DR Black Beauty problem

GeddyFlea1974 · #1 11-23-2007, 08:22 PM

OK, so I bought a set of Black Beauties today, and I think I got a dud for a D string. It kept sliding out of the tuning gear, even after crimping the string. Has this happened to anyone else?

Tony G · #2 11-23-2007, 08:25 PM

They are very slick so you need to be very methodical to get that string to stick. I don't think you have a dud. Just really try and hold the string in there and turn the tuner.

GeddyFlea1974 · #3 11-23-2007, 08:30 PM

I tried that... and it still managed to slip somehow. I had it tuned finally and then all of a sudden it dropped all the way down to an a or something when it slipped. Is there any way to keep it from slipping? I thought that after there was enough tension on it, it would stay put. Guess I was wrong about that one.

Tony G · #4 11-23-2007, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeddyFlea1974

I tried that... and it still managed to slip somehow. I had it tuned finally and then all of a sudden it dropped all the way down to an a or something when it slipped. Is there any way to keep it from slipping? I thought that after there was enough tension on it, it would stay put. Guess I was wrong about that one.

I don't know what to tell you. Just keep trying. These strings are really slick due to their coating and can be tough to get them to initially hold in your tuner.

GeddyFlea1974 · #5 11-23-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xgabriele

I don't know what to tell you. Just keep trying. These strings are really slick due to their coating and can be tough to get them to initially hold in your tuner.

Thanks for your time man, I really appreciate it. I'm gonna try to get it on tomorrow when I have a clearer head. Beautiful MTD you have there, by the way

Tony G · #6 11-23-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeddyFlea1974

Thanks for your time man, I really appreciate it. I'm gonna try to get it on tomorrow when I have a clearer head. Beautiful MTD you have there, by the way

No problem, and good luck! And thanks for the compliment!

Ace Of Bass · #7 11-23-2007, 08:54 PM

Same thing kept happening with my G string DR BB. I had tro kind of cross it on itself (hope that makes sense) and it finally stayed....try it......

Jerry Ziarko · #8 11-23-2007, 09:12 PM

Yes there is a fix for this problem. It is common on some Fender basses, especially older models. I'll explain the fix and then add a diagram. Put the end of the string in the hole in the tuner as you normally would. Normally on a Fender, you would take the string and wind it clockwise. To fix you problem, you need to reverse the process. Put the sting in the hole. do the first half wrap counter clockwise, go back through the slot and THEN wind the string clockwise. Make sure the "S" you formed is tight before winding. I hope this explains it, but this might help also.

Tony G · #9 11-23-2007, 09:26 PM

I honestly don't think you need to go as far as Jerry Ziarko has suggested, but if all else fails, give it a try. I've found that if you make the crimp too short and don't stick enough material down inside the tuner, it just slips right out. What I do is stick the uncut, uncrimped string into a tuner and see how far it fits down there. Then I do my best to crimp and cut an leave approximately that exact amount left after the crimp. You really just need to get as much material as possible inside the hole down the center of the tuner. As mentioned, the black beauties are slick, and while you may not need to do as I (or Jerry for that matter) described above with non-coated strings, you definitely need to do this with the black beauty strings.

GeddyFlea1974 · #10 11-23-2007, 09:38 PM

Thanks again for the help, guys.
Jerry- I tried to wind the string like you said, but it was too short (it broke at tuning peg earlier so I had to trim it down and now it's too short.)
Ugh... still not working. It came close, and then i hear a scratching sound and the string's all the way back to being slack. Guess I'll just be getting a pack of Hi-Beams tomorrow instead...

Jerry Ziarko · #11 11-23-2007, 10:01 PM

I got that tip from Bass Player mag.

Tony G · #12 11-23-2007, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Ziarko

I got that tip from Bass Player mag.

It's a good tip.

I've used DR black beauties a number of times though, and never had to go that far to get them to stay put.

GeddyFlea1974 · #13 11-23-2007, 10:09 PM

I honestly don't know why I'm having such a hard time with them. At first I thought it was my tuning gear, but i've used a bunch of different strings with no problem. I wish I could use that tip Jerry posted... I know it works, but I don't have enough slack in the string to do it

all that's really left is to try crimping it more and seeing if it stays, lol

JonathanD · #14 11-23-2007, 10:50 PM

I have never had this problem. Sorry mate.
can you orderjust another d string soyou don;t waste the set?

improvpwnd · #15 11-23-2007, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeddyFlea1974

I tried that... and it still managed to slip somehow. I had it tuned finally and then all of a sudden it dropped all the way down to an a or something when it slipped. Is there any way to keep it from slipping? I thought that after there was enough tension on it, it would stay put. Guess I was wrong about that one.

I had the same problem with the coated Elixirs on my EBMM Stingray.. the G wouldn't stay on--exactly the same way your D won't. I took my bass (with the strings on) back to the store and explained the problem. The tech took my bass to the back room for a couple minutes...came back out, shrugged and gave me a different pair of stings for no cost.

VinceS · #16 11-23-2007, 11:45 PM

i spent 15 minutes on the G in my BB set today. finally got it, as i was tuning up very very slowly to avoid snapping the string, which i did a week ago.

But lucky for me, i emailed DR (email is on their site) and they said they'd be more than happy to send me a replacement string. okay, ruin the surprise: i got a whole new set in the mail.

yea anyway, coated strings are so darn slippery.

Dee_01 · #17 03-02-2008, 11:33 PM

Sorry to raise an old thread from the dead but I just got a set of BB's. Lovely strings, they sound and feel nice, but the G snapped at the tuning post as I was fitting them. BLAM! Scared the crap out of me! Now I'm wondering if I can get a single Black Beauty G, but I'm doubting it very much. Has anyone else had problems with snapping DR strings? I didn't get a great first impression of DR bass strings but I guess it was just a bad one. I like these strings, otherwise. I just hate having one silver string on my bass now...

BassXgirl · #18 03-02-2008, 11:59 PM

I've put them on 3 times now (on two different basses) and have never had any of the trouble described here.

I was sold on DR after the first set.

EDIT: FYI one bass is a Fender and the other is an Aria Pro with tiny little tuning posts.

Dee_01 · #19 03-03-2008, 08:32 AM

I haven't had any problems with slipping, I find the 3 strings that I have on here stay in tune just fine! Standard Squier clover tuners here.

CrashClint · #20 03-03-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee_01

Sorry to raise an old thread from the dead but I just got a set of BB's. Lovely strings, they sound and feel nice, but the G snapped at the tuning post as I was fitting them. BLAM! Scared the crap out of me! Now I'm wondering if I can get a single Black Beauty G, but I'm doubting it very much. Has anyone else had problems with snapping DR strings? I didn't get a great first impression of DR bass strings but I guess it was just a bad one. I like these strings, otherwise. I just hate having one silver string on my bass now...

I had a new B string pop at the ball end while I was tuning up after installing a complete set, I contacted DR and they sent me a new pack of strings two days later. Awesome Customer Service!!!