Black Beauties--tell me about them

[()smoke()]

i know a few people here us DR Black Beauties, and I've read a few threads with some references to the sound of these strings...has anyone compared them directly to DR stainless Lo Riders?

i just read the ed friedland DR string comparison, and he mentions those are the ones he uses after the comparison was over

i've been using SS Lo-Riders, but i'm interested in trying the BB...thanks for any insight

[LilRay]

Gard uses the Black Beautes, I'm sure he'll pop in shortly.

God Bless, Ray

[Gard]

Won't be as bright right out of the box, have a bit of an unusual feel - but not as offensive as the Elixers (which I hate).

They can sound a bit midrangy to some folks, but I dig that about 'em.



Oh, and they last FOREVER! The set on my fretted is almost 2 years old, the set on my fretless is even older.

[()smoke()]

'a bit midrangy' is a positive for me--this is one of the things that has me interested for sure...

'not as bright out of the box' might not be so bad, as the brightness of the SS Lo-Riders goes away pretty quickly for me anyway

thanks man

Originally Posted by Gard

Won't be as bright right out of the box, have a bit of an unusual feel - but not as offensive as the Elixers (which I hate).

They can sound a bit midrangy to some folks, but I dig that about 'em.



Oh, and they last FOREVER! The set on my fretted is almost 2 years old, the set on my fretless is even older.

[Gard]

Originally Posted by ()smoke()

'a bit midrangy' is a positive for me--this is one of the things that has me interested for sure...

'not as bright out of the box' might not be so bad, as the brightness of the SS Lo-Riders goes away pretty quickly for me anyway

thanks man

I agree with the "not as bright part", I used to have to play the snot out of a new set for a couple of days before I started to like 'em...

[Bipslapper]

Mine have been on my Roscoe Cen Stand for about 2 weeks and have had 3 gigs and a few rehersals with them so far. The Cen Stand is mid-rangey out the box and my Modulus has DR Hi Beams, so it is very different. BB's are "Sticky" - we played Fat Bottom Girls last gig (to some larger bottomed females in the audience) & I found my fingers getting "stuck" on the strings as I slid. Not a biggie, but humorous enough. I think I would prefer the nickels that came on the bass, but am willing to give the BB's more time. For slapping I think I would like another stainless set, like the Hi Beams, anyone else agree?

[()smoke()]

bigslapper--I actually kind of like the 'stickiness' of my stainless rounds compared to nickels, nickels sometimes feel a bit slippery for my taste, so the sticky probably won't bug me too much...good to know though, I was wondering how the coated strings felt


well, I ordered a set, so we'll see how it goes!

[JOME77]

IMO the only 2 down-sides to the BB's are:

1. They feel very tacky
2. The black does wear off where you consistantly play

I really like the way they sound but in the end I just prefer the overall feel and tone of the D'Addario nickels. I am in a minority around these parts though!

[Blake Bass]

in the end I just prefer the overall feel and tone of the D'Addario nickels. I am in a minority around these parts though!

Me too..I have tried a ton of different strings but I always come back to the D'Addario nickels.

[FretNot]

Originally Posted by JOME77

IMO the only 2 down-sides to the BB's are:

1. They feel very tacky
2. The black does wear off where you consistantly play

I really like the way they sound but in the end I just prefer the overall feel and tone of the D'Addario nickels. I am in a minority around these parts though!

I agree with Joe's comments. Although I have found that the "tacky" feel of coated DRs settled down after a month or so of playing the strings. Part of it was getting used to the strings, but there was also a definite reduction in the tackiness. And they are incredibly long lasting. I tried the Silver Stars, which are like BB's, but not black. Esthetically, they were'nt as traditional as I expected. They were visually quite bright. I guess the name is very appropriate, since they practically glow in the dark...
I went back to nickels. I like D'Addario's, but my favourites are DR Sunbeams. Mainly for the tone, and they also seem to last a bit longer.

[SteveC]

I just put some on my bass because teh store didn't have my usual strings. So far I like them. There is the feel to get used to which is better than Elixers to me, but I like the sound. Not as bright as my usual (DR Hi Beams) and the mids are different. I need to play some shows to see what I think.

They look really nice on my bass, which isn't the biggest thing, but it doesn't hurt.

[SteveC]

They sound "thicker" than th Hi Beams did. There's more punch. Hits me in the chest more than the Hi Beams did. SO far I like these. Still need to gig them though. These are just "bedroom" results.

[()smoke()]

Originally Posted by SteveC

They sound "thicker" than th Hi Beams did. There's more punch. Hits me in the chest more than the Hi Beams did. SO far I like these. Still need to gig them though. These are just "bedroom" results.

nice

thanks SteveC...mine should arrive today, unfortunately not in time for rehearsal tonite, but i'll get to try them this weekend...

[lwrthnwhalepoop]

Originally Posted by JOME77

IMO the only 2 down-sides to the BB's are:

1. They feel very tacky
2. The black does wear off where you consistantly play

I really like the way they sound but in the end I just prefer the overall feel and tone of the D'Addario nickels. I am in a minority around these parts though!

+1

I've tried them a couple of times and tried really hard to like them, thinking more durability = fewer string changes = good. I just can't get past that sticky feel, though, so I've never left them on for more than a couple of hours. Back to DR nickels both times.

[CliffD]

Just my 0.02, try try try some stainless steel lo riders, best 6er set I've found with a non tapered B.

[RocketMusic]

I've got SIT Rock Bright Nickel strings being made as we speak. I've always ordered special sets from them for myself (SITs have to be XL to fit a 35" scale), but I finally decided to stock the XL sets so I can sell what I play. I'll have 4, 5 and 6-string sets available on my site sometime soon.

The SITs Nickels are the smoothest string I've been able to find, they feel like they're buttered compared to DRs and even D'Addarios. But they're still very bright and they hold up well to lots of playing. I use them on my fretted AND fretless Roscoes. They're so smooth, they really don't even chew up the Ebony fingerboard on my fretless.

I'll put a post up in my forum when they arrive, I highly recommend them. Plus, they're another small company ala Roscoe, and I just dig supporting companies like that when they deserve it. 100% made in the USA (Akron, OH).

[ubone]

Thats good to know Greg. Is there any chance you'll be carrying SIT Power Steel Stainless for 6 string bass? XL scale .030 .045 .065. .080 .100 .125
I'd also be interested in a 6 string set of Rock Bright Nickel's when you get them in..

[DannyV]

I'm definitely going to give these a try!

[RocketMusic]

Originally Posted by ubone

Thats good to know Greg. Is there any chance you'll be carrying SIT Power Steel Stainless for 6 string bass? XL scale .030 .045 .065. .080 .100 .125
I'd also be interested in a 6 string set of Rock Bright Nickel's when you get them in..

Sure, I should get the steels, too. I'll append my order on Monday

[ubone]

Originally Posted by RocketMusic

Sure, I should get the steels, too. I'll append my order on Monday

Killer!!!