Lo-rider Nickel v Sun beams Nickel

6stringbassist · #1 07-07-2008, 05:14 AM

Hi

I did a quick search, but didn't come up with much.

I wondered what the difference was between these, tension and sound wise.

I'm after a lighter guage Nickel, and the Lo-riders come in 120,100, 080, 060, 040

Thanks

Gintaras · #2 07-07-2008, 05:23 AM

i am using both but on different basses. Sunbeams on a MTD Grendel 5 and a FrankenJazz fretless. Low Riders on a Peavey T-40. Difficult to compare since the basses are quite different but the LoRiders have more tension and bite. The tone of the Sunbeams is warmer. The Sunbeams also feel smoother. I find that there is no perfect string by itself but a perfect string for a certain bass and for a certain ear.

What you might mention is what bass you are using and what you are trying to achieve in tone.

6stringbassist · #3 07-07-2008, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gintaras

i am using both but on different basses. Sunbeams on a MTD Grendel 5 and a FrankenJazz fretless. Low Riders on a Peavey T-40. Difficult to compare since the basses are quite different but the LoRiders have more tension and bite. The tone of the Sunbeams is warmer. The Sunbeams also feel smoother. I find that there is no perfect string by itself but a perfect string for a certain bass and for a certain ear.

What you might mention is what bass you are using and what you are trying to achieve in tone.

Thanks for your reply.

You are absolutely correct, different strings work better on different basses.

My bass is a Sei 6 string fitted with Bartolini pickups, I guess I'm going for the Garrison sort of sound.

I like the sunbeams, but I'm after something a bit less warm sounding, but not as bright as stainless steel, and with a bit more tension than sunbeams.

Gintaras · #4 07-07-2008, 05:34 AM

sounds like you are talking about the Loriders

They are well liked on this forum and I tried them because of all the positive posts that I read. I actually have them on my list to get when I get a 6 string.

MysticMichael · #5 07-07-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6stringbassist

I wondered what the difference was between these, tension and sound wise.

The Sunbeams have a round core, while the Lo-Riders have a hexagonal core. Hence, the Sunbeams will tend to be a little more flexible, the Lo-Riders a little stiffer.

MM

YCBass · #6 07-08-2008, 08:56 PM

The previous posts already hit the nail in the head but I thought I'd chime in anyway... Nickel Lo Riders are my favorite strings in the world! I use the 45-130 set on my 35" Lull so as you can see I like tight tension strings, but most of all I just love how clear they are, the notes just seem to jump out of the bass, chords sound awesome too. I haven't tried a whole lot of sets like a lot of guys here on TB but eversince I found Nickel Lo Riders I didn't feel the need to keep trying other sets - perfect!

I've only tried Hi-Beams which are the SS version of Sunbeams and I didn't like the low tension, it just seemed like you can hear every little noise on the fretboard... Ok, nickel is warmer than SS but I don't think it would be warm enough to hide some of the noises... But I could be wrong.

Captain_Arrrg · #7 07-08-2008, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gintaras

sounds like you are talking about the Loriders

+1

Rumblefisher · #8 07-01-2009, 08:32 PM

So, just to be sure, the order of string tension would be:

Sunbeams < High Beams < Nickel Lo Riders < SS Lo Riders

(from least tension to most tension).

I'm looking for a soft, warm, slinky string (not Slinky's, they don't last long enough). So I've narrowed it down to Sunbeams and Nickel Lo Riders for the most part, with string tension being the kicker.

Also, does roundcore vs. hexcore make a difference in string tension? Yes, I searched, and I got totally conflicting answers.

Thanks!

pdbass · #9 07-02-2009, 12:22 AM

IME, round core strings are more flexible than hex cores, especially in this case.

Both are good strings, but on my bass, Sunbeams were much brighter with a bit of a mid-scoop. Lo-Riders had all that girth, particularly in the low-mid department. They're punchy, but less bright. Sunbeams slapped alot better on my instrument, as well. I ended up going with Lo-Riders on my bass because I like the tension, those great mids, and because Sunbeams tended to die a really awful death. When they went dead, man, they lost any and all sustain and definition. A really bad 'dead' string.