OK, I took the bait, ordered a medium SS Dunlop set from MF. Local GC of course only had nickel versions.... This goes to my 'test pilot' bass.
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Dunlop Strings - one word "Wow"
- Thread starter Maiden Bass
- Start date
Okay, so I just put on some heavy nickel Dunlop strings (.50-.110) on my Spector Euro 4 LX and I must say I am very impressed. They are very crisp and have lots of clarity. The lows, mids and highs all sound good and defined. I love the tone. I have only heard them with headphones through a Sansamp so far, but I'll let you guys know how they sound plugged in and cranked up. Very good strings and the price makes it even better
I normally use Roto and DR SS strings with my current cover band, but I tried a set of Dunlop nickels after I saw them at a semi-local shop, and at roughly half the price of DRs.
As a caveat I only have decent experience with D'Addario XLs and Fender nickels, but I've tried lots of different SS sets.
Great strings, rich, full and balanced, and the harmonics are lovely and rich. They can get aggressive, too, but obviously lack the flat out gnarliness of Rotos. They definitely have more presence than other nickels I've used, which is a good thing. Very juicy for want of a better description. But they are still just another good string amongst many, IMO, not the messiah wrapped in nickel plated steel.
I've done two gigs with them and a bunch of rehearsals and they are still only slightly less bright than when new. I haven't listened to the recording of our last show, and will decide if I keep using them based on the results.
As a caveat I only have decent experience with D'Addario XLs and Fender nickels, but I've tried lots of different SS sets.
Great strings, rich, full and balanced, and the harmonics are lovely and rich. They can get aggressive, too, but obviously lack the flat out gnarliness of Rotos. They definitely have more presence than other nickels I've used, which is a good thing. Very juicy for want of a better description. But they are still just another good string amongst many, IMO, not the messiah wrapped in nickel plated steel.
I've done two gigs with them and a bunch of rehearsals and they are still only slightly less bright than when new. I haven't listened to the recording of our last show, and will decide if I keep using them based on the results.
Regarding the Dunlops, are they long enough for through-the-body stringing on my G&L L-2500? I'd like to see what the hype is all about.
When I got my Nordy a few months ago it came strung with Dunlop Nickels. Being a SS guy I decided to try the Dunlop SS strings when it came time to replace. I tried them, and I think I've become a nickel convert. The nordy sounds great with either string but there's just something extra with the Dunlop nickels. And notjust a little extra, it's like a whole dollop of extra awesome got dumped into my bass when I use those strings. Next step I'm gonna try the Dunlops on my F bass and my Warwicks to see what happens, I'll keep you all posted!
I'll be laying down basslines to ten original tracks in the studio this coming Sunday. I have a set of Dunlops SS at the ready for the studio gig.
Yes, and they sound great on my L2500
Awesome! I won't even have to change gauge, since I currently use 45-125 Lo-Riders. I think I'll give the SS Dunlops a try first.
Not really digging the tone when I tuned down to D or lower, but it may just be that they're so new or a setup issue.
That's always an option. haha The reason I got the heavy gauge strings is so it would better accommodate lower tunings
I was just being me, when I said that. I'm kind of old fashioned. I've never bothered with alternate tunings.
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,222
- 45,001
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
I put a set of the Dunlop Nickels on my fretless Gary Willis - previously strung with DR Sunbeams. The Dunlops are very, very similar. Great sound and feel, some $$ saved. I'm happy.
Well, the G string just broke. The winding is coming undone on the tuner end of the string. Never broken a string before. Only had them on for about a week.
Hmmm. could just be a bad string. I'm still on my first set for almost two months now, haven't had any break on me so far. Gotta say these are the best sounding nickle plated steels Ive ever used.
I contacted Dunlop telling them my complaint that such new strings would break so soon and they are going to send me a replacement set. +1 to Dunlop' customer service 
I happen to know Dave Ed, and he pretty much changes strings every single show. He also has a tone with virtually no highs. Kind of has to in the bands he is in.
I'm gonna have to pump him for some strings next time I run into him.
Oh yeah, and I have been a DR user on all my stuff for god, 15-20 years? Some other bass player turned me on to them and we laughed about the "more metal" part of their marketing. They did sound better and last longer than my old brand at the time (D'Addario which had changed their silks so that they didnt work on my bass anymore!). I would have to say I haven't neem happy with DR the last few sets. They don't zing like they used to. I use the sunbeams and the Nickel Low Riders.
After reading all the rave reviews I decided to put a set SS (45-105) on my Sadowsky Ultra vintage Metro.
The first thing I noticed that there was no need to shorten any of the strings.
But then the strangest thing happened, the G string slipped of the tuning peg! I reinstalled it taking extra care that the string wrapped around itself on the tuning peg...again when I tuned it to G it dropped all the way down and when I touched it it just dropped of the tuning peg again...
I'm 52 years old and have always put the strings on all the basses I've owned, I've used loads of different brands, flat and roundwound, but have never had this problem.
The first thing I noticed that there was no need to shorten any of the strings.
But then the strangest thing happened, the G string slipped of the tuning peg! I reinstalled it taking extra care that the string wrapped around itself on the tuning peg...again when I tuned it to G it dropped all the way down and when I touched it it just dropped of the tuning peg again...
I'm 52 years old and have always put the strings on all the basses I've owned, I've used loads of different brands, flat and roundwound, but have never had this problem.
