• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Dunlop Super Bright Nickels Should Be Called....

I use Super Bright Nickels because they're like a best-of-both-worlds cross between Rotosound steels and D'addario nickels. Bright but not overly bright, with strong mids, and you can only get one of the other out of Rotos and D'addarios. Trying to think of a word I'd use to describe them...I don't know...maybe "crunchy"?

:D
 
Bought a couple sets from BSO on sale to try again.. been a few years since I tried them and I ran into a high G not being able intonate. Threw a set on my '84 Spector NS2 last night and was pleasantly surprised. They crunch for days! I agree with the statements that they are pretty well balanced tonally. I get enough fret buzz to be pleasant on the Spector and they aren't overly crispy on the high end. I've been using Lo-Riders for a couple years now (both steel and nickel) because I like their midrange, and I might prefer the midrange on these strings, though the jury is still out for now.
 
I use Super Bright Nickels because they're like a best-of-both-worlds cross between Rotosound steels and D'addario nickels. Bright but not overly bright, with strong mids, and you can only get one of the other out of Rotos and D'addarios. Trying to think of a word I'd use to describe them...I don't know...maybe "crunchy"?

:D
Sounds like the perfect roundwound when you put it that way... Going to have to order a set. They might be round wound I've been looking for for my maple neck / Alder body P Bass. :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: JimmyM
I've always been a fan of steels. Love the zing and brightness. But I recently discovered that nickels can be just as awesome in different ways. I've been playing EB Slinkies on my P lately and I really like them. So BSO has these on sale for $12.50 a set. I'm gonna get me a set!

EDIT: Ordered!! :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: grimmchaos
Bought a couple sets from BSO on sale to try again.. been a few years since I tried them and I ran into a high G not being able intonate. Threw a set on my '84 Spector NS2 last night and was pleasantly surprised. They crunch for days! I agree with the statements that they are pretty well balanced tonally. I get enough fret buzz to be pleasant on the Spector and they aren't overly crispy on the high end. I've been using Lo-Riders for a couple years now (both steel and nickel) because I like their midrange, and I might prefer the midrange on these strings, though the jury is still out for now.
I also use Nickel Lo-Riders Med gauge on my Jazz and P...Ive been wanting to try these, any more detail on how they compare, age, etc? The Lo-Riders are likely higher tension, so i'm assuming you have to adjust the neck and action?
 
I also use Nickel Lo-Riders Med gauge on my Jazz and P...Ive been wanting to try these, any more detail on how they compare, age, etc? The Lo-Riders are likely higher tension, so i'm assuming you have to adjust the neck and action?

I will spend some more time with them over the next week and give you feed back. They are lower tension than the Lo-Riders so yes you would need a setup. I only put them on last night, so can't comment to how they age yet.
 
I do, and honestly, I've not played a set of nickel rounds that are as low in tension. They're not ridiculous low, but they are lower than any others I've played.
Do you like low tension strings? I have mixed feelings on the subject. The type of music that I'm mostly playing at live venues is soul, Funk, and R&B music. For this stuff I like a string with a healthy amount of tension and thump. However I do like the feel of strings with a lower tension for other types of music and other applications such as cutting tracks in a studio.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JimmyM
Do you like low tension strings? I have mixed feelings on the subject. The type of music that I'm mostly playing at live venues is soul, Funk, and R&B music. For this stuff I like a string with a healthy amount of tension and thump. However I do like the feel of strings with a lower tension for other types of music and other applications such as cutting tracks in a studio.
The older I get, the more I like low tension on everything.
 
I do, and honestly, I've not played a set of nickel rounds that are as low in tension. They're not ridiculous low, but they are lower than any others I've played.
Ive been wanting to try these, but I do like higher tension strings. After using flats for years, I've been using DR Nickel Lo-Riders and they are what im used to. Im afraid these may be to floppy feeling for me, although if they sounded as great as the claims, im sure i could adjust.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JimmyM
Ive been wanting to try these, but I do like higher tension strings. After using flats for years, I've been using DR Nickel Lo-Riders and they are what im used to. Im afraid these may be to floppy feeling for me, although if they sounded as great as the claims, im sure i could adjust.
Not familiar with Lo-Riders. I did try a set of DR's like 20 years ago, but I couldn't tell you what kind they were. Wouldn't call the Dunlops "floppy," but you know how that goes. At least they're cheaper to experiment with than upright bass strings. I'm contemplating a change with them, but any set I get is going to be close to $200 or even more, so my 8-year-old TI Superflexibles are looking better to me every time I go window shopping :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pbassmanca
Dunlop "Super rights" is a typo I often make on smartphone.

I was never a big fan of any nickel and would always use the warmer steel choices out there. Rotos. Dean Markley Helix (R.I.P.), Fodera. They have a more interesting and dynamic tone to them.

But of my two main basses, one wears Super Bright nickels. For that bass, they are super right. Crunchy. Tons of mid character, which responds very well to varied finger techniques. Doesn't require a ton mid eq tweaks to find it, either. They have that interesting and dynamic quality I was only previously finding in certain steel sets. They Last a long time a still sound good aged. Nearly balanced tension. Flexible. Could be a little too flexible, if your bass strings up with inherently lower tension.

My other bass, which has and will only ever wear steels----now wears Super Bright steels. Because Dean Markley Helix are discontinued. Super Brights do setup better, due to their tension balance.

The steels have a tighter focus on the low mid and fundamental. And are a little more glassy in the highs. But they still have some of the great midrange quality which their brother nickels have. In fact, I keep the EQ the same for both strings. I have never done that with any two other strings.

As the steels age, after a month or two, they get crunchy and sound a lot like the nickels. But still a very focused low mid.

And they are probably top 3 smoothest steels I have tried. And I have tried a lot.


Want to give these a go but unsure what gauge to get - I normally play 40-100 Sunbeams or Fatbeams. Would the Super Brights in the same gauge feel similar?
Sunbeams and SB nickels should be pretty much interchangeable. Likewise, the steels are a little higher tension and should be a near match to fatbeams.