DR BLACK BEAUTIES

Dodgeviperracer · #1 02-19-2011, 03:34 PM

So I've really been dying to try these DR Black Beauties out but been kinda hesitant as i've never tried coated strings and these are a little pricey. So I kinda want some feedback from u guys first on there performance. So what do you think? Also I just wanna know if anybody else is as bad at putting on strings as me. I mean I can do it but I prefer a professional. I know it sounds crazy but a fellow bass player is my "string guy". lol. Anyways give me some feedback on those DRs. Also can someone tell me if they come in 6 strings?

ThePerfectBass · #2 02-26-2011, 09:50 PM

DR's are great man, give them a try! And yes they do come in 6 string sets!

Peace!

Whothehell1313 · #3 02-28-2011, 01:49 AM

BBs look great, but........ gotta say, if you don't have your fretfinger callouses built up like cement, you'll rope-burn yourself if you do any quick emphatic slides. I thought Rotosound 66s were fret-chewers, but they're teflon compared to the BBs. Don't get me wrong, I still use them on my Type O-themed basses two years after I first tried them (no, not the same set of course), and they get comments and compliments frequently. But there's easier strings out there to play unless you're doing the simplest root-note hunt & pecks.

ThePerfectBass · #4 02-28-2011, 08:28 AM

I have to disagree with the last post... Steel strings are a bit harder on the digits, but if you play regularly and have some kind of toughness at all on your fingertips, it should be ok.

Steel strings do put a little more tension, so the strings will feel a little tighter, and they will be a little brighter. But the coating on the BB's mellow out the high end a bit and I find them to last longer and have a really nice timbre.

I have used BB's consistently on one of my basses for years. While it makes sense that steel, being harder than nickel would wear frets faster...the difference I think is marginal... So instead of getting a fret job in 8 years, you get one in 9... Or whatever the timeframe might be based on how much you play... But I would find it hard to believe that steel strings would wear frets anywhere close to even 10% faster. Unless you are bending strings and really digging in with your left hand...A LOT.

Anyway, there is some truth to the rumors, but not as much as you might think... Try em, if you like em...awesome! If not, we have Rotos too!

Peace!
JB

Dodgeviperracer · #5 02-28-2011, 09:54 AM

So let me ask another question. What are the pros and cons of nickel as opposed to steel? Which is a better choice?

ebasserk · #6 03-01-2011, 09:51 AM

I've had the black beauties on my fretless Pedulla Pentabuzz for a couple years now. Meaning I haven't changed them. Bought them first for the looks (I use DR hi-beams almost exclusively on my other basses), and while they do have a *slightly* mellower tone than the non-coated, it works perfectly for fretless cause you don't want the brightness anyway. I LOVE how they look cause my fingerboard is black too.

Now, not sure about all the new neon DR ones lately....

ThePerfectBass · #7 03-01-2011, 10:07 AM

Neither is "better". Anything regarding your tone and feel is going to be very subjective...and there's no real good way to objectively say that 1 thing is "better" than the other. It's all just different and for 1 person it's great, another player may like something else. But until you TRY it, you'll never really be able to formulate your own opinion.

In general though, steel is going to be a little brighter sounding than nickel. The different overtones and such will be a little different as well as dissimilar materials produce different results. It's hard to really describe some of that...

Some people complain that steel wears frets faster, but as I mentioned above I don't really buy into that as a good reason to use or not to use steel strings.

Steel also will create more tension than nickel. This could be good or bad depending on what you like...

Hope that helps!
JB

Dodgeviperracer · #8 03-06-2011, 10:40 AM

So I know that steel strings offer a punchy, brighter tone. Is nickel a warmer tone?

BigGuns · #9 03-10-2011, 08:22 AM

Would the coating make these strings a good choice from fretless if I'm concerned about fretboard wear? I'm currently using D'Addario chrome flats, which I like because they can get pretty bright, but I'm starting to want round-wounds again, but still want to really baby my fretboard.

ThePerfectBass · #10 03-10-2011, 08:31 AM

It may help, but I would expect it to only make a small amount of difference. You may want to try rotosound flats with the money steel.

Peace!

BigGuns · #11 03-10-2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePerfectBass

It may help, but I would expect it to only make a small amount of difference. You may want to try rotosound flats with the money steel.

Peace!

What is "money steel?" And you're saying that these Rotosound flats are somehow similar to roundwounds?

ThePerfectBass · #12 03-10-2011, 09:45 AM

Monel steel... Sorry about that...autospell got me on the phone...

I'm not suggesting they are similar to rounds...they are flats. If you want to baby your fretboard going to a roundwound is not how I would suggest to baby it... But you may like the tone of them.

I don't play flats so really the suggestion is to try another set of flats that might be closer to what you are looking for tonally but still takes it easy on your fretboard. We happen to carry rotos as well...that's where the suggestion came from.

Peace!

Dodgeviperracer · #13 03-10-2011, 11:32 AM

Does nickel offer a warmer tone than steel?

ThePerfectBass · #14 03-10-2011, 11:36 AM

Typically nickel will not be "as bright" as steel... But I would not call it warm... A flatwound string is WARM... Flats are that mowtown thud. Roundwound are brighter, more responsive, have more overtones, more "snap" or immediate response and tend to be very bright compared to a flatwound string.

Neither is better than the other and it's very subjective as to what is better. There's no right answer to the question of which one is better for you...you really need to try different brands and even models within a brand on YOUR BASS to get a feel for how the will perform for you.

Peace!