DR Sunbeams on a P-bass or J-bass: More mids than GHS Boomers?

[PBnJBassist]

Long story short: My GHS Boomers are on their last breath and I'm wanting to try roundcore nickel strings this time. Hearing a lot of good things about DR Sunbeams and I'm wanting to know if they have more mids than GHS Boomers - talking straight mids, not high or low mids. In fact, I'm trying to avoid that high-mid focus and want a more tamed tone.

All chime ins are welcome, but it would really be helpful for those that have used them on a P-bass, J-bass, P/J-bass. So far, I've completely converted to being a super-light gauge user of 35.55.75.95 and hearing how roundcores give more flexibility, I'm assuming a DR Sunbeam gauge of 40.60.80.100 (they don't offer 35 or 55) will have that same flexibility as my current set of Boomers.

I do a mix of finger & slap-pop for funk, blues, and a bit of soft jazz. Playing a Fender active P/J bass if that also helps.

[Lemon Of Troy]

They definitely have more mids than Boomers. The light gauge Sunbeams are very low tension, if you like flexible then you'll love the lights. I might even say that 45-105 are about like light Boomers, which I find to be very high tension.

[cybersnyder]

No idea about lighter gauges, but I really like 45-105 sunbeams on my P bass.

[PBnJBassist]

Many thanks for the answers! Already placed an order with BSO for the "Lite-Lite" gauges (40.60.75.95). I kept thinking of whether I wanted the 100 or 95, but I'm so used to 95s now, I didn't want to let those go!

[SactoBass]

IMO, you will be happy with DR Sunbeams. I switched from GHS Boomers to Sunbeams on my jazz bass years ago, and never went back to GHS. I also found that the Sunbeams seem to last longer, tone-wise.

[PBnJBassist]

Originally Posted by SactoBass

IMO, you will be happy with DR Sunbeams. I switched from GHS Boomers to Sunbeams on my jazz bass years ago, and never went back to GHS. I also found that the Sunbeams seem to last longer, tone-wise.

I hope they do! Had the boomers on my bass for only a week before they started dying. Mid-way through the 2nd week, it's grasping for dear life. I've even wiped them down thoroughly after each session to make sure they live on a bit longer... which was wierd for me to do since I came off of a year of playing flats about 2 months or so ago and became so used to just leaving the bass as-is after playing it.

[hotbass57]

I had a set on my pbass for 5 months. Sunbeams are an excellent choice.

[williamk]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

No idea about lighter gauges, but I really like 45-105 sunbeams on my P bass.

+1

here's a p-bass with sunbeams:

http://soundcloud.com/william-kraush...ty-summer-love

I personally love them! They bring out the best in a P! for a J I don't know though...

[PBnJBassist]

Originally Posted by williamk

+1

here's a p-bass with sunbeams:

http://soundcloud.com/william-kraush...ty-summer-love

I personally love them! They bring out the best in a P! for a J I don't know though...

Loving the positive response these strings are getting on P-bass players! And @WilliamK: Nice! That tone is EXACTLY what I was searching for when I'm 100% on the split-coil pup on my P/J bass. Man! This is getting me excited - I can't wait until they arrive!!

[williamk]

Originally Posted by PBnJBassist

Loving the positive response these strings are getting on P-bass players! And @WilliamK: Nice! That tone is EXACTLY what I was searching for when I'm 100% on the split-coil pup on my P/J bass. Man! This is getting me excited - I can't wait until they arrive!!

don't wanna burst your bubble but the sound is mostly in MY TALENTED FINGERS!! just kidding, but my p-bass is a pretty freakin' amazing instrument and sounds good with all strings I've tried so far, but the sunbeams are the most comfortable and favorite tension too so far.

[Fuzz Aldrin]

Previously I used Boomers and now I use Sunbeams. I don't know if I ever thought about them in terms of high mids or low mids. I do think they are warmer sounding, and the Boomers were definitely brighter. I like Boomers, but I love Sunbeams. Oh, and I use a passive J.

[96tbird]

I like Sunbeams very much. They sound like no other nickels I have tried, full round tone and they feel really nice and smooth. A little more flex than hex cores.

[diglo]

I switched to Sunbeams from Boomers on my P bass. The Sun's are warmer & I enjoy the sound I get. The Boomer's growl was a lil too aggressive for my taste.

[Jim C]

Originally Posted by 96tbird

I like Sunbeams very much. They sound like no other nickels I have tried, full round tone and they feel really nice and smooth. A little more flex than hex cores.

+1
Even within the same brand, very light strings don't have as much meat as heavier strings IMO