Comparing coated strings DR BB's D'addario EXP and Elixir

[ModulusQ5-122]

So i have been on the hunt for the best coated strings and so far this is how i would rate them and a short answer about each of why. These are rated from best to worst. I thought this might help a bit if someone is looking to try some coated strings. These were all 5 string sets on the same bass.

1. D'addario Exp's - These out of the 3 feel the most natural, have the best and brightest tone and so far have lasted. I dont have anything bad to say about them as of now. Very reasonably priced compared to the other 2 At only $26. I will keep using these for now.

2. Elixir nanoweb - These strings last a while but are lacking a bit in the tone area for my taste. They do feel ok and play ok. priced a little steep at $50.

3. DR black beauties - These were the worst of the 3 that i have used. First they are pretty weak sounding and almost sounded dead straight from the pack. I had a bad buzz and the only thing i could think of was that the coating wasnt allowing the strings to ground to the bridge properly. They dont feel natural at all and feel a bit slimy. The only good thing i have to say about these is that they looked cool with my black hardware, but thats definitely not enough for me to keep using them. I think the price is ridiculous for what i got out of them at $45.


I hope this helps someone out. If you would like to chime in go ahead. Let me also say strings are about preference so if you dont like my ratings you have the right, but this is what i found out works for me.

[davelowell2]

I know the DR BB are round core, but what about the D'Addario? I'd like to try out some hex core coated rounds, I like the extra tension in a round.

Good info, thanks.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by davelowell2

I know the DR BB are round core, but what about the D'Addario? I'd like to try out some hex core coated rounds, I like the extra tension in a round.

Good info, thanks.

D'Addario are hex core.

[CElton]

Originally Posted by ModulusQ5-122

1. D'addario Exp's - These out of the 3 feel the most natural, have the best and brightest tone and so far have lasted. I dont have anything bad to say about them as of now. Very reasonably priced compared to the other 2 At only $26. I will keep using these for now.

Great info. May I ask where you found a 5 string set of EXP's for $26?

[rayzak]

I prefer the BB's over the Elixirs, which are too slippery feeling to me... though I don't dislike them. I don't go for an overly bright sound, though I certainly wouldn't call the BB's dead sounding. They have become my favorite strings.

Nonetheless, thanks for posting your opinions.

[davelowell2]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

D'Addario are hex core.

Thanks!

[VSR]

I have used all of them and I agree with the original post. Except that I don’t like the feel of elixir strings.
For me is
1. D'addario Exp's
2. DR black beauties
3. Elixir nanoweb
BTW my general opinion is that regular strings are better than the coated at tone and feel.

[stflbn]

Ernie Ball Coated Slinkies = my favorite of the coated's

[ModulusQ5-122]

Originally Posted by CElton

Great info. May I ask where you found a 5 string set of EXP's for $26?

Right here on juststrings.com $25.17 for a super long scale 5 string set. It came out to about $31 with shipping which is still a great deal.D'Addario Electric Bass Guitar EXP Coated

[ModulusQ5-122]

Originally Posted by stflbn

Ernie Ball Coated Slinkies = my favorite of the coated's

I wanted to try those but all of my basses are 35" scale and all they make is regular long scale which 34" is normally the cut off on regular. I have always needed to get super long scale strings because they are all string through body.

[ModulusQ5-122]

Originally Posted by VSR

I have used all of them and I agree with the original post. Except that I don’t like the feel of elixir strings.
For me is
1. D'addario Exp's
2. DR black beauties
3. Elixir nanoweb
BTW my general opinion is that regular strings are better than the coated at tone and feel.

I agree that non coated strings are better but with my sweaty hands i kill them in 1 gig. Thats why i have to use coated strings.

[GBassNorth]

Originally Posted by ModulusQ5-122

So i have been on the hunt for the best coated strings and so far this is how i would rate them and a short answer about each of why. These are rated from best to worst. I thought this might help a bit if someone is looking to try some coated strings. These were all 5 string sets on the same bass.

1. D'addario Exp's - These out of the 3 feel the most natural, have the best and brightest tone and so far have lasted. I dont have anything bad to say about them as of now. Very reasonably priced compared to the other 2 At only $26. I will keep using these for now.

2. Elixir nanoweb - These strings last a while but are lacking a bit in the tone area for my taste. They do feel ok and play ok. priced a little steep at $50.

3. DR black beauties - These were the worst of the 3 that i have used. First they are pretty weak sounding and almost sounded dead straight from the pack. I had a bad buzz and the only thing i could think of was that the coating wasnt allowing the strings to ground to the bridge properly. They dont feel natural at all and feel a bit slimy. The only good thing i have to say about these is that they looked cool with my black hardware, but thats definitely not enough for me to keep using them. I think the price is ridiculous for what i got out of them at $45.


I hope this helps someone out. If you would like to chime in go ahead. Let me also say strings are about preference so if you dont like my ratings you have the right, but this is what i found out works for me.

Good write up and timely post, seems to be a lot of questions about the DR BB and other coated strings on the forum lately. I'm a big fan of the DR BBs but I typically like a darker more mellow tone vs bright and zingy.
I have heard others claim the BBs sounded dead but as I followed up with them for more info it became apparent that they did not follow the crimping instructions for the BBs. If you dont crimp a roundwound string before you clip it to length you run a good chance of letting the windings loosen up and creating a dead sounding string.
Again, thanks for the post. Would be great to hear from you as to which string tone was brightest, which was darkest and any significant string to string differences. Also, good catch on the DR grounding issue, I typically scratch the coating off the bottom of the string at the saddle and have no issues.

[CElton]

Originally Posted by stflbn

Ernie Ball Coated Slinkies = my favorite of the coated's

I may need to revisit those. I tried a set and was a little disappointed. Sounded a little too dark.

As a point of reference, I use and like Elixirs on my Ray. I like DA and would like to give the EXP's a shot.

Originally Posted by ModulusQ5-122

Right here on juststrings.com $25.17 for a super long scale 5 string set. It came out to about $31 with shipping which is still a great deal.D'Addario Electric Bass Guitar EXP Coated

Thanks!

[LoveThatBass]

Originally Posted by GBassNorth

I have heard others claim the BBs sounded dead but as I followed up with them for more info it became apparent that they did not follow the crimping instructions for the BBs. If you dont crimp a roundwound string before you clip it to length you run a good chance of letting the windings loosen up and creating a dead sounding string.

I agree. I did not find the DR BB's to be anywhere near dead or dull in tone. To me they sounded like DR Highbeams Stainless (which DR says they infact are) that had been worn in a few days where the over the top zing is gone giving them a nice piano like tone.