Dr sunbeams med-light or light gauge?

[Dwolsen]

Fairly new bass player also fairly old(almost 68). I have a fender p bass I been playing with labella low tension flats. Easy to play and sound good, also no string noise. I decided I better learn to play with roundwounds also so I bought another fender p bass and had Dr Sunbeams 45-105 put on it . My right hand has some arthritis in it from a lifetime of construction work and even though these are supposed to be very flexible my plucking hand gets stiff and sore easy compared to the labella LTF. Seems like E and A are the stiff ones. I like the sound of the Sunbeams, should I get Medium light or light gauge sunbeams ,45-100 or 40-100 to try and replace them?

Thanks,
Dave Olsen

 

[BGroovy]

If you’re looking for easy playability go 40-100, you won’t notice the difference in tone. It’s good enough for pros like Victor Wooten!

 

[Ggaa]

I use 40 -100 for standard pitch because they are less stiff than 45-105(Daddario XL nickel). DR rounds are pretty flexible(except LoRiders). I've heard that Dunlop Super Bright nickels are flexible, too.

 

[Dwolsen]

I think I will try the 40-100, I just hope I can keep the low action with them . I play finger style and have real low action with labella low tension flats on my other p bass and no issues with fret clacking ,etc.

 

[tpaul]

If you really want light, loose feeling strings, Thomastik-Infeld jazz rounds are terrific. Pricey, though.

 

[mdogs]

My preferred gauges for DR strings are 45-100. I don't like the top end to be too light and I get some additional flexibility on the low strings over the 45-105.

 

[smtp4me]

I have played DR (High Beams and Pure Blues) for many years, including 45-105, 45-100, and 40-100. My favorite of these are the 45-100. The tone of the E and A strings (standard tuning) with the 45-105's is a little too deep, and the G and D strings are a little too floppy with the 40-100. 45-100 seems to be the best balance for me.

 

[michael_t]

Seems like E and A are the stiff ones...

There you go... You just answered the question for yourself. The funny thing, though, is I've always found G and D stiffer than E and A in a 45-65-80-100 set, the 65D in particular.

 

[jimmydean]

Go with light gauge strings , go to 40-95 .

 

[micguy]

I have some right hand issues, and lower tension strings are a Godsend - I use 40-55-70-95-130 for string gauges - all around 35 pounds tension.

 

[Element Zero]

If you really want light, loose feeling strings, Thomastik-Infeld jazz rounds are terrific. Pricey, though.

I’ve not played any round wound strings that were as limp noodle feeling as these. LOVED them on a fretless 5 from years prior. Didn’t like them on a very similar fretted 5 though.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

Try not to be too OCD about string/fret noises. Get the action where you need it to be and PLAY BASS!

Back when I was most active ‘80 - ‘00 or so no one I knew ever talked about that stuff.

Oh and I use 45-100 sunbeams on my fretless JB. V supple. Almost too much so until they broke in

 

[999Brent]

I highly doubt that small string change would make a big difference if you are experiencing pain. You might notice a slight difference in feel as others have mentioned, but doubtful it would be enough to stop the pain you are experiencing.
It is interesting that you don’t have the pain with the flatwounds, are you sure you are playing with the same attack? Maybe you are digging in a little more with the round wounds?

What about turning your amp up a few dB more with the rounds and make yourself play a little more lightly?
I would think that would have more of an impact on reducing your pain.

You could also get your technique checked over by a local bass instructor, maybe they can suggest something further?

Regarding string noise, this too could be technique related and is part of learning to play round wounds, they will settle in, you will make less noise as you improve and you ear will also get used to it.

In this case I think you should look beyond strings…

Lastly, you could just stick to the flats you like, I have never had a band ask me to change strings regardless of what I am using, a lot of the subtleties disappear in the mix. Just play well and make the others in the band sound great and they will not care the slightest.

Enjoy the bass, it shouldn’t be a source of pain.

