DR Sunbeams compared to other stings

[woody357]

wHEN EB slinkys mellow they sound great, I was wondering how does DR Sunbeams compare. I have tried DR Lo-beams an I have Hi-Beams on my Bongo right now, but they don't do it for me, and was thinking about trying Sunbeams. I have read the different threads on all, but I have not found any that have talked about all of the above. So far for me the EB beat the ones I have tried. So can I get a little info here.

[Xx: V L F :xX]

The Hi-Beams and Lo-Riders are SS, while the Sunbeams are NPS. There is also a NPS set of Lo-Riders, but you'll probably have to order them (I've never seen them in a store, only the SS ones.)
I love Ernie Ball NPSs, too. If you try the Sunbeams, post what you think here so we can hear what you think about them.

[woody357]

Originally Posted by Xx: V L F :xX

The Hi-Beams and Lo-Riders are SS, while the Sunbeams are NPS. There is also a NPS set of Lo-Riders, but you'll probably have to order them (I've never seen them in a store, only the SS ones.)
I love Ernie Ball NPSs, too. If you try the Sunbeams, post what you think here so we can hear what you think about them.

I got a set of Sunbeams the other day, I was just looking around and saw a set of 5 for $30, and couldn't pass them up. I have not put them on my bass yet because I still have the Hi beams on, and they still sound ok. I'll change them next month no matter what.

[P-oddz]

I've got a set of Sunbeams on my '62 Reissue Jazz, and have had them on for about 4 months or so. I know it's not a Bongo, but on the Jazz they sound fantastic, IMO. I don't necessarily remember being floored with the sound right away, but as the strings saw more use, that is when they really developed a character (Very mellow sounding, but still very accurate, if that makes sense) I play with fingers and a pick at times, and I think they have a nice mellowed punch that sits well in the mix (of course if that is the sound you're going for).

I know the Bongo will sound completely different, but here is a youtube vid with the Sunbeams on a 62 RI Jazz. Maybe it will help?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY7qmW2FYsI

[Kyler_Welsch]

Originally Posted by P-oddz

I've got a set of Sunbeams on my '62 Reissue Jazz, and have had them on for about 4 months or so. I know it's not a Bongo, but on the Jazz they sound fantastic, IMO. I don't necessarily remember being floored with the sound right away, but as the strings saw more use, that is when they really developed a character (Very mellow sounding, but still very accurate, if that makes sense) I play with fingers and a pick at times, and I think they have a nice mellowed punch that sits well in the mix (of course if that is the sound you're going for).

I know the Bongo will sound completely different, but here is a youtube vid with the Sunbeams on a 62 RI Jazz. Maybe it will help?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY7qmW2FYsI

^^Exactly. They're kind of painfully bright at first but once you wear them down a bit they sound great. And they stay at that state forever too! I had one pair on a bass for about 2 1/2 years and they never sounded completely dead. The bright zinginess went away after a little bit and then the mellow accurate character as described before came and stayed for good.

[Bassamatic]

The Sunbeams are very impressive and hold the nice sound for a long time. These are a home run for DR.

I have them on my Fender Jazz and Lakland JO. Perfect for them.

[woody357]

As I said in the opener, if they are anything like EB slinkys, I will be in love. I don't know what to call it, but the EBs have a nice funky sound when they mellow, but they don't last long. I've heard what has been said on this thread that the DRs last, and I have found that to be true with the other DRs I have tried, but again as I have said the others didn't do it for me, so I hope these are what I am looking for. The Lo Beams were cool, but didn't like the feel, the Hi beams I like the feel, but it's not the sound I want. People have told me I can get the feel of the Hi Beams, with that funk of the EBs. We'll see.

[stflbn]

Originally Posted by Kyler_Welsch

^^Exactly. They're kind of painfully bright at first but once you wear them down a bit they sound great. And they stay at that state forever too! I had one pair on a bass for about 2 1/2 years and they never sounded completely dead. The bright zinginess went away after a little bit and then the mellow accurate character as described before came and stayed for good.

I just installed a set last week while preparing for a 4-hour set with a new band. 4-6 hours of playing and they lose that initial edge. Or at least that was about it for me.

[WildTrkey]

The Sunbeams have less tension than many other strings of the same alloy and gauge because they a round core. I just removed a set from my CL 50'S P bass after gigging them for about 5 months. They are great strings and sound good for a long time as long as you clean them. They are perfect once broken in but that period does not last long before they start to lose fundamental. They are a jazz bass's best friend.

[Eublet]

Sunbeams are extremely flexible, even more so than the Hi-Beams. They're also a little warmer sounding due to the nickel. I don't like them on any fretted bass I've tried, but they are wonderful for fretless.

[Surly]

I like them and think they sound less harsh than Lo-riders.