DR Strings Sunbeam - Phosphor Bronze AcousticRound Core 13-56

I have been using these for a few years and they last longer than others, are round core so have the easier playability even with thicker gauges and just sound good. I used these as baseline strings to hear what a new guitar sounds like. Sometimes I go to different strings because the guitar calls for it, but for the most part probably 7 out of 10 of my acoustics are all strung with these. Have also never broken a string in about 4 years with these.

I got turned onto DR Sunbeam strings by someone in an acoustic forum. The reason I experimented with them initially is because the core is round (rather than hex, like most strings) and purportedly has lower tension on the wound strings, making it easier on the hands.While the DR Sunbeam 13-56 actually are easier than most 13 sets I actually prefer... no.. LOVE the DR Sunbeam 12's. However, the love for them extends only to one of my guitars- my Martin D-35. They're ok for my other guitars, but my Martin ROARS with the Sunbeam 12's. The 13's, while nice sounding (on this guitar) they pale in comparison to the 12's. The DR Sunbeam 12's have eclipsed any other string that I've tried on the D-35 and not in a small way.I have to report that they did not have the same amazing bump in sound with my Taylor 614CE or '81 MIJ Epiphone PR-755s (think D-28). Again, they sounded good, but I have other strings that I prefer on those guitars. BTW... Make sure you read the installation instructions. You have to make sure the wound ends are crimped or bent properly to make sure the strings don't go dead prematurely. Also important to note, they hold their tone for me at least 3 weeks and I've also gone 6 weeks between changes. FWIW Elixirs don't last any longer for me....and these sound WAY better than Elixirs on all my guitars. There is only one way to know if they work for you... Try them. They're cheap.

The set I got contained a low E string that was bizarrely non-resonant: It thudded instead of ringing when played, it almost sounded like a bass string rather than a guitar string. I replaced it with an E string from another set and the guitar sounds find so it was clearly the string. It's the first time I've tried these strings which came recommended and I was pretty disappointed by that, especially since I'm not even sure how to request a refund or replacement from Amazon without returning the set (obviously not possible since I didn't know it was defective until I used it). The other strings sound fine but I've never had this happen even with dirt-cheap strings so as it is I can't recommend these at all. It's actually an interesting sound effect, but almost certainly not what you're looking for on an acoustic guitar.

I've tried almost every guitar string brand and alloy on the market. I have a guitar that is super picky about what strings it gets and these are just flat out amazing. I wasn't sure what to expect as phosphor bronze strings are pretty similar unless you get spendy and purchase Thomastik Infeld Plectrums (which are also super nice). I tried the medium set of DR Sunbeams and I'm super impressed with them. They remain some of the most playable strings I've ever touched in nearly 25 years of guitar playing and have wonderful rich, balanced tone right out of the pack. Seriously try these if you have not. For fingerstyle I think these are better than Elixir, D'addario, Ernie Ball, John Pearse, Martin, any of them. I don't like to brand bash and those aforementioned strings are all very good but these Sunbeams are really something else. Just be sure to follow installation instructions exactly and do not cut the strings during installation but only after they are brought to pitch (no Taylor method in other words). These are round core and you will basically have to throw them away if you do. Excellent product DR- I'm buying more!!

These have more sustain than any string I've ever heard, by far. Generally that's good, but I have a Yamaha LL-TA Transacoustic with built-in reverb, and when the reverb is turned up to higher settings, the sustain and overtones are a little too much with these strings. The reverb magnifies finger squeaks and higher sonic frequencies that ugly up the sound & make me have to turn it way down; it wasn't *quite* that bad with some other strings I tried. Another factor, though, is that I installed a bone saddle & bone bridge pins, and have used only these strings with that configuration. Bone adds even more sustain, so it might be overkill when using these particular strings.Also, they aren't as easy on my fingers and thumb as I'd hoped; I can play for quite a while with Silks, but these hurt after a shorter period of time. However, they do bend a little easier than mediums normally do, and the tone is okay for my tastes - a little too bright but it's offset by the decent bass depth. They're pretty balanced, which is a valuable quality in strings, and sound fantastic when strumming with a pick, even if not so much when playing jazz leads and octaves with my thumb. The high B&E strings have a strong tone, far better than the thin, pingy sound I got from the Silks - even though, like I said, their sustain is so long it creates some overtones I wish weren't there. They're also quite sensitive for mediums; you have to be careful how you fret notes on the B&E strings or they'll go sharp very easily.I'm switching to Newtones, which are handmade round cores from the UK, hoping for a little better playability and significantly warmer tone. Although, I used to use Newtones 15 years ago exclusively and I have a vague memory of them being quite rough on my fingers. But too much time has passed to be sure, and I want to compare them to the Sunbeams. Newtones are the Gold Standard for round cores, but if I find there isn't much difference between them and these Sunbeams, I'll stick with these, which are half the price. Once you've tried round cores, which have less tension, it's hard to go back to hex cores. If I do though, it would only be to try DR's "Rare", which supposedly have a warmer tone than these.

Great strings. Arrived quickly.

Fast delivery. Happy with product. Thank you

Normally I'm not very critical when it comes to strings but I ordered 4 sets of these to try them out as recommended by members on the acoustic guitar forum and all 4 sets on 4 different guitars sounded dead to me. I personally won't be buying these again but I will say strings are a very personal thing and while these weren't for me doesn't mean that anyone else won't like them.

nice tone.so far so good see how long they hold there tone.package was damaged. look like it had been packed that way.not good.