DR Sunbeams - accidental purchase!

[halcyo]

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

Explain this!

Ive been using Pure Blues, but have yet to try Sunbeams, so I guess I went straight thru the gateway to the hard drugs lol

 

[mdogs]

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.

What? They are all round core.

 

[burgerdj]

What’s the difference?

PB are a different alloy. I found that they last longer and have more of an edge. Don’t get me wrong…Sun Beams are great, too - just a more traditional nickel round/roundcore. Here is a rundown of DR strings:
https://www.drstrings.com/bass

 

[FirewalZ]

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?

I'm trying the opposite....I've played on Sunbeams or Fatbeams mostly, and trying a set of Hi-beams on a Jazz for the first time.

 

[grocker]

Sunbeams are great, over time when the dull they have a nicer warm tone then Pure Blues when they dull. The feel is almost the same except the Pure blues are a bit more punchy in the mids/ Pure blues have a bit more stiffness very little. Sunbeams age better tone wise.

 

[CallMeAl]

Well they’re my favorite string so I say try them!

round core flex will be similar to hi beams. Definitely more mellow and polite.

 

[dave64o]

Sunbeams do have a nice warm tone. I prefer the tension/stiffness of her core, so I use Lo Riders.

I agree almost 100%. I prefer the HEX core Lo Riders myself.

But, yeah, the Sunbeams do a great warm nickel wrapped roundwound tone, they’re pretty smooth for a roundwound, and they have a long string life. If you like that kind of tone and also like a pretty supple, flexible string, they’re a great choice.

I prefer a much stiffer string, so I prefer the nickel Lo Riders, which I think sound very similar. I did try Sunbeams and loved how they sounded, but decided to stick with the Lo Riders based on their feel.

 

[JazznFunk]

Sunbeams all the way for me, on fretted and fretless bass. I hate any sort of super zingy top end, and they are perfect for a warmer, round tone right out of the package. I characterize them as 'sweet and warm', and easy to play since they have a round core.

 

[Baker69]

I'm trying the opposite....I've played on Sunbeams or Fatbeams mostly, and trying a set of Hi-beams on a Jazz for the first time.

I’ve only ever played Hi Beams on a P Bass and they seemed to suit the bass very well.

 

[Baker69]

Sunbeams all the way for me, on fretted and fretless bass. I hate any sort of super zingy top end, and they are perfect for a warmer, round tone right out of the package. I characterize them as 'sweet and warm', and easy to play since they have a round core.

Yeah, I don’t like them too zingy, they sound ideal.

 

[grocker]

Sunbeams sound nice even when old. You will need to boost your mids , volume and highs as they age, unless you dont slap or need to cut through the mix, the bottom stays tight though. Perfect for old school motown ect...Pure blues still cut through better with age but loose a lot of character, sunbeams beat them as far as sound and feel with age. But old sunbeams you need to EQ.
I did not like the feel and tone of Pure blues after they aged..But they were great for awhile many many shows..Little harder to play them after they age.
My fingers are pretty beat up from 1000s of shows over the years and carrying gear ect..So I prefer Sunbeams but wish they had a bit more power/volume and cut through better.

 

[groove pump]

Yeah, I don’t like them too zingy, they sound ideal.

I generally go for a not-too-zingy sound myself and Sunbeams work for me. I know that I've used some sets for months and probably one or two sets have stayed on a bass for a couple years. Once I've broken them in beyond that new string zing, I'm pretty happy just as long as they don't seem too thuddy and dull.

I've also used them for long enough (for many years and almost exclusively) that their feel has become my personal normal. Whenever I sample a different set of nickels, I absolutely notice a difference in stiffness and perhaps "abrasiveness". There's no universal right or wrong with strings, but these are home sweet home for me. Certainly worth a try.

 

[FirewalZ]

I’ve only ever played Hi Beams on a P Bass and they seemed to suit the bass very well.

I thought they may be to "ganky" on a P bass, as to too much grind if there is such a thing? My Jazz w/nj4 60's is a bit tame and "bell" like so im thinking these may wake it up. Also, about the only DR's I haven't tried yet

 

[Joebone]

Love this thread - and that DR provides a full complement of roundwound steel/nickel and hexcore/roundcore combinations.

 

[Baker69]

I thought they may be to "ganky" on a P bass, as to too much grind if there is such a thing? My Jazz w/nj4 60's is a bit tame and "bell" like so im thinking these may wake it up. Also, about the only DR's I haven't tried yet

I think it gave the P a nice beefy sound with presence and cut without it sounding too harsh.

 

[grocker]

I generally go for a not-too-zingy sound myself and Sunbeams work for me. I know that I've used some sets for months and probably one or two sets have stayed on a bass for a couple years. Once I've broken them in beyond that new string zing, I'm pretty happy just as long as they don't seem too thuddy and dull.

I've also used them for long enough (for many years and almost exclusively) that their feel has become my personal normal. Whenever I sample a different set of nickels, I absolutely notice a difference in stiffness and perhaps "abrasiveness". There's no universal right or wrong with strings, but these are home sweet home for me. Certainly worth a try.

Frets last as well.

 

[Yahboy]

I’ve tried flats (TI) on a P Bass and a Jazz Bass, didn’t like them unfortunately. I still have the strings and will probably sell them at some point.

If Ti flat are not your tone, i can sure DR Sunbeam will work for you.

 

[Baker69]

I decided to keep the Sunbeam’s to try (but not until after tomorrow’s gig). I did go back to the store and I was surprised to see that the Sunbeam’s and Hi-Beams are actually in different coloured packages so I don’t know how I got the wrong one’s in the first place?

 

[GlennRH]

DR Sunbeams and DR Hi-Beams are both well named.

• Sunbeams start out bright but warmer and become even warmer after that.
• Hi-Beams start out quite bright and retain the brightness longer than many other strings.

If you really like EB nickel Slinkys, then you should really like DR Sunbeams.
If you seek brightness that lasts and lasts, then DR makes Hi-Beams just for you.

 

[Baker69]

DR Sunbeams and DR Hi-Beams are both well named.

• Sunbeams start out bright but warmer and become even warmer after that.
• Hi-Beams start out quite bright and retain the brightness longer than many other strings.

If you really like EB nickel Slinkys, then you should really like DR Sunbeams.
If you seek brightness that lasts and lasts, then DR makes Hi-Beams just for you.

I opened the packet today to have a look at the strings, they look and feel great!