Black-colored roundwounds?

bongomania · #1 09-22-2010, 02:05 PM

I have an all-black unlined fretless bass, and I'd like to put some black strings on it. I know there are black tapewounds, but is there such a thing as black (or even "blackish") roundwounds? I suppose there must be, what with the pink and green etc. coated strings... but I have seen too many posts talking about that color coating flaking off--is that right, is it an issue even without frets, is there an alternative that does not flake off?

Thanks!

Hollywars · #2 09-22-2010, 02:21 PM

Darkstrike · #3 09-22-2010, 02:22 PM

DR are your best bet, I've also heard you can get certain Fender Tapes where the outer taped coating is roundwound.

EDIT: Or is it tape covered rounds that'll still feel smooth, I can't remember. I've also heard you can use shrink wrap on strings, might be worth a shot with a junk set before you throw 'em away.

EDIT 2: I'm a dumbass, by "shrink wrap" I mean heat shrink tubing, of course....

mmbongo · #4 09-22-2010, 02:35 PM

DR Black Beauties.

bongomania · #5 09-22-2010, 03:45 PM

Heat-shrink tubing would make any string sound like unwashed ass.

Whoever said you could use shrink tubing was either high or just pulling your leg.

So, those DR's, does the color flake off much?

Spraeg · #6 09-22-2010, 03:50 PM

Yeah, DR Balck Beauties. From what I've seen, the color doesn't flake so much as it'll wear through gradually wherever you play alot. I think Elixir also makes a set of black rounds, but I'm not 100% sure.

I've actually had a hard time finding black-coated flats that aren't tapewounds...

IotaNet · #7 09-22-2010, 03:55 PM

I recently came a review that Ed Friedland did on DR strings back in June of 2009. In this review, he spoke very highly of the DR Black Beauties. So much so, that I bought a set and I like them quite a bit. Like Spraeg above, the Black color on mine has not flaked off but it has worn. When it's time to replace these, I'll buy another set of BB's.

Here's Ed' Review ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Friedland on a different site

Extra Life Black Beauties

Undoubtedly the biggest surprise for me was how much I loved these strings. From the minute I put them on the Jazz, I was knocked out with the tone and the feel. These are coated strings, and unlike other manufacturers implementation of this idea, the wrap wire gets coated before winding it on the core. These are not strings dipped in goop that kills sustain and shreds after a few weeks of playing. Worth mentioning: Extra Life strings are also made in a rainbow of colors, including Peacock Blue, Hot Pink, Silver Stars, Evergreen, and Red Devils—so you can get freaky if you wanna.

The coating gives the string a slick feel, and definitely decreases the string noise that comes with position shifting. The main purpose for the coating of course is to make the string last longer, sealing the wrap wire from moisture and grease, thus extending their freshness zone. I will confirm that claim as I took the Black Beauties out on two gigs before recording these samples, the second of which I ate a greasy hamburger on the break and went up to play immediately without washing my hands (something my momma always warned me against). But the viscous slime of animal fat, ketchup, and pickles rolled off like water off a duck's back—next time I'll try some Texas barbeque!

The Extra Life strings have a round core and start with a stainless wrap wire, so tension-wise they were on par with the Hi-Beams and Fat Beams. Fingerstyle, they exhibit a huge rounded bottom—even more pronounced than the Fat Beams, but with less mid-scoop. The coating may taper the high-end zing a bit, but the overall effect is a balanced tone that seems well-suited for any type of playing. Slapping the Beauties also confirmed the presence of more mids than the Hi-Beams or Fat Beams, and slightly less highs. This is more noticeable on a passive bass, but a preamp would bring them out. The strings are not dull sounding, just not as hyped in the high end as a non-coated string. Played with a pick, the Extra Life strings have big bottom, like the Fat Beams, but greater mid presence like the nickels. The high end is there for the attack, but a nice upper-mid grind also comes through, making me envision adding a little tube saturation for a killer rock tone.

You can read the entire string review here: http://www.bassemporium.com/newslett...ewsletter.html

bongomania · #8 09-22-2010, 05:23 PM

Well alrighty then! Guess I'll order a set.

Akito · #9 09-23-2010, 11:44 AM

I've been using Aurora black coated strings, and I am pretty happy with them. I get a 5 string set for about 20 bucks less than DRs. They wear in the same way that DRs do. I think they have plenty of roundwound tone. Not sure how their coating process works, and I haven't directly compared them to black beauties. I haven't used a DR set in a while. You might check them out, they have a lot of different colors.
http://stringsbyaurora.com/index.php

Hellbastard · #10 09-23-2010, 12:34 PM

DR blck beauties are good but there are a couple of things you have to take into account.
1. the coating prevents the strings from making contact with the bridge so the strings ont be grounded, so if your bass produces a lot of hum you need first to shield the cavities.
2. they do wear a lot if use a pick or your fingernails. Fingerstyle players don't need to worry about anything.

That been said I do feel these are really good strings and keep their brightness for a long period of time. They are good but I think I'm gonna be going back to rotosounds.

Elmo Oxygen · #11 09-23-2010, 12:42 PM

Bongo, with DR bb's using a pick will wear off the coating pretty quickly (where you pick) but I've never seen a loss of coating when using fingerstyle.

(FWIW: I only use DR coated or Lo-Riders, and have been since the coated strings came out)

Edit: Guess I should have said "IME" and all that. I keep these strings on for 4-6 months and the only place I see wear is where they are picked (if picked).

mmbongo · #12 09-23-2010, 01:03 PM

Trust me, the color flakes off. Fingerstyle or pick, but a pick will do it much quicker. DR even includes a full paragraph writeup in the packaging. It also will flake every place a fret touches the string. I love those strings though.

Can't get any better proof that the color comes off than this:
Used String Sale!!! DR - Dunlop - Warwick!!

Randall · #13 09-23-2010, 01:24 PM

Rotosound Nexus.

shadow_FIX · #14 09-23-2010, 04:06 PM

I've had a set of DR Black Beauties on my SR5 for a few weeks now and I really like them. They're pretty bright out of the package, but that's to be expected with stainless rounds. One thing to be careful of when you're stringing it up is to not let the string rub against the bridge when you pull them through (I was a little lax about this and the color came off in 1 or 2 places, not really noticeable though). Aside from looking totally BA, they definitely have that great sound you expect from DR.