Dunlop Heavy Core BEAD string-set

[Blues Cat]

Just curious..how does they differ from the 'down tuning' sets that DR, Rotosound, and LaBella have been doing for years?

I had no idea of the other manufacturers doing down tuning specific sets or how they approached their core to wrap ratio. Circkle k was the only one I'm aware of.

It is my understanding from very brief reading here that Dunlop is doing a massive core and smaller outer wraps. Is that what the other manufacturers are doing, or just upping the core to wrap ratio to a larger gauge? I'm curious now MM

 

[Haji]

Necropost, but relevant.

I just got a set of these a little over a week ago and strung my Thunderbird with 'em to audition for a band that plays primarily in drop C. I quite like them, primarily because the top string is much stiffer than the typical B string is. They have a strong fundamental tone, which is to be expected. I burnished the nut slot with the string when I first put 'em on but for my bass major mods were not necessary. This set was the "Heaviest", which was heavier than I needed to go, but I didn't see any real downside to them; they aren't much different to play than the medium gauge I'm used to, other than the obvious differences of strings that heavy being somewhat harder to get around on, as you'd expect. For a decent bassist, which I'm not, they wouldn't be much of a relearning curve.

 

[Jay2U]

If those strings were tapered at the nut they would be too close to the first fret, if not touching it.

 

[Haji]

I don't think they're tapered. If they are, its at the post, not at the nut. I can't eyeball it and tell for sure.

 

[bassike]

Necropost, but relevant.

I just got a set of these a little over a week ago and strung my Thunderbird with 'em to audition for a band that plays primarily in drop C. I quite like them, primarily because the top string is much stiffer than the typical B string is. They have a strong fundamental tone, which is to be expected. I burnished the nut slot with the string when I first put 'em on but for my bass major mods were not necessary. This set was the "Heaviest", which was heavier than I needed to go, but I didn't see any real downside to them; they aren't much different to play than the medium gauge I'm used to, other than the obvious differences of strings that heavy being somewhat harder to get around on, as you'd expect. For a decent bassist, which I'm not, they wouldn't be much of a relearning curve.

so you got the heaviest, and tuned em hight to C?
how did it feel compared to a regular set of 4 tuned EADG?

cheers

 

[Haji]

Hey bassike! That set was the "Heaviest" set, which are still on that Thunderbird, which is one I'm not using right now. Since then I've used the "Heavier" set , that uses a .115 top and .95 second string, vs a .120 and .100. My 1988 Charvel 4B and 2014 Epiphone Thunderbird IV are both strung with them and tuned CGCF. Except that they're heavier strings with thicker cores, they have a similar flexibility to my standard tuning strings, which are usually Blue Steel medium lights with a .105 on top. They get so floppy when tuned down that far i struggle to play them, which makes the Heavy Cores a God send for me. I've always anchored my thumb on the bridge pick up for more string stiffness, and the Dunlops feel very similar to me. That they're about $18 a set is a nice bonus.

 

[bassike]

Hey bassike! That set was the "Heaviest" set, which are still on that Thunderbird, which is one I'm not using right now. Since then I've used the "Heavier" set , that uses a .115 top and .95 second string, vs a .120 and .100. My 1988 Charvel 4B and 2014 Epiphone Thunderbird IV are both strung with them and tuned CGCF. Except that they're heavier strings with thicker cores, they have a similar flexibility to my standard tuning strings, which are usually Blue Steel medium lights with a .105 on top. They get so floppy when tuned down that far i struggle to play them, which makes the Heavy Cores a God send for me. I've always anchored my thumb on the bridge pick up for more string stiffness, and the Dunlops feel very similar to me. That they're about $18 a set is a nice bonus.

Thanks for the info.
I was concerned because brought my bass to do a setup and I told the tech guy that I needed C# standard.
So he recomended the 120, then I saw that those are madequate for B so I taught I would end up with crazy tension.
I might change to 115 once I get the bass.

 

[Haji]

I'm sure it is more tension, but it doesn't feel like a lot more, and I haven't adjusted the truss rod since I set that bass up with them. Even then it was a touch over a quarter turn.

 

[Doggy79]

Anyone really tested these and any comments? I use these on my guitar and these are perfect and last really long. Thought to give the heavier set a test run for bass, but these are not so easy to find here in Finland so will need to order and that's why any comments would be more than welcome.

 

[47VevetS]

OK I know its a zombie post but here goes..Ive been playing a lot in drop B lately so I bought a set of Heaviest,I had to file down the nut slots for the 2 heaviest strings,also I will probably bring it to my local tech for a good setup because I feel like it needs it. The feel takes a bit to get used to, kinda feels like playing telephone cables on a slab of wood...the tone however,is incredible,just brutal,Ive tried DDTs wich are fantastic,but for the money these cant be beat,got them from BOL(of course) for less than 20$. If hou want to downtune to B or Drop B,then give these a try.