Pulled the trigger on DR sunbeams, What to expect????

LilRay · #1 08-06-2008, 06:30 PM

As the title says, I've ordered a set of DR sunbeams. After hearing all the rave here on TB I want to klnow what the fuss is all about. I've been using GHS Boomers in Heavy (DR does not offer Nickel Heavy). What should I expect in differences between the two?

I'll be installing them on a 98 Jazz Bass(string through only).

I'm primarily a P Bass guy but I want to find strings for the Jazz that don't have as much finger noise for one, and less high end, more of a mellow tone.

Have I made a wise choice in Sunbeams or no?

What's your opinion?

Thanks R.

BillytheBassist · #2 08-06-2008, 06:36 PM

One of the good things about sunbeams is that they wear in very well and sound clean and solid for a long time. I personally don't like that new string zing so much..... so it takes a few weeks to get mine broken in. But, once they're where i want em they last at least 3 months of steady usage.
As far as what you can expect changing from boomers to sunbeams.... a lot less friction and string noise as well as a lot less tension. Sunbeams are handsdown the best electric strings for me, hope you like them as well.

Kenny Allyn · #3 08-06-2008, 06:37 PM

My friend Bud Lecompte uses DR strings on his basses ... and had this one strung with DR Sunbeams

Sunbeams and a Dark Star on a LeCompte bass ... good as it gets!

... I had never used them before and am a total convert

david fitch · #4 08-06-2008, 08:20 PM

Sunbeams are the best nickel roundwounds I have ever used. I use D'addario nickel rounds now but only because I can't find Sunbeams in the any of the local stores. I used to but they all quit stocking them and I don't like to order on line. I like the Sunbeams when they are nice and broken in , about two weeks after installed. They get nice and warm and stay that way for a good while. The are very flexable and easy playing,I miss them.

FretlessArt · #5 08-06-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny Allyn

My friend Bud Lecompte uses DR strings on his basses ... and had this one strung with DR Sunbeams

Sunbeams and a Dark Star on a LeCompte bass ... good as it gets!

... I had never used them before and am a total convert

Hey Kenny

Bud turned me on to Sunbeams also. My New SSTS fretless 5 is being shipped in the next few days.

I have sunbeams on my 74 fretless Jazz, my Kubicki EX Factor, My Warwick Infinity SN and NT. They sound great on all of these basses when fidelity is needed.

StyleOverShow · #6 08-07-2008, 01:03 AM

Count me in. Just gave up my MM Sterling to a tech to string it up with DR's replacing Elixirs. I expect it to bark like a dog and growl like a bear.

kirkm24 · #7 08-07-2008, 07:22 PM

I tried them on my 08 P5 which had Sadowsky flats and I hated them. They were very harsh and brittle sounding and very stiff. I couldn't get them setup on my bass, the action was awful. I immediately removed them and put my Sadowsky flats back on.

If you are looking for a nice warm, round tone, just get flats. If you want "some" warmth but with the ability to be snappy, the Sunbeams might work for you. That was my 3rd go around with DR's after reading the hype and I have never liked them but that is my personal opinion more than anything. I like warm, round bass and do not want a lot of fret noise, finger noise or zing so flats work for me and Sadowsky flats are by far the best flats I have ever played. Silky smooth, low tension, deep, round and warm sounding... what could be better?

LilRay · #8 08-07-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirkm24

I tried them on my 08 P5 which had Sadowsky flats and I hated them. They were very harsh and brittle sounding and very stiff. I couldn't get them setup on my bass, the action was awful. I immediately removed them and put my Sadowsky flats back on.

If you are looking for a nice warm, round tone, just get flats. If you want "some" warmth but with the ability to be snappy, the Sunbeams might work for you. That was my 3rd go around with DR's after reading the hype and I have never liked them but that is my personal opinion more than anything. I like warm, round bass and do not want a lot of fret noise, finger noise or zing so flats work for me and Sadowsky flats are by far the best flats I have ever played. Silky smooth, low tension, deep, round and warm sounding... what could be better?

Kirk, You and I have very similar opinions on the tone we like. I was actually considering DR Flats but where I but my strings doesn't carry their flats yet. I also considered Sadowsky's blue label. If I don't dig the beams I'll definately give Roger's Flats a shot. The Jazz Bass was my first real bass, but since I got my P Bass, I haven't really liked the tone of the jazz much. Too bright IMO. But It's a quest now.

By the way cool Avatar.

