DR Sunbeams - accidental purchase!

[dougjwray]

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!!

 

[dougjwray]

Maybe I'm crazy, but to me Sunbeams are scooped with an actual "clank" on top. I switched to Pure Blues for their stronger mids. I also use Nickel Lo Riders on one Jazz Bass-- they have no clank and even more solid low mids than the Pure Blues. They bring "gravitas" to the Jazz.

 

[Baker69]

I tried them for the first time at our gig on Saturday although I did fit them and tried them out at home last week.

When I fitted them I noticed immediately how really nice and smooth they feel, and the tone was fairly bright but not harsh.

They were nice to play at the gig, not too bright and ‘obvious’ like new strings usually are.

In hindsight yes they possibly do sound slightly ‘scooped’ for some reason? They aren’t as hard hitting as my usual Ernie Ball Slinky’s. I’ll continue to use them but it’s too early to say whether the Sunbeams are my new ‘go to’ string, I would like to try another set of Hi Beams to see how they compare.

 

[FirewalZ]

I tried them for the first time at our gig on Saturday although I did fit them and tried them out at home last week.

When I fitted them I noticed immediately how really nice and smooth they feel, and the tone was fairly bright but not harsh.

They were nice to play at the gig, not too bright and ‘obvious’ like new strings usually are.

In hindsight yes they possibly do sound slightly ‘scooped’ for some reason? They aren’t as hard hitting as my usual Ernie Ball Slinky’s. I’ll continue to use them but it’s too early to say whether the Sunbeams are my new ‘go to’ string.

Similar expirence....I like Sunbeams on a "ganky" P bass, warm and big sound. However, on my Stingrays i seem to prefer EB Slinky's, they just seem to be a better match.

 

[Baker69]

Similar expirence....I like Sunbeams on a "ganky" P bass, warm and big sound. However, on my Stingrays i seem to prefer EB Slinky's, they just seem to be a better match.

Well I might have the same issue as you then as I fitted them on my Sterling Ray5. I might get some more EB Slinky’s and try the Sunbeams on my Fender Pro Jazz Bass.

 

[MonetBass]

There is a reason they are more expensive than EB strings.

For sure. Last week I wanted to see how EB Hybrid Slinkies sounded on my Jazz fretless. Nope! The feel and tone just weren't there. So the Sunbeams went back on the next day.

 

[Jason Hollar]

So many string threads hard to keep track!

I recently installed a set of the Pure Blues (5 string passive FSO) and really like the low mid bump - at least I perceive it that way.

Coming from using Hi Beams the last two years - I can say the tone and feel is somewhat similar … but the steels were clearly brighter and more aggressive and lasted a really long time.

I do have a set of sunbeams as spares in case one of the Pure Blues gives way.

Otherwise, pretty happy with all the DR offerings I’ve tried so far.