Fodera Nickel vs DR Sunbeams

[maturanesa]

Which are the differences between this two strings?

I always use sunbeams and i like them but just wondering if foderas worth a try


thanx

 

[phishaholik]

I've been using Fodera nickels pretty much exclusively for the last year and I have a set of Sunbeams on the way. I'll let you know what I think when they get here. I switched from Lo-riders to Foderas and I used the lo-riders for years. The light gauge Foderas I've been using are the best playing strings I've ever used.


Michael

 

[bucephylus]

I have played both and use them on my 6 string Tobias. Both great strings. Almost so similar it makes me suspect there might be commonality in manufacturing.

 

[bluesblaster]

I've used both as well, agreed, very similar

 

[uOpt]

I have played both and use them on my 6 string Tobias. Both great strings. Almost so similar it makes me suspect there might be commonality in manufacturing.

Sharing a wire supplier might also do it.

 

[Jaco Taco]

They both have round cores too, so that's a similarity.

 

[Levin]

I think the Foderas have a bit more... bite than the Sunbeams, and are a bit stiffer, if you have them in the same gauge.
I prefer Fodera nickels as they are exactly what I want and need on both active basses with maple boards, as well as on fretless rosewood jazzes.
I feel the Foderas to be slightly more bright, but they are very similiar to the Sunbeams as said before.
They are like a better version tho' in my opinion! : ]
I've played both the 45-135 gauge and the 40-100, am going to try out the Fodera 40-120 soon on an active with rosewood. Gonna be sweet.

 

[invalidprotocol]

Both are in the same family but they are cousins not siblings. Both are excellent strings.

Sunbeams are smoothest of the two and most flexible. They are warm and fat with a characteristic sizzle in the upper mids when fresh but generally a scooped midrange. When well broken in their emphasis is in the lows and low mids.

Foderas are slightly less smooth and a little less flexible. Less fat in the lows, greater emphasis and bite in the mids and crazy upper harmonic content which really stands out with hot pickups. When well broken in they maintain a very significant mid bite. These are great strings if you always want to be able to cut through.

 

[Levin]

^
Dude seriously! I applaud your review, that's exactly how it is thanks
haha, just became glad someone formulated it like how it really is

 

[Dredmahawkus]

Both are in the same family but they are cousins not siblings. Both are excellent strings.

Sunbeams are smoothest of the two and most flexible. They are warm and fat with a characteristic sizzle in the upper mids when fresh but generally a scooped midrange. When well broken in their emphasis is in the lows and low mids.

Foderas are slightly less smooth and a little less flexible. Less fat in the lows, greater emphasis and bite in the mids and crazy upper harmonic content which really stands out with hot pickups. When well broken in they maintain a very significant mid bite. These are great strings if you always want to be able to cut through.

I thought they were much deeper then the sunbeams....I love Fodera strings....I tried sunbeams for about 8 minutes...they were very thin sounding vs the Foderas I thought.
sunbeams are a bit too loose tension for me too...the Foderas seem to be perfect in that dept. for me anyway....The Fodera also have this little grippyness to the feel that I love...no other string has that feel at all....but it smooths out after a month or so to become about as smooth as the sunbeams.
Fodera nickel I think are my favorite string next to the old 8250 fenders they used to make with the grey silks....back when Fender cared about how their strings sounded.

 

[Just Thumpin']

There most definitely is not any kind of commonality in manufacturing unless DR's strings are also made by Tom, Mary Alice and Rick here:

Link Removed

Cheers,

Jason

I have played both and use them on my 6 string Tobias. Both great strings. Almost so similar it makes me suspect there might be commonality in manufacturing.

 

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

I have 40-120 Fodera nickels on my Adamovic. I must say that the strings are great. And the B string is not floppy at all (34" scale)

I don't know if to try a 45-125 or stick to these

 

[AusBass1]

Hi guys,

I know this is an old thread now..

I just wanted to chime in and say that I hope you guys have also tried the DR Nickel Lo-Riders that seem to be about these days. I much prefer them to the Sunbeam (amazing strings too), as they are hex-core, and they have a beautiful round and warm mid.

I am also keen to give Fodera's a try again, especially the nickels. I remember using them many years ago, and being so impressed by the sweetness they have in the top end. Particularly the Nickels.

I am meticulous, and fussy when it comes to setup, I have my F-Bass BN6 setup with a nice low action, though with the extra tension from the Hex core, there is no sacrifice in tone. They are balanced well, and are CONSISTENT from string to string.. (Getting tired of some of the top manufacturers pushing out Low E and B strings for years, that sound like cotton wool, then playing dumb about the issue) The Fodera's are round-core, but I'll still give them a go, as I remember them to also be a brilliant and consistent string.

Love to hear if others have stumbled across the DR lo-rider nickels. I feel though that they dull out a little quicker than I'd like.. having said that, I clock up quite a few practise hours per week and a few gigs each week. I've had this set on for 3 weeks and I already want to change them. To be fair, I've already played the hell out of them, and they still sound really good regardless.. just losing their initial sheen.

Cheers guys!

John