Difference in Dunlop flats 40/100 vs 45/105

[evs]

Thinking about changing from Chromes ECB81M to Dunlops.

Tossing up between the 40/100 and the 45/105 sets in medium scale.

Has anyone tried both gauges?

 

[Aidil]

I'd suggest the 45-105, more so cause they are for a medium scale bass.

I've had Chromes ECB81-5 (45-65-80-100-132) on a 34", changed them with Dunlop Flatwound 40-120 and felt these are too loose, even that I've accustomed to Dunlop Super Bright 40-120 on a 35", which are my current preferred strings for the particular bass.

 

[JRT64]

I've got the 40-100 medium scale set on both of my Hofner basses and they feel and play great to me.

 

[iiipopes]

The difference? About 20% tension, which I find preferable, but some can find it too loose. The feel by definition with thinner strings will be a slightly more flexible feel.

 

[TomB]

I’ve had them both. Both are pretty flexible, the 40’s more so, as you might expect. I’d put the light ones on a par with Labella LTF’s for flexibility. I’d put the heavier ones just below DTFL’s in flexibility.

If you’re buying “medium scale” make sure you check the distance from silk to silk. First, it was slightly different between the gauges. I had to pare some at the nut on the lighter-gauge A-string to avoid the silk. On the heavier gauge the silks cleared the nut easily but rested a bit on the bridge of my 30.5” scale. Just check the measurements and clearances before you cut anything.

I do like the sound. They have a bit of high-mid emphasis similar to the EB Group flats when new, and mellow in a very similar way. They get thumpy, but not as much as DTF’s. I’m not sure yet about lifetime, but they’re leveling off after a few months, and I expect to keep them for while.

 

[Type-55]

I had the same experience with my 32” Serek concerning the silk wrap.
Kind of a pain to trim but nice strings.

 

[Grinderman]

Thread on similar topic: Dunlop vs Chromes tension / stiffness

I've used both on P and J basses, what I think: Dunlop vs Chromes tension / stiffness

 

[Dragan]

Thinking about changing from Chromes ECB81M to Dunlops.

Tossing up between the 40/100 and the 45/105 sets in medium scale.

Has anyone tried both gauges?

You mean, beyond the obvious?

 

[matante]

You mean, beyond the obvious?

It might not be obvious that the 45-105 set has 60-80 for the D and A strings, if we're talking medium scale sets. That's worth noting and not obvious to those who don't check details.

 

[michael_t]

It might not be obvious that the 45-105 set has 60-80 for the D and A strings, if we're talking medium scale sets. That's worth noting and not obvious to those who don't check details.

Jason at Fret Nation once told me the info on the Dunlop website was incorrect. The "medium scale" flatwound set is actually 45-65-85-105, not 45-60-80-105 as indicated on the website.

 

[evs]

Thanks for the replies.

I should have clarified my reasons for wanting to explore the Dunlops.

I find that on the long gigs, the fingers on both my hands are sore.

reading about the Dunlops, it seems that people find them easier on the fingers.

My question is more focussed on which gauge will be most helpful in this case, or whether they yield a similar result on the fingers?

 

[Grinderman]

Thanks for the replies.

I should have clarified my reasons for wanting to explore the Dunlops.

I find that on the long gigs, the fingers on both my hands are sore.

reading about the Dunlops, it seems that people find them easier on the fingers.

My question is more focussed on which gauge will be most helpful in this case, or whether they yield a similar result on the fingers?

The 45-105 Dunlop flats are stiffer relative to 40-100 Dunlop flats but they're still looser than Chromes and most other flats of comparable gauge.

 

[BasseroDE]

Anyone used the Medium Dunlop flats with STB like the Mustang?

 

[fourstringdrums]

I had the same experience with my 32” Serek concerning the silk wrap.
Kind of a pain to trim but nice strings.

Are you sure you bought the medium scale set or is your Serek a Sacramento? With the string thru I had to trim mine as well.

 

[Dragan]

It might not be obvious that the 45-105 set has 60-80 for the D and A strings, if we're talking medium scale sets. That's worth noting and not obvious to those who don't check details.

I think 45 vs 40 and 105 vs 100 are pretty obvious and if op wants less tension, and stiffness, solution is obvious..but yeah, this is talkbass

 

[Selim]

I like the Dunlop flats (34” scale) and so tried a set of the lights once — too light sounding (and feeling) for me. Your tastes may be different.

The regular gauge set is a very comfortable set of flats to play on.

 

[Type-55]

Are you sure you bought the medium scale set or is your Serek a Sacramento? With the string thru I had to trim mine as well.

Yes I bought the right strings for a medium scale bass. I had a Midwestern 2, 32" scale.

 

[evs]

Thanks for the responses...appreciate it.

Seems like some are finding the 40's too loose.

The consensus seems to be that the 45's are more comfortable than the Chromes,
even though the Chromes have an 80 A and 100 E, compared to the Dunlops 85 and 105.

I'll go for the 45's.

 

[Texican]

Thinking about changing from Chromes ECB81M to Dunlops.

Tossing up between the 40/100 and the 45/105 sets in medium scale.

Has anyone tried both gauges?

In my experience, 100 chromes are stiffer than 105 Dunlops. It’s also my opinion that the Dunlops sound and feel much better than the chromes, but that is subjective. Tension however is not.

 

[evs]

Update.
I’ve had the Dunlop 45’s on for about 6 weeks.
I got the medium scale.
Feel, smoothness, comfort and playability are better than the equivalent gauge Chromes for me.
They are less stiff than the Chromes which is what I wanted and have a smoother feel under the fingers.
The tone is starting to break in nicely.
At this point the Chromes sound a little better to me, but it took them months to get to that point where they sounded great.
I’m sure the Dunlop’s will continue to get better with time.
But in every other aspect, I definitely prefer the Dunlops.
I also really like the black silk compared to the blue