DR Sunbeams vs. Pure Blues

[Lowbrow]

Seeking clarification on how these compare: I’ve been using and loving Sunbeams for years, but am seeking to brighten up a bit. Am I correct in thinking that based on their construction and composition that PBs have similar tension and a brighter tone? (Not looking to move to SS strings - had decades of that already!)

 

[Yahboy]

Dunlop SBN.

 

[CallMeAl]

I’ve got sunbeams on my P and Pure blues on my J-Type ATM. I like both strings very much and feel they suit my 2 basses. But I wouldn’t really call the pure blues much brighter. More mid grind and growl, kinda similar to round core boomers. I like mellow rounds, and I like both these sets. (I think the SBs are pushing a year old!) Don’t think I ever moved the sunbeams to the J, but I did have the pure blues on a PJ bass; not the same bass, but I felt I got a good sense of the 2 strings on a P bass

Feel of the pure blues is a little bit stiffer, but still more flexible than your standard hex string like slinkys. Both sets are the 100-E gauge sets.

 

[Lowbrow]

I’ve got sunbeams on my P and Pure blues on my J-Type ATM. I like both strings very much and feel they suit my 2 basses. But I wouldn’t really call the pure blues much brighter. More mid grind and growl, kinda similar to round core boomers. I like mellow rounds, and I like both these sets. (I think the SBs are pushing a year old!) Don’t think I ever moved the sunbeams to the J, but I did have the pure blues on a PJ bass; not the same bass, but I felt I got a good sense of the 2 strings on a P bass

Feel of the pure blues is a little bit stiffer, but still more flexible than your standard hex string like slinkys. Both sets are the 100-E gauge sets.

Thanks for this - to close the loop on the conversation, comparing two P Basses, one with PBs and the other with Sunbeams & each with EMG GZR pickups, I'd categorize the PBs as 'girthier' in the midrange. The overall effect being the Pure Blues sounding fuller and a little darker due to the emphasized low mids. Definitely not brighter -- especially noting that the PBs are brand new and the Sunbeams a few months old.

 

[Passinwind]

Thanks for this - to close the loop on the conversation, comparing two P Basses, one with PBs and the other with Sunbeams & each with EMG GZR pickups, I'd categorize the PBs as 'girthier' in the midrange. The overall effect being the Pure Blues sounding fuller and a little darker due to the emphasized low mids. Definitely not brighter -- especially noting that the PBs are brand new and the Sunbeams a few months old.

That seems about right to me. I have basses with both here, but they're very different instruments with very different preamps and I am also using different gauges. I've contemplated switching string types next time around just for fun, not sure if I'll actually follow through on that though. Right now I have PBs on my fretted fiver and Sunbeams on one of my fretted fours, quite happily in both cases.

 

[DylanB]

I'd disagree slightly... I actually agree with the OP assessment. I'll be danged if I can tell a difference in flexibility or tension between the two sets. The Pure Blues seem slightly brighter (though not bright by any stretch of the imagination). They have a 'snap' to them which isn't there so much in the SBs. Just my perception. But in the grand scheme of things I'd say the two sets are very similar.

EDIT: I'd also say the Pure Blues are lasting a bit longer for me.

 

[michael_t]

The Pure Blues seem slightly brighter (though not bright by any stretch of the imagination). They have a 'snap' to them which isn't there so much in the SBs.

"Snappy" is a good word to describe the PB. I would take PB over SB for their richer midrange character. The SBs do have a sparkly top end and a nice full bottom, but they tend to be a little "polite" in their mids.

 

[negativeions24]

The difference out of the package is noticeable. The Sunbeams have the usual NPS roundwound tone. And I agree with what has been said about sparkle, there is definitely some clank up top. The Pure Blues, on the other hand, are more middy, a bit less bright, and I'd say also a bit more complex...probably from the mids having more presence versus the Sunbeams. I have a set of each (45-125) on 35" scale fivers currently, and I'm curious to see how the Pure Blues age in particular. I'm a long-time Lo-Riders stan, but I've moved toward Fender 7250Ms recently as I like the bump in mids and relative lack of "sparkle." The Pure Blues are therefore similar...I just wish they had a hex core!

 

[p12bassnut]

I agree with the assessment that the PB have more mid character. I prefer the Sunbeams for a more even tone and balance throughout the freq spectrum.

 

[jdaunt]

It depends a lot on the bass too. I just got a set of both and loved the Sunbeams on my Tony Franklin fretless, but did not at all like the Pure Blues on my Stingray fretless (to be fair, it was in need of a setup adjustment, which i’ve since done, but haven’t put the PBs back on to try yet). So i swapped and love the Sunbeams on the Stingray and liked the PBs on the TF.

 

[Bassist30]

DR in general to me make so many different types of strings and every one is great. They put so much work into it and it shows. In general its all about your particular taste in strings. I like the pures and suns. The sunbeams I have played more and are generally my favorite Nickels. But for you the Pure might hold a better fit for you. It seems I go around from Steels to nickel. But mostly DR's. Nothing wrong with changing from one to another. They all bring it to the bass you like.

 

[Lowbrow]

So far I like the PBs ok but overall I’ll give the edge to the Sunbeams as they ring a little more clear - my preferred sound after decades of steel Rotosounds as my ideal and standard.

 

[AboutSweetSue]

I’ve used both over the years. I can’t recall the subtle differences between the two. I do know that both impressed me so much that they are the only rounds I’ll use when I deviate from flats. Currently have SBs on my Jazz.

Anyway, just wanted to give DR some love.

 

[Clark Westfield]

I like both of them, but prefer the mor mellower Pure Blues.

The Sunbeams have a little brighter tone, but still awesome.

 

[butterfingers1]

Most nickel strings I have used can sound annoying with tone open and amp tweeter on. The Pure Blues just sound musical and clean. Closing off tone and tweeter they sound more conventionally bassy. Make sense?

 

[Phaidrus]

The difference out of the package is noticeable. The Sunbeams have the usual NPS roundwound tone. And I agree with what has been said about sparkle, there is definitely some clank up top. The Pure Blues, on the other hand, are more middy, a bit less bright, and I'd say also a bit more complex...probably from the mids having more presence versus the Sunbeams. I have a set of each (45-125) on 35" scale fivers currently, and I'm curious to see how the Pure Blues age in particular. I'm a long-time Lo-Riders stan, but I've moved toward Fender 7250Ms recently as I like the bump in mids and relative lack of "sparkle." The Pure Blues are therefore similar...I just wish they had a hex core!

Do you find the Pure Blues to be less middy than the 7250s? I like the middyness of the 7250s on my Pbass currently, but wouldn't mind a bit more character. So I've been thinking of the Rotosound Swing RS66LDN Nickel plated strings. Or the Pure Blues, if they would provide that.

 

[Bibby]

I like this topic, I enjoy reading different perspectives on strings I am familiar with.

PB's are marketed as having stainless sound and nickel feel. I think that is a fairly accurate description. Not as metallic and clangy as stainless, but definitely more lively than nickel. Feel is similar, and the PB's last forever.

Sunbeams are warm and bright and age as gracefully as a vintage port. My preference.

 

[saltydude]

Without reading the comments. I find the Pure blues almost like a premium sunbeam. They’re similar but different.
The Sunbeams are a more traditional round wound feel opposed to the PB windings to be a bit flatter. So in essence the PB’s are smoother warmer punchier and last longer comparatively.
I like them both.

 

[Phaidrus]

I like this topic, I enjoy reading different perspectives on strings I am familiar with.

PB's are marketed as having stainless sound and nickel feel. I think that is a fairly accurate description. Not as metallic and clangy as stainless, but definitely more lively than nickel. Feel is similar, and the PB's last forever.

Sunbeams are warm and bright and age as gracefully as a vintage port. My preference.

More lively than nickel meaning more lively than nickel plated steel or than pure nickel?

 

[butterfingers1]

To me more lively than standard nickel-plated steel, which is what the Pure Blues are. I never tried pure nickel strings, I don’t think they are common.