Dunlop Heavy Core strings

[Dave Sloven]

Any strong opinions on these?

I'm thinking of switching to these on both of my electric guitars when I get them set up soon, partly because I can get them easily from my local shop and partly because I've heard they are good for switching between tunings.

I'm thinking of using the 'Heavy' 10-48 set on my Gibson SG (tuning range E-C# standard, D#-D most likely) and a 'Heaviest' 12-54 set on my Epiphone Explorer (tuning range D-B, maybe A# at a stretch, D unlikely, more likely C#-C range)

I will have to have the nut and bridge saddles set up for these but I am wondering if there are any strong opinions on these either way.  I also don't seem to play as often as some people and don't gig (jamming with others but not the high-pressure sweaty thing so much) so I won't be sweating all over these and dulling them in a week, but if that is a big issue it's worth mentioning.  I tend to play the SG more.  If pickups have any bearing I have an A-Bomb and Cold Sweat in the SG (and it is a very middy, cutting sounding guitar) and an A-Pig set in the Explorer that I am still getting used to and setting up.

http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/heavy-core-guitar-strings

[Kiichi]

I have not played them yet, but I have a set lying around which I will use next time itīs changing time.
I only know that I really dig heavy core strings. So far I got some from Newtone, but it really is too much of a hassle, although they are really really good.
Heavy core strings just play into my liking as I love really high tension on the low strings (a lot of my palm mutes and fast playing there while the top remains either 10 or 11 depending on the axe) but I have it when the strings get too thick. Seriously, a 70 string (for a low b) is just a little big. With heavy core I got the same results on a 64 which is much nicer.
I really dig the feel and sound of heavy core so I really hope the dunlop ones are ones I like.

[itamar101]

I just restrung my reasonably new Mayones Regius 7 string, for the first time, with Dunlop Heavy Core strings (.010-.060) and the extra tension without the increased the gauge feels great. No need to file the nut or anything, yet the lower strings feel far tighter. Haven't tried it amplified yet.
The strings also feel nice and smooth, which is a plus.

One nuisance is that the extra tension on the neck has caused a bit of a bow/raised the action a bit so the playabilty is isn't what it was. Not that bad, though. A 1/4 turn of the truss rod should do the job and compensate for the change/get it back to normal.

If you don't mind the hassle, though, the they feel great.

[Dave Sloven]

Thanks!

With an SG you have to adjust the truss rod after every re-string anyway it seems ...

[Alex]

I'm through aproximately 20 sets of them.
I've used the 10-46 set on my LesPaul (tuned to E) and the 11-50 on my ESP tuned to D.

I have to say they sound nice and play great when they're new, but they get old so quickly it's not even funny. They loose a lot of their appeal then too!
I've gone back to the GHS 11-53 set for the ESP, even if they have a bit more tension than I would have preferred. They literally last twice as long and GHS isn't even known for longevity.

I can't recall what I use on the lesPaul at the moment - I tend to buy strings bulk.

[itamar101]

shite... How quick is "really quick"? How long were you using them for. It must've taken at least 2 or 3 years to get through 20 sets on 2 guitars.

[Alex]

I bought them bulk, about 8 10s and maybe 10 11s set. It's probably a bit less than 20. I had the 11-50 mostly and a few 11-54s. From Thomann it is cheaper that way.

I think 2 weeks is about the realistic life span, but it depends on how much you play every day of course. I did use them longer and yes, this was my stash for quite a long time.

All strings sound worse once they're no longer fresh, but I felt these lost especially a lot of zing.
Also one set had a string that already came with rust.

[itamar101]

Ah, I assume you're the sort of guy who restrings every time the strings lose any freshness. :lol:
Tbh, I prefer to leave them on for a while until the the playabilty becomes effected (ex. a lot of rust or loads of grime).
Whilst I can hear a difference whilst amiplified, I do not necessarily think that it is a bad difference nor that big of a difference.

Regardless, I guess I'll find out how the Heavy Cores suit me on my own, anyway.

[Dave Sloven]

I've not had real problems with rusty strings yet, but then again my hands don't tend to get sweaty in themselves (I don't get sweaty palms, for example, some people just don't) and I've not been playing in situations (e.g. intense gigs) where sweat runs down my arms on to my hands or I end up with beer on my guitar.  I also don't have any hair that might drip sweat onto them!

What I do tend to get is a bit of normal oxidizing from air exposure and more often skin from my fingers, but I do tend to wash and dry my hands before playing.

If they tend to collect a lot of skin for some reason or oxidize quickly from being on the stand that might be a problem.

I guess an alternative might be Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky or Not Even Slinky ... these are also readily available for me ... how do they compare?

[itamar101]

I've only tried ernie ball twice, but I didn't like them at all. They have very little tension relative to the gauge and they don't last as long as standard dunlop or D'addario strings. If you want the same tension with Ernie Balls a with D'addarios you'll have to up the gauge.

That said, they did sound good when I tried them.

[Dr.Pain]

I put a set of 12's on a cheap BC Rich I have and tuned it to C.  There has been no problems other than the bottom string sounding dull a bit faster than the others.  They held tune, lasted a fair while and combined with an EMG 81 they sounded good.  I'll be using them again.

[Kiichi]

Ernie Balls are hated by me too. Sound whise they are ok, but they are the flubbiest freaking things I ever played. Once a tech (back when I used techs...now only luthiers for things I canīt do) put a set on my 7 string against my will and man how they sucked. FLubbing all over the place like heck. Partly because the b was a 56 and ususally I use at the absolute minimum of 65, but when I had 56er from different brands they were at least usable.
I really tried to use these until they lost that initial shimmer and then change them...could not go 24 hours it was so bad.

Not my only experience with Ernie Balls, but they were all the same. Flubby, flubby, flubby. No.

[Alex]

Ah, I assume you're the sort of guy who restrings every time the strings lose any freshness. :lol:
Tbh, I prefer to leave them on for a while until the the playabilty becomes effected (ex. a lot of rust or loads of grime).
Whilst I can hear a difference whilst amiplified, I do not necessarily think that it is a bad difference nor that big of a difference.

Regardless, I guess I'll find out how the Heavy Cores suit me on my own, anyway.

On the opposite, I prefer NOT to have to change them!

[witeter]

i love them, however, if they could make them more durable they would rule

[JJretroTONEGOD]

every time I have used ernie ball sack strings, they have snapped