DR Sunbeams durabilty

anyonefortennis · #1 01-03-2008, 10:19 PM

So I put on my first of sunbeams yesterday and really like the strings.

They felt great out of the box, settled very fast, and feel just right to me.

Feel is very soft and buttery with a nice light tension. When I got them out of the envelope they felt extremely flexible, almost like a 'noodle' but with nice structure. If you have a 'light touch' when you play these strings are great. Not for you if you like tight strings.

Sound wise they sound round ,full, and very even across strings.

Price is right at about $25 for a 4 string set.

Now my question is - How long do they last? Love the feel so far so I hope they settle a little more and stay that way.

BuffaloBass · #2 01-03-2008, 10:59 PM

Dont have a ton of selection aorun here, so I;ve only used the usual suspects, Rotos, D'Addarios, Fenders. nickle rounds is my string type of choice. In that config, DRs blow the rest away. Other players here can comment on other brands.

I like them tight. Gives me a better feel, I can digg harder , so I use LowRiders. Nickle Lo's, hex core. Very taught., In fact, dont be surprised if the neck relief changes. Sunbeams are OK, but Lo's is what you might try next time.

Like in four months or more!!! ( I get less than afew weeks on D'adarrios - but again, soft roundwound are prone to go dead quick)

Wipe them off with alcohol fter hard playing... which... I better do that now..

Peace. Out.

Gene Leone · #3 01-04-2008, 12:03 AM

I've been getting an average of 3 months from the Sunbeams under heavy use, and about 6 months under moderate use.

I noticed that durning the humid months only about 2 months because they get sticky feeling /dead sounding faster.

Lorenzini · #4 01-04-2008, 02:29 AM

They last the longest of any other nickel strings I've tried.
Great string!

Jamiebass · #5 01-04-2008, 04:56 AM

They're holding up great on my fretless, which I play daily and purty damn hard. Awesome string all around!!! Great warm, full tone. I'm sold.

Nikoubis · #6 01-04-2008, 05:23 AM

They mellow out a bit early on, but after that they sound great and they just won't die. Awesome strings.

FaithNoMan · #7 01-04-2008, 12:00 PM

Sunbeams always sounded more lively than Lo-Riders, even the nickel ones.

Used 'em on my Ric forever, plenty of harmonic content.

ishouldbeking · #8 01-04-2008, 12:32 PM

Had em on my stingray for about 3 months... still going strong. They definitely do mellow out pretty fast, the initial brightness seems to fade slightly past the point that other nickel rounds go to (mainly comparing to XL's and Slinkys), but that "broken in" sound seems to last forever.

glivanos · #9 01-04-2008, 12:35 PM

+1 I found the same experience. It's the only string I use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikoubis

They mellow out a bit early on, but after that they sound great and they just won't die. Awesome strings.

scottbass · #10 01-04-2008, 12:55 PM

I LOVE Sunbeams! I much prefer the sound and feel of them on my Stingray to the "politically correct" EB roundwounds.

I play lightly (practice alone) about 2 hours/week, mediumly (practice w/band) about 4 hours/week and heavily (gig) about 4 hours/week, for a total of 10 hours/week. I find they settle in nicely after a week and stay good for about 4 months. Gotta wipe them down, preferably with string cleaner, after each time you play.

jweiss · #11 01-05-2008, 11:15 AM

I put a set of Sunbeams on my 5-string about 2 months ago and they are still going strong with 10 hrs/week of play time. I really like the sound.

A question for you guys - any of you notice any inconsistency in tone between strings? The G string on my bass is noticably brighter than the other strings. At first I thought it was a "new string" issue, but it has not gone away. I have tried adjusting the pickup height on that side but it did not solve the problem. My previous strings (Elixers) did not have this issue.

BTW I did a full setup when I put the strings on.

Cheers,

Jeff

Mojo-Man · #12 01-06-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishouldbeking

Had em on my stingray for about 3 months... still going strong. They definitely do mellow out pretty fast, the initial brightness seems to fade slightly past the point that other nickel rounds go to (mainly comparing to XL's and Slinkys), but that "broken in" sound seems to last forever.

+1
I agree.
They do mellow out fast.
And yes, there broken in sound it the S**T.

Sunbeams, and TI Flats are my favorite strings.