DR Black Beauty Extra Life Strings

[Metania]

So it's my lot again to pour vinegar in the cup! I put a set of DR BBs on my Geddy Lee yesterday, tuned her, and let the strings settle overnight as I always do. But alas - in spite of all the roses and praise for these strings, I think they suck! Maybe (hopefully) it's just my set, but they are dead and lifeless trebly zingy-clangy, and are extremely unflexible and undynamic to play. They are insensitive to finger pressure effects, like diggin in and slapping. Slapping sounds so crappy that I had to laugh! Totally like plastic strings on a classic guitar! My Jazz sounded like a Dollar General egg-slicer :-) Of course I bought two sets, since I've used many coated strings before, but the extra set goes back over the counter. I use almost only Hi beams and Fat beams, apart from the ocassional flats/coaties, and wll keep buying DR strings. But NEVER again black beauties! At that price (279.00DKR) I demand a certain standard performance ability from my strings!

[mmbongo]

I found Black Beauties to be pretty much the total opposite of what you described..when installed on the right bass. I don't think they work as well on basses with weak pickups or passive electronics as they do on active basses.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Originally Posted by Metania

....

It sounds like these are not only the old non-K3 coated version but also very old unfortunately. I would not compare these to the current strings. Non-K3 haven't been produced in over a year...

I would give a current set a try before writing these off...

[devin369]

I bought a five string set for my bass, out of the package my b-string snapped, I quickly emailed DR and they emailed me back within 10 mins. I explained that it snapped as I was putting it on and they were more than fine with sending two free replacement b's. those came in the mail I put them on and man I hated them so much, they burnt my fingers during all the slides I do in my bands songs. I've been playing at least five times a week for about 2 years so its not an issue of calluses. I would like to find a method to make the strings more slinky and slideable, cause they are quite beautiful. I'll keep searching on here maybe there is some method of motor oil I can put on my strings for some lube

[LoTone]

Well, I just put a set on my P-Bass with passive pickups today and they work great for me.

However, I must say that the coating seems to take away some of the "new string" zing. That is perfectly OK for me since I hate "new string" zing.

May not be a cure all but IMHO a very solid product for a wide range of applications.

-- LoTone

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I found Black Beauties to be pretty much the total opposite of what you described..when installed on the right bass. I don't think they work as well on basses with weak pickups or passive electronics as they do on active basses.

[Smilodon]

Originally Posted by devin369

I bought a five string set for my bass, out of the package my b-string snapped, I quickly emailed DR and they emailed me back within 10 mins. I explained that it snapped as I was putting it on and they were more than fine with sending two free replacement b's. those came in the mail I put them on and man I hated them so much, they burnt my fingers during all the slides I do in my bands songs. I've been playing at least five times a week for about 2 years so its not an issue of calluses. I would like to find a method to make the strings more slinky and slideable, cause they are quite beautiful. I'll keep searching on here maybe there is some method of motor oil I can put on my strings for some lube

Yeah. I figured the same thing. They don't work at all if you do any sliding, but for "normal" playing they work ok. I prefer elexirs if there is any sliding involved. Unfortunately the elixirs are a bit too slippery on the thicker strings. My old fender strings sounds slightly better, though.

[Phendyr_Loon]

The one thing that I can say I liked about these strings is that they held a consistent tone longer than any other string I've even had on a bass.
I've been playing SS rounds for several years now, (specifically Roto 66's), so the DR BB atractted my attention. I was mainly drawn to the look of a black string on a maple fretboard.
The coating wore off a bit fast where I pick, and I found the coating had a slight effect on tone. I just recently slapped an old set of Rotos back on my bass and it made me wonder why I even strayed from what I know works for me.

[Orpheus55]

Originally Posted by Chili

What about these strings on a musicman stingray? i dont use a pick so thats not a problem but i do slap. The black coating does look nice aswell, i think i might splash out on a set and then try DR high beams see which i like best.
Also, the black coating wont stain the frets will it?

I use these on my Stingray and they are great. They take that aggressive edge off but do not change the instruments character; and they last a long time

[dave_bass5]

I love these on my P bass. They have made the bass come alive.

Ive had thnm for almost a year on my backup bass (that doesnt get played much). I got them used as i thought they might look good on the white Jazz. That they do but i never really cared for the tone and feel. A year later i gave them a go on my main bass and im hooked.
I had a set of neons when the first came out but didnt really like the feel. Does anyone know if they are the same strings, just different colours? I do remeber the Neons feeling quite rough.

[cameronprod]

I've not tried the black beauties but I have tried the DR Neons. I can imagine there won't be a massive difference other than the colour? They probably use the same coating?

I have a 4 string Ibanez Srx720 and i've modded it to use the low B rather than E due to the type of metal my band plays, tuning an E that low just never sounds great.
I've never really liked the feel of playing a 5 string though I'll no doubt end up with one in the future.

Anyways, I found the DR Neons on the internet after seeing a youtube video of some awful band that used them, I can't remember their name. I got a 5 string set for about £20 and didn't use the E. They sounded really good and lasted ages. i got them like 7 odd months ago? I'm not sure, a long time anyway. But the coating is still pretty good and I'm only now deciding they need replaced.

I'm going to venture into another set just as a personal preference.

[njfrese]

I put a set on my Mexican P bass, and beautiful $75 bass! They look terrific and sound punchy and lively. I've had 'em on for maybe three months and have nothing but good things to say about them. I see no degradation of color and they remain awesome. I have a Markbass Little Mark II head with an Epifani 210 cabinet, and I use an Aural Exciter as well, which adds "space" and a rounder bottom to the sound. Very happy with the set up, so much so that I am buying a set of the Black Beauties for my Mexican J bass, too. Oh, and I also put a Gotah bridge on both basses, which makes a nice difference in sustain as well.

[hotbass57]

Yep love them on my Pbass. I have another set of BB's and just traded for the silver star set. I don't think that bass will use any other. The sound awesome and the coating after 3 months heavy use are just starting to flake off. Not noticable from far away.

[petermca17]

I've got 'em on my Streamer fretless and think they're really cool looking and very easy on the fretboard. They sound great on the fretless although I wouldn't use them on my fretted basses - not aggressive enough for what I like in a fretted bass sound. I'm currently using R Cocco nickels on one of my main fretted basses (another Warwick Streamer) and really like the way they sound and feel. Deep and snappy sounding with that smooth nickel feel. And long lasting.

[marijn van gils]

A question: how do they compare to elixirs?

I use Elixirs but am interested in the BB's purely for cosmetic reasons.
I understand the coating on both is completely different, causing the Elixirs to feel slippery and the BB's rough.
But how does their sound compare? And do the BB's last as long as Elixirs?

[billgoodwin]

Been using DR BB's on all 3 of my basses for a good while now and love them. Yes, if you do use a pick the coating with come off quicker, but I've used some sets until practically no coating was left where I use my fingers or pick, but still sounded fine. I'm not a lover of really "bright" strings,use to use Hi-Beams and Boomers, but ever since I tried the Black Beauties, they are perfect for me.

Strings, as with most anything, are user preference...what feels / sounds / looks good to one person, may be shitte for another. But I suggest that you at least try a set, if you like them fine, if not, well move on to something that fits your style.

cheers