Thanks everybody for the help. Keep the info coming.
God Bless R.

kirkm24 · #9 08-08-2008, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilRay

Kirk, You and I have very similar opinions on the tone we like. I was actually considering DR Flats but where I but my strings doesn't carry their flats yet. I also considered Sadowsky's blue label. If I don't dig the beams I'll definately give Roger's Flats a shot. The Jazz Bass was my first real bass, but since I got my P Bass, I haven't really liked the tone of the jazz much. Too bright IMO. But It's a quest now.

By the way cool Avatar.

Thanks everybody for the help. Keep the info coming.
God Bless R.

I will warn you that the Sadowsky's do have some hi's, mids and harmonic content (especially for flats). They are not zingy or clanky but they do possess some hi-end as well. I think they are very pleasant. They are still very bottom heavy and fat but there is a lot of warm upper register content as well. When I used Rotosound flats, they were sticky, stiff and boomy. These Sadowsky's are just the absolute perfect flatwound string IMO. I wouldn't have considered them except that my new P5 (acquired through a trade) had them and I like them a lot! I am almost more excited about the strings than my new bass!

afroman · #10 08-19-2008, 09:56 AM

In the DR Sunbeams I have found my fav strings for my Dj4. I love Hi-Beams and Lo-Riders but decided to try Sunbeams and they are THE string for my jazz. In my Glaub I use Lo-Riders but will have to try some Sunbeams to see the results.

I find them to have a great new string sound and feel that lasts for the first weeks and then the sound becomes more balanced but still punchy and warm.

I like them a lot.

jhfishn · #11 08-19-2008, 10:25 AM

Sunbeams are it for me too!!

I can't tell you the number of different brands, gauges and materials (nickle-steel) that I've tried. I use to be a D'Addario Slowwound and Ken Smith Burners (both nickel) user on my 83 P-Bass until they stopped making the Slowwounds and the Smith's just started to be a bit brassy to me.

I bought a 2004 Lakland Bob Glaub with P/J's and maple neck. The thing came alive with the Sunbeams! They took a bit of getting use to because of the round core but man ... do they sing on my Lakland.

I was using the .45-100 medium lights but just recently changed to the .45-105 mediums (time to be a man and step up to a heavier string I guess)

. They seem to give a stronger fundamental on the A and E strings .... very nice.

LilRay · #12 08-19-2008, 08:36 PM

I finally put the sunbeams on my jazz bass. I waited a few days to be able to give a better opinion of the strings. All I can say is WOW! These strings are much easier to pluck as well as fret. They have a lot less tension than the GHS Boomer Heavy Guage that I had on the bass. I'm able to be a lot more articulate with my plucking hand, and I have a lot more overall control of the tone with the way that I am able to pluck the strings. These strings being easier to fret means a lot less fret noise for me which is exactly what I was looking for. Although these aren't as mellow as flatwounds, they have a much mellower tone than other roundwounds that I've tried. I have to say these are by far my favorite roundwound strings as of yet. Little did I know how drastic a simple string change can affect someones technique. Call me a DR Convert!

Thanks a lot for all the help guys I really appreciate it.

God Bless R.

Brad Johnson · #13 08-19-2008, 11:58 PM

Congrats. Between Sunbeams and Fat Beams I'm set for most of my basses.

afroman · #14 08-20-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilRay

I finally put the sunbeams on my jazz bass. I waited a few days to be able to give a better opinion of the strings. All I can say is WOW! These strings are much easier to pluck as well as fret. They have a lot less tension than the GHS Boomer Heavy Guage that I had on the bass. I'm able to be a lot more articulate with my plucking hand, and I have a lot more overall control of the tone with the way that I am able to pluck the strings. These strings being easier to fret means a lot less fret noise for me which is exactly what I was looking for. Although these aren't as mellow as flatwounds, they have a much mellower tone than other roundwounds that I've tried. I have to say these are by far my favorite roundwound strings as of yet. Little did I know how drastic a simple string change can affect someones technique. Call me a DR Convert!

Thanks a lot for all the help guys I really appreciate it.

God Bless R.

That's exactly what I experienced when i put then on my DJ. Those are my go to strings from now on.

Congrats and enjoy!

Mastermold · #15 08-20-2008, 11:28 AM

I've used DR Hi-Beams but not Sunbeams -- may have to try them. Sounds like they'd be just what I want for my Ric 4003.

BuffaloBass · #16 08-20-2008, 11:31 AM

I flip flop between Sunbeams and nickle Lo-Beams. I sometimes prefer the tension of the nickle Lo-Beams. I wish I paid more attention to the differences, as I think the nickle Lo's give slightly less fret noise due to their higher tension.

Depending on weather, the switch sometimes requries tweaking the neck tension to keep it near flat.