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Dunlop Flatwounds...

#61
uwrossl said:
LOL... I've only come across two sets of strings that I would use the word "hate" for. What is it that you hate about TI's? Tension? Tone? Price? They aren't for everyone but when it comes to recording I haven't found a string that can compete with the TI's. Just naturally find their place in a mix with ease. Live I slightly prefer the Dunlops because they've got a little more resistance to them and a little thicker low end. I tend to dig in a little more from the adrenaline so it suits that situation better. I do think the Dunlops feel better under the fingers. Luxurious is the best term I've come across to describe their feel because there's something more to it than just the smoothness. Maybe it's the Goldilocks thing when it comes to tension and feel of Dunlop Flats...and really all of their strings in general..."but these strings were juuuuuusssssst right" :laugh:
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For me there were two big drawbacks to the TI's...they never went the least little bit dead, even after 4 months, and they felt like they were rolling under my fingers.
 
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#63
JimmyM said:
For me there were two big drawbacks to the TI's...they never went the least little bit dead, even after 4 months, and they felt like they were rolling under my fingers.
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I've only had one set. They settled in nicely over the first few months. Never thought they were overly bright but it did take a while to get their flatwound thump. Around the 4-6 month mark is where they hit their full break in for me and have sounded the same ever since and they are a little over two years old rn. They have a nice thump and still have the killer mids and as I've said in other posts have actually tightened up flexibility wise but personally didn't have the rolling under my fingers problem that some have had like you mentioned. One of my fav sets but I totally get why they are a polarizing string. I can play Dunlop flats all day long though and not feel like I'm missing anything from TI's. The 40-100 set is something special I think.
 
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#64
uwrossl said:
I've only had one set. They settled in nicely over the first few months. Never thought they were overly bright but it did take a while to get their flatwound thump. Around the 4-6 month mark is where they hit their full break in for me and have sounded the same ever since and they are a little over two years old rn. They have a nice thump and still have the killer mids and as I've said in other posts have actually tightened up flexibility wise but personally didn't have the rolling under my fingers problem that some have had like you mentioned. One of my fav sets but I totally get why they are a polarizing string. I can play Dunlop flats all day long though and not feel like I'm missing anything from TI's. The 40-100 set is something special I think.
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Now on the Dunlops I agree 100%. Excellent set of strings, and 40-100 are what I use, too. I'd go lighter if I could get them lighter, too, I think.
 
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#71
If this thread is talking about the Dunlop stainless steel flat wounds, then I 100% agree...they are amazing. For me they are the perfect balance of brightness when I turn the tone knob up, but still get round and thumpy when I roll back the tone knob. From my perspective they age very very well.
Flats I used before include:
- Chromes (a bit too bright and grabby)
- Cobalt Flats (I like, but a little too bright)- - - TI Flats (felt like rubber-bands)
- LaBella Gold Flats (sticky)
- Fender Flats (like them, but thy don’t last as long as other flats)

as always, the standard caveats apply....IMHO, YMMV etc.
 
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#72
I have the Dunlop 40-100 medium gauge set on one of my Hofner basses and I am really liking them. They feel nice, very easy to play and sound excellent. I think I'm going to have to get a set for my other Hofner. I have Ernie Ball Cobalt flats on my P Basses right now, but I imagine I would be just as pleased with the Dunlops on them as well.
 
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#73
JRT64 said:
I have the Dunlop 40-100 medium gauge set...
Click to expand...

Assuming you mean medium scale, can you do something for me? Would you be able to measure the length of the E string from the ball end to where the silk starts at the tuner end? There has been some confusion as to what the actual winding length (ball end to silk/taper) on the Dunlop "medium scale" is supposed to be. It would be helpful and appreciated if you could provide the info.

Thanks.
 
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#79
NSD: 45-125 Dunlop flatwound
I haven’t used flats since 1986, when I tried them on both a T-40 and a Westone super headless. Now, with my USACG P5 needing a change, I decided to give a new flat a try to nudge it into a slightly different sonic space.

The feel of the Dunlop flats is smoother than I expected-very nice!
I like how they are responsive to variations in touch, without feeling noodley.

After a few tunings during the afternoon, they seem to be holding pitch and the tone is immediately useful, without anything to boost or filter out. I hope these don’t change too much!

The intonation was not far off from the Pure Blues set I was removing, except for the B string. The saddle is nearly maxed out, putting the edge of the silk on the saddle- no harm here, as the B rings surprisingly clearly.

I have yet to play the flats on a gig, but I will report on how they change over time and share my impressions when I do. Dig the black silk!
06DE6E00-B4D4-4D9E-AE79-6E9FCCF56FC6.jpeg
 
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#80
BassinCT said:
NSD: 45-125 Dunlop flatwound
I haven’t used flats since 1986, when I tried them on both a T-40 and a Westone super headless. Now, with my USACG P5 needing a change, I decided to give a new flat a try to nudge it into a slightly different sonic space.

The feel of the Dunlop flats is smoother than I expected-very nice!
I like how they are responsive to variations in touch, without feeling noodley.

After a few tunings during the afternoon, they seem to be holding pitch and the tone is immediately useful, without anything to boost or filter out. I hope these don’t change too much!

The intonation was not far off from the Pure Blues set I was removing, except for the B string. The saddle is nearly maxed out, putting the edge of the silk on the saddle- no harm here, as the B rings surprisingly clearly.

I have yet to play the flats on a gig, but I will report on how they change over time and share my impressions when I do. Dig the black silk!
View attachment 3915209
Click to expand...

Great description. Matches my experience with them and is the reason they are one of my favorite sets of flats. Very versatile set of strings that feel great and sound killer right out of the package.
 
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