I want a string that sounds similar to Sunbeams but have a hex core. I take it my best bet is to go with the Nickel Lo-Riders or is there another brand I should look into? Thanks!
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Hex-Core Sunbeams = Nickel Lo-Riders?
- Thread starter Just Wrong
- Start date
I don’t have a suggestion but those are very different sounding strings for sure.
So essentially you are looking for a hex core string, I suppose for a firmer:stiffer feel, but with Sunbeam tone?
So essentially you are looking for a hex core string, I suppose for a firmer:stiffer feel, but with Sunbeam tone?
Not exactly. I want the tone of the Sunbeams, and while I like their looser feel, I understand it'd be hard to get in a hex-core string.
I have a short-scale headless bass, and I don't think I can use Sunbeams. While there are people who use them on their headless bass, I think the issue comes down to the scale:
DR's website says:
On a short scale, I wouldn't be cutting into the flatten section, and DR says:
I would suggest the Dunlop Super Bright Nickels for a hex-core string that's almost as flexible as the Sunbeam due to the smaller diameter of the core wire.
Another one I can suggest is the SIT Foundation Nickels, which are hex core but are relatively flexible, just like the Dunlop Super Brights, due to the thinner-than-average core wire.
SIT Foundations Nickel 45-105 for only $24.08 CAD ($16.80 USD) on Amazon Canada!
S.I.T Strings Bass Guitar (FN45105L) : Amazon.ca: Musical Instruments, Stage & Studio
S.I.T Strings Bass Guitar (FN45105L) : Amazon.ca: Musical Instruments, Stage & Studio
www.amazon.ca
I always forget about Dunlop. I think that’s what I’m going to get.
I play a 6 string, unfortunately.
As a side note, don’t y’all hate copy for round wounds? It’s always something along the lines of “clear bright highs but not brittle with punchy mids and warm defined lows.”
I have yet to see anyone advertising anything with "grating highs with no subtlety, honking mids, and tubby amorphous lows."
I currently have the Sunbeams on a P bass and the Dunlop nickel SB on a different P bass. The Sunbeams sound full and mid-focused whereas the DNSB sounds mid-scooped.
You know what is crazy I’ve found the exact opposite of that (?)
To my ears, the Sunbeams are all about a warm and full bottom and a sparkly top end. I wouldn't consider them to be "mid-focused" as such.
DR Pure Blues? Not sure if they are hex but probably (based on my readings) sound more like Sunbeams than Lo-Riders.
Me too! I put a set of Sun Beams on my 62 Jazz RI. I feel the mids are quite scooped. On the Dunlops I felt the mids were more present with a crunchiness. Unfortunately I didn’t like the sound of the Dunlops when they lost their brightness .
I have the Sunbeams 40-95 on my American Performer P with the stock pickups and it sounds thick and full.
I have the DLSB 40-100 on my American Std P with the Fender Original P pickup and it sounds mid-scooped.
I have the DLSB 40-100 on my American Std P with the Fender Original P pickup and it sounds mid-scooped.
I keep Sunbeams on my jazz, always the perfect combo. Swapped to nickel lo-riders one day and felt like my tone was sucked out from under me. Hollow lifeless sound. Went back to SBs. Then tried pure blues, same story as the lo-riders. Maybe my Bart equipped jazz just didn't jive well with those strings, but I still can't say I'd put them in the same tonal ballpark as the SBs.
Dunlop super brights are their closest cousin for sure.
Dunlop super brights are their closest cousin for sure.
I asked ChatGPT. The first time around I got D'Addario NYXL, Ernie Ball Cobalt Bass Strings and some Elixir. The second time I got the D'Addario, Cobalts, Fender 7250M, GHS Boomers and "La Bella Low Tension Nickels," whatever that is.
I don't think ChatGPT knows what it's talking about.
I don't think ChatGPT knows what it's talking about.
Does anyone know which lasts longer, the DR Nickel Lo Riders or the Dunlop Super Brights?
The Lo Riders are CA$64, while the Dunlops are CA$40, so there's quite a price gap...
I last changed my strings on February 14 (La Bella RX nickels), and my tech told me yesterday that they were already looking pretty discoloured and dead. I trust his opinion (and he doesn't sell strings, so he doesn't really have skin in the game). I'm also fairly new to roundwounds—I've been playing flats and tapes for the past five years, and before that, I only really changed strings when they broke (never), so I'm still figuring out how to judge string life properly.
Thanks!
The Lo Riders are CA$64, while the Dunlops are CA$40, so there's quite a price gap...
I last changed my strings on February 14 (La Bella RX nickels), and my tech told me yesterday that they were already looking pretty discoloured and dead. I trust his opinion (and he doesn't sell strings, so he doesn't really have skin in the game). I'm also fairly new to roundwounds—I've been playing flats and tapes for the past five years, and before that, I only really changed strings when they broke (never), so I'm still figuring out how to judge string life properly.
Thanks!
