Do you have any experience with Dunlop Stainless Steel Flatwounds?

[Appogee]

I've just installed Dunlop Stainless Steel Flatwounds on my shortscale bass and I'm pleased to find that I'm still able to get plenty of treble/brightness from them when I dial up the tone knob.

My question for those experienced with these strings is:

Will these strings retain that ability to provide (most of) that brightness over time? Or do they dull down quite a bit after a few weeks?

The reason I ask is that I'm considering also putting them on my Ibanez EH1005SMS. However, as they're expensive (US$78 where I live) I don't want to fork out for another set if they're only going to give me a few months of tone.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

 

[HHudson]

I don't have them on a short scale and have had them (45-105) off and on a p/j w/ a Yosemite P for about 6 months total "on" time. The clank mellowed quickly, but for flats they have retained a lot of high frequencies and still sound *very* modern (YMMV, I have seen some people here refer to them as dull... a matter of perspective and what kind of strings one is comparing them to I guess).

$78.- seems like a lot ... last year the long scale version cost me around $50 on this side of the pond... *yeiks*, just checked here, 78.- for the short scale & 70.- Euros for the long scale... that will probably cause some to move on to EB cobalt flats or Roto77s and shy away from trying them in the first place... ).

I still haven't made up my mind about them yet and am still giving them time, but that particular bass will probably end up wearing more traditional flats in the future.

-Henry

 

[michael_t]

that will probably cause some to move on to EB cobalt flats or Roto77s and shy away from trying them in the first place... ).

For those who are looking for a more affordable alternative to Dunlop Flats, I would suggest the Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Flats, not Cobalt. I have the Group IV (40-95) on my P bass right now and love their tonal quality. Not bright but nice smooth mids with excellent clarity. I got two sets for $30 USD each a couple of months ago.

 

[Aidil]

I've just installed Dunlop Stainless Steel Flatwounds on my shortscale bass and I'm pleased to find that I'm still able to get plenty of treble/brightness from them when I dial up the tone knob.

My question for those experienced with these strings is:

Will these strings retain that ability to provide (most of) that brightness over time? Or do they dull down quite a bit after a few weeks?

The reason I ask is that I'm considering also putting them on my Ibanez EH1005SMS. However, as they're expensive (US$78 where I live) I don't want to fork out for another set if they're only going to give me a few months of tone.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.View attachment 5083219 View attachment 5083219

I use the Dunlop Flatwound 5 string long scale 40-120 set on one of my Ibanez fretless basses. Yes, they have plenty of brightness when new. But, compared to the bass factory strings, D'Addario Chromes flatwound 45-132 set, the Dunlop flats turned darker sounding way much faster. It just a matter of playing them in a few short moons. FYI, I didn't install the Dunlop flats to get the bright tonality, cause the Chromes still had plenty of brightness when I took them off. I just like the flexibility that the Dunlop flats have to offer, as opposed to the stiff Chromes.

Another comparison is my other Ibanez bass that also came pre-installed with D'Addario Chromes 45-132 set from the factory. These Chromes still retain their brightness despite have been used for 7 years. This bass literally has gotten way more play times than the one with Dunlop flats.