DR Black Beauties were immensely disappointing.

[GwennyT]

For context, I play a PJ bass and I saw them on their website with a quote from Geezer Butler talking about how good they are, so I figured I should try them. As soon as I put them on my bass they had low output and sounded incredibly thin-- I had to EQ in so much bass that my wah pedal (Dunlop 105Q, SPECIFICALLY made for bass) constantly clicked whenever I used it. In the first few minutes of playing, the coating began to chip off near the frets and black flakes got all over my fretboard. Due to them being non-conductive, there was an annoying buzz behind anything I played.

If you're thinking about getting them, don't. Get Lo-Riders or High Beams from the same brand; those are actually usable.

 

[Killing Floor]

Some players like them. That’s why they’re available all these decades. But there’s no best. Only way to know what works best for you is to try.

 

[ThomasTronics]

I've never had the black coating fade away or flake off. I also never had a problem with them sounding thin or low output. Maybe you got a bad set.
I'm defending the strings as if i like them lol i dont I've tried them a few times.

 

[MynameisMe]

Coated strings tend to work better on active bases.

 

[FRoss6788]

Coated strings tend to work better on active bases.

Hmmm, that's a new one...

 

[MynameisMe]

Hmmm, that's a new one...

No hum.

 

[FRoss6788]

No hum.

I don't use them anymore, but never had that issue when I did.

That and Geezer uses them on a passive bass as well, so...

They were simply way too flexible for me.

 

[MynameisMe]

I don't use them anymore, but never had that issue when I did.

That and Geezer uses them on a passive bass as well, so...

They were simply way too flexible for me.

I tried a pair on a passive bass. Hummm city.
Installed then on an active bass I was setting up for a friend and no hum.

 

[MuseChaser]

I recently tried a set on an Alembic fretless. They sound pretty good, but I don't like the way they feel. I thought the coating would make them feel a little smoother than the rounds that were on the bass previously, but if anything they feel coarser and rougher... like playing on 60 grit sandpaper. I don't think they'll stay on long.

 

[FRoss6788]

I recently tried a set on an Alembic fretless. They sound pretty good, but I don't like the way they feel. I thought the coating would make them feel a little smoother than the rounds that were on the bass previously, but if anything they feel coarser and rougher... like playing on 60 grit sandpaper. I don't they'll stay on long.

Agreed.

I wanted to love them because they looked so good on my black and maple jazz, and I'm a fan of DR strings in general, but I was not a fan of the "rope burn" feel of doing gliss's or fast position shifts. Yuck!

 

[FC Bass]

I've been using them for years and recently switched back to Stainless steels (currently LaBella)
The Black beauties start at the level of slightly worn in Stainless steel strings, but in that state they last much longer than the Stainless steels. If you can live with that, I guess these are great strings for you.
I started to miss that bright clang, hence my rebound.
The black coating wears fairly quick in the playing area (I play a lot with a pick) and when they're done they feel/sound kinda like plastic strings (I think, never tried plastic strings)
That can be seen as negative, but wouldn't surprise me if that sound would be useful to somebody..

Black beauties on Alembic Series II:


(isolated starts at 07:02)

 

[FRoss6788]

Cool bass!