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Quality inconsistencies Dunlop Super Brights?

gimmeagig

gimmeagig

Feb 25, 2004
2,891
1,198
Coeur D'Alene,Idaho
#1
Hi,
When the Super Bights first came out I ordered a bunch of sets for my J Basses. I liked the way they sounded and felt. But several sets had dead string in them. I contacted the company and they said there had been an issue with a machine. They sent me replacements and unfortunately those were also not perfect. So I went to D'Addario Prosteels. I have been very happy with them. Really no reason to change.
But I bought a Sire V& vintage 5 recently and I'm thinking enough time has gone by, I might as well give the Dunlops another shot. So I ordered the Superbrights Marcus Miller in stainless 45 - 125.
So my question is : Has the quality improved or are there still issues with dead strings in a set?
 
#5
That's good to know guys. I'll order a couple of sets. I remember the company was really cool about making it right when I had the problems. The even sent me a few extra sets. Unfortunately there were a couple of bad strings in the replacements too. I suppose by now they should have all the bugs worked out. But if I have problems with the new stings I'm coming to you! :laugh:
 
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#8
Hey guys,
So today the Dunlop sets arrived in the mail and here's the verdict so far.
The first set was for my 5 string Sire V7 vintage bass. It sounded pretty good, a little less highs than my D'Addario prosteels, more growly, a bit more of the fundamental a little less zing. Less tension.. I had to adjust the truss rod a bit. So I decided to keep them on the bass.
Next a 4 string set for my 74 Jazz w/ EMGs and a ABM Brass quick release bridge( a beast). The G and the D string sounded similar to the set that I put on the sire. The E and the A string sounded almost dead. Mostly fundamental no real zing no growl. The a string had a high end rattle to it like the was something loose on my bass.But I could only hear it whet I slapped the string and only below the 5th fret. Finger style it was fine. So I loosed the A string up to make sure that it had not accidentally gotten twisted a bit at the bridge. And I made a tiny adjustment.Made sure that the strings were bent a bit where they go over the saddles. After re-tuning it was better but not gone. But the E and the A string sounded like they belonged to a different Set. No overtones no zing.
I thought maybe they would open up if I had them on for a while. So I decided to check set up the two stage D-Tuner on my bass. It was way flat because of the low tension of the Dunlops. So first I dialed in the low C and after that I had to back off the middle position for the low D. Once I had the in tune there was so little tension on the lever that it only barely stayed in place. I had to keep it a little sharp to keep it from slipping into the low C position. I remembered that I had the same problem years ago.
I played for a while and then decided to put the previous set back on (also D'Addario prosteels almost fresh) and OMG , what a difference!!! It was like someone unclogged my ears. The highs were back the overtones clear as a bell.Beautiful.
So I am going to toss the Dunlops into the garbage. Even the ones on the Sire that are OK. I have been using D'Addarios forever and I have never had a problem. And Dumlops are just too iffy for me.
At least now I know, Sorry this post got a little long. I hope it was worth reading for some of you.
 
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#9
gimmeagig said:
Hey guys,
So today the Dunlop sets arrived in the mail and here's the verdict so far.
The first set was for my 5 string Sire V7 vintage bass. It sounded pretty good, a little less highs than my D'Addario prosteels, more growly, a bit more of the fundamental a little less zing. Less tension.. I had to adjust the truss rod a bit. So I decided to keep them on the bass.
Next a 4 string set for my 74 Jazz w/ EMGs and a ABM Brass quick release bridge( a beast). The G and the D string sounded similar to the set that I put on the sire. The E and the A string sounded almost dead. Mostly fundamental no real zing no growl. The a string had a high end rattle to it like the was something loose on my bass.But I could only hear it whet I slapped the string and only below the 5th fret. Finger style it was fine. So I loosed the A string up to make sure that it had not accidentally gotten twisted a bit at the bridge. And I made a tiny adjustment.Made sure that the strings were bent a bit where they go over the saddles. After re-tuning it was better but not gone. But the E and the A string sounded like they belonged to a different Set. No overtones no zing.
I thought maybe they would open up if I had them on for a while. So I decided to check set up the two stage D-Tuner on my bass. It was way flat because of the low tension of the Dunlops. So first I dialed in the low C and after that I had to back off the middle position for the low D. Once I had the in tune there was so little tension on the lever that it only barely stayed in place. I had to keep it a little sharp to keep it from slipping into the low C position. I remembered that I had the same problem years ago.
I played for a while and then decided to put the previous set back on (also D'Addario prosteels almost fresh) and OMG , what a difference!!! It was like someone unclogged my ears. The highs were back the overtones clear as a bell.Beautiful.
So I am going to toss the Dunlops into the garbage. Even the ones on the Sire that are OK. I have been using D'Addarios forever and I have never had a problem. And Dumlops are just too iffy for me.
At least now I know, Sorry this post got a little long. I hope it was worth reading for some of you.
Click to expand...

File this with Dunlop. Chances are they'll send you replacement sets...this is not foreign territory for them.

[email protected]

Riis
 
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#10
Zooberwerx said:
File this with Dunlop. Chances are they'll send you replacement sets...this is not foreign territory for them.

