Time to switch to Dunlop Super Brights!!!

[Killens84]

As much as I liked the tone and the feel, they were just too fret buzzy on my Ray, the action would be way too high for my liking to eliminate it (and yeah, I've set the relief). I'm back to D'Addarios XLs.

That's what I'm worried about with my 34" scale bass. It seems to be ok on my 35" bass, due to the added tension of a longer scale.

 

[Mechayoshi]

As much as I liked the tone and the feel, they were just too fret buzzy on my Ray, the action would be way too high for my liking to eliminate it (and yeah, I've set the relief). I'm back to D'Addarios XLs.

I simular thing happened to me. I had to raise my action but later, I reset up the bass, straighten the neck, lower action again. It was fine. I don't know if I adapted my touch to the strings or the actual strings changed. Either way, I have a low fast playing set up regardless.

 

[mmbongo]

That's what I'm worried about with my 34" scale bass. It seems to be ok on my 35" bass, due to the added tension of a longer scale.

They are great on my 34" scales...a Lakland, a Warwick, a Roscoe, and a Carvin. I can actually get the action lower with SuperBrights without buzz than with other strings. Same with my 35's also...a Spector and a Roscoe. I've always used lower tension strings though so I was pretty much set up for it already. With super stiff strings like D'Addario XL or GHS Boomers I like 35-95 gauges. With SuperBrights I like 45-105.

 

[mouthmw]

They are great on my 34" scales...a Lakland, a Warwick, a Roscoe, and a Carvin. I can actually get the action lower with SuperBrights without buzz than with other strings. Same with my 35's also...a Spector and a Roscoe. I've always used lower tension strings though so I was pretty much set up for it already. With super stiff strings like D'Addario XL or GHS Boomers I like 35-95 gauges. With SuperBrights I like 45-105.

Yea I suspect a total re-setup was necessary, but this was a bit too extreme for me, small touch ups weren't enough. After playing DR Lo Riders nickel, XLs don't really feel super stiff to me honestly Lo Riders, now that is super stiff.

 

[Jroc07]

So just pulled off my Ernie ball slinky's from my stingray 5 and put some nickel super brights on (125-45). They felt a bit looser but honestly not that much different. I play with fairly low action and a light touch though so maybe this is why the difference isn't as noticeable? The thing I love about these is that finger style they are midrangey and have a nice oomph to them, they sound very fat to me which is the tone I was looking for in a roundwound. However as soon as you slap, that bright snap is there, almost like a new stainless steel string. Pretty awesome in my opinion! YMMV

 

[Killens84]

While gigging with the Super Bright's on my 34" bass this weekend, my hands adjusted to the lower tension, and it wasn't a problem. And the tone was really, really good. As everyone else has said, the high's are clear without being harsh, the mids cut through the mix, and the lows are very full.

On top of all that, they're not expensive at all... Way cheaper than the DR's I've been using for years. And thanks to Jason with BassStringsOnline for getting them shipped to me quickly, and having the lowest price I've found on them.

 

[Kenova]

Today I finally put 40-100 gauge and I must say that they are better than standard 45-105 strings, more flexible but they are so airy, more growly and more percussive, beautiful...and.... no intonation problems at all, NONE, there was no need for touching anything.

 

[JimmyM]

I like the 40-100 set, too,but I don't like heavier strings in general. If they came in a lighter set I'd probably go with them.

 

[loveandbass]

High end luthier in chicago put SS superbrights on my bass and the G and D strings snapped when putting them on. Wasnt a saddle issue or anything. Very unfortunate

Should i reach out to dunlop on this? I dont have the broken strings as the shop tossed them.

 

[mmbongo]

High end luthier in chicago put SS superbrights on my bass and the G and D strings snapped when putting them on. Wasnt a saddle issue or anything. Very unfortunate

Should i reach out to dunlop on this? I dont have the broken strings as the shop tossed them.

Hopefully the shop replaced them?

 

[loveandbass]

The shop put on some other SS strings they had around

So the positive spin on it is that i have a CUSTOM SET of strings on it haha

 

[FunkHead]

There's a fresh set of D'addorio XL's(Nickel) 45-130 on it but I don't like them. My Thunderbass 5 is a 1997 so I don't know what came on it.

It's funny but I never changed the XL'170's yet. I turned up the tweeters in my cabs and got the EQ set just right and they sound great. I probably have 100 hours on these D'addorio XL's and they still sound, play, and feel the same. I have been waiting for them to die so I could try the Super-Brites but no such luck.

I must eat crow for saying I didn't like D'addorio XL's. I was wrong.

 

[JimmyM]

It's funny but I never changed the XL'170's yet. I turned up the tweeters in my cabs and got the EQ set just right and they sound great. I probably have 100 hours on these D'addorio XL's and they still sound, play, and feel the same. I have been waiting for them to die so I could try the Super-Brites but no such luck.

I must eat crow for saying I didn't like D'addorio XL's. I was wrong.

Used 'em for 30 years. Great strings. But the Dunlops not only remind me of them but they also remind me of Rotosound steels, which were always my favorite steels. Might not have switched to D'addario if I wasn't so hard on frets with them.

 

[AngelCrusher]

So now i have a set on my J5 and 4 string PJ. I really like these strings a lot. In the past i used ernie balls for years, since they sent me boxes, and then once that was over i was messing with sunbeams. I then tried fodera, which are awesome, but they felt and sounded a little bulky. Hard to explain, but i still like them.

Anyway, i forgot i had a pack of nickel brights - 45s. So i put them on my p/j and it was just the feel and sound i wanted. The 5 string set on my j also delivered. Perfect tension and the tone is great for both jazz and precision basses. On top of that the price is right as well.

 

[blr2]

I guess, I'd be in the minority here, but I didn't like them. I prefer higher tension and lower action. With these, I had to rise the action to uncomfortable level in order to avoid buzz. Tonewize they were OK, perhaps a touch brighter than regular Dunlops, but not overly bright. Kept them on my Am Std P for a couple of days and took them off.

 

[tallboybass]

SBNs are darn near magical on my Jazz...even tuned to Eb they punch and growl, purr and sing! I've been using the pickups in series mode and that really pushes the front end of my GK MBF800 into a nice furry sound.

 

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

How do the SB's compare to regular Dunlop nickels?

 

[JimmyM]

How do the SB's compare to regular Dunlop nickels?

I like the SB's much better. Regular Dunlop nickels are decent but IMHO don't stand out from the pack. SB's do.

 

[tallboybass]

Yes, they really respond to your attack. Played lightly they sound fairly normal, but get more aggressive and they respond in kind with growly goodness!

 

[AngelCrusher]

I guess, I'd be in the minority here, but I didn't like them. I prefer higher tension and lower action. With these, I had to rise the action to uncomfortable level in order to avoid buzz. Tonewize they were OK, perhaps a touch brighter than regular Dunlops, but not overly bright. Kept them on my Am Std P for a couple of days and took them off.

Hmm that is interesting. My action is pretty low, definitely not uncomfortable. But for the sake of experimentation, what strings do you like that get your action lower?