Dead Strings on outdoor gigs

[gimmeagig]

Hey guys,
I have been playing quite a few outdoor gigs this summer. My hands don't usualy sweat much. I'm in northern Idaho so it's not like the deep south but still, my hands do get sticky and my fresh roundwound stainless strings go dead after the first set. Today it was so bad that I thought I had blown both of my tweeters. I may have to bring two basses just to get through a concert with my tone intact.
Recently I saw some clips about dragon skin DR strings.Are those a new thing? Do you guys have any idea if coated strings like that could help keeping the tone in outdoor concerts? I don't know how recent those Dragon skin strings are. Have there been any new developments in strings that would help me?

 

[bass12]

I'd definitely try some coated strings. Dragon Skins are one kind, Elixers are another.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Are you sure it isn't your ears dealing with the sound at an outdoor show? Unless you are pouring buckets of salt water om your bass, one set shouldn't do that much.

Just a thought.

 

[michael_t]

Recently I saw some clips about dragon skin DR strings.Are those a new thing? Do you guys have any idea if coated strings like that could help keeping the tone in outdoor concerts? I don't know how recent those Dragon skin strings are. Have there been any new developments in strings that would help me?

Here's a thread from June 2024...

Thread 'New strings from DR- wonderful strings'

Jun 1, 2024

They sent me some advanced samples a bit ago. Today is the official launch date so I can talk about them. I’ll post more when I’m on my laptop

• hasbeen
• Replies: 108
• Forum: Strings [BG]

• 

 

[BAG]

I'd definitely try some Elixir's, they don't lose tone like uncoated strings.

 

[sdjfoh]

Hand towel or microfiber cloth? Just give a short wipe down the fretboard and hands between songs?

 

[Element Zero]

I’m not a fan of the DR dragon skin texture of the coating. It’s, squeaky. I’m really happy with with Elixirs on my fretless.

 

[KJMO]

Elixirs are the best. They have a sheath pulled over the whole string rather than coating the outside wire before winding it on (moisture and stuff can still penetrate between).

 

[Five or Six]

Like sdjfoh said. I ran rounds forever. In some of the worst conditions. I never had a set die that quick. If they were the cheap junk you may get from across the pond I could see it. Gotta be something else? Items, ear plugs? Outside there isn't much sound unless it's FOH. Stage sound at all can be tough. Especially if you're equipment is lacking?

 

[Sid the Kid]

The Dragon Skin strings die rather quickly where Elixir last for months. The Dragon Skins and the Ernie Ball coated strings are very grabby and sticky feeling where the Elixirs are almost eerily smooth. If you aren’t opposed to a tight feeling, bright sounding string you won’t find a better coated string than Elixir.

 

[Selim]

If it’s loud on the stage, it may be that your ears are trying to “protect themselves” by shutting down, Eustachian tubes closing down. It’ll sound like you’ve lost certain frequencies, particularly low mids and highs (for me anyway).

 

[depalm]

I hate coated strings, especially Elixirs. Never tried Dragons but DR makes great quality strings….

 

[BassBrass]

I just tried Dragon skins. They are slightly tacky, but their tone is enhanced. I don't do a lot of sliding so the feel is no issue. They resurrected a Schecter Studio 4 back to a mid forward warrior that cuts. Not a fan of Elixers, too stiff.

 

[Guitalia]

Are you sure it isn't your ears dealing with the sound at an outdoor show? Unless you are pouring buckets of salt water om your bass, one set shouldn't do that much.

Just a thought.

My first thought as well. Almost certainly impossible for strings to deteriorate that much over the course of one set.

 

[Aloe]

being outdoor might affect EQ needed as well. sometimes 'all my high end got lost' is a room or cab's position, or the sounds around.
were the strings still dead when you came home?

 

[scuzzy]

I love DR, but not their coated strings. If you want long lasting coated, elixir is the way. they last years.

 

[JazznFunk]

Strings shouldn't go bad that quickly, especially not stainless steel strings. On double bass, I find that the humidity and heat do make my hands and fingers start to feel sticky, which affects the touch on my instrument. If I dig in harder as a result of not hearing myself well, it gets worse, and I do feel like the sound gets 'choked' and not as rich as I prefer. Sometimes that's also down to the monitors and FOH mix blend that I hear. I sometimes will have a hitch in my attack/time because my fingers physically stick to the string. That said, I've never had strings noticeably 'die' during a sweaty/hot outdoor set on electric or upright. If you're not using earplugs of some sort, I agree with others that the high end you're likely losing is in your ears themselves. Wear earplugs.

 

[blr2]

90 or more min gig is all I need to completely kill a set of roundwounds. Yes, it happens outdoors and indoors. I don't like the feel of coated strings, so I had to accept the fact- new strings for every gig. Hopefully, I don't gig often nowadays.

 

[Grapevine921]

I haven't had a chance to try Elixirs yet but I've been on one set of DR dragon skins for my shows this summer and they've stayed bright despite all the sweat. They feel dead under my fingers but the retain their high end really well. I honestly don't like the way they feel compared to my usual strings (steel lo riders) but they've been perfect for the outdoor gigs.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

I cannot fathom a world where I could be compelled to change strings after every performance just to maintain some idea of "perfect tone".
For years I was either playing out or rehearsing 4 or 5 days a week.
That would be an awful lot of strings! There's no way I could afford that, even if I wanted to. Can't some of this "tone loss" be addressed with EQ?