Coloured bass strings - alternatives to DR NEON?

[Bassic_desires]

Hello

I currently use DR Neon bass strings (red) on my Fender Jazz. The strings look fantastic! On the other hand, the playability is merely okay. For example, sliding a finger down the strings is quite low volume compared to other strings I use and the strings on the jazz are very clackity (though I've improved the sound by turning-off the bridge pickup).

So, are there any other manufacturers of coloured bass strings?

Thankyou for your help.

 

[bassyogi]

Aurora

 

[GKon]

I've used Aurora strings for many years on many basses. I love their sound. I've gigged them for several years and they stayed sounding good and clear. Solid, bright but not annoyingly so. Also, the folks that run the company are easily reachable through their email to make you specialized sets with different gauges. I just needed strings for a six string but they weren't listed on their site. The owner replied to my email within a day, had the set made up for me and sent out to me within a couple of days. Awesome customer service.

I can't say enough good things about their strings. That being said, string choice is a personal one so you may like them, you may not. Order a set and you'll see.

 

[GTHintz]

I think black beauties are better. I wouldn't bother with elixir or any others because aside from black beauties the rest have a type of coating that is too muted when the pickups are trying to receive the vibration of the strings. Black beauties are a little bit dampened as well but it's not as bad as the rest so they sound better because it's closer to getting a normal string on there.

 

[GKon]

Although the Auroras do have a coating, I have not experienced the muting you're speaking of. I have them on several basses, so it's not instrument specific. I also have their non-colored strings on several basses and they sound the same.

I've also had other brands on the same basses and, other than tonal differences due to different brands being made differently, I never heard a muted issue.

 

[Bassic_desires]

Thankyou to all of those who commented. I'll order the Aurora strings and so how they play.

 

[GKon]

Thankyou to all of those who commented. I'll order the Aurora strings and so how they play.

Please do let us/me know what you think. I hope you like them!

 

[GTHintz]

Although the Auroras do have a coating, I have not experienced the muting you're speaking of. I have them on several basses, so it's not instrument specific. I also have their non-colored strings on several basses and they sound the same.

I've also had other brands on the same basses and, other than tonal differences due to different brands being made differently, I never heard a muted issue.

By muting I meant overall output. Apparently certain basses really go anemic with certain coatings and even have extra hum or pickup noise. If you have humbuckers or anything active it probably wouldn't be much of an issue. If your bass gets quieter you can always increase the volume. Also if Aurora has a coating that fixes that issue like black beauties then that's awesome!

 

[GKon]

By muting I meant overall output. Apparently certain basses really go anemic with certain coatings and even have extra hum or pickup noise. If you have humbuckers or anything active it probably wouldn't be much of an issue. If your bass gets quieter you can always increase the volume.

Yes, I know what you meant, and I agree that coatings can affect output. In my case, however,I haven't noticed an issue. Many of my basses are active, but some are passive, and I haven't really noticed any difference between the two with the Auroras.

 

[GTHintz]

Yes, I know what you meant, and I agree that coatings can affect output. In my case, however,I haven't noticed an issue. Many of my basses are active, but some are passive, and I haven't really noticed any difference between the two with the Auroras.

I think it was mainly elixirs that had that problem but I know DR definitely reworked Thier coating technology and I can bet Aurora has its own design that keep it from being an issue. I noticed that you have a ever so slight drop in volume with black beauties vs say fat beams or other uncoated but it's more pronounced acoustically. But the good part is that they definitely keep the windings better protected from corrosion or impurities. I think for an acoustic bass it would actually be a great option. The tone is nice.

 

[Bassic_desires]

Purchased some red Auroras a little while ago. Should arrive around 20 Nov. I appreciate everyone’s advice

 

[GKon]

Purchased some red Auroras a little while ago. Should arrive around 20 Nov. I appreciate everyone’s advice

Awesome! You're welcome! I hope you're satisfied with them.

 

[Bassic_desires]

The Aurora strings cost ~AUD$62 delivered; whereas the Dr Neons are ~AUD$89 delivered. Quite a saving!

 

[GKon]

The Aurora strings cost ~AUD$62 delivered; whereas the Dr Neons are ~AUD$89 delivered. Quite a saving!

That's fantastic and an unforseen plus from my end.
I will say again. Their customer service is top notch. When * lived in Greece I ordered their strings and wanted custom sized G string for my 4 string. They made it no problem, sent it out, shipping was quick and the cost was fair.