In Praise of Sunbeams

[SJan3]

I've been shying away from my Jazz Bass lately. I had put on a set of very popular strings but it just didn't play or sing like I remembered.
Fast forward: I replaced with a set of DR SUNBEAMS and my Jazz Bass is back! Plays and sings again. I had forgotten just how much difference a string can make.
DR SUNBEAMS, highly recommended!

 

[Lo-E]

Yup. They’re really nice.

Too floppy for some people but I like ’em just fine.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Too floppy here (but great tone). Nickel Lo Riders for me.

 

[FirewalZ]

When gigging a lot, I buy a pack every few weeks its seems. I keep going back to Sunbeams, love the feel and flexibility.

 

[CallMeAl]

Love Sunbeams. Had a great 2 years with them. I’ve moved on to Pure Blues, very similar feel with a little more mid-growl. Try ‘em out when you get the itch

 

[StayLow]

Yes, Sunbeams.

Must try the Pure Blues eventually too. Similar stiffness, or lack of, as Sunbeams?

 

[tindrum]

Yes, Sunbeams.

Must try the Pure Blues eventually too. Similar stiffness, or lack of, as Sunbeams?

Pretty similar yeah. Pure Blues are a hair more stiff but they are still a low tension feeling string.

 

[SJan3]

Love Sunbeams. Had a great 2 years with them. I’ve moved on to Pure Blues, very similar feel with a little more mid-growl. Try ‘em out when you get the itch

Yes, the Pure Blues are very nice as well.
I just prefer what's going on with the mids in the SUNBEAMS. But, I'd be happy with the Pure Blues as well.

 

[dave64o]

Too floppy here (but great tone). Nickel Lo Riders for me.

Exactly what I would have said.

Honestly, great sounding strings (EDIT: I’m referring to Sunbeams here). If you like a supple, flexible feel and the warmer tone of a nickel string, they're definitely worth checking out. And I think their stronger, warm mids make it a great fit for the scooped tone of a Jazz bass (with both pickups set equally).

 

[tindrum]

I think the Sunbeams have more in the lower mids while Pure Blues have more of that high mid growl.

 

[michael_t]

Too floppy here (but great tone). Nickel Lo Riders for me.

Same here... Tried the Sunbeams 45-105 and the Nickel Lo-Riders 40-100 back-to-back on my Fender Jazz, and preferred the NLR for their comfortable but firmer feel with a punchier tone.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

Sunbeams are fantastic strings

I've been shying away from my Jazz Bass lately. I had put on a set of very popular strings but it just didn't play or sing like I remembered.

Alright, spill the beans, what were the 'very popular strings'?

 

[e-flat]

Sunbeams on a ‘76 Jazz was my main ride for a long time - SB on a Jazz is a great combo!

 

[SJan3]

Sunbeams are fantastic strings


Alright, spill the beans, what were the 'very popular strings'?

Dunlop Super Bright nickel round wound.
I was trying not to bash the product. I realize many love Dunlop strings so consider this my personal opinion.

 

[tpaul]

If you like super light feeling strings, try the Pure Blues Victor Wooten signature set. They're similar to TI Jazz Rounds, but a lot cheaper.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

Dunlop Super Bright nickel round wound.
I was trying not to bash the product. I realize many love Dunlop strings so consider this my personal opinion.

This isn't a knock on the product at all. With "Super Brite", they are fudging the advertising a little. Not even what I'd call bright, really.

Elixir and DR Hi-Beams deserve that moniker a lot more, imo.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Great lesson here for anyone who comes across this thread - if you otherwise really enjoy a bass but don’t quite love the sound try a couple different string sets before spending money on new pups, preamps, or possibly making a more hasty decision like selling the bass.

 

[skyline_01]

Yes, the Pure Blues are very nice as well.
I just prefer what's going on with the mids in the SUNBEAMS. But, I'd be happy with the Pure Blues as well.

I've just put a set of Pure Blues on my new 'Ray Special 5 HH. So far I'm really digging them - plenty of growl, good feel and tension, and I've heard from more than a few people that they last a long time.

I've tried Sunbeams in the past and I remember really liking those too. It is really amazing how a different string can change the sound of a bass.

 

[CaribooBass]

Google Image Result for https://journal.classiccars.com/media/2020/11/sunbeam-tiger-main.jpg

 

[tindrum]

Great lesson here for anyone who comes across this thread - if you otherwise really enjoy a bass but don’t quite love the sound try a couple different string sets before spending money on new pups, preamps, or possibly making a more hasty decision like selling the bass.

Ain’t that the truth! More than once I’ve bought a bass and put on a set of my favorite strings only to find they were a terrible match for one another.