Was looking at DR Sunbeams, anyone like these? Or I could go back to rounds and eq (roll the tone off. Not doing anything semi-pro anymore, just seeing what the community has to say. Love that!
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Help! Flat Noob Seeking Advice.
- Thread starter RicheyLather
- Start date
DR strings are excellent across the board. I've tried most of them (except the Legend flats and their coated strings). They're some of the longest lasting strings I've ever used. Even in my busiest gigging/touring days, a set of DR Hi-Beams still sounded fine a year later.
As for the Sunbeams, because they're a roundwound string over a round core, they'll feel spongier than you might expect under the fingers. A 45-105 set of D'Addario XLs will feel stiffer than 45-105 Sunbeams because the D'Addarios are made over a traditional hex core. And if you're used to stiff flats, Sunbeams might feel like noodles to you. And one thing to note about round core strings, you need to take extra care when installing them, or they'll go to plop very quickly. Proper String Installation | DR Strings
And the thing about flats is that though they have a higher up-front cost, they last for years, even decades. On the other hand, getting 6-8 months out of roundwounds is considered good life. The old adage is that when roundwounds are breaking down, flats STILL haven't broken in yet.
@TeeSee Groundwounds still exist. Prominent examples include D'Addario Half Rounds and GHS Brite Flats. (D'Addarios say "semi-flat" on the package and the GHSs say "groundwound" on their packaging). GHS also makes a version of their Brite Flats for Ken Smith strings called Slick Rounds.
As for the Sunbeams, because they're a roundwound string over a round core, they'll feel spongier than you might expect under the fingers. A 45-105 set of D'Addario XLs will feel stiffer than 45-105 Sunbeams because the D'Addarios are made over a traditional hex core. And if you're used to stiff flats, Sunbeams might feel like noodles to you. And one thing to note about round core strings, you need to take extra care when installing them, or they'll go to plop very quickly. Proper String Installation | DR Strings
And the thing about flats is that though they have a higher up-front cost, they last for years, even decades. On the other hand, getting 6-8 months out of roundwounds is considered good life. The old adage is that when roundwounds are breaking down, flats STILL haven't broken in yet.
@TeeSee Groundwounds still exist. Prominent examples include D'Addario Half Rounds and GHS Brite Flats. (D'Addarios say "semi-flat" on the package and the GHSs say "groundwound" on their packaging). GHS also makes a version of their Brite Flats for Ken Smith strings called Slick Rounds.
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Try a few round core nickel round wound strings out. But Sunbeams are nice.
Yeah, have some ‘beams due tomorrow. There’s a weird crimp you have to make? There’s a vid, guess I better watch. Any other things I should know about round-core?
Light gauge flats, 40-95 Ernie cobalt or Daddario chrome have strong slap sounds. Anything thicker, it's possible, a little easier with lower action but I personally don't enjoy slapping thick flats.
Sunbeams are my favorite round wound string. Very smooth to the touch and warm sounding but are great for slap especially when new. I’ve tried all the ground and pressure wound strings and didn’t really care for them.
For flats I like the Labella LTF. They slap ok if you want a Sly and the family stone type of slap tone. They do the old school Motown thing very well and are low tension so easier to play than most flats.
If I had just one bass, it would probably have sunbeams on it.
In my experience, round core strings are a little more finicky to intonate than hex-core strings. But if you love their flexible feel under the fingers, the extra little care they require are worth it.
I'm currently using GHS Round Core Boomers on one of my basses and I love the way those strings feel under my fingers.
Can’t wait to try them. Amazon said there was a delivery issue (we’re supposed to be here today). I bought another set from Strings and Beyond. Anyone else used these guys?
I was fretting (yuk yuk) for nothing, New Guyker bridge and DR’s installed. Been so long since I’ve done bass mods, I was nervous. Still needs some adjustments, but rock and roll. If I need a flat-ish thump, roll the tone back . The Sunbeams slap great (in my ltd. slapapitude) and sound AWESOME! New bridge, love Guyker.
Don't ever boil flat wounds; it will not end well...
Hate to say it, but; yeah, what ^he^ said. Short scale basses - because, physics - do not have the overtones that longer scale basses have. Period. Which is why they have always been describes as "all about the fundamental tone". So, yes, you can slap your Mustang with the EB Flats - physically; but, you probably will not like the tone... You'll have to put some rounds on it for that. And, yes, they will "die" much faster than the flats will. Much faster...
Bottom line? No one bass - with one set of strings - can do everything that you'd like to do. Or at least, do it well. Some basses will get a lot closer to what you want, but... that bass will not be a short scale one. So, start looking at a 34" scale bass - and saving your pennies...
