How are DR Sun-Beams?

Chrisk-K · #1 05-22-2010, 02:13 PM

I love the Hi-Beams (on my Geddy Lee and 2004 MIA P) and the steel Lo-Rider (on my Lakland DJ).

I'm interested in trying deeper sounding roundwound strings. Will the Sun-Beams give me such a tone?

Gibbsalot · #2 05-22-2010, 02:21 PM

I was a fan of the Hi-Beams but fell in love with the Sunbeams.

waynobass · #3 05-22-2010, 02:30 PM

Sun-Beams are very-good round-wound bass-strings.

Tension is a little less than other strings. You may or may not like that.

mwbonsall · #4 05-22-2010, 02:34 PM

They are very smooth feeling, bright, deep, and flexable. Try a set, but also try the lowrider nickle. I like more tension and the extra mids that the lowriders have.

Mark

**RedsFan75** · #5 05-22-2010, 02:49 PM

I like the Sunbeams better than the Lo-Riders, but I love the lower tension of the beams...

MysticMichael · #6 05-22-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

I love the Hi-Beams (on my Geddy Lee and 2004 MIA P) and the steel Lo-Rider (on my Lakland DJ).

I'm interested in trying deeper sounding roundwound strings. Will the Sun-Beams give me such a tone?

Since you apparently like the stainless steel tone(s) (as do I), you might consider checking out DR Fat Beams too. I play a set of them on my fretless (with epoxied fingerboard), and like 'em a lot.

They've got the round core of Sunbeams, but the stainless steel shimmer of Hi-Beams. And what I've heard, they're definitely voiced deeper than Hi-Beams...

MM

Mojo-Man · #7 05-22-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedsFan75

I like the Sunbeams better than the Lo-Riders, but I love the lower tension of the beams...

+1
Sunbeams are my favorite roundwounds.

braydensharrar · #8 05-22-2010, 03:15 PM

I first tried Sunbeams after hearing Richard Bona plays them. I got a pack and loved them from the start. They are now the only roundwound string I use.

Right out of the package, they have a nice feel and crispy highs with a nice fundamental down low. However, the way these strings break in is really what caused me to love them. I have used the same set for about 6 months, and they still didn't sound "dead". They have incredible life and retain a ton of highs after months of use. They do have quite a bit of harmonic overtones, some like that some don't, I do.

They sound killer for slap, and the quick bridge pickup modern mid-range tone (I hope you know the one I am referring to) is fantastic.

Just listen to the tones that Bona gets out of them, they are amazing.

Highly recommend these rounds..

~B

**michele** · #9 05-22-2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

I love the Hi-Beams (on my Geddy Lee and 2004 MIA P) and the steel Lo-Rider (on my Lakland DJ).

I'm interested in trying deeper sounding roundwound strings. Will the Sun-Beams give me such a tone?

Deeper sounding rounds (steel) make me thinking of Labella DTB.

L Anthony · #10 05-22-2010, 04:53 PM

I ran across this a while back...

http://www.bassemporium.com/newslett...ewsletter.html

Ed Friedlander is testing out different types of DR strings on a Fender Road Worn Jazz bass, and he has sound clips of each one. I loved the sounds of the Sunbeams in the clips, and they will be the strings I change to when I get ready to replace the strings on my bass. (Note: My bass is an active Ibanez SR400, so I know they will sound different on mine, but I think this provides a decent starting point.)

CopperheadLXXIX · #11 05-22-2010, 05:00 PM

Have them on my 12ver right now and absolutely love them-bright without being harsh, deep without being muddy. Sound much better than the D'Addarios I had on prior that didn't sound bad to start.

alangoldstein · #12 05-22-2010, 05:02 PM

get the fatbeams. they are the best ones so far from DR . and ive been using also sunbeams for years, but better on fretless they are.

i want to try the bootsys too but they are only heavy guaged

oren · #13 05-22-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Since you apparently like the stainless steel tone(s) (as do I), you might consider checking out DR Fat Beams too. I play a set of them on my fretless (with epoxied fingerboard), and like 'em a lot.

They've got the round core of Sunbeams, but the stainless steel shimmer of Hi-Beams. And what I've heard, they're definitely voiced deeper than Hi-Beams...

MM

+1 on the Fatbeams - they sound terrific on my Roscoe 5-string. Lots of definition, full deep bottom, good crisp (but not twangy) highs.

**RedsFan75** · #14 05-22-2010, 05:09 PM

Got Fatbeams on my MTD, they are my favorite steel string. Sunbeams are my favorite nickel... I've got a set of TI Jazz Flats on my P, but I'm very curious about the DR Hi-beam flats.

Kipaste · #15 05-22-2010, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Since you apparently like the stainless steel tone(s) (as do I), you might consider checking out DR Fat Beams too. I play a set of them on my fretless (with epoxied fingerboard), and like 'em a lot.

They've got the round core of Sunbeams, but the stainless steel shimmer of Hi-Beams. And what I've heard, they're definitely voiced deeper than Hi-Beams...

MM

Well, hi-beams are round core too. All of the "beams" are. The difference between hi-beams and fat beams is only the winding speed which gives the string a bit more lows and ever so slight increase in tension. And I agree, they're brilliant strings, even though I consider myself mostly a nickelplated kind of guy.

The sunbeams are very good too if the low tension is seen as a positive thing. If not, there are plenty of other good nickels around. I'm not a huge fan of the lo-riders, but that's just me. They're good, but not my favourite high tension nickel.

Jim C · #16 05-22-2010, 06:52 PM

I just took off an ancient set of Blue Steels and tried my first set of Sun Beams.
They sound very good but defienately don't have the growly whirring sound of even dead Blue Steels; the tension is MUCH lower than the BS's though.

I'm curious to find out if Hi Beams sound like other round wound SS strings that have hex cores.

MysticMichael · #17 05-23-2010, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kipaste

Well, hi-beams are round core too. All of the "beams" are.

I know...

MM

Kipaste · #18 05-23-2010, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

I know...

MM

Sorry, I misunderstood your first post, I didn't mean to sound condescending. Language barrier and all that

Chrisk-K · #19 05-23-2010, 08:54 PM

I've ordered Fat beams and Sun beams. I used to use only nickel plated strings but after trying Hi Beams last year, I knew there was no going back.

hasbeen · #20 05-25-2010, 12:58 PM

I'm a huge fan of all DR strings- I'll often use different sets on different basses.

My favorite though is Sunbeam Nickel. I wouldn't call the "deep" though. I'd call them more "warm with nice clarity".

To me "deep" implies a wider sonic footprint. .....lots of lows ..and highs. For this sound, I'd lean more towards their stainless strings.