Dunlop SuperBrights Used for Years...What's Next?

[Zooberwerx]

Thanks to a QC issue, I ended-up with two cartons of the SB nick's & SS's. I just installed my last set and in the market for some replacement 5 string sets. I'd like to stick with roundwounds but a product with a slightly smoother feel and greater flexibility. Just turned 63 and suffering the normal hand issues one might expect. I have no preference between nick's & SS.

Greatly appreciate any input!

Riis

 

[michael_t]

I'd like to stick with roundwounds but a product with a slightly smoother feel and greater flexibility.

DR Sunbeams (NPS roundwound on a round core).
DR Hi Beams (SS roundwound on a round core).

DR roundwound strings in general are smoother in texture than most others (based on my own experience), plus the round core makes them flexible.

 

[Zooberwerx]

DR Sunbeams (NPS roundwound on a round core).
DR Hi Beams (SS roundwound on a round core).

DR roundwound strings in general are smoother in texture than most others (based on my own experience), plus the round core makes them flexible.

Cool! Somebody else mentioned the Pure Blues in addition to the Sunbeams.

Riis

 

[michael_t]

Cool! Somebody else mentioned the Pure Blues in addition to the Sunbeams.

Yes, the Pure Blues (also round core) do get good reviews around here as well. In terms of brightness, they would fall somewhere between the SBs and the HBs.

 

[TomB]

Thanks to a QC issue, I ended-up with two cartons of the SB nick's & SS's. I just installed my last set and in the market for some replacement 5 string sets. I'd like to stick with roundwounds but a product with a slightly smoother feel and greater flexibility. Just turned 63 and suffering the normal hand issues one might expect. I have no preference between nick's & SS.

Greatly appreciate any input!

Riis

What's "SB"?

 

[michael_t]

What's "SB"?

Super Bright. Or, Sunbeams, depending on the context.

 

[TomB]

Super Bright. Or, Sunbeams, depending on the context.

Oh yeah, thread title, duh! Thx.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Oh yeah, thread title, duh! Thx.

No problem...the acronyms throw me sometimes, too. I had a problem w/ SuperBrights years ago (...well-documented) and Dunlop sent me the 2 cartons just to shut me up.

Riis

 

[DCCat]

Thanks to a QC issue, I ended-up with two cartons of the SB nick's & SS's. I just installed my last set and in the market for some replacement 5 string sets. I'd like to stick with roundwounds but a product with a slightly smoother feel and greater flexibility. Just turned 63 and suffering the normal hand issues one might expect. I have no preference between nick's & SS.

A bit of a gamble because of the cost, but I'd guess you would not be disappointed with the TI Jazz Rounds. Smoothest rounds around, IMO, and very flexible. Some say too flexible, but that wasn't a problem for me. Ultimately, I'm not a rounds guy, so I took them off, but in terms of smoothness and flexibility, I've found no rounds that were better. Very nice, warm round wound tone, as well.

 

[Killens84]

No matter how many different strings I try, I always come back to GHS Nickel Balanced. They're the best I've found.

 

[Killing Floor]

DR HiBeams are a great playing, great sounding, bright round. My favorite for my EBMM basses.

If you want to go off the rails and try something totally different give a look at TI Jazz Rounds. But don't be freaked out by the lower tension, give them an honest chance to grow on you.

 

[RocknRay]

Good old D'Addario XL Nickel or SS, 40-95. I've got 5 years on you and my left wrist gets sore using anything heavier gauge. Getting old sucks but it beats the alternative.

 

[WarwickE36]

Plus 1 for DR HI Beams.

 

[TheSeagoats]

I use D'Addario Prosteels on most of my basses. The one bass that doesn't have those is a cheap knockoff jazz bass I used for church playing that has D'Addario Half Rounds on it. I highly recommend the Prosteels for just about anything, or the Half Rounds for something a little more tame sounding. Both types come in gauges as low as 40-95 so you should be able to find sets light enough to not irritate your hands.

 

[aprod]

Stainless steel of any brand will be more stiff than nickel. My go to strings are D'Addario xls 45-100.

 

[r_bnks]

Rotosound Swingbass 66

 

[Zooberwerx]

Stainless steel of any brand will be more stiff than nickel. My go to strings are D'Addario xls 45-100.

I'll take that into consideration.

Riis

 

[Jackcrow]

DR Hi Beams have been a favorite of mine for a long time. Sunbeams seem slightly more flexible and smooth than even the Hi Beams. I wasn't a big fan of the Pure Blues. Didn't care for the sound or feel. They seemed stiffer to me.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Anything wrong with the Dunlops or just looking for a change?
Asking for a friend

 

[IvanBassist]

Thanks to a QC issue, I ended-up with two cartons of the SB nick's & SS's. I just installed my last set and in the market for some replacement 5 string sets. I'd like to stick with roundwounds but a product with a slightly smoother feel and greater flexibility. Just turned 63 and suffering the normal hand issues one might expect. I have no preference between nick's & SS.

Greatly appreciate any input!

Riis

I'd say Pure Blues either 45-105 or 40-100.