Dunlop Steels?

[59jazz]

Recently received a Yamaha BB1600. The seller wasn’t sure as to what strings his tech put on the bass. He thinks they might be Dunlop Steels. If so, are they Super Brites, Marcus Miller or standard? They seem a tad bit more floppy /flexible than the DR Nickel Lo-Riders I installed. I’m not a steel wound guy, but these strings might be going back on the bass.

 

[michael_t]

They seem a tad bit more floppy /flexible than the DR Nickel Lo-Riders I installed.

"More floppy/flexible" indicates they're most likely the Super Brights.

 

[GTHintz]

I thought super brights had white and black ball ends unless it's something that's changed depending on how old they are. I remember nickel plated super brights being that way. The black box or newly coined "standard series" is definitely all brass. I have those on a bass right now.

 

[hasbeen]

I was involved as a consultant in the early development of Dunlop bass strings. Jim Dunlop Sr. was still alive then and he wanted me to "sign-off" on them before they were released. It sounds like you have their Super Brights. They have very much the feel of a round core string although they aren't.

 

[Goatrope]

I thought super brights had white and black ball ends unless it's something that's changed depending on how old they are. I remember nickel plated super brights being that way. The black box or newly coined "standard series" is definitely all brass. I have those on a bass right now.

Yeah. Not anymore. It's been some time, but now they're gold-silver-black-gold.

 

[michael_t]

I thought super brights had white and black ball ends unless it's something that's changed depending on how old they are.

Yeah. Not anymore. It's been some time, but now they're gold-silver-black-gold. View attachment 5464895

The white ball end was used as a temporary substitute for the silver during the pandemic due to the supply shortage issues. I've seen some DR strings with white ball ends as well.

 

[hasbeen]

The white ball end was used as a temporary substitute for the silver during the pandemic due to the supply shortage issues. I've seen some DR strings with white ball ends as well.

huh....I didn't know that.

 

[hasbeen]

Recently received a Yamaha BB1600. The seller wasn’t sure as to what strings his tech put on the bass. He thinks they might be Dunlop Steels. If so, are they Super Brites, Marcus Miller or standard? They seem a tad bit more floppy /flexible than the DR Nickel Lo-Riders I installed. I’m not a steel wound guy, but these strings might be going back on the bass. View attachment 5464503 View attachment 5464504

Side note- I love those basses. They're one of my favorite for slap-style funk. Wonderful tone for that style.

 

[59jazz]

Side note- I love those basses. They're one of my favorite for slap-style funk. Wonderful tone for that style.

Agreed, although I’m not a slap player, I love the articulation and snarl these strings offer up on the BB1600. Re-learning the lesson…….one’s favorite strings don’t always work well on all basses; sorry Lo-Riders

 

[hasbeen]

Agreed, although I’m not a slap player, I love the articulation and snarl these strings offer up on the BB1600. Re-learning the lesson…….one’s favorite strings don’t always work well on all basses; sorry Lo-Riders

I've mentioned before that Bobby Vega once said to me: "I let the bass tell me what strings it wants". I've found that to be very true.

 

[59jazz]

I've mentioned before that Bobby Vega once said to me: "I let the bass tell me what strings it wants". I've found that to be very true.

Guess that’s why I have 4 P basses with flats of a different brand.

 

[IPA]

I've mentioned before that Bobby Vega once said to me: "I let the bass tell me what strings it wants". I've found that to be very true.

Great quote. I used to think there was one string to rule them all, and I would find it eventually and put it on all my basses, but it's not that way for me. They all work with different strings.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I've mentioned before that Bobby Vega once said to me: "I let the bass tell me what strings it wants". I've found that to be very true.

Indeed. I have said that many times also. Alot of people are hung up on packaging or advice from others. Not every bass will accept any string.

 

[59jazz]

The DR Lo Riders sounded fine on the BB-1600, but the bass lost some of its magic. I soaked the used set of Super Brights that came with the bass in alcohol and reinstalled them on the Yami. Wow, really love the feel and sound of the Dunlops, even the texture is somewhat smooth. I found a new set of DR Hi Beams in my box o strings, may give them a go in the future. For now I’ll stick with the Dunlops.