Sunbeams or Nickel Lo-Riders?

[Gintaras]

Anyone using Fat Beams

I use fat beams on my FrankenJazz w/ Nordstrands and J-retro. Those strings are stainless and have that clangy and sharp sound. I also use Sunbeams on my Fretless, Nickel LoRiders on my T-40 and Stainless Loriders on my Grendel 5. I also have Black Beauties on my P. After going through many strings, I settled into DR's. Each set seems to be the right string for that bass.

To answer the original question. The sunbeams are warmer, softer and more flexible. the Nickel Loriders are stiffer and have more growl. To bad you can't just try both

 

[steamthief]

I like the nickel Lo-Riders better for exactly the reasons Gintaras says - growlier and stiffer. My ham-handed technique makes the Sunbeams too floppy for me, but they have a great, warm sound, perfect for a maple board.

 

[Thumper]

I'm using Sunbeams on my CS NOS '59P ('57 PUPs), tuned down 1/2.

Nickle LowRiders on my 55-94, also down 1/2

D'addario soft Chromes on my '66J, down 1/2

TI's on the Jack Casady, standard tuning.

I recorded Sat's gig on a Zoom H2 and have listened a few times, overall they all sound good (of course because of the 10 year long GAS merry go round they should, since they're all survivors). But overall, the Sunbeams on the '57/'59 P sounded best. Punchy, growly or vintage sounding with the tone roll-off. If I didn't need the 55-94 for a few songs, neither it or the '66J would see any use in this band (Classic/Top 40 Rock).

 

[P-BASSLOVER]

Since you are used to the stiffness of Rotos go with the
Lo-Riders. They have the same core {Hex} and about the same stiffness.
Sunbeams might throw off your style because they are in fact,
more flexible and looser.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Nickle Lo Riders for me. I like stiff, and they are smooth and great for fingerstyle on my 'Ray.

 

[afroman]

I just tried some Sunbeams on my Glaub. I've found I prefer the higher tension Low-Riders on this bass.

I drop tune half a step so the lesser tension of the Sunbeams + drop tunning is not to my liking on the Pbass. On the other hand, on my DJ the Sunbeams sound perfect.

So I'll go back to what i already know I love,
Glaub = Low Riders
DJ = Sunbeams
Me =

 

[nonconformist]

Sunbeams are my everything.

 

[jmain]

Not a straight comparison, but: The Lo-Riders felt stiffer and had more mids and tighter low end. The Sunbeams felt a little looser but had a sweeter top end.

I’ve been a nickel guy from go, but ordered a set of SS Lo-Riders the other day just for a lark. I figured why not. I needed to change strings and wanted to see how they would act on the JO5 (no longer have the 55-02). If I don’t like them, I’m gonna try Hi-Beams or Fat Beams. Not easy to find the right gauge and be able to string through the body.

 

[Surly]

Just slapped some Sunbeams on my Squier 60's Precision. which had dead Fender 8250's. Can't really tell much of a tone difference. Sounds like new roundwound strings. Nice strings though. The loose feeling is kinda cool, but I'm not sure if it matters either way. My American P is still wearing the 8250's it came with and has been setup, so I dont want to touch it. I am trying to see if I like Sunbeams or Lo-riders before I mess with a bass that doesn't need new strings. It seems the Fender strings have more mids so I may stick with them in the future. DR's are definitely great strings though.

 

[Surly]

Ok so I now have Lo-riders on my Squier 60's P. All I have to say is "wow". Sounds almost like my American P. I love the feel too. I may have found my new favorite strings!