Pricing and availability
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Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash your guitar's potential with the Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings. These strings are engineered with Dunlop's unique core-to-wrap ratios, enabling you to exert your strength and "dig in" without compromising on the fundamental sound quality. Ideal for drop tunings, these strings demonstrate a perfect blend of aggressive pick attack, a well-defined low end, a focused midrange, and a smooth high end, irrespective of whether you're playing clean or distorted.
These strings are more than just a tool for your music; they're a product of meticulous design and craftsmanship. Manufactured with the highest-quality materials at Dunlop's Benicia, California factory, every set of these strings is triple-sealed for moisture protection and packed in a Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor bag to ensure longevity and maintain optimum performance.
Key Features:
- Unique Dunlop core-to-wrap ratios for enhanced sound quality
- Ideal for drop tunings
- Aggressive pick attack with well-defined low end and focused midrange
- Smooth high end for both clean and distorted playing
- High-quality materials for superior tone, balance, and feel
- Triple moisture protection and Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor packaging for longevity
- String gauges: .010, .013, .017, .028, .038, .048
- Made in Benicia, CA
Product specs
| Guitar Type | Electric Guitar |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Coated | No |
| Gauges | .010, .013, .017, .028, .038, .048 |
| Core Material | Steel |
| Winding Material | Nickel Plated Steel |
| Winding Type | Round Wound |
FAQs
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What are the benefits of using Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings for low tunings?
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Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings are designed to provide enhanced tuning stability and resonance, making them ideal for low tunings. Their heavier gauge offers greater tension, which helps maintain pitch and clarity during aggressive playing styles.
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Are Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings suitable for metal or rock genres?
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Yes, Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings are well-suited for metal and rock music due to their robust construction and ability to handle high tension. They deliver powerful tones and sustain that complement the aggressive playing styles typical of these genres.
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How do Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings compare to standard gauge strings?
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Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings offer a heavier gauge, providing more tension and stability compared to standard gauge strings. This results in improved tuning stability and a fuller tone, especially beneficial for players who prefer lower tunings or more aggressive playing techniques.
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Are Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings round wound?
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Yes, Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings are round wound, which contributes to their bright tone and textured feel. This winding style is popular for electric guitar players seeking a balanced sound with clear articulation.
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What materials are used in Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings?
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Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings are made with a steel core and nickel-plated steel winding. This combination provides durability, corrosion resistance, and a balanced tonal output suitable for various playing styles.
Videos
jimdunlopusa
Dunlop Strings: The Rehearsal
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings.
Features and functionality
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Heavy Core strings are designed for downtunings like CGCFAD, offering a snappy and thick feel without significantly increasing tension or affecting playability.
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Comparisons
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Dunlop Heavy Core strings sound crisper when new compared to Ernie Ball and D'Addario, but this new-string sound diminishes quickly after a few hours of playing.
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Compared to Korn signature sets, Dunlop Heavy Core strings offer a slightly thinner gauge option that some players prefer for better playability in low tunings.
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Users compare the texture to DR DDT strings, implying possible similarities in feel and potential quality assurance concerns.
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Setup and maintenance
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They may have kinks and twists due to packaging, similar to D'Addario, which could affect initial stringing and setup.
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On multiscale guitars (25.4"-27"), these strings are favored by users for their ability to maintain tension and punchiness without needing thicker gauges.
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Mention of ball ends breaking off on a 6-string set suggests a potential durability issue affecting string longevity and reliability.
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User experience
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The plain strings on Dunlop Heavy Cores don't darken as quickly as those from Ernie Ball or D'Addario, potentially maintaining a fresher appearance longer.
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Users switching from Ernie Ball report a subjective preference for the feel of Dunlop Heavy Core strings, noting they feel great during play.
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Some players report initial string noise challenges, requiring more precise playing technique, particularly when performing fast, tight muted picking.
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An owner experienced discomfort despite having calloused hands, indicating these strings may be rougher than typical, affecting playability for some.
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Value and pricing
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While not explicitly priced twice as high as D'Addarios, perception of value varies by retailer; some users question if the slight tension increase justifies a higher price.
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Use cases and applications
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 11 Reviews and 24 Ratings
193
(“Heavier” 11-50 set) Great for D Standard, good for Drop C
I recently ordered these strings to try on my spare guitar in D Standard. They feel perfect in that tuning and I wouldn’t change anything about them, but I’ve been playing more in Drop C and they can pull that off too. The low C is a little bit floppy but still sounds good and will do the job if you’re gentle with it. The strings are cheap, made very well, and last long. Now I have another set in Drop C on my main guitar and will probably use them for years to come.
432
Great strings
Great strings, last a very long time in my experience compared to the Daddario 12-60 gauge strings they replaced.
Sound good but tone does dull down after awhile like with all strings. I'm yet to break a single string in my two years of using these on my Les Paul tuned to E standard and have great tuning stability but I think that's more down to my Les Pauls hardware than anything as I've never had any issues with tuning stability ever on that guitar compared to other past and present. All in all for £5 they're a bargain.
Also they have decent corrosion resistance and have I guess a "heavy" tone to them when distorted. Perfect for powerchords. Also have good clarity and definition.
405
Can't live without them.
For downtuned 7 string the 10-60 set is a life saver, I do not want the strings to be super huge but these strings giving greater tension while being a reasonable size solve that problem. Long lasting and amazing quality as Dunlop is well known for.
108
Awesome strings
The heavy sound in these strings are just what your average metal player needs to get the tone they want. Definitely recommend.
284
Dunlop heavy core
I'm a metal guy. I've been using these heavy cores since I started guitar. I've used the 12-54 primarily. When they're new, they're great. After several months in South Carolina's humidity, they die and go flat. More so than Ernie Ball paradigms. But they're worth the price. I use dunlop.
77
Used on all my guitars
I use these strings on most of my guitars since i play a "chuggy" metalcore style
154
Artist usage
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Stephen uses the Dunlop Heavy Core .011–.069 gauge on his 8 string guitars and uses .011–.050 with an additional .11 on all his 7 string guitars.
At minute 5:42 Gary, who is explaining his gear says "Dunlop Strings. For Exodus I use a custom set 10-50 Heavy Core...."
About seven minutes in Mark's guitar tech says the strings he uses are Dunlop Heavy Cores, 10-48 for drop D and 10-50 for drop C#.
It is stated in included rig rundown video that Munky is using Dunlop Heavy Core 10-60 7 string set.
Dunlop website lists both Cannibal Corpse players as using their new Heavy Core series of strings.
“I’m a tone freak, and these strings are without question, the heaviest sounding strings I’ve played.” – Robb Flynn
In this rig rundown Steve talks about using these slightly thinner strings nowadays at 2:50.
Phil Demmel of Machine Head uses Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings, as listed on the Dunlop Manufacturing artist page.
According to Premier Guitar's article, Sullivan uses the Dunlop Core guitar strings (gauged .10 to .48 and .11 to .50)
Album Usage
The Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Dunlop Heavy Core Guitar Strings, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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