GHS Balanced Nickel vs DR Sunbeam

[denton57]

Just came across the GHS on my roundwound search. I was curious about a comparison between these two sets? I’ve been using Sunbeams and really like them on my Jazz. My local store stocks the GHS balanced nickel, which are round core as well. Are they similar? Different?

 

[Moving Pictures]

@michael_t will be familiar with this.

 

[Lo-E]

They are not as flexible as the Sunbeams. They are also less mid-scooped, having more prominent low mids than Sunbeams.

That said, they are still pretty flexible and very smooth and comfortable to play. I use both and like both. Sunbeams have been my go-to on fretless basses for a long time. I use Balanced Nickels on an old Kawaii bass that tends to be very bright sounding. They’re the perfect strings for that bass, warming up the sound without sacrificing clarity.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Just shows to go ya how subjective flexibility is: I find Sunbeams stiffer than Balanced Nickels.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Sunbeams are more flexible under the fingers. They have more highs than BN. Different but similar. I think Sunbeams are more versatile with a more open high end while still being warm, while Balanced Nickels will be closer to a flatwound with a tamer high end.

 

[Killens84]

I’ve used both many times. The GHS NB’s have less output than the Sunbeams, as in lower volume. The GHS’s are also darker (less top end) than the Sunbeams. The Sunbeams are a little more scooped, where as the GHS’s seem to be quite balanced in the lows and mids. The Balanced Nickels straight out of the pack sound like a well broken-in set of roundwounds, whereas the Sunbeams have a little more of that initial brightness.

 

[michael_t]

Just came across the GHS on my roundwound search. I was curious about a comparison between these two sets? I’ve been using Sunbeams and really like them on my Jazz. My local store stocks the GHS balanced nickel, which are round core as well. Are they similar? Different?

Sunbeams are more flexible and looser in feel than the Balanced Nickels. SB are more about the warm full bottom with a sparkly top end and somewhat polite mids. BN have a more subdued top end but a stronger midrange and deep but focused low end.

SB are also smoother in surface texture than BN.

 

[BOOG]

I like Sunbeams for a round wound on the right bass. I'm probably in the minority but, I’m not a fan of Balanced Nickels. They sound too much like a guitar and not enough like a bass imo. It probably has to do with the unique construction. I tried them on both passive and active bass’s with the same result. The difference in feel is negligible imo.

 

[manchego_eggo]

I’ve used both many times. The GHS NB’s have less output than the Sunbeams, as in lower volume. The GHS’s are also darker (less top end) than the Sunbeams. The Sunbeams are a little more scooped, where as the GHS’s seem to be quite balanced in the lows and mids. The Balanced Nickels straight out of the pack sound like a well broken-in set of roundwounds, whereas the Sunbeams have a little more of that initial brightness.

I've only played these on SS basses, but I'd generally agree with this. I think the BN's also have a smoother feel overall and the gap between their new and broken in sound is less noticeable.