[email protected]

Riis
Click to expand...
I'm definitely not interested in getting replacement sets. This happened years ago and the are still the same. They are just not reliable strings. I used to be a pro player when I was young, now I'm just a "hobby player" but still, I have my standards.
I don't know how Marcus deals with that. But he has a bass tech and besides, he is probably getting paid well to use them. Personally I don't want to have to wonder each time I change strings if there is another bad one in the set. I tossed the second 4 string set I had bought in the garbage.It felt kind of weird. It's not like i have money to burn either. But what would i do with them? I don't even want to give them away nor do I want to burden the Amazon seller with a return. It's not his fault that they are junk. And I will change out the "good set" from the Sire today as well.I just don't need the headache.
On the positive side, this just reconfirmed that D'Addarios prosteels are really good strings and I'll stay with then for all long as I play bass. I use them on my guitars too.
 
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#11
gimmeagig said:
I'm definitely not interested in getting replacement sets. This happened years ago and the are still the same. They are just not reliable strings. I used to be a pro player when I was young, now I'm just a "hobby player" but still, I have my standards.
I don't know how Marcus deals with that. But he has a bass tech and besides, he is probably getting paid well to use them. Personally I don't want to have to wonder each time I change strings if there is another bad one in the set. I tossed the second 4 string set I had bought in the garbage.It felt kind of weird. It's not like i have money to burn either. But what would i do with them? I don't even want to give them away nor do I want to burden the Amazon seller with a return. It's not his fault that they are junk. And I will change out the "good set" from the Sire today as well.I just don't need the headache.
On the positive side, this just reconfirmed that D'Addarios prosteels are really good strings and I'll stay with then for all long as I play bass. I use them on my guitars too.
Click to expand...

That was the best offer (?) I got a decade ago. I was using the 6 string sets just to get the .130 B string....gave away the C's to other TBers. Dunlop set me a carton each of the nicks and SSs...some sets were better than others. No dead strings but the D's & G's would not intonate to any level of satisfaction. I'm not convinced Dunlop fully addressed all the issues...I won't purchase again, either.

I would still let Dunlop know. Not that it helps but, if they send you a replacement carton (6 sets), there's a chance you can cull a single decent full set of strings. Admittedly, it would be a royal PITA.

Riis
 
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#12
Zooberwerx said:
Chances are they'll send you replacement sets...this is not foreign territory for them.
Click to expand...

If replacing defective strings is "not foreign territory for them", that tells you something about their overall QC.

I was once considering ordering a set of Dunlop Flats to try, but after reading a few posts about their intonation issues, I said no thanks.
 
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#14
Dunlop Super Bright Nickels are the best sounding strings I've ever used on a non-multiscale bass. But My God I'm up to having like 8 sets with bad A strings now. It's to the point now to where I just order D'Addario NYXL single A strings so I have some on hand just in case. They are close enough but not quite the same, and I have to get an .080 NYXL to get close to the .085 Dunlop. I may try a .075 next. I wish NYXL sets didn't literally cost twice as much as Dunlops.
 
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#17
mmbongo said:
Dunlop Super Bright Nickels are the best sounding strings I've ever used on a non-multiscale bass. But My God I'm up to having like 8 sets with bad A strings now.
Click to expand...
This time it was the A string for me as well.Some weird clanking resonance, not a string rattle of fret buzz. Only when I slapped below the 5th fret on the A string.Not super loud but loud enough to be noticeable. The E string did not sound open and lively either.Just a strong fundamental with barely anything on top. Definitely not what you would expect froma &$ Maple neck Fender Jazz with a high mass bridge and EMGs with a BTS tone circuit. And yes, I do know how to install strings. I have been doing that for over 45 years LOL
The 5 string set on my Sire sounded fine but when I put the almost new D'Addarios back on, there was a huge increase in Zing and Clarity with no loss in bottom end.And the difference in tension is barely a factor at all. And no I am not being paid by D'Addario to say that.
 
#18
gimmeagig said:
This time it was the A string for me as well.Some weird clanking resonance, not a string rattle of fret buzz. Only when I slapped below the 5th fret on the A string.Not super loud but loud enough to be noticeable. The E string did not sound open and lively either.Just a strong fundamental with barely anything on top. Definitely not what you would expect froma &$ Maple neck Fender Jazz with a high mass bridge and EMGs with a BTS tone circuit. And yes, I do know how to install strings. I have been doing that for over 45 years LOL
The 5 string set on my Sire sounded fine but when I put the almost new D'Addarios back on, there was a huge increase in Zing and Clarity with no loss in bottom end.And the difference in tension is barely a factor at all. And no I am not being paid by D'Addario to say that.
Click to expand...

That's the way all my bad A strings are...just dead and flubby sounding.
 
#19
mmbongo said:
Dunlop Super Bright Nickels are the best sounding strings I've ever used on a non-multiscale bass. But My God I'm up to having like 8 sets with bad A strings now. It's to the point now to where I just order D'Addario NYXL single A strings so I have some on hand just in case. They are close enough but not quite the same, and I have to get an .080 NYXL to get close to the .085 Dunlop. I may try a .075 next. I wish NYXL sets didn't literally cost twice as much as Dunlops.
Click to expand...

Slightly off topic: how do well used NYXLs sound like? Do they go dead? Do they sound "vintage"?
 
#20
Phaidrus said:
Slightly off topic: how do well used NYXLs sound like? Do they go dead? Do they sound "vintage"?
Click to expand...

Due to my limited experience with NYXL's I'll have to let someone else answer that. I also look for strings that sound the polar opposite of 'vintage' so again I'm not the best one to answer that question :)
 
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