DR - Sunbeam vs. ExtraLife

mmbongo · #1 12-14-2009, 09:32 PM

Has anyone directly compared these two strings? I have Sunbeams now and was just wondering how the ExtraLifes compared to them, as I recently played a bass with them and loved the feel and sound. But of course that was not on MY bass so I could not do a direct comparison. Mainly concerned about tension and midrange response.

PS...I have gone through Ed Friedland's DR rundown many times

Mikebass6 · #2 12-15-2009, 06:20 PM

Tension is the same on the coated strings and the midrange response is good as well. Plus, you get about twice as much wear out of them vs. non coated and a little smoother finger feel.

mcapote · #3 12-16-2009, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

PS...I have gone through Ed Friedland's DR rundown many times

what is this DR rundown you speak of? Im looking toget new strings for my spector

The Artist · #4 12-16-2009, 06:35 AM

Oh, that sounds good. I play the sunbeams and love them, but If the extras feel and sound rather simmaler... wouldn't mind trying out the colors. Hmm, shame they don't do 40-100s (or do they?)

mmbongo · #5 12-16-2009, 11:10 AM

Well they are not as similar as I had hoped. I was able to put the BlackBeaties on my Peavey Millennium that normally wears Sunbeams and while they sound fine they took away everything that I loved about the Sunbeam/Millennium combo....namely a sharp, thick attack much like Geddy's Wal tone. The BlackBeauties were much smoother sounding, had less low end, and basically less bite. Overall the Sunbeams are just much louder and fuller, have a killer mid attack, and lots more bottom. I still like the BlackBeauties for what they do, but for me on this bass they don't deliver what I want.

So to sum up...no they are not that similar to the Sunbeams. That being said, I liked the BlackBeauties and D'Addario XL's on my SX P/J better than the Sunbeams.

And for The Artist..yes DR does the ExtraLifes in 40-100. However I found the .45-.105 BlackBeauties to have about the same tension as D'Addario's .40-.100's so if it's a tension thing you might like the .45's.

CElton · #6 12-16-2009, 11:55 AM

The Black Beauties are essentially coated Hi-Beams which are Stainless Steel so they are really not that similar. They both share a round core, but that's where it ends.

Meatrus · #7 12-16-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Well they are not as similar as I had hoped. I was able to put the BlackBeaties on my Peavey Millennium that normally wears Sunbeams and while they sound fine they took away everything that I loved about the Sunbeam/Millennium combo....namely a sharp, thick attack much like Geddy's Wal tone. The BlackBeauties were much smoother sounding, had less low end, and basically less bite. Overall the Sunbeams are just much louder and fuller, have a killer mid attack, and lots more bottom. I still like the BlackBeauties for what they do, but for me on this bass they don't deliver what I want.

.

Put a coating on a string and it changes stuff, theres my scientific explanation

. That and they are high-beams, not sunbeams

.

Seriously though I felt the same (except I didnt like them for anything), kind of dull sounding to me. I didnt care that they lasted a long time, 6 months of tone I dont like is still worse than 1 month of a tone I do. The fact that they are High-beams really show how much the coating affects them, as they really dont sound the same to me.

mmbongo · #8 12-16-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CElton

The Black Beauties are essentially coated Hi-Beams which are Stainless Steel so they are really not that similar. They both share a round core, but that's where it ends.

According to DR, the ExtraLifes (BlackBeauties..etc..) are hex core. I thought they were round core too, but that came straight from the source.

CElton · #9 12-17-2009, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

According to DR, the ExtraLifes (BlackBeauties..etc..) are hex core. I thought they were round core too, but that came straight from the source.

Hmm, I thought the hex core were the guitar strings. Learn something new everyday.

The Artist · #10 12-17-2009, 06:41 AM

I always thought the Hi Beams had a hex core...

mmbongo · #11 12-17-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Artist

I always thought the Hi Beams had a hex core...

Correct.

I think Sunbeams and Hellborgs are DR's only round core strings.

CElton · #12 12-17-2009, 02:22 PM

Hi Beams definitely have a round core, so do Fat Beams.

Meatrus · #13 12-17-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CElton

Hi Beams definitely have a round core, so do Fat Beams.

Yes, theres no question about it, they are round core.

The Artist · #14 12-17-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatrus

Yes, theres no question about it, they are round core.

Ah, yes^^ it was the Low Riders that I was thinking of

Meatrus · #15 12-17-2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Artist

Ah, yes^^ it was the Low Riders that I was thinking of

Can I do the Cartman nah nah ne ne nah nah song and say I told you so to Mmbongo?

just kidding.

mmbongo · #16 12-17-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CElton

Hi Beams definitely have a round core, so do Fat Beams.

Sorry, I'm getting freaking confused with all these DR strings! I stand corrected

HiBeams, Sunbeams, Fat Beams, Hellborg = Round Core.
LoRiders, ExtraLife = Hex Core.

Funny thing is, Ed Friedland says ExtraLife are round core, and he says their tension is the same as the round core Hi Beams..but I emailed DR and they said the Extra Lifes are hex core. I don't know for sure. I got mine used and already cut, so I can't see the core at the end.

Jim C · #17 12-17-2009, 06:06 PM

I had thought thay the Sunbeams (nickel / round core) would be the perfect set up for old school with a bit of growl but Ed's video (and his opinion) made it sound like the coated would be better

Confused again

mmbongo · #18 12-17-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim C

I had thought thay the Sunbeams (nickel / round core) would be the perfect set up for old school with a bit of growl but Ed's video (and his opinion) made it sound like the coated would be better

Confused again

Here's what DR sent me about the Sunbeams/ExtraLifes:

Which one has less tension?
---The Sunbeams are on a roundcore string and are smoother nickel plated, so there will be less tension than on the Black Beauties, which are hexcore.

> Which one has more midrange punch?
---The Black Beauties will have more midrange.

> Which one has less high end 'zing'?
---Again, the Black Beauties will have less high end because they are coated.

> Is there a noticeable difference in the low end?
---The Sunbeams will have a smoother low end, the Black Beauties will have more throat to them.

Jim C · #19 12-17-2009, 06:44 PM

Thanks, very helpful

rekesbass · #20 12-18-2009, 06:40 AM

I have BB's on my Ric right now,before that it was sunbeams...I would say the BB's are a little more subdued in the highs and lows,the discription that DR gives in mmbongo's post is acurate.(IME)....To help sort out the confusion,I remember like this..
-beams= round core..
-riders=hex core...
EXtralife=hEX core