what's the deal with colored strings?

[runmikeyrun]

I just realized these exist a short time ago. I usually buy Ernie Balls and I am happy with them, but something appeals to me with having black strings. Are they coated or anodized or what? Do they feel different? Is there a sound difference? I play with distortion and I like a very mid and low heavy sound, so I don't need super bright strings.

Thanks.

[VanillaThundah]

I'm assuming the only differences are aesthetic. I think it's a cool idea, to be honest...I mean there is different colors that hardware comes in, so why not strings to match them? If I had black hardware on my bass, some black strings would be a nice touch as long as it didnt make the strings feel nasty and gunky.

[Nev375]

I hear the colored ones are bigger and once you "go black" you never go back.

[sandmangeck]

Once you go "pink" you love the stink!

[genericusername]

I think they're coated with something (teflon or somesuch?) to make them last longer.

[Nev375]

Yeah, it's just like a condom. If you look close enough, they are clearly ribbed for her pleasure.....

[upandb]

Originally Posted by runmikeyrun

I just realized these exist a short time ago. I usually buy Ernie Balls and I am happy with them, but something appeals to me with having black strings. Are they coated or anodized or what? Do they feel different? Is there a sound difference? I play with distortion and I like a very mid and low heavy sound, so I don't need super bright strings.

Thanks.

Lol, in all seriousness, I sometimes use my Stingray with heavy distortion. I have the DR Black Beauties. The Stingray sounded great before, but the tone with the Black Beauties is even better. Try them out, aside from looking great they sound great too.

[BassDudeSA]

I love the DR Neon strings. Especially on a black bass they really stand out. I use the green ones. They sound fantastic, and because they are coated, the strings feel nicer on my fingers. Maybe it smoothes out the strings a bit or I don't know, but these new Neon coated strings are much more comfortable to play than any other standard roundwounds I've used. And I've tried plenty of the colored strings including Black Beauties. I like the Neons the best. The colors might not be for everyone but the sound and feel is fantastic.

[Dubista]

The black strings give you a darker tone.

[arsie]

I think they are mellower than nickle plated steel roundwounds, and last longer. DR just thought since the strings are coated in plastic anyway, why not add colour.

You can get the equivalent coated uncoloured strings as DR Extra Life Silver Stars.

[darkstorm]

Diff mfg colored strings and coated strings will feel diff & sound diff. Of the various mfg coated strings the new DR neons are the only ones Ive tried and liked for sound. Its claimed they are sunbeams with coating. But there are sound diff between sunbeams and neons. I use overdrive 100% of the time as one of the basic componants of my sound. Neons sound great with overdrive imo. I also like dark, articulate, powerful bass sound. Noens will give you this within the limits of your basses pups, electronics, and wood choices.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

They just look damn cool!

Also sound great... The new DR K3 Coated Strings (NEON's and K3 Black, Red, Blue, Silver) have been described by some to sound brighter than similar strings that are uncoated.

[One Drop]

I love the DR coated strings as well, they do exactly what the OP wants, IMO.

But there's no way to my ears that they are brighter than NEW regular nickel or SS roundwound strings, from DR or anyone else. They have a bit of attenuation in the highs and maybe high mids, but they stay that way for a long time, thus being brighter than uncoated strings that have started breaking in somewhat.

I love 'em with distortion, they take it really well.

[fretlessguy]

They look purdy.