How long before DR Sunbeams start sounding bad?

[madbassplaya]

I got a bass in a while back that had DR Sunbeams on it and I've been hooked since. I ended up moving that bass but bought some Sunbeams for my SR5. I typically go through strings pretty quickly. My Dunlops would last me about a month (maybe two) before they seem to lose their zing and tone.

I've had the Sunbeams on my main bass for a while now and I have no complaints of the tone that I am currently getting! I seriously love these strings. I was skeptical of trying them because of the price, but once I played them, there was no turning back! If you haven't tried them...you should! I get mine at bassstringsonline.com.

Buy DR Sunbeam Electric Bass Strings from Bass Strings Online.

So, for you guys that have been playing them for a while, how long do they typically last you?

Thanks!

[the yeti]

i had a set on for about a year before. i really like em too.

[madbassplaya]

Originally Posted by the yeti

i had a set on for about a year before. i really like em too.

A year huh? Wow.

[mmbongo]

I got about 6 months of playing 5-6 hours a week on my last set. The sound never changed, they just got to where they would no longer intonate correctly.

[Showdown]

I've had them on for a year of fairly constant use. They last a while.

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

So, for you guys that have been playing them for a while, how long do they typically last you?

Thanks!

Can you define 'for a while'?

'Cause if you mean the amount of time I played them - it comes down to minutes.

I almost instantly didn't like them and took them off in the store in about three minutes after playing them and gave them back to the salesman.

The salesman highly recommended them.

Too bright - too zing-y and too harsh to my ears.

[96tbird]

My estimation is that any two individuals using the same strings will have two differing experiences and opinions rendering the OP's question unanswerable in any meaningful way. I guess we have to try them and if we like, we have to live with our choice or move on. Kind of like marriage.

[ack]

I can make any set of strings sound bad right out of the box

[96tbird]

Originally Posted by ack

I can make any set of strings sound bad right out of the box

Then join the club! The Mediocre Bassist Club, pt. 3: MBC3

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by 96tbird

My estimation is that any two individuals using the same strings will have two differing experiences and opinions rendering the OP's question unanswerable in any meaningful way. I guess we have to try them and if we like, we have to live with our choice or move on. Kind of like marriage.

You are absolutely correct. It's relative to the needs and desires of the player.

I just feel than any harsh tones coming out of music had better be from either a Chinese gong or a banjo --- NOT my bass.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

Too bright - too zing-y and too harsh to my ears.

What did you compare them to?

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

What did you compare them to?

Elixir Nanos and ROTO 77s. Well - add in some of the MII 7250s and they were still too tinny I think.

....and finger whiz-y too. I hate finger whiz.

<chuckle> - but really - they were too 'animated' for my ears.

Prolly be great if I played slap and tickle on the bass or was a soloist - but I'm not and I don't.

[TeeAre]

I have a set of DRs I've kept on for at least 2 years. For some reason, they seem to only sound better with age. Weird. Sort of like how Jamerson used to refuse to change his strings.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

Elixir Nanos and ROTO 77s. Well - add in some of the MII 7250s and they were still too tinny I think.

.

Well that makes sense. You're comparing them to flatwounds and coated Elixers. Compared to those, Sunbeams will indeed be MUCH brighter. Imagine if you had tried a set of normal roundwounds...or heaven forbid...stainless steel rounds!

[96tbird]

Yeah, Sunbeams remind me of Roto 66's, not identical, but the closest I have heard from nickels.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by 96tbird

Yeah, Sunbeams remind me of Roto 66's, not identical, but the closest I have heard from nickels.

Have you tried the RotoSound RB's? They're a good bit brighter than Sunbeams.

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Have you tried the RotoSound RB's? They're a good bit brighter than Sunbeams.

I guess I've not seen all the permutations (version) of strings from Sunbeam.

I think I remember seeing High Beams, Low Beams although not Parking Lights or Running Lights yet.

Is their name something one can assume is quasi-equal to their musical clarity and brightness?

Low-to-High would they be::

1. Zippos (the lighter, not the gun)
2. Low Beams
3. High Beams
4. Scorchos
5. HIDs

[the yeti]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

I guess I've not seen all the permutations (version) of strings from Sunbeam.

I think I remember seeing High Beams, Low Beams although not Parking Lights or Running Lights yet.

Is their name something one can assume is quasi-equal to their musical clarity and brightness?

Low-to-High would they be::

1. Zippos (the lighter, not the gun)
2. Low Beams
3. High Beams
4. Scorchos
5. HIDs

sunbeam is the "make" not the "brand". dr is the "brand". they make hi-beam, low rider, sunbeam, legends and a variety of coated (color) strings. probably some other stuff too.

[96tbird]

Originally Posted by the yeti

sunbeam is the "make" not the "brand". dr is the "brand". they make hi-beam, low rider, sunbeam, legends and a variety of coated (color) strings. probably some other stuff too.

Make IS brand.

"what make of car do you own?", "Dodge", "What Model?", "Charger."

Critque begets critque. All in fun!

[maxgrant]

Originally Posted by ack

I can make any set of strings sound bad right out of the box

LOL. That was what I was going to quip. How many notes you want? Just one? I'll make a fart you won't ever forget!