D'addario NYXL or Dunlop Super Bright Nickel on Maruszczyk Elwood C?

[TheRealGru]

I'm currently using Sadowsky NYC Satin with Sadowsky Bright Nickel 45-105 strings. I kind of like them as they stay in tune, are warm enough and they feel ok, but overall they are just ok.

My new Maruszczyk Elwood L will be here in 15 weeks and I wanted to get ready for it by choosing the strings of choice on it. I know, I know, I'll have to experiment with strings, but still wanted to hear experiences from y'all.

I had previously used NYXL on another bass (Fender Jazz Elite) and I liked them but have never used Dunlops. I hear good things about them, not sure whether the popularity is based on price (Dunlop are roughly half the money of D'Addarios NYXLs) or are they really that good? I know Janek Gwizdala and other artists endorse Dunlop and use these so they must be good.

Opinions?

 

[Texan]

I've used both and lean towards the Super Brights. IMO, they have a better feel, not as stiff, and a warmer, rounder sound and play well when the tone is rolled down.

If the prices were comparable, I'd use the NYXL's in a pinch, but the Super Brights would be my first choice.

 

[TheRealGru]

Price is not the issue. Thanks for your comments.

 

[TheRealGru]

Can anyone else chime in for more info?

 

[Gfkfloyd]

I've used both and
the superbrights felt nearly like the perfect string and had both good frequency response and a decent price. That being said, I just couldn't get along with the tone; to me they had a midrange peak that just drove me nuts.
Even though I hate higher tension strings, I keep coming back to the NYXLs. They're expensive, stiff, but sound about as good as I could hope for out of a roundwound. They just have an evenness about their sound that I find can be molded into just about anything.
Only way to really know is to try both though!

 

[TheRealGru]

Thanks Gfkfloyd. I had tried NYXL in the past (on Jazz Elite bass) and I loved them. I hear so many things about Dunlops so I figured I would ask first before restringing when the bass gets here.

Thanks for ya'll feedback.

 

[Gfkfloyd]

Thanks Gfkfloyd. I had tried NYXL in the past (on Jazz Elite bass) and I loved them. I hear so many things about Dunlops so I figured I would ask first before restringing when the bass get's here.

Thanks for ya'll feedback.

No problem; I think you'll like either one as most people arent as picky about strings as I tend to be. Let us know what you think if you try the Superbrights as well.

 

[Jim C]

Not NYXL's but XL's vs. Super Brights

To me, the SB's are not that far from DR Sunbeams - very soft to the touch and a nice mellow nickel tone

Thre XL's have considerably more string tension and sound more like an SS string but not in a bad way. Just less warm but with more punch.

I normally use SB's or Sunbeams but grabbed a different bass that had XL's.
Slightly more physical work to play buy the extra tension made it easier to play some faster sections.

 

[TheRealGru]

Ordered a set of NYXLs 45-105. Should be here on Wednesday. I'll put them on and let you guys know what I think. If I don't like 'em, next would be to try the SB Dunlops.

 

[Bassometer]

I love the sound of Dunlop Nickel SB's but they feel a bit too floppy for me; even on a 35" scale they just don't have enough right hand tension. But that's subjective and specific to my taste. They do sound good though. I like the NYXL's they are a little taughter and also sound great.

 

[TheRealGru]

Got the set of NYXL from Sweetwater, but haven't had time to put them on. Maybe tomorrow...

 

[Aidil]

Hi BassBlue,

Reading your opening post, seems like you have developed some sort of GAS for the Super Brights. So, even if you've purchased the NYXL, I'd say that the thought of trying the Super Brights would still be in your mind until you've really experienced them.

I've acquired a few strings sets which I haven't used. The NYXL is one of them (AAMOF, I have 2 sets of NYXL ready to be used) and like a year ago, the Super Brights were also still on that pile of string sets which I haven't put on just yet. Then in the middle of the year I decided to put on Marcus Miller version of the Super Brights on my main gigging bass and the nickel Super Brights on another bass. Both instantly became my favourite strings replacing D'Addario FlexSteels and GHS Pressurewounds which I had used for several years, mainly because the string tension, flexibility and tone of both version of the Super Brights are just right for my fingers as well as my ears.

Of course I'll eventually put on those NYXL sets. But as for now, I haven't got any reason to do so. I'm still having so much joy with the Super Brights.