DR Sunbeams vs. DR Nickel Low Riders

madbassplaya · #1 01-02-2009, 10:34 AM

I've narrowed my string decision down to these two. I've never played either, but have heard great things about DRs. I played a set of High Beams once and they lasted almost forever! I kept waiting for them to die, so I could change back to Nickels.

Anyway, i'm wanting a warmer tone that still has some brightness which would work better?

uaudio · #2 01-02-2009, 10:44 AM

I found that the Sunbeams had a scooped mid sound. I tried them because I was looking for an not-quite-as-trebly alternative to the High Beams, but while I liked the warmer low end, I missed the mids. I wound up EQing the high end out of the High Beams instead of dialing the mids back in on the Sunbeams, because I find the HBs clearer. Also, I wasn't impressed with the low B (if that applies to you).

My $0.02.

Aaron J · #3 01-02-2009, 08:50 PM

I actually had the opposite experience with DRs. I used to use High Beams, but I found myself adding too many mids. I now use Sunbeams on my Lakland JO and my Status Fretless and I absolutely love those strings. They sound amazing on the JO after they have been played in a bit. I find on those basses that the Sunbeams are a very balanced string. Good highs, round lows, and smooth mids. They can get growly on my fretless or burpy on the back pickup of my JO if I need them to. Not as extreme in the highs and lows as the High Beams, and not as much of a low mid thump as the Low Riders. They have a long life, too.

loonybob123 · #4 01-02-2009, 09:05 PM

I have Lo-Riders on my Rex 5 string and I am about to put Sunbeams on my Zebop 4(I will acquire tommorow) so I will get back to you in a day with a direct comparison of the two

madbassplaya · #5 01-02-2009, 09:42 PM

thanks for the input fellows!

Eublet · #6 01-02-2009, 09:57 PM

I'm with you, and not only with the tone of nickel over SS, but the feel. Pete Skjold has some custom strings that are the best to me. They're SS except for the outer core which is a nickel wrap. The result is that they feel great, have a bit of SS crunch that is tamed just a touch, and a nice warm mid response thanks to the nickel. They go for $26 for a 5 string set.

bassrique · #7 01-02-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eublet

I'm with you, and not only with the tone of nickel over SS, but the feel. Pete Skjold has some custom strings that are the best to me. They're SS except for the outer core which is a nickel wrap. The result is that they feel great, have a bit of SS crunch that is tamed just a touch, and a nice warm mid response thanks to the nickel. They go for $26 for a 5 string set.

Link?

Eublet · #8 01-05-2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassrique

Link?

Sorry, I missed this response. See below, and check out his instruments while you are there as well! Not a lot of mention on his strings at the website, although he does talk about them in the forum section, giving specific guages and such. They are very nice if you like SS crunch, nickel feel, and a bit more warmth.

http://www.skjolddesign.com/

KJung · #9 01-05-2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eublet

Sorry, I missed this response. See below, and check out his instruments while you are there as well! Not a lot of mention on his strings at the website, although he does talk about them in the forum section, giving specific guages and such. They are very nice if you like SS crunch, nickel feel, and a bit more warmth.

http://www.skjolddesign.com/

That's actually how I describe the Hi Beam SS. They are really smooth feeling, and feel more like nickel to me than other SS strings.

The tone, of course, is all SS, but per the above post, as long as your bass has a passive tone control, it's easier to dial out that touch of extra sizzle for me than to try to dial in something that isn't inherently there (assuming you want to do that).

I never really thought about this, but aren't all nickel roundwounds based on a steel core?

Eublet · #10 01-05-2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

That's actually how I describe the Hi Beam SS. They are really smooth feeling, and feel more like nickel to me than other SS strings.

The tone, of course, is all SS, but per the above post, as long as your bass has a passive tone control, it's easier to dial out that touch of extra sizzle for me than to try to dial in something that isn't inherently there (assuming you want to do that).

I never really thought about this, but aren't all nickel roundwounds based on a steel core?

Hi-Beams are definiltey the most nickel-feeling to me out of the SS strings I've used. They're a good bit brighter than Pete's strings, though.

My understandings is that even the inside wrappings on Pete's strings are SS. Only the outermost wrap is nickel, so they don't have that "biting grip" typically associated with SS strings.

Depending on how you like your setup, Pete's strings can feel a bit tight on a 35" scale bass. The higher tension lets you lower them if that's what you are after. At that point they feel really great. If you prefer a higher action, then you might want a lower tension string to make fretting easer, and the Hi-Beams are great for that. Sunbeams are even more flexible if you want a nickel string.

KJung · #11 01-05-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eublet

Hi-Beams are definiltey the most nickel-feeling to me out of the SS strings I've used. They're a good bit brighter than Pete's strings, though.

My understandings is that even the inside wrappings on Pete's strings are SS. Only the outermost wrap is nickel, so they don't have that "biting grip" typically associated with SS strings.

Depending on how you like your setup, Pete's strings can feel a bit tight on a 35" scale bass. The higher tension lets you lower them if that's what you are after. At that point they feel really great. If you prefer a higher action, then you might want a lower tension string to make fretting easer, and the Hi-Beams are great for that. Sunbeams are even more flexible if you want a nickel string.

Ah, that makes sense... most of the WRAP is steel, with only the 'last' wrap being nickel. Nice.

I played Pete's strings on one of his basses, they are TIGHT tension, but I dug it. Nice strings... punchy but warm!

Gibbsalot · #12 01-05-2009, 08:18 AM

Really like the nickel lo-riders. While tuning from the setup I could tell they would become my favorites.

Bassorama57 · #13 01-05-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uaudio

I found that the Sunbeams had a scooped mid sound. I tried them because I was looking for an not-quite-as-trebly alternative to the High Beams, but while I liked the warmer low end, I missed the mids. I wound up EQing the high end out of the High Beams instead of dialing the mids back in on the Sunbeams, because I find the HBs clearer. Also, I wasn't impressed with the low B (if that applies to you).

My $0.02.

+1. Had Sunbeams on a maple EBMM Sterling H-S 4-string. I loved the tone, but the string tension was so low I had issues properly fretting them (string would squirm out from under my fat fingers). Sorta got an old-school scooped tone out them..which made me wonder why I didn't just put flats on.

Sparkdog · #14 01-05-2009, 08:38 AM

I've used all 3 sets mentioned here.

+ 1 on the Hi Beams comments. Smoothest SS I've ever tried, you could easily mistake them for nickels. Great choice if you want the high end without sawing into your frets.

Sunbeams - Warm, smooth and balanced, but didn't have enough tension, punch , or mids for me on my DJ5...just a little too tame.

Nickel Low Riders - Bingo! Love these, everything is just right. I have them on my DJ5 and a 4 string Stingray and they just sing on both.