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DR Sunbeams

#22
Krustinator said:
I can chime in on the Hi-Beams vs Sunbeams. I have a set of each on my 6'rs (fretted & fretless). The High Beams have the characteristic brightness of stainless strings, almost a "metallic" sound, if you will (but not in a bad way). The Sunbeams have a warmer, more rounded tone to my ear - more even across the spectrum. Similarly on my 4's I have Fat beams and Sunbeams and have the same conclusion, though I do like the Fat Beams a lot, too.

I have decided all future sets of strings I buy will be Sunbeams, I like them that much.
Click to expand...

Yes, Sunbeams for P Bass! (Using on stock 2000 MIM Std. P, Poplar body).
I'm also liking nickel Lo-Riders on Jazz basses.
 
#25
After using Thomastik Infeld Jazz RW on my Jazz for several years, I now have Sunbeams, and I must say they remind me of TI Jazz, but stay a bit brighter.
I think they are wonderful strings.
Together with TI Jazz they are the only strings I really like in the long run.
 
#26
Another convert here also. Before I used Lo-Riders on my Warwick and Hi-Beams on my Spector, but I've gone completely over to Sunbeams. They feel great, allow me to get any tone I want (finger pick or slap) and last.

The one big difference I've noticed for me is that I don't get as much string noise with the Sunbeams. On my Wick with the other 2 types of DR's I used I tended to get a lot of clankiness, especially as the strings aged, but not getting that with the Sunbeams.
 
#27
I love my Hi Beams. The Sunbeams are basically 'nickel Hi Beams'. Since the round core seems to really reduce the tension, the combination of that low tension design with the even smoother nickel version is a bit to loosey goosey for me (sounds great though).

I've settle on a combination of Hi Beams (round core stainless steel) for my more aggressive ash/maple instruments, and Lo Rider Nickels for my more mellow, vintage 60's style J. The Lo Rider Nickels still last a very long time (like the round core strings) buy have just a touch more tension that seems to make the nickels feel a bit more like the steel Hi Beams, if that makes sense.

Regardless... fantastic strings. The Lo Rider steels are great if you want a more aggressive upper mid grind and tighter tension than the very sweet sounding a smooth Hi Beams.

IMO and a lot of IME!
 
#29
Don't mean to hijack, but can I get a big hell yeah for Ed Friedland, just read and listened to his review of DR strings and it was incredible, I have listened to a lot of his Bass Whisperer videos and he does us bass players such a service. Thanks Ed !!

BTW DR lowrider SS are the way I go, but after reading this thread and listening to the samples, the hibeams may be my next set.
 
#30
cbass1 said:
Don't mean to hijack, but can I get a big hell yeah for Ed Friedland, just read and listened to his review of DR strings and it was incredible, I have listened to a lot of his Bass Whisperer videos and he does us bass players such a service. Thanks Ed !!

BTW DR lowrider SS are the way I go, but after reading this thread and listening to the samples, the hibeams may be my next set.
Click to expand...

Amen. I always loved the SunBeam tone for fretless, but agree with Ken that the tension is a tad lighter than I prefer. I need to shoot out the Lo-Rider Nickels with the SunBeams on my fretless.

For fretted, Hi-Beams all day, baby... all day.
 
#32
I really like nickel Lo Riders but I wanted something a little different to put on a new (to me) Warwick FNA Jazzman that's on its way to me as we speak.

It seemed like the Sunbeams should sound similar to the Hi Beams but a little warmer and with a smoother feel. We'll see if I'm right, can't wait to get the new bass and put these on it.

Also, regarding Ed's demo of the DR strings, FANTASTIC!
 
#34
Excellent strings.

I have been using Fodera Nickels on some instruments and substituting the Sunbeams when necessary. The two strings feel so similar it makes me think Fodera is having their strings made by DR. Anyone else have experience between the two of them?
 
#35
bucephylus said:
Excellent strings.

I have been using Fodera Nickels on some instruments and substituting the Sunbeams when necessary. The two strings feel so similar it makes me think Fodera is having their strings made by DR. Anyone else have experience between the two of them?
Click to expand...

My experience with Fodera strings has been that they die QUICKLY. I'd be surprised if they were made by DR.
 
#36
I've been happy with sunbeams on my Stingray, have been using them on that bass for years. However on my jazz bass (Nordy classic VJ5) i'm not sure what to think of the B string. When I first got my bass, it came with Dunlop Nickels (which are similar to sunbeams IMO) and the B string was awesome. These strings are still pretty fresh, so I'm just gonna wait and see how things turn out.
 
#39
I'm very surprised at how many use Sunbeams on their fretted basses!

I use them on my fretless and love them. My favorite fretless string by a long shot!

For fretted basses I use DR Lo-riders and have for years. I like the warmth of the nickel and the higher tension they provide. The Hi-beams are a little too flexible and bright for me.
 
#40
I just changed my stings to Dr Sunbeams. I can't say they sound any better than the EB Slinkys I took off, but they are new so I'll have to give them time to settle. I've been a die hard Slinky user, and have tried most of the other DR strings, but always ended back with the Slinky. There just something about them when they mellow. I will say the Sunbeams feel very smooth, and I'll have to get use to the 125 B sting where as the Slinky has a 135 B. Can anyone tell me about the sound when the Sunbeams mellow?
 

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