• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Brightest coated string?

I practice a lot, and my month old sunbeams are dead already, so I was wondering what your experience is with coated strings. I am one of the few that really like the NEW string sound, But I need my strings to last a bit longer then a month, so I decided to try out the coated strings, since I have no experience with coated strings I wanted to ask those that do, what brand or model has the Brightest coated string? I appreciate all the help you all have given me so far, Thank you!
 
While a unique overall tone, I have found that Elixirs have a pretty crazy top end extension on them. The official description of having a "sweet" top end is pretty true.

Occasionally though, a bass comes along that elixirs don't play so well with. So the mileage can vary a bit.
 
I am a Sunbeam user and undergoing this same exploration. I just purchased and tried out both the DR Extra Life and Dragon Skins. The extra life sound like a well broken in set of Sunbeams, almost at the point where I throw them out. They just have too much of that coating and it hinders their tone. They do not have the new string sound at all, are way too mid driven and the harmonics you can forget about. They were a complete waste of my money. (tell you how I really feel right?)

Dragons Skins OTOH will get you close in brightness but tonally they are different than the Sunbeams. They are steel rather than nickel. They don't feel overwhelmed by coating as do the Extra Life. The sound is more like a nicely broken in set of steels and I like their flexibility. The texture is a little different though. I'm still evaluating as I only have about 3 hours on them. I'll be gigging with them this weekend and see what it does to my live sound.
 
Are the Dragon Skins brighter than Sunbeams? Because 'bright' is not the word I would use to describe Sunbeams.




I am a Sunbeam user and undergoing this same exploration. I just purchased and tried out both the DR Extra Life and Dragon Skins. The extra life sound like a well broken in set of Sunbeams, almost at the point where I throw them out. They just have too much of that coating and it hinders their tone. They do not have the new string sound at all, are way too mid driven and the harmonics you can forget about. They were a complete waste of my money. (tell you how I really feel right?)

Dragons Skins OTOH will get you close in brightness but tonally they are different than the Sunbeams. They are steel rather than nickel. They don't feel overwhelmed by coating as do the Extra Life. The sound is more like a nicely broken in set of steels and I like their flexibility. The texture is a little different though. I'm still evaluating as I only have about 3 hours on them. I'll be gigging with them this weekend and see what it does to my live sound.
 
Thanks everyone!! I am using an 2011 fender AS p bass if that matters! So right now it looks like it is between Dragons Skins and the Elixers. I feel bad for saying this but, even if the neons were the best sounding string in the world I could not gig out with them, dont want that attention..lol
 
Thanks everyone!! I am using an 2011 fender AS p bass if that matters! So right now it looks like it is between Dragons Skins and the Elixers. I feel bad for saying this but, even if the neons were the best sounding string in the world I could not gig out with them, dont want that attention..lol

You don't have to get the Neon colors, you can get black or clear. Dragon Skins are clear as well.