spongebob Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 I'm looking for a change of string direction, shake things up a bit. First idea was to retreat to my old D'addario faves, but I started to look elsewhere. The DR strings seem to be very well thought of....Sunbeams look good.....but one set is the price of two sets of my chosen D'addarios! Are they really that much better than your average string? Worth twice as much? Just curious before I potentially pull the trigger! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 Not used those, tried Fat Beams and wasn`t overkeen to be honest, there was just something in the sound that I couldn`t identify, but just didn`t like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 My favorite string is DR Hi Beams. They're long lasting, with a low-ish tension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 Thanks chaps, appreciate that. They're quite an expensive mistake if I'm not that taken....£40 a set is a fair chunk for a single set of rounds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6feet7 Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 Sunbeams are the only strings I use nowadays. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The59Sound Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 Just buy them off eBay from the States. You can buy things outside the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 Decision made - I've not going with them. Going to go with some Fender 7250M nickel plated. Bass is in for a set up on Wednesday, so needed the strings for then. It's an AV63 Precision, and that's what it originally came with. Tried some flats in the meantime, they just didn't really gel at last night's gig....swore by them for ages, but I think this is a rounds bass....so I think a set of nickel coated steels should fit the bill, and not give too much fret wear...but give an immense P bass growl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 If you don`t need really sharp highs then those 7250Ms should work fine, they give a real good Precision sound. I love them but they`re just not sharp enough for what I do in my band, but for the traditional Precision sound, well you can see why Fender ship their basses with them on, great sounding strings. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 I fitted a set of Fender strings to the last 5er I had and was pleasantly surprised considering that they're relatively cheap. I haven't been a big fan of DRs when I've used them - they always seemed bland or "character-less". I agree with your choice.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6feet7 Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 1 minute ago, TheGreek said: I haven't been a big fan of DRs when I've used them - they always seemed bland or "character-less". The same could be said for my bass playing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 Thanks guys, I did serious research on this today! I've been a flats player for the last few years. But this bass....my return to Fender....just seemed far too dark and dull with the flats. My first Fender 'above' a US Standard, so new territory. Just need more life in the bass, as the flats were too....err.....flat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The59Sound Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 7250s are very similar to XLs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radchenko Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 I use DR sunbeams and I'm happy but looking to change for a ernie ball super slinky because are Very similar and cheaper. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted April 16, 2018 Author Share Posted April 16, 2018 I just found myself falling out with my flats. For some reason, this bass just sounds lacking with them on. Tone down, too muddy. Tone up, too 'boxy' sounding. Playing with a pick exclusively. I've used the same flats variant for a good few years...maybe it's just my tastes changing about what I want. I'm quite a busy player, and need more clarity in tone. Having used the D'addarios for years before the flats, I need to try new territory....and from what I've read, the Fenders are a little less harsh, with a rounder bottom end than the D'addarios. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 Couldn't face a change from my beloved Fender flats after all, so it's gone in for a set-up with those! As a result, the unopened Fender 7250M's are now for sale in the marketplace. Grab yourself a bargain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 On 4/15/2018 at 14:52, spongebob said: I'm looking for a change of string direction, shake things up a bit. First idea was to retreat to my old D'addario faves, but I started to look elsewhere. The DR strings seem to be very well thought of....Sunbeams look good.....but one set is the price of two sets of my chosen D'addarios! Are they really that much better than your average string? Worth twice as much? Just curious before I potentially pull the trigger! I do like them. Sunbeams or the stainless steel Fat Beams for me. I like their flexibility, they're easy to bend, and have sweet low mids... The Fat Beams are pretty bright to start with, but the Sunbeams lack that extra zing and they're perfect from day 1, for me. I used to use D'Addario EXL170s but I much prefer the Sunbeams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 On 4/15/2018 at 19:56, spongebob said: Thanks guys, I did serious research on this today! I've been a flats player for the last few years. But this bass....my return to Fender....just seemed far too dark and dull with the flats. My first Fender 'above' a US Standard, so new territory. Just need more life in the bass, as the flats were too....err.....flat! Have you considered Labella White Nylon tapewounds? They're not cheap... but they last forever (almost). They're unlike other tapewounds. They are pretty bright but balanced, and strong low mids and tight bottom end. It means they can be used for stuff you'd normally use roundwounds for and will sound good in the band. Very sweet slap tone too (just not the ultra bright Marcus Miller style tone). Of course, you can tame the top end, and then you get into 'old school territory', with strong low mids still, so lots of fat but with definition. They're also very flexible... you can bend strings like crazy. You'll probably have to turn your truss rod a *tiny* little bit. My favourite string these days if I don't want straight up roundwounds. I always found flats very nice but a little limited... and tapewounds usually were not much better. The white nylons changed all that. Very versatile string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The59Sound Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 On 20/04/2018 at 22:20, mcnach said: I do like them. Sunbeams or the stainless steel Fat Beams for me. I like their flexibility, they're easy to bend, and have sweet low mids... The Fat Beams are pretty bright to start with, but the Sunbeams lack that extra zing and they're perfect from day 1, for me. I used to use D'Addario EXL170s but I much prefer the Sunbeams. I used to use Sunbeams all the time too but when I tried Pure Blues... wow! Definitely a string that's halfway between Sunbeams and Fat Beams. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted April 22, 2018 Author Share Posted April 22, 2018 Thanks for that guys. My trouble is I'm too hung up on the 9050L Fender flats! I just find them unbeatable (although I didn't actually try the FB's). As a pick player, they just seem to suit my style so well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 8 hours ago, The59Sound said: I used to use Sunbeams all the time too but when I tried Pure Blues... wow! Definitely a string that's halfway between Sunbeams and Fat Beams. good to know! I have heard other similarly promising comments about them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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