Sunbeams: better dead than new?

[dougjwray]

I have Sunbeams on a 1995 "black label" Fender Jazz, which is pretty bright (ceramic pickups, etc.).
Hi-Beams, and even Pure Blues had too much zing for me. The Sunbeams were an immediate, huge improvement, really beefing up the bass (I'm mostly a P-Bass person) and taming the zing.
But my problem with new Sunbeams is that, even while being mellow, they *still* have a certain clank, oddly enough, and the mids don't "purr" like Pure Blues. I would represent my ideal roundwound sound as a lopsided "frown" graphic EQ shape. Or, if we're talking dials: bass 8, mids 10, highs 2.
Well...
After having this set on for many months, the reduced clank unmasks the mids (to my ears), and I'm liking the Sunbeams more and more.
Anyone else share this experience?

 

[Yahboy]

Congratulation that you found the matching string for your Jazz bass.

 

[michael_t]

I would represent my ideal roundwound sound as a lopsided "frown" graphic EQ shape. Or, if we're talking dials: bass 8, mids 10, highs 2.

Sounds like you should try the Nickel Lo-Riders. Tighter lows with more punch in the mids and clear but non-zingy top end. Sunbeams are more about a full low end with a sparkly top end and somewhat polite mids...at least to my ears.

 

[dougjwray]

Sounds like you should try the Nickel Lo-Riders. Tighter lows with more punch in the mids and clear but non-zingy top end. Sunbeams are more about a full low end with a sparkly top end and somewhat polite mids...at least to my ears.

Thanks for that. I did try the Nickel Lo-Riders a few years ago, but I think it was on a P-Bass. I thought they were more thumpy and less "singing" than Pure Blues, and therefore preferred the Pure Blues-- on that bass.
But your clear description sounds like just what I'd want on this Jazz, and I'll definitely try them next. Thanks again.

 

[michael_t]

Thanks for that. I did try the Nickel Lo-Riders a few years ago, but I think it was on a P-Bass. I thought they were more thumpy and less "singing" than Pure Blues, and therefore preferred the Pure Blues-- on that bass.
But your clear description sounds like just what I'd want on this Jazz, and I'll definitely try them next. Thanks again.

I should point out I tried SB (45-105) and NLR (40-100) on my Jazz bass specifically and ended up preferring the NLR for both tone and feel.

 

[dougjwray]

I should point out I tried SB (45-105) and NLR (40-100) on my Jazz bass specifically and ended up preferring the NLR for both tone and feel.

Have you compared NLR with Roundcore Boomers? I'd be curious to get your opinions on tonality and stiffness. (I know that the NLR are hexcore.)

 

[michael_t]

Have you compared NLR with Roundcore Boomers? I'd be curious to get your opinions on tonality and stiffness. (I know that the NLR are hexcore.)

I've tried the NLR 40-100 on my J and 40-95 on my P. I've tried RCB 45-105 on my J, 45-65-80-100-126 on my TRBX505 and 40-95 on my P. But all various times, so no direct comparison as such.

Hex core vs. round core... The lows are tighter and punchier on the NLR, while the lows on the RCB are fuller and warmer. Neither is overly zingy up top, maybe the RCB are a touch smoother. In terms of stiffness, I would say NLR 40-100 and RCB 45-100 are similar in feel. One thing I can tell you is the round cores by GHS is not nearly as loose and flexible as the round cores by DR, eg Sunbeams. I would say RCBs are "firm without being uncomfortably stiff".

 

[dougjwray]

I've tried the NLR 40-100 on my J and 40-95 on my P. I've tried RCB 45-105 on my J, 45-65-80-100-126 on my TRBX505 and 40-95 on my P. But all various times, so no direct comparison as such.

Hex core vs. round core... The lows are tighter and punchier on the NLR, while the lows on the RCB are fuller and warmer. Neither is overly zingy up top, maybe the RCB are a touch smoother. In terms of stiffness, I would say NLR 40-100 and RCB 45-100 are similar in feel. One thing I can tell you is the round cores by GHS is not nearly as loose and flexible as the round cores by DR, eg Sunbeams. I would say RCBs are "firm without being uncomfortably stiff".

Great, thank you!

 

[Lo-E]

I like Sunbeams and Pure Blues when they’re broken in. I don’t like any strings when they’re dead.

The principal difference between Sunbeams and Pure Blues, IMO, is that the Sunbeams are scooped in the mids and the PB are more mid-pronounced so the OP’s observations seem to be right in line with the way these strings behave. Both sets feel smooth and flexible to me.

Another round core set you might want to contemplate is GHS Balanced Nickels, which sound warm overall with a bit of low-mid push and are very smooth and just a little less flexible than Sunbeams. I use them to help tame my very bright sounding Kawai F2B and it’s been a good combination. Nice detail but no zing.

 

[Geri O]

I have a suspicion that the “better dead than new” description has been used to describe me at points along the line….

 

[40Hz]

The GHS Pressurewounds come out of the box sounding like six month old rounds. They’re my goto when I’m restringing a new bass. They give me pretty much everything I like in a roundwound. And without the annoying initial zing and clank which is something I really dislike despite being somewhat of a metal fan.

Another possible thing to try are Dogal Hellborg roundwounds or flats. They’re designed to be heavy on the note’s fundamental and light on the overtones. Only drawback is they’re expensive. (As in north of TI’s pricing.) So I’d definitely try the GHS pressurewounds first and possibly save some bucks if it’s just a dead-ish roundwound tone you’re after.

I’ve got the Hellborg rounds on a 2017 EB and the flats on an active JB and I couldn’t be happier with the sound. I’m not a big effects user. But these strings and their clean tone play quite nicely with modulation and time based effects.

Couple of demos I found:

 

[dougjwray]

Sounds like you should try the Nickel Lo-Riders. Tighter lows with more punch in the mids and clear but non-zingy top end. Sunbeams are more about a full low end with a sparkly top end and somewhat polite mids...at least to my ears.

Wow, you were right about the Nickel Lo-Riders! I've had them on my Jazz for a couple of weeks, and I think they're just what it needs. Thank you!