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DR Sunbeams
- Thread starter Dan_reeves
- Start date
I love Sunbeams and used to use the Fender roundcore strings before they changed them (no longer made in Mexico for many moons). What I like is the bright, clear highs but not shrill and the warm and smooth lows, but not muddy or boomy. They are the first strings I will try on any bass.
I'd describe Sunbeams as a bright nickel string. They are warmer than a hi beam but brighter than a lo rider
i've used them exclusively for years. i don't even remember what strings i used to use before. i would say they have a little less treble than most other roundwounds. plenty of definition, they just aren't particularly bright. they are great on a p-bass. to me they kinda have a little of that p-bass midrangeyness baked in.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I'm used to D'addario, Fender and Ernie Ball strings. I always forget which DR's I use (only Sun or Hi Beams), and every time I put them on I regret it. Not saying they're bad, just too different for me. The feel, AND the tone. DRs are much more mellow sounding and always lack in mids and highs for my taste. Just put a set on my SS Stingray and immediately miss the bite of the Ernie Balls it came strung with.
I agree that there's nothing harsh about DR strings. Too much of nothing harsh for me
.I'm used to D'addario, Fender and Ernie Ball strings. I always forget which DR's I use (only Sun or Hi Beams), and every time I put them on I regret it. Not saying they're bad, just too different for me. The feel, AND the tone. DRs are much more mellow sounding and always lack in mids and highs for my taste. Just put a set on my SS Stingray and immediately miss the bite of the Ernie Balls it came strung with.
I agree that there's nothing harsh about DR strings. Too much of nothing harsh for me
Admittedly, I like EB Slinkies too and would've probably tried them on this bass if EB made them in medium scale. I know I could just use long scale and cut them (the tuners are Gotohs, so no small guitar tuners) but I prefer to use strings manufactured to the right winding length if I can. I have had issues with this in the past on other basses. It's actually why I don't use the DR long scale offerings very often - they are too long for a typical Fender type bass with the fat part of the E winding too much on the tuner (they are 38" winding length). I never liked that. Probably made no difference, but something I always worried about. The only real exception I make to this is the Precision Flats which also have a 38" winding length. Seem to work out ok but maybe not my ideal.
I'm used to D'addario, Fender and Ernie Ball strings. I always forget which DR's I use (only Sun or Hi Beams), and every time I put them on I regret it. Not saying they're bad, just too different for me. The feel, AND the tone. DRs are much more mellow sounding and always lack in mids and highs for my taste. Just put a set on my SS Stingray and immediately miss the bite of the Ernie Balls it came strung with.
I agree that there's nothing harsh about DR strings. Too much of nothing harsh for me
I second this, I could have written this post.
We're in the same boat. I'm looking for strings for my bass that's 33" from ball end to nut (31" scale). It's a 5-string, so the choices are even fewer.
I've been going back and forth with Jason at Fret Nation with some Q&A on my options. Hi-Beams also come in short-scale, but I don't like Hi-Beams in any length. Same for Pure Blues, but they don't come in a shorter scale, anyway. I'll be picking up some Sun Beams.
If you want a hex-core nickel, you can check out Curt Mangan short-scale strings. Their winding length is 34.75". I'll probably end up getting both to see which ones I like better.
Sunbeams are my go to string, I keep on P bass’s and my Stingray. For me it’s a great all purpose string, not too much or to little of anything, warm and clear with just enough highs. I prefer the flexibility of round core’s on my aging hands
In a moment motoring through a song with the band, i said to myself Holy S**t these Sunbeams. In so many situations the tone is just right for me. I'm coming out of a long flats preference. I've been buying an extra set each time i buy strings.
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Both the Pure Blues and Sun Beams need a bit of play time to wear in. Don’t make a judgment within the first several hours of playing.
The Sunbeams are very different to the Pure Blues. The Sunbeams have a bit more bottom and less pronounced midrange by comparison. I love them. They lose their initial brightness very soon, which is good for my liking, and settle very nicely and mellow (there's still enough top end if you want it)
Sort-scale basses come alive with either Sunbeams or Pressurewounds. I use both.
The big mistake people often make is automatically thinking you need to put a set of flats on a shortie to get better low end from them. Short-scales (and violin basses) already have a ton of lows. Swapping in rounds often makes for an improvement in their overall tone and increases their sonic versatility.
The big mistake people often make is automatically thinking you need to put a set of flats on a shortie to get better low end from them. Short-scales (and violin basses) already have a ton of lows. Swapping in rounds often makes for an improvement in their overall tone and increases their sonic versatility.
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I've tried many different strings. Now, I only buy the ones that work for me: rounds are always Sunbeams, flats are TI Jazz or Roto 77, tapes are LA Bella blacks.
I found the Sunbeams to be very soft, flexible strings that work great on my acoustic bass. I have the L.R. Baggs pickup with the volume and character knobs in the sound hole. I'm extremely happy with this combination for live or recording. Soundmen love this bass live. Lots of volume with no feedback. The Sunbeams are well broken in and still sound alive and "acousticy"
Sunbeams are my favorite RW string, without question. They are on 5 of my 6 basses. I just bought an Ibanez fretless 5 -- maybe I should give my favorite strings a try?
My favorite rounds are nickel Lo Riders, love the warm, full tone I get from them and how they lose enough zing to get rid of the new string sound but keep enough highs so they don't get muddy. I thought the Sunbeams sound pretty similar and they age in a similar way, but without the stiff feel of the Lo Riders. I prefer a pretty stiff feeling string, so I never went back to the Sunbeams after I tried them but, if you like a more supple feeling string with that kind of sound, Sunbeams are an excellent choice.
So I bought Sunbeams on a whim a few years ago. I'm a DR strings guy and at the time, I was 100% all-in on Hi-Beams which sound great on my Stingray but I didn't love them on my Jazz. They were...too bright? Which sounds odd because I love them on my Stingray. Anyways, on my Jazz the Sunbeams have the warmth that just feels right. I don't get massive lows but the highs aren't super tinny and bright.
Not that you asked, but I do enjoy the Pure Blues on my Chris Aiken Squire P-bass. I get that snarly mid-growl with a little dirty/gritty feel to it.
I use Hi Beams on my Warwick’s and like them a lot.
I like the Sunbeams on my Fretless Thumb.
