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Anyone have experience with DR Dragon Skins?

capnsandwich

capnsandwich

Jul 18, 2006
9,120
5,190
Columbus, Ohio
#1
I've been a Sadowsky and Fodera strings user for years now. I used to use DR until I got 2 sets in a row that were dead out of the package. That was years ago. So, I was searching on bassstringsonline.com and they had this sale on DR Dragon Skin coated strings. The reviews were mixed. Some liked them and others did not. I'm just curious if there are any people on here that have played them and I want to know what you think. I did put an order in for them but still want to know what others think of them.
 
#3
hotbass57 said:
I had them on my lakland for awhile. I only play flats now so that's why they are off. They are coated Hi Beams if that helps. They felt good and had a nice even tone, you really don't feel the coating. Sounded like a broken in set of steel strings if that helps.
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Pretty much this. Great strings! Stiffness wise they are just a hair less stiff than Foderas, and waaaaay less stiff than Sadowskys.
 
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#4
hotbass57 said:
I had them on my lakland for awhile. I only play flats now so that's why they are off. They are coated Hi Beams if that helps. They felt good and had a nice even tone, you really don't feel the coating. Sounded like a broken in set of steel strings if that helps.
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Good! I was worried about the coating slowing me down. I hate Elixers for that reason, and a couple others but mostly the feel.
mmbongo said:
Pretty much this. Great strings! Stiffness wise they are just a hair less stiff than Foderas, and waaaaay less stiff than Sadowskys.
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Awesome! I like a string I can bend notes on.
 
#6
I got my Dragon Skins in the mail the other day. I like these strings. Like you said, hotbass57, I don't feel the coating. Also, they're not overly bright but bright enough for my liking. Very slinky compared to what I'm used to. That's a plus. The only issue I had was when I was stringing the high C string, I got frustrated because it kept popping off the post. I cut it too short and couldn't get it to stay. But that's my problem, not the string's problem. I think I'll be playing these for a while, since they'll last longer than your average string. DR got these right.
 
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#7
capnsandwich, if Elixirs slow you down, then I'm not sure what to say. As elixirs are usually regarded as probably the slickest feeling strings you can get. They actually toned down the slickness a couple of years ago, because a lot of people didn't like it. They are still pretty slick!

Dragon Skins: I gotta say, I can definitely see, feel, and hear the coating. Is it bad, though? Well, the coating does feel kind of weird. It does seem to add a little bit of roughness, although I wouldn't call it grabby. The tone does something to the high mid. Its like you lose high mid harmonics and only get fundamental, in that frequency range. I'm probably confusing people by saying that, but Dragon skins have a peculiar "dry" quality, in the high mid. Its not bad, its just something which is completely their own.

they have better low end than other DRs roundwounds, which is a good thing. Because I find DR roundwounds to be a bit anemic.

I wouldn't say they last much longer than uncoated strings. And actually, when they die, Dragon Skins just sound like rubber. Sound like, coating. Whereas some (but not all ) strings, have a useable "dead" tone. Superbrights are my current favorite for totally useable "dead" tone.
 
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#9
Toptube said:
capnsandwich, if Elixirs slow you down, then I'm not sure what to say. As elixirs are usually regarded as probably the slickest feeling strings you can get. They actually toned down the slickness a couple of years ago, because a lot of people didn't like it. They are still pretty slick!
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Bassworship1 said:
I don't get the Elixirs slowing anyone down. They are slickest string I've played. Now I don't particularly care for the tone from Elixirs but the feel and longevity has never been an issue.
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When I say "slow me down," I mean the strings feel weird to my touch and I have a hard time feeling the notes as I slide my hand up and down the neck. My speed usually slows down due to me making sure I'm fretting the correct note, not from any added friction between my fingers and the string.
 
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#10
I tried a set on my Cort P. Hated them, could not get a reasonable set up or a decent sound. Put the old (D'addarios of some sort) ones back on and all was well. I could have got a bum set i suppose but i will not repeat that nightmare anytime soon. Just my 2 cent's worth.
 

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