DR Sunbeams - accidental purchase!

[Lardass5000]

Years ago, Bobby Vega said to me "I let the bass decide what strings it wants". 100%. Some of my basses get Sunbeams (and all my freltess) and others get Hi-Beams.

My USA Lakland and Ken Smith gets Hi-Beams. My J basses all get Sunbeams.

I really like that. I was worried that I was becoming a gear snob or something. But most of my basses get DR LoRiders except one. My main Spector Fretless5 wants GHS Super Steels. I was shocked to discover this. I switched them back and forth. I was in denial; especially to discover this after 40 years. But by hell, the bass wants what it wants.

 

[logdrum]

One gets you stoked and one can give you a nice tan

 

[MonetBass]

DR Sunbeams are my favorite string now after years of using EB Hybrid Slinkies. Definitely try them out.

 

[Joebone]

I used Sunbeams for a long time, then switched to Pure Blues for a bit more oomph in the lower mids, or Fat Beams when I want stainless steel punch. I'm totally addicted to the flex of roundcore roundwounds, which all of these three have in common. And yes, a bass may tell you what it wants, but the styles of music you're playing will also place demands. The Fat Beams were a recent purchase, in looking for a bit more brightness and cut in a rock/alternative band - and I got exactly what I was looking for. My usual bag has been jazz/latin/folklorical, and likely will continue preferring nickel rounds in that world.

 

[wncBass]

Sunbeams are my favorite round wound.

 

[mdogs]

There seems to be mixed opinions on the Sunbeams, I think I’ll still give them a try though as I like the feel of Nickel wounds. If anyone had asked me 3 or 4 years ago I would have said I preferred Stainless!

Not sure where you are getting the idea that there are mixed opinions on Sunbeams. The only issue that I ever see that people have with them is that they are too flexible due to the round core, not much other than that.

 

[TyBo]

You know you wanna try 'em. Do it!

 

[TomJ4Eden]

There seems to be mixed opinions on the Sunbeams, I think I’ll still give them a try though as I like the feel of Nickel wounds. If anyone had asked me 3 or 4 years ago I would have said I preferred Stainless!

I don't think you can go wrong with a simple experiment like that. If You hate them you can just swallow hard and go back to your Slinkies. If they're just meh you can use them until they die and go back to something you really like.
I was just buying GHS Boomers because I'm cheap but recently put a set Of DR Black Beuaties on my Roscoe and they have just the right amount of bite for that bass. They are mellower than I'm used too and the texture takes a bit of getting used to - they're coated - but for now I like them. 'll try something new on my Carvin too, that bass needs something.

 

[Baker69]

Yes I am going to give them a try, but I think I will wait until after our gig on Saturday night as they are to go on my main go to bass and I don’t want to do it using something that may alter my sound too drastically!

 

[BOOG]

I went to buy some DR Hi Beam strings yesterday and for some reason I came away with a set of DR Sunbeams!

I only noticed the wording on the packaging today, I haven’t opened it so I could return them to exchange for Hi-Beams? I’ve only ever bought 2 sets of Hi-Beams and usually use Ernie Ball Slinky’s but thought I’d give them another try.

I’ve just been reading some very favourable reports on TB about Sunbeams so would it be worthwhile giving them a try or would I be better off with the Hi-Beams as I have used them previously and know what to expect from them? Since using the Slinky’s I do however now seem to edge towards Nickel wounds as opposed to Steel so perhaps the Sunbeams may be more to my liking?

Never know until you try

 

[edwinhurwitz]

I love Sunbeams. There was a long time where that's all I used.

 

[burgerdj]

Sunbeams are great - but they are a gateway string to Pure Blues. Enjoy!

 

[HolmeBass]

I use Sunbeams on all of my active basses. I use Hi beams on my passive Fenders, but honestly the hex core bums me out. I’ll have to try some Pure Blues on the Fenders.

 

[IPA]

Sunbeams are great - but they are a gateway string to Pure Blues. Enjoy!

I need to give them another try. For years when I played guitar I used Pure Blues.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

Sunbeams are great - but they are a gateway string to Pure Blues. Enjoy!

What’s the difference?

 

[Joebone]

Sunbeams are great - but they are a gateway string to Pure Blues. Enjoy!

Amen!

 

[cataract]

Sounds like you just made The Perfect Mistake- enjoy those Sunbeams!

 

[Joebone]

I use Sunbeams on all of my active basses. I use Hi beams on my passive Fenders, but honestly the hex core bums me out. I’ll have to try some Pure Blues on the Fenders.

Or try the Fat Beams, if you wanna go roundcore but keep with the timbre of steel.

 

[HowieD72]

I wanted to try flats for the first time on a less-used bass of mine. Went into guitar center and asked what is a good set of flats. Guy at the counter recommends one and I buy it. Get home, they're rounds!!

 

[Nashrakh]

There seems to be mixed opinions on the Sunbeams, I think I’ll still give them a try though as I like the feel of Nickel wounds. If anyone had asked me 3 or 4 years ago I would have said I preferred Stainless!

To be fair, there are mixed opinions on just about every string set imaginable.

Personally, I love both Hibeams and Sunbeams, it's the instrument that makes the decision.