Hex-Core Sunbeams = Nickel Lo-Riders?

[michael_t]

Does anyone know which lasts longer, the DR Nickel Lo Riders or the Dunlop Super Brights?

My experience with the Super Brights is somewhat limited, but as far as the NLRs are concerned, they do break in fairly quickly and retain their broken-in tone for a long time (as in several months for me). The main difference between them is the feel. The NLRs are stiffer but smoother in surface feel, whereas the SBs are more flexible but not as smooth.

 

[Just Wrong]

My experience with the Super Brights is somewhat limited, but as far as the NLRs are concerned, they do break in fairly quickly and retain their broken-in tone for a long time (as in several months for me). The main difference between them is the feel. The NLRs are stiffer but smoother in surface feel, whereas the SBs are more flexible but not as smooth.

Do you know where the La Bella RX fall in terms of "smoothness" in relation to those two? I don't know that I care for smoothness, though I don't want cheese grater strings.

 

[michael_t]

Do you know where the La Bella RX fall in terms of "smoothness" in relation to those two? I don't know that I care for smoothness, though I don't want cheese grater strings.

In terms of smoothness, I would say the La Bella is closer to the Dunlop. In terms of stiffness, they would probably be right in between.

 

[Stan_da_man]

Long time Sunbeam player. Tried Super Brights, Pure Blues and Foundations. I wanted a Sunbeam feel with a little more mids. Foundations was the answer.

Foundations Nickel Bass Strings - S.I.T. Strings

 

[Lo-E]

I have yet to see anyone advertising anything with "grating highs with no subtlety, honking mids, and tubby amorphous lows."

I sound like that with any strings. Tone is in the fingers!

FWIW, I’ve been using Sunbeams on most of my fretless basses for years and years and the only strings I’ve heard that sound like Sunbeams are…. Sunbeams. I think GHS Balanced Nickels are sort of in a similar ballpark but they’re also round core so they don’t really solve the OP’s dilemma.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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!

Lo-Riders sound different. Personally I prefer them to Sunbeams. You will get a longer life but with a little less sizzle, which with a tweak to your EQ could provide a satisfactory solution.

 

[michael_t]

I think GHS Balanced Nickels are sort of in a similar ballpark but they're also round core so they don't really solve the OP's dilemma.

The round core strings by GHS, Balanced Nickels and Round Core Boomers, are constructed in way they're as stable as hex cores. They have "anchor points" (where the core wire is slightly flattened) at intervals throughout the entire length of the string in order to prevent slippage of the core wire under the windings, whereas DR round cores only have one anchor point at the tuner end.

 

[Lo-E]

The round core strings by GHS, Balanced Nickels and Round Core Boomers, are constructed in way they're as stable as hex cores. They have "anchor points" (where the core wire is slightly flattened) at intervals throughout the entire length of the string in order to prevent slippage of the core wire under the windings, whereas DR round cores only have one anchor point at the tuner end.

Interesting! …and crafty!

 

[trothwell]

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.

Probably trained on TalkBass discussions.

 

[Just Wrong]

Probably trained on TalkBass discussions.

It also told me DR strings by D’Addario were worth a try.

 

[emjazz]

The round core strings by GHS, Balanced Nickels and Round Core Boomers, are constructed in way they're as stable as hex cores. They have "anchor points" (where the core wire is slightly flattened) at intervals throughout the entire length of the string in order to prevent slippage of the core wire under the windings, whereas DR round cores only have one anchor point at the tuner end.

The Round Core Boomers could be a good choice to try...they're low tension, and they very quickly become darker than most roundwound strings. I've had them on a fretless for maybe four years now and I can't bring myself to take them off...they sound incredible

 

[Toptube]

For string life with rounds, you judge with your ear. Not by how they look. They will discolor from use. Contact with your hands and exposure to the elements. You can get some string wipes if it bothers you. And it may even slightly extend the tone life.


Superbrights are a pretty easy recommend to try. As mentioned, they are a very flexible variation of hex-core. Tone won't be the same as Sunbeams. But, I think you will like the tone.
Superbrights have an easy to like tone. And when they first released, a lot of people were impressed by the tone. Warm, punchy mids. Articulate low mid. Slightly crunchy high-mid. Relaxed highs. Great for staccato styles.
Of DR strings, I would say the closest tone would be Fat Beams (which sound nothing like you would expect a stainless string to sound).

They also have a smoother feel, much like DR strings. And the way their tone ages also works out well for longevity.

That said, on a short scale bass: strings tend to feel a bit lower tension. So, you may find such a flexible string is too much in that direction.


Nowadays, I play GHS roundcore boomers. They are balanced tension, which sets up better, and feels consistent from string to string.. And while they do still have that slightly supple feel from being roundcore; they don't feel floppy. They have a very positive feel to them.
Different tone from Sunbeams. RC Boomers are low mid focused, crunchy in the mids and high mids. And they really seem to emphasize crunch, rather than warmth.
Sunbeams to me, have a musical high mid purr, balanced mids, A bit light on lows.

Historically, I'm a fan of the kind of Stainless Strings which emphasize complex mids and lows. Rather than being the "brightest" strings. My current overall choice for that would be Stainless DR Low-Riders. And I do have one bass which is only ever strung with those.
Nickel low-riders sound very different.