Dunlop Nickels -- quick review

pickles · #1 12-12-2009, 07:43 AM

Based on all the rave reviews here, I picked up a set of Dunlop nickels 45-130 for my L2500. I find them to be perfectly nice strings, and very similar to Hybrid Slinkys or DR Nickel Lo Riders, which I've always found to be extremely similar. They feel a little smoother perhaps and have a tiny bit more punch and less zing than Slinkys. I found the B string to be adequate and growly down low, needing a bit higher setup than I'd like to stay solid, falling apart around the 5th fret, which is overall slightly better than the DR and on par with the Slinky. I immediately switched the B string back to a Carvin nickel .128, which is far superior.

This is just based on using them on one bass for at-home play and one rehearsal. I think they're a fine choice for anyone that likes this type of string, but they are not really anything "new".

mmbongo · #2 12-12-2009, 09:52 AM

I think this just proves that strings are very subjective!

When I compared the Dunlops to Slinkies, I found the Slinkies to be much more mellow, very inconsistent from string to string, and MUCH higher tension than the Dunlops. In fact Dunlops are designed to be a very low tension string and I find it odd that you compare them to Low Riders...which are very high tension strings.

My quick review review of Dunlop Nickels is this...take DR Sunbeams, add some snap, cut the price in half, and there you go

jasper383 · #3 12-12-2009, 11:54 AM

To me, they do feel like they have less tension than comparable strings.

They also feel broken in quicker, like almost immediately broken in. D'Addarios, ime, don't feel truly warmed up for a couple weeks.

Nice strings, great price.

mmbongo · #4 12-12-2009, 12:28 PM

The 'broken in feel' was one of the selling points of Dunlops. Open them up, put them on, you're ready to go.

And even though I use Dunlops on two of my basses, I keep forgetting....are they round core or hex core?

pickles · #5 12-12-2009, 01:42 PM

There are subtle differences, but all these hex core nickel strings are way closer to each other than they are to a DR high beam, swing bass 66, labella rounds, dean markleys, etc ...

D'addario XLs are considerably more different from the three I mentioned than those three are from each other. If that makes sense.

Dunlop 45-105 tension doesn't feel any softer than hybrid slinkys, which are the same gauge, or nickel lo riders in 45-105. I've played all of those strings on many occasions on many different basses.

Darkstrike · #6 12-12-2009, 01:45 PM

I found them to be suprisingly close to Lowriders too, but I don't get this "B falling apart at the fifth" thing, I played mine most of the way up the board, and it sounded good all the way.

Craig_S · #7 12-12-2009, 02:26 PM

I just bought a set of nickel Low Riders to try. Now I'm anxious put them on a bass I've had the Dunlop strings on. The Dunlops are very nice strings, IMO.

mmbongo · #8 12-12-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickles

There are subtle differences, but all these hex core nickel strings are way closer to each other than they are to a DR high beam, swing bass 66, labella rounds, dean markleys, etc ...

D'addario XLs are considerably more different from the three I mentioned than those three are from each other. If that makes sense.

Dunlop 45-105 tension doesn't feel any softer than hybrid slinkys, which are the same gauge, or nickel lo riders in 45-105. I've played all of those strings on many occasions on many different basses.

What kind of bass is this? I could tell a HUGE difference in the tension of the Dunlops when compared to EB and LoR on my G&L. Like I said, the only thing Dunlops remind me of are DR Sunbeams.

pickles · #9 12-12-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

What kind of bass is this? I could tell a HUGE difference in the tension of the Dunlops when compared to EB and LoR on my G&L. Like I said, the only thing Dunlops remind me of are DR Sunbeams.

G&L L2500. Did you change gauge? Just tried the B on my RBV also ... same result.

Doodaddy · #10 12-12-2009, 07:42 PM

These strings have quickly become one of my favorites, along side the Sadowsky Blue Labels.

Gopher Bob · #11 12-13-2009, 01:57 AM

I'm wondering how the SS dunlops are as far as tension. I was looking for lower tension but the E is a bit floppy and I even threw the set on a second bass to get a 'second opinion' and I found the E was too floppy as well.

Or maybe I should try the heavy gauge.

jaibot · #12 12-13-2009, 09:22 AM

so are these hex core? i am trying to find out but i cant seem to find anything

pickles · #13 12-13-2009, 09:33 AM

The cores appeared to be hex.

jaibot · #14 12-13-2009, 09:37 AM

thanks a bunch!
im going to get a set of these for my jazz bass, probably going to get the 40-100 nickels, they seem like a great string for the price

Gopher Bob · #15 12-13-2009, 04:00 PM

have any of you kids tried the stainless steel dunlop strings>?

Gintaras · #16 12-13-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaibot

thanks a bunch!
im going to get a set of these for my jazz bass, probably going to get the 40-100 nickels, they seem like a great string for the price

the nickels lights are hard to get. I have a set on back order from Musician's friend. I also contacted Just Strings and they did not have any in stock. Let me know if you find any.

jaibot · #17 12-13-2009, 04:30 PM

hm, i was planning on ordering a set from just strings and from the looks of the website it seems as though they are in stock, however if they said otherwise on the phone then i would trust that.
ill just hold off till theyre in stock, i wanted to try a set of sit silencers anyway

madbassplaya · #18 12-14-2009, 01:37 AM

I believe the perfect bass has them instock.

Remember, you get a discount for entering in their current promotion code "merrychristmas" or the talkbass promotion code "talkbass".

I am not affiliated with TPB.com but I will say this, those guys are excellent guys to buy from. They ship fast (same day!) and always call and make sure you are satisfied with your order.

One Drop · #19 12-14-2009, 02:21 PM

I just played a gig with them on a P, first time trying nickel rounds in a long time (i needed a set of rounds quick and they are 1/2 the price of Rotos and DRs here).

I liked them a lot, very rich and lively rounds, nice tension and feel. They sound to me like somewhere between an SS and a nickel set. I think I'll leave them on for a while, then go back to Roto SS and see if I was missing the gnarly top.