DR Sunbeams are amazing!

The Universe · #1 02-26-2009, 03:30 PM

Just put a set of Sunbeam Nickels on my J and WOW! Brilliant strings...loads of fundamental, rich overtones, all in a pretty traditional sounding string.

I recommend.

R

santucci218 · #2 02-26-2009, 03:54 PM

one guy at work swears buy these on his acoustic guitar.

superfunk47 · #3 02-26-2009, 03:57 PM

I love em on everything. Guitar, bass, you name it. Love these strings. Between them and the TI's on my J, all I could ever need.

A.CLAYTON · #4 02-26-2009, 04:34 PM

Great strings,very pricey but well worth it.

Mastermold · #5 02-26-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superfunk47

I love em on everything. Guitar, bass, you name it. Love these strings. Between them and the TI's on my J, all I could ever need.

I've got Sunbeams on my Jazz now, with TIs going on next.

Matt Dean · #6 02-26-2009, 04:51 PM

Please report back a comparison.

blmeier7 · #7 02-26-2009, 04:59 PM

This is interesting. I just bought both of these string sets (TI flats and sunbeams) because previous reviews on TB. I have to say that I really didn't care for the TI flats like I thought I would. Actually I have already sold and shipped them to another TB'er. I realize that they only get better with age but I was very surprised that they were not consistent from string to string. The A was perfect but the E was super muddy and had no definition to it. The G a D strings were consistent but completely different than the A and E strings. This was a brand new set of strings by the way. Before anyone asks, yes I did adjust the truss rod, bridge and pickup height (this was on my 08 P bass). Maybe I got a bad set since so many other players swear by these strings. Maybe I will try them again at a later time.

I put the Sunbeams on and these feel nice and have just the right amount of tension for me but they don't have much in the way of mids. It seems they are pretty "bassy" strings. I haven't played with these strings in a full band setting yet but that will be the real test. Do the Sunbeams sound different after they break in some? Do others find these strings to be bass heavy and mid shy?

ErnieD · #8 02-27-2009, 05:10 AM

I started a new thread but maybe you guys can reply quicker. What, if any cloth, colored wrappings do the DR Sunbeam nickles have? I am trying to identify a old set to reuse, have a few old sets of strings in unlabeled baggies and I dont recall what wrappings if any the Sunbeam nickels have. I also have a set of Lakland SS's and I know they had grey/silver colored wrappings. I think I could go by feel but I want to be sure I use the Sunbeams. Thanks

blmeier7 · #9 02-27-2009, 03:20 PM

No wrapping on my Sunbeams

bobalu · #10 02-27-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blmeier7

Do others find these strings to be bass heavy and mid shy?

No, not really. Remember, they are a nickel, round core string. What are you comparing them to? It will also make a difference on what bass you are using them on. They are wonderful on my Stingray.

blmeier7 · #11 02-27-2009, 07:58 PM

I had been using the stock Fender strings that came on this bass (2008 Precision). Which the the stock strings should also be nickel plated with a round core also.

I will spend some more time with them. The Sunbeams are definitely fatter and have more of a percussive tone to them. It may just be that my ears aren't used to them yet.

ReBass · #12 02-27-2009, 08:05 PM

Sunbeams on a Jazz is the perfect combination, IMO. I liked them on my Stingray, too, though they didn't solve the "clack" of the ray enough to keep it.

Ryan Mohr · #13 02-27-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blmeier7

It seems they are pretty "bassy" strings. I haven't played with these strings in a full band setting yet but that will be the real test. Do the Sunbeams sound different after they break in some? Do others find these strings to be bass heavy and mid shy?

Hmm... From what I have read here on TB, Sunbeams are mid heavy and rather shy on the low end

Sundogue · #14 02-28-2009, 07:17 AM

DR Sunbeams are my all-time favorite roundwound. I don't think they are heavy anywhere (lows to highs)...very even sounding strings.

Also, while they are not the brightest roundwound (being nickel), what brightness they do have lasts far longer than any other roundwound I've tried (which is just about anything made over the last 30 years).

I've had a set on for a year and they sounded as good as when they were first broken in. All strings sound brighter initially and eventually settle down into what they are really good at. But most rounds tend to degrade the longer you play them. Whereas the Sunbeams tend to hold that settled in tone for a very long time.

Buster666 · #15 02-28-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AqueousView11

Hmm... From what I have read here on TB, Sunbeams are mid heavy and rather shy on the low end

Because i am a finger-style player I hate light gage Stainless Steel strings, so I tried the Sunbeams. The lows might be shy but they make up for it in clarity and timbre and the highs are more golden, rather than tin or glassy. and they do last longer if you keep them clean.

mothmonsterman · #16 02-28-2009, 10:07 AM

love them,
low riders are sweet too.
actually anything made by DR is dynamite.

Steve Bennett · #17 02-28-2009, 10:18 AM

Sunbeams are my all-time favorite strings. I have them on a Precision, a Jazz, and a Yamaha TRB1005. They are easily the best I've used on all 3 basses. They feel great and are very balanced and even across the set, and they have an expressiveness to them that I haven't found in any other string. Hi-Beams are great too, but they feel sticky to my fingers. Sunbeams are just right.

StyleOverShow · #18 02-28-2009, 10:21 AM

Will swap out my HiBeams for either Lowriders or Dreamers on next string change. Have improved the life of my current set by using the bass (MM Sterling) only at gigs (not rehearsals or my practicing), and washing hands before and wiping down strings every week or so with astringent wipes. Little hygiene goes a long way...

-richard

Buster666 · #19 02-28-2009, 01:22 PM

Dude! You mean you shouldn't smear all those microbes, metal mites, pizza frags and God knows what else onto your strings?

At work in the model shop the machinists have sets of gage blocks, chrome moly cubes that are machined to like 0.0001" and there is a box of lab Kimwipes next to them. You are not allowed to pick them up with your bare hands.

Any aromatic VOC solvent can be used to clean strings as long as it won't attack the plastic parts. INOW, naptha lighter fluid, laq thinner, denatured alcohol, Everclear, OK. Carburator cleaner, NOT.

Mr. Ray · #20 03-05-2009, 04:30 PM

Hi I have read all the positive reviews of the Sunbeams and I finally installed a set on my Fender 70's Reissue. My first impressions are..
1.)These are really smooth and fast for a roundwound
2.) Even timbre across the set.
3.) Highs are sligthly muted not brassy or tinny...the g string is nice for slap.
4.) Tension is medium, no strings in the set are loose or sloppy or extra tight...nice feel
5.) They don't have a pronounced mid...which could be bad or good depending on what you want to hear.
Comparing these to the standard nickel fender strings I would say the fenders have more bass and mids..the sunbeams have more clarity/ring/harmonics...nicer for slap.
I am very curious about the DR Low Rider Nickels? Anybody have a comparison with the Sunbeams?