Just lost my mind: Sunbeams vs Fat Beams vs Smith vs Blue Steels - Winner?

[Jim C]

Am headed to the mental ward but thought I'd check in.

Pulled a 70's J out of mothballs that had REALLY old Blue Steels that played like bailing wire; thought I'd try some Sunbeams.

Really nice strings; low tension, could finally adjust the neck without putting unde stress on the truss rod etc.; one would think I'd be happy but noooooo; I wanted that whirring, growly man voice; wahhhh

Had been given some lightly used Fat Beams; Marcus's own SS round wounds; put on the E & A; they're OK, not real bright; kinda preferred the Sunbeams

Tried some Smith Rockmasters (again E&A); thought these were supposed to be very bright; OK, good, didn't slay me though

Why lookee here; an unused set of Blue Steels; well there you have it; rough to the touch, neck bent back like a pretzel; difficult to play, but got my whirr & growl back

Tried them through LMII / TL606; SVT / Berg 322; SVTCL pre and power amp with 2x15 EV; killed on all 3 rigs

Growl and whirr winners in my book
I think this is what Rotosound guys are about as well

Anybody need some strings that have only 2 minutes on the E & A before I hang myself?

Lastly, what other brands do you think sound like Blue Steels that might offer just a bit less string tension and are slightly smoother than 80 grit sandpaper?

[CapnSev]

Why not try some Hi-Beams instead of Sunbeams?

[jgroh]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

Why not try some Hi-Beams instead of Sunbeams?

+1

Hi-Beams are MY strings (never thought I would say something like that but since I put them on, its exactly what I was looking for)

[251]

Dean Markley Fret Masters; http://www.deanmarkley.com/Strings/B...MasterBa.shtml

Easy on fingers & frets with a sound very similar to Blue Steel

[Jim C]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

Why not try some Hi-Beams instead of Sunbeams?

That's on the list but didn't have a set kicking around.
Do they sound similar to the Roto / Blue Steel whirr?

I was really surpised that the the Smith and Fat Beams were so tame in comparison.

[Jim C]

Originally Posted by 251

Dean Markley Fret Masters; http://www.deanmarkley.com/Strings/B...MasterBa.shtml

Easy on fingers & frets with a sound very similar to Blue Steel

Thanks for the suggestion; seems like a good idea to have the natural round shape over the pups and burnished string over the fretboard. Never knew such an animal existed.

[markkoelsch]

Originally Posted by Jim C

Am headed to the mental ward but thought I'd check in.

Pulled a 70's J out of mothballs that had REALLY old Blue Steels that played like bailing wire; thought I'd try some Sunbeams.

Really nice strings; low tension, could finally adjust the neck without putting unde stress on the truss rod etc.; one would think I'd be happy but noooooo; I wanted that whirring, growly man voice; wahhhh

Had been given some lightly used Fat Beams; Marcus's own SS round wounds; put on the E & A; they're OK, not real bright; kinda preferred the Sunbeams

Tried some Smith Rockmasters (again E&A); thought these were supposed to be very bright; OK, good, didn't slay me though

Why lookee here; an unused set of Blue Steels; well there you have it; rough to the touch, neck bent back like a pretzel; difficult to play, but got my whirr & growl back

Tried them through LMII / TL606; SVT / Berg 322; SVTCL pre and power amp with 2x15 EV; killed on all 3 rigs

Growl and whirr winners in my book
I think this is what Rotosound guys are about as well

Anybody need some strings that have only 2 minutes on the E & A before I hang myself?

Lastly, what other brands do you think sound like Blue Steels that might offer just a bit less string tension and are slightly smoother than 80 grit sandpaper?

I cannot argue with Blue Steels. When I was playing only 4 stringer it was the string for me, and that was after trying just about every string out there. Now, if they just made two things...a 6 string set and a Steinberger 4 string set of Blue Steels.

[BigOldHarry]

I just put a set of Fat Beams on my Lakland and am very pleased - they feel great, sounds great...

[SLBasshead]

I am with BigOldHarry's experience, in that I recently put on a set of Fatbeams on my Lakland 5501. I like them much more than the Lakland steels - great feel and sound (as mentioned.) I was a bit concerned about the DR B string, but it sounds very nice (using a .125).

[R Baer]

You may want to try GHS Super Steels. Very bright and very aggressive sounding mids.

[Mojo-Man]

I love the feel and tone of Sunbeams.

Fatbeams are nice too.

Hard to go wrong with DR Strings.

[funkybass]

How about d'addario prosteels? They are my personal choice.

[RedsFan75]

Did not like prosteels at all, I really like my Fatbeams.

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by Jim C

That's on the list but didn't have a set kicking around.
Do they sound similar to the Roto / Blue Steel whirr?

I was really surpised that the the Smith and Fat Beams were so tame in comparison.

I couldn't tell you if they're the same or not. I can't stand the stainless sound.

[Thundar]

If you love the Blue Steels, then you'd probably like the Hi Beams but they do have a bit different sound than Blue Steels...and the D'addario Prosteels are nice and growly too, but my faves are Dean Markley SR2000's...not to mention they are Will Lee's choice too.

[251]

Originally Posted by Jim C

Thanks for the suggestion; seems like a good idea to have the natural round shape over the pups and burnished string over the fretboard. Never knew such an animal existed.

8-)