DR Nickels- Sunbeams vs. Lo-Riders

Yamarc · #1 11-15-2007, 03:27 PM

Wanting to know what your experiences are between these two nickel DRs

I am currently playing a Celinder passive jazz 4 string through a EA iamp 200 wizzy combo. My gig has morphed into mainly an acoustic gig with a djembe, an acoustic guitar and two singers. I am playing mainly fingerstyle, palm muting, etc.

While I have tried them both at different times, I've never compared the two side by side or for this kind of gig.

Which string do you think would be the best fit for me?

Which do you prefer and why?

ishouldbeking · #2 11-15-2007, 04:08 PM

ha, i almost posted a very similar thread yesterday. also interested to hear this.

(I'm currently using sunbeams on my stingray; great feel, great tone, slighty dark, yet to see how long they last)

Yamarc · #3 11-26-2007, 02:02 PM

groove pump · #4 11-26-2007, 06:46 PM

Sorry that I can't exactly quantify it, but Sunbeams are the only DR's that appeal to me. I play them in a passive J and their sound and feel for me are just... well, right. I don't always see them in the shop, but they're my numero uno when I run across them.

BillytheBassist · #5 11-26-2007, 06:53 PM

Alot of DR talk lately...... I would say the sunbeams are a better choice for ME because of the low tension and string life. Harmonics, pinch harmonics, slap tone, finger tone.... much sweeter with the sunbeams. I tried a set of Lo riders once... that was all that was available at the store i went to. I didn't really care to much for the feel or tone for that matter. But, then again i'm not so much a steel kinda guy. I'd say go with the beams man.

Yamarc · #6 04-10-2008, 05:17 PM

revisiting this...bump

UBU · #7 04-10-2008, 07:45 PM

First off, I love sunbeams, they're my fav round string by far. I think the sunbeams being a round core string makes them somewhat more natural feeling. What does that mean? I'm not certain. I've played low-riders, I think they're on a hex-core, and they feel less "organic" to me. They both sound great, but the feel of sunbeams wins me over time after time.

M.T.A.C. · #8 04-10-2008, 07:54 PM

ive used both extesively. I cant believe all the money I wasted on sunbeams. Lowriders hands down, are so much better IMO for my style of playing anyway

bass-shy · #9 04-10-2008, 08:08 PM

IME, Nickel Lo-Riders are a little more aggressive sounding than the Sunbeams. For the type of gig you describe, the Sunbeams sound like a perfect fit. Good luck.