strings though.

Ok so I now have Lo-riders on my Squier 60's P. All I have to say is "wow". Sounds almost like my American P. I love the feel too. I may have found my new favorite strings!