Should I give Dr black beauties a try?

BrandonBass · #1 06-12-2011, 11:27 AM

Afew years ago Im was using hi beams, theyre about the only strings I use. Decided to try out the hot pink Dr strings, since I heard theyre like hi beams but with a longer lifespan and a flashier color

The set didnt last too long and they sounded horrible after they died.

Im using a set of dead fatbeams on my bass now, they sound pretty decent even after theyre dead. Im tinking of getting a new set of strings, and ive been considering the black beauties. Is it basically the same strings as the hot pink one except in a different color?

mmbongo · #2 06-12-2011, 01:25 PM

Yes Black Beauties are the same as the Hot Pink just in a different color. Did the Pink ones you had have the older coating or the new K3 coating?

OldGreg · #3 06-13-2011, 06:55 AM

I have the black beauties on my peavey dyna and I love them. At first I wasn't sure, but after a couple hours they started sounding wonderful. They play just like the hi beams.

MNAirHead · #4 06-13-2011, 07:05 AM

I'd say no.. they're a deader sounding string.

madbassplaya · #5 06-13-2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

I'd say no.. they're a deader sounding string.

i agree. tried them on a stingray and they def. calmed it down a bit. i actually liked the way they sounded on the bass, however, the black starts to flake off and your strings look "peppered."

i decided to go with something else.

GBassNorth · #6 06-13-2011, 08:39 AM

On a Stingray they sound fantastic - really tames the pickup sizzle normally associated with the Ray. On Jazz they are ok, a little too low-mid focused for my tastes on a jazz. On a P-bass they sound very good, deep yet articulate. They last for quite a long time (I have a 2 year old set on a Ray that gets played several hours a week). Never experienced any flaking from playing but I only play finger style, no slap and no pick. I did rub some of the black off when stringing thru the bridge because I was in a hurry and wasn't really paying attention as I pulled the strings thru the bridge butt and over the saddles, my fault not the strings.
They aren't very expensive, try a set and see if you like em.

Fletz · #7 06-13-2011, 08:41 AM

I put them on my Tony Franklin fretless: Great fit
I also put them on my Geddy Lee Jazz: Looked cool, didn't sound as good as Roto's in my opinion. Also felt like they died quicker (I like a really bright tone on my Geddy).

Gaius46 · #8 06-13-2011, 08:47 AM

I just put a set on a my fretless six and like them so far. And as I said in another thread I love DR's customer support.

IotaNet · #9 06-13-2011, 11:00 AM

In June of 2009, Ed Friedland did a review of DR strings and included Black Beauties. On the strength of his positive commentary, I tried a set on my Bongo and I love them!

Here's what Ed had to say ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Friedland in the June, 2009 Bass Emporium Newsletter

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 original review (complete with sound clips) here: Bass Emporium Newsletter - June 2009

Grateful · #10 06-13-2011, 11:07 AM

They are definitely NOT the same sound as HiBeams. But I can get plenty of bite or wool out of them. I love 'em on my Lkalnd 55-60 Jazz bass.

BrandonBass · #11 06-13-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IotaNet

In June of 2009, Ed Friedland did a review of DR strings and included Black Beauties. On the strength of his positive commentary, I tried a set on my Bongo and I love them!

Here's what Ed had to say ...

You can read the original review (complete with sound clips) here: Bass Emporium Newsletter - June 2009

I dont trust that guy. I bought a yamaha rbx a42 based on his review and was greatly disappointed. Is there anything bass-related he can make sound good?

mmbongo · #12 06-13-2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

i agree. tried them on a stingray and they def. calmed it down a bit. i actually liked the way they sounded on the bass, however, the black starts to flake off and your strings look "peppered."

i decided to go with something else.

The new K3's won't flake as much as the older ones you tried.

SteveC · #13 06-13-2011, 01:19 PM

They are ok, but I went back to Hi Beams. I just really like those strings

tabdog · #14 06-14-2011, 01:29 AM

DR Black Beauties are weak sounding to me.
I tried them on a Peavey and the G string
was so weak, it just wouldn't do. I put that
same set on a Squier with Fender 62 pup
and it was OK, but definitively weak.

I got a set of Coated Ernie Balls and use
them, but the DR BB's are in a drawer.

$50 sitting in a drawer and I can't use it!

Tabdog

berwick63 · #15 06-14-2011, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabdog

$50 sitting in a drawer and I can't use it!

I wouldn't say you "can't use it". You choose not to. Thats the thing about instruments and just about anything in life. Everyone has their own opinion. There is no BEST string. There is no BEST anything.

To the OP, I'd say give them a try. You might like them, you might not... but you'll never known until you try them for yourself and find out

ZachM · #16 06-14-2011, 03:43 AM

I tried these (I normally use Elixirs) and I liked them a lot at the beginning. They had a cool grind and mid presence to them. However, my set seemed to die pretty quick, faster than I think a coated string should break down, and when they got deader, it wasn't the "cool" type of dead string sound. I didn't have the flaking problems that some people experience, even though I play with a pick quite a bit. Overall, not for me, but they're not bad strings, just not my thing.

LoveThatBass · #17 06-22-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldGreg

I have the black beauties on my peavey dyna and I love them. At first I wasn't sure, but after a couple hours they started sounding wonderful. They play just like the hi beams.

That is because they are DR Highbeams with a thin coating. Great strings

Bassamatic · #18 06-22-2011, 11:17 AM

They sound fantastic on my Peavey Foundation, but there is a HUGE amount of finger noise.

velalv · #19 06-22-2011, 11:34 AM

I have had good luck with them on my American Deluxe Jazz Bass. Really brought out the bottom on them, reduced my finger noise on position shifts, and I have had no flaking even though I have played it every day for the last couple of weeks. I had Boomers on my jazz previously, you won't get the zingy highs on these strings, but you will still get some highs. The strings are also very easy on the fingers, unlike the boomers which felt like they were going to cut my fingers open.

Wish the Beauties had red silk windings (like the TI Flats on my P Bass), that would have made them look really cool.