DR Sunbeams vs. Dunlop Nickels? How Similar/Different Are They?

Dub56 · #1 12-07-2010, 01:35 PM

I've read in a few places that Dunlop Nickels are very similar to DR Sunbeams, and with the buy-one-get-one deal going on with the Dunlops I'm very tempted to try them out.

I'm currently using Sunbeams and love them, I have Med-Light gauge on my Lakland and I think they're my favorite strings I've ever tried. Great tension, great tone, extremely versatile, very warm sounding, and have a nice feel to them.

Just for fun, heres a clip using Sunbeams for a Reggae tone. I used a foam mute, but I really like how the strings warm up so nicely. If I need more aggression and brightness, it's there too, which is great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnSYaiVumoQ
Don't mind the mistakes

I'll be needing a set for my 44-64 (P-Bass) soon, and I was going to go with Sunbeams, but if I can save some cash....

What differences should I expect in a set of Dunlop Nickels? Is the tension comparable? How about the tone and warmth? Do they have a similar feel?

Thanks!

KingRazor · #2 12-07-2010, 01:36 PM

Simply from what I've read, Dunlops are very supple. Most say the nickels are fairly bright and aggressive like steel strings though.

VroomVroom · #3 12-07-2010, 03:53 PM

Sunbeams are my absolute go-to. Compared to the Dunlops, I find them to be much more durable. Sonically I'd say they've (Sunbeams) got a lower mid-point...essentially a bit more growly/grindy than sizzly, if that makes any sense.

mmbongo · #4 12-07-2010, 06:08 PM

Dunlops have just a tad more tension, but soundwise I found them similar. Not identical, but in the same basic range.

CrashClint · #5 12-07-2010, 07:44 PM

I use the Dunlops 45-105 on my Roscoe Century Standard Jazz 4, to me the Dunlops are similar to D' Addario, but feel tighter and sound fuller with a nice crispness.

I use the Sunbeams 40-120 on my Roscoe Century Sig V and I find them to have lower tension than the Dunlops but the Sunbeams sound much warmer and not as bright.

I really like both strings

Hollow Man · #6 12-07-2010, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dub56

...and with the buy-one-get-one deal going on with the Dunlops...

Where is this deal going on???

mmbongo · #7 12-07-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

Where is this deal going on???

Dunlop Buy One, Get One Free is back!

invalidprotocol · #8 01-24-2011, 06:34 PM

Ok, I just installed my first set of the Dunlop Nickel Mediums that I got from the BOGO offer. These are displacing DR Sunbeams on my Schecter Diamond P Custom.

They are very warm, non-zingy, greatly reduced clack. Honestly almost too broken in. Way less bright than a new set of Sunbeams. The set of Sunbeams I had were more or less dead (clack goes to thunk among other things) but they were still a fair bit brighter than this set of Dunlops. Are they really like this or did I just get a bum set? Thought I'd ask before I break open the second set to check.

I'm not a bright string fan either. I felt the Sunbeams were a bit warmer than other strings I was used to. With a new set of the Sunbeams I'm running my tone at about 20%. By the time I have to push past about 60% to compensate for my desired tone, they are dead.

Starting out with the new set of Dunlops I'm running tone at 60% to get a tone comparative to what I'm used to with the Sunbeams. This bass tends to be on the bright side so I'm a little concerned about how much life I might even get out of these. Are my concerns unfounded?

The feel is somewhere in between the Sunbeams and typical hex core but definitely leaning closer to the Sunbeams IMHO. They feel nice and are a little more forgiving with a low setup, the one thing I miss about hex core. I am impressed however with how quickly these strings settle and keep tune.

I've been able to get Sunbeams at a favorable price and absolutely love their tone but the reason I decided to try something new was because there has been far too much inconsistency with the DRs and intonation. I'm having to update with each new set of strings - annoying.

I'm giving myself a little time with this set to see what I really think of them in the long run. My PH is a bad match for nickles anyway but I just love the tone.

EagleMoon · #9 01-27-2011, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Sunbeams are my absolute go-to. Compared to the Dunlops, I find them to be much more durable. Sonically I'd say they've (Sunbeams) got a lower mid-point...essentially a bit more growly/grindy than sizzly, if that makes any sense.

Agree 100%. Tone sounds more rounded to me as well with the Sunbeams. I had a set of Dunlop's that I rotated around on different basses, and while I think they're passable strings, I wouldn't want to use them on a regular basis. They just highlight the higher mid tones that I don't care for.

spidey112669 · #10 01-29-2011, 02:53 PM

Sunbeams are some of the best strings you can put on a bass...warm and playable, you can eq in some bite, they last a long time in their original state, and their worn-in tone is very good, and they will keep that 3-4 week old tone for months and months. Dunlops sound like this...."Bluster, Bluster Baluster"...and they sound like that on pretty much anything you put them on....Sting Ray, Warwicks, P's and J's....use the search function of this forum and look up Dunlop strings and look at the reviews and opinions of some of the folks who have been here for years and have hundreds of posts....no way would I give up Sunbeams for those budget bargain Dunlops....

One Drop · #11 01-31-2011, 03:46 AM

I had a flirtation with the Dunlop nickels, but I'll never use them again after switching back to DRs. They lack presence, authority and sound one-dimensional compared to any of the DR sets.

Plus the fact they ignored the emails I sent them regarding a question I had. Doesn't affect the tone of the strings, but makes me less hesitant to describe my dissatisfaction of their strings in public.

madbassplaya · #12 02-01-2011, 09:33 AM

string opinions vary so much...

some things that have been said about the sunbeams i think the dunlops do and vice versa.

i will say this. Dunlop strings work for me. DR (Sunbeams, Low Riders, High Beams, Coated, and Fat Beams) have not.

SactoBass · #13 02-01-2011, 09:36 AM

I agree with the above posters on the DR Sunbeams. They are my favorite strings.

lmfreeman9 · #14 02-01-2011, 01:18 PM

I like the Dunlops but they are definitely a poor man's Sunbeams. If price didn't matter, I'd choose the Sunbeams.

Nikoubis · #15 02-01-2011, 04:48 PM

Both are great strings. To my ears, the Dunlops sound a little more aggressive, while the Sunbeams are slightly more polite. They are different enough for me to like both.

invalidprotocol · #16 02-05-2011, 10:14 AM

I pulled those Dunlop nickels off within three days of that post. Cant stand them on my Schecter. Then I tried the Dunlop stainless and it improved some but still no go. Back to DR Sunbeams...

I put the Dunlop stainless on my Fender Jazz and it did wonders for the tone. Much more authoritative low end, a boost to the mids and highs are smoothed out. I like these better than the DR MM's on this bass. I only wish they had the smooth texture of the MM's.

mmbongo · #17 02-05-2011, 12:01 PM

Dunlops are fine strings, but Sunbeams they are not. As I said above, they are similar but not the same. Of course you can buy 3 Dunlops for the price of one set of Sunbeams, too. Use Dunlops to upgrade mediocre strings like D'Addario, Slinky's, Fenders...stuff like that. I don't think they will replace DR's.