DR Bootzillas Review (Also Brief Comparison to Black Beauties)

Modern Growl · #1 03-13-2007, 06:28 AM

Okay, so here's the deal. These strings are great!
While they are coated, they sound less 'coated' then Black Beauties, or any other coated string I've played(D'addario/Elixirs)

For those that don't know, they have a very unique coating on them. There is this powder/chalk like substance within the windings. The coating is not like Black Beauties, or Elixirs at all. Its different, and its very apparent in sound. Its MUCH better IMO.

The Bootzillas string voice itself has more mids and upper mid cut to them then Black Beauties. I can see where DR is coming from by stating 'crunchy tone'. They are very aggressive, punchy, bright, strings... and while they have a coating on them, the natural voicing of the strings off-sets the 'coated sound'. The end result is a MUCH less 'coated' sounding strings that is bright and aggressive.

To give you perspective, I'm using them on a Ash/Maple Fender 75' RI Jazz, through a Mesa Walkabout head, into an Epifani UL112 Cab. Everything set flat... I'm using the passive tone roll off a lot! I also cutting mids a smidge. They are that bright sounding, and I like bright/aggressive tone! While with Black Beauties I'll leave everything set flat, and perhaps boost a bit of treble.

Compared to non-coated strings, do they sound coated? Sure, but not by much, and honestly, after about 10 minutes of playing, that 'coated' sound is completely gone, to me at least. Compared to Black Beauties, they sound totally uncoated.

Life? I kill regular strings (Hi-Beams/Rotosound, ect..) within 5-6 hours of playing, sux! Bootzillas have stayed on my bass for 3 weeks now, still bright/aggressive sounding.
I'm hooked! These are my strings!

PSPookie · #2 03-13-2007, 07:42 AM

I've had a set on my Schecter for about a month now, and I like them. To my ear, they sound like a set of hi-beams with just a few hours of playing time on them.

The only other coated strings I have played are Elixir nanowebs, but there is no comparison. The Bootzillas sound and feel much better.

fullrangebass · #3 03-13-2007, 08:22 AM

I am happy to read the review. I will place my set of Bootzillas on my Ken Lawrence Brase. They will have a run for their money, cause no other string sounded as crunchy, growly, aggressive on that bass but MTD!!! (I tried Ernie Ball, D'Addario, Fodera's, GHS to name a few; not putting down the other strings but none gave the same sound as the MTD's, which was what I was looking for in this bass).

I will keep you posted

Modern Growl · #4 03-13-2007, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullrangebass

I am happy to read the review. I will place my set of Bootzillas on my Ken Lawrence Brase. They will have a run for their money, cause no other string sounded as crunchy, growly, aggressive on that bass but MTD!!! (I tried Ernie Ball, D'Addario, Fodera's, GHS to name a few; not putting down the other strings but none gave the same sound as the MTD's, which was what I was looking for in this bass).

I will keep you posted

I've played MTD's. They sounded good. Very aggressive, but they died on me within a couple days.
The Bootzy's wont be as bright as the MTDs. If I remember the MTD's correctly though the Bootzillas have more midrange.

I would recommend giving your ear 10-20 minutes of playing for your ear to get used to the Bootzillas before making any conclusive decisions.

Modern Growl · #5 03-14-2007, 11:05 AM

fullrangebass, what did you think of the bootzy's?