Nickel roundwounds DR vs Dunlop vs Rotosound

[butterfingers1]

I am looking for opinions on DR Pure Blues strings, maybe also Dunlop nickel Super Brights.

I play Squier single coil and split coil precision basses, usually with Rotosound 66 Swing Bass (nickel rounds).

 

[eriky4003]

Butterfingers, you may not have a lot of responses as you no one may feel they are answering a question that can help you. I'll take a stab in the dark but I'm more of a stainless string kind of guy. I'd say your Rotosounds will be the brightest sounding, probably the most coarse feeling on your fingers and probably only sound 'new' for about a month of regular playing and then lose their 'edge'. Not ever playing the DR Pure Blues (although very interested), I'd say this string will feel great, probably keep their tone the longest of your three choices and would probably be the least bright out of the package. Probably be a great choice for your bass. The Dunlop Super Brights will probably sit right in between these two strings for brightness, feel good and will mellow to a nice clean, crisp tone that should last 2-3 months of regular use. If you want to provide more details of what you want in your response, there is a lot of great string knowledge on this forum.

 

[butterfingers1]

Thanks, you said a lot. Honestly I don’t know if I could tell the difference between different nickel rounds in a blind test, but the Rotosounds are bright, and from what I read the DR Pure Blues might be a bit different. I will definitely try them. Now wondering if the Dunlops are worth trying also or they would just be more of the same.

 

[michael_t]

One thing to keep in mind is both Pure Blues and Super Brights are known for their flexible feel compared to Roto Swing 66, which are stiffer than the other two when comparing the same gauges.

 

[butterfingers1]

Didn’t know this. I also occasionally use Ernie Ball hybrid slinky and d’Addarios and can’t say I’ve noticed differences in tension. Different gauges feel a bit different overall, I usually use medium and would lean toward heavy rather than light.

To me the big difference is between nickel and stainless steel, the latter being too rough and sticky. Never tried flatwounds.

The DRs seem to me the most worth trying at this point.

 

[michael_t]

I also occasionally use Ernie Ball hybrid slinky and d’Addarios and can’t say I’ve noticed differences in tension.

D'Addario XL Nickels and Ernie Ball Slinkies are both closer to Rotosound Nickels in overall playing feel in terms of stiffness/flexibility than either Pure Blues or Super Brights.

 

[butterfingers1]

Really, good to know, DR Pure Blues definitely the ones to try then. Thanks.

 

[michael_t]

Really, good to know, DR Pure Blues definitely the ones to try then. Thanks.

Pure Blues are very nice strings. I really liked their tone when I tried them on a Fender J bass. Warm bottom and clear mids without being too zingy up top. The only thing I didn't care for was the A and E in the set I tried (45-65-80-100) felt a bit too loose and bouncy under the plucking fingers.

 

[butterfingers1]

Hmmm, not good. I’ve tried short scale basses in stores and didn’t particularly like the floppiness. Will still try the Pure Blues, too many good things said about them, and mids is what I look for. The highs and zinginess sound nice on their own but are (to me) an annoying nuisance in a mix.

 

[uwrossl]

Hmmm, not good. I’ve tried short scale basses in stores and didn’t particularly like the floppiness. Will still try the Pure Blues, too many good things said about them, and mids is what I look for. The highs and zinginess sound nice on their own but are (to me) an annoying nuisance in a mix.

Went back to running rounds on my long scale basses and keeping the flats on my shorty. Go for the 45-105 set on the Pure Blues. They have a good amount of tension and won't be that different from the Rotos in terms of flexibility. I play that set of DR's and just put Roto Swing 66 SS on and they feel very similar in terms of flexibility. Loving the SS Rotos on my P with the tone rolled off and have a set of the nickel on order to try. Dunlops are a great set and currently have them on my J. Crunchy mids and more top end than Pure Blues. They are noticeably more flexible than either of the other two and would probably feel a little loose to you. Both sets age well. Based on what you mentioned Pure Blues will be your best bet both in terms of tone and tension.

 

[eriky4003]

Another DR that may tick all the boxes would be DR Lo-Riders. Nickel should subdue the top end, less floppiness, great mids. I use these on my Precision-inspired Yamaha BB300.

 

[Claymore]

I have both on 2 different basses and I much prefer the Pure Blues. I just wish they were a little less stiff.

 

[butterfingers1]

The lo riders are stainless steel, which I find too hard to play, and their nice tone is short-lived, and they are not available at the stores around here. Many other ss strings available though.

The DR Pure Blues really look like they have something different to offer compared to other nickel roundwounds.

 

[butterfingers1]

As a habitual Rotosound nickel user (and having used Ernie Balls and d’Addarios over the years), I now look forward to trying the DR Pure Blues, and the Dunlop nickels are probably not different enough to replace my Rotosounds. Correct?

 

[eriky4003]

The Marcus Miller Dunlop Super Brights would probably be closest to Rotosounds. The regular DSBs would be a bit subdued in tone from these two but less tension. At their price point, maybe worth a try but I'd say go with DR PBs. Lo-Riders should be offered in Nickel, they are definitely manufactured.

 

[butterfingers1]

This thread should get the award for least controversial on talkbass. Pure Blues it is. Dunlops I will keep in mind for when I get bored again.

 

[Stevorebob]

The lo riders are stainless steel, which I find too hard to play, and their nice tone is short-lived, and they are not available at the stores around here. Many other ss strings available though.

The DR Pure Blues really look like they have something different to offer compared to other nickel roundwounds.

Lo-Riders also come in nickel.

 

[butterfingers1]

Right, I just saw, but not available at my store, but Pure Blues look fine to me.

If anyone wants to continue:

Nickel roundwounds: Rotosound versus Dunlop?

 

[dagrev]

I know you seem to have moved on from the Pure Blues, but I would add they are the least interesting string from DR I've tried. They lack any defining character as far as I'm concerned. I wasn't wanting bright or clank, but was surprised by how warm but unremarkable the BPs were. If you have scratched them off your list you have good reason I would think. I haven't tried the Dunlops, but Roto's are great. They have something of a presence that other strings lack, and I'm not just talking super bright and angry piano sound. They are not a one trick pony by any means. They are not that rough--unless you have baby skin and the brightness does wear off, but unless you are going for clank/angry piano sound, that's not a problem.

 

[butterfingers1]

Actually I was planning to try the Pure Blues. I agree with you about the Rotosounds, I like my nickel Rotos. I was just in the mood to try another nickel roundwound. Opinions on the Pure Blues are overwhelmingly positive.

You really don’t like them?

 

[thisheregiraffe]

The lo riders are stainless steel, which I find too hard to play, and their nice tone is short-lived, and they are not available at the stores around here. Many other ss strings available though.

DR also makes Nickel Lo Riders (purple packaging). I'm not sure about availability at stores in your area, but the 45-105 Nickel Lo-Riders set should be readily available from Amazon Canada.

Sunbeams (45-105) are my go-to string, but I have also used Pure Blues with good results. I think the 45-105 Pure Blues felt a bit more stiff than Sunbeams, so while they will probably feel more flexible than the Rotos you are used to, I doubt it will be a huge difference.