 

[Dwolsen]

Responding to 999Brent, my fretting hand doesn’t get sore just plucking hand . I just play at home for a hobby and have been teaching myself. I had a nasty bike accident a couple years ago and hyperextended my right hand , tried to cure it myself squeezing a tennis ball cause of high deductible insurance. When I finally got a MRI it showed a lot of right thumb joint arthiritus. Usually can play a hour or more on my labella LTF flats before stiffness sets in . Tried breaking in new 45-105 sunbeams on an identical fender p bass and thumb joint and top of plucking hand gets stiff quicker, same light touch I use on the flats. That’s why I figured lighter gauge maybe 40-.95 or 40-100 would help . Thanks for all the reply’s, I appreciate it.

 

[logdrum]

If you’re looking for easy playability go 40-100, you won’t notice the difference in tone. It’s good enough for pros like Victor Wooten!

He uses even lighter ones

 

[mdogs]

Responding to 999Brent, my fretting hand doesn’t get sore just plucking hand . I just play at home for a hobby and have been teaching myself. I had a nasty bike accident a couple years ago and hyperextended my right hand , tried to cure it myself squeezing a tennis ball cause of high deductible insurance. When I finally got a MRI it showed a lot of right thumb joint arthiritus. Usually can play a hour or more on my labella LTF flats before stiffness sets in . Tried breaking in new 45-105 sunbeams on an identical fender p bass and thumb joint and top of plucking hand gets stiff quicker, same light touch I use on the flats. That’s why I figured lighter gauge maybe 40-.95 or 40-100 would help . Thanks for all the reply’s, I appreciate it.

You are headed in the right direction. The Labella LTFs feel to me like they flex differently than most other strings. I like the way they feel, but I don’t like the way they sound at all. I would give Ernie Ball Cobalt flats in light gauge a try. They have the flat would feel, aren’t very high tension and have a lot more treble content than the Labella’s. They are a good compromise between flats and rounds.

 

[Major Seven]

Fairly new bass player also fairly old(almost 68). I have a fender p bass I been playing with labella low tension flats. Easy to play and sound good, also no string noise. I decided I better learn to play with roundwounds also so I bought another fender p bass and had Dr Sunbeams 45-105 put on it . My right hand has some arthritis in it from a lifetime of construction work and even though these are supposed to be very flexible my plucking hand gets stiff and sore easy compared to the labella LTF. Seems like E and A are the stiff ones. I like the sound of the Sunbeams, should I get Medium light or light gauge sunbeams ,45-100 or 40-100 to try and replace them?

Thanks,
Dave Olsen

I did the same thing, bought a Jazz and my fingers were stumbling around and getting tired. I put GHS Lights 40-96 on it and it was an improvement.
(although I thought the harmonics were lessened)
What made even more of a difference was having the nut adjusted (filed) to suit me.
Nothing can make or wreck the feel more than the setup, no matter what strings you use.

PS GHS pressurewounds are a great middle ground between flats and rounds.

 

[Dwolsen]

I will mention that to the tech when I get new strings. Gonna try the 40-100 sunbeams , hope they aren’t too floppy. Had to order online , hard to find anything but 45-105 sunbeam here.

 

[SJan3]

Fairly new bass player also fairly old(almost 68). I have a fender p bass I been playing with labella low tension flats. Easy to play and sound good, also no string noise. I decided I better learn to play with roundwounds also so I bought another fender p bass and had Dr Sunbeams 45-105 put on it . My right hand has some arthritis in it from a lifetime of construction work and even though these are supposed to be very flexible my plucking hand gets stiff and sore easy compared to the labella LTF. Seems like E and A are the stiff ones. I like the sound of the Sunbeams, should I get Medium light or light gauge sunbeams ,45-100 or 40-100 to try and replace them?

Thanks,
Dave Olsen

Sunbeams 40-100 are great.
Also, try MarkBass Ultras 40-100

 

[MrRiff]

Mediums, especially! on the Roundcore Sunbeams.