• 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 free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

DR Black Beauty Extra Life Strings

#21
So it's my lot again to pour vinegar in the cup! I put a set of DR BBs on my Geddy Lee yesterday, tuned her, and let the strings settle overnight as I always do. But alas - in spite of all the roses and praise for these strings, I think they suck! Maybe (hopefully) it's just my set, but they are dead and lifeless trebly zingy-clangy, and are extremely unflexible and undynamic to play. They are insensitive to finger pressure effects, like diggin in and slapping. Slapping sounds so crappy that I had to laugh! Totally like plastic strings on a classic guitar! My Jazz sounded like a Dollar General egg-slicer :-) Of course I bought two sets, since I've used many coated strings before, but the extra set goes back over the counter. I use almost only Hi beams and Fat beams, apart from the ocassional flats/coaties, and wll keep buying DR strings. But NEVER again black beauties! At that price (279.00DKR) I demand a certain standard performance ability from my strings!
 
  • Like
Reactions: PawleeP
#24
I bought a five string set for my bass, out of the package my b-string snapped, I quickly emailed DR and they emailed me back within 10 mins. I explained that it snapped as I was putting it on and they were more than fine with sending two free replacement b's. those came in the mail I put them on and man I hated them so much, they burnt my fingers during all the slides I do in my bands songs. I've been playing at least five times a week for about 2 years so its not an issue of calluses. I would like to find a method to make the strings more slinky and slideable, cause they are quite beautiful. I'll keep searching on here maybe there is some method of motor oil I can put on my strings for some lube ;)
 
#25
Well, I just put a set on my P-Bass with passive pickups today and they work great for me.

However, I must say that the coating seems to take away some of the "new string" zing. That is perfectly OK for me since I hate "new string" zing.

May not be a cure all but IMHO a very solid product for a wide range of applications.

-- LoTone

mmbongo said:
I found Black Beauties to be pretty much the total opposite of what you described..when installed on the right bass. I don't think they work as well on basses with weak pickups or passive electronics as they do on active basses.
Click to expand...
 
#26
devin369 said:
I bought a five string set for my bass, out of the package my b-string snapped, I quickly emailed DR and they emailed me back within 10 mins. I explained that it snapped as I was putting it on and they were more than fine with sending two free replacement b's. those came in the mail I put them on and man I hated them so much, they burnt my fingers during all the slides I do in my bands songs. I've been playing at least five times a week for about 2 years so its not an issue of calluses. I would like to find a method to make the strings more slinky and slideable, cause they are quite beautiful. I'll keep searching on here maybe there is some method of motor oil I can put on my strings for some lube ;)
Click to expand...

Yeah. I figured the same thing. They don't work at all if you do any sliding, but for "normal" playing they work ok. I prefer elexirs if there is any sliding involved. Unfortunately the elixirs are a bit too slippery on the thicker strings. My old fender strings sounds slightly better, though.
 
#27
The one thing that I can say I liked about these strings is that they held a consistent tone longer than any other string I've even had on a bass.
I've been playing SS rounds for several years now, (specifically Roto 66's), so the DR BB atractted my attention. I was mainly drawn to the look of a black string on a maple fretboard.
The coating wore off a bit fast where I pick, and I found the coating had a slight effect on tone. I just recently slapped an old set of Rotos back on my bass and it made me wonder why I even strayed from what I know works for me.
 
#28
Chili said:
What about these strings on a musicman stingray? i dont use a pick so thats not a problem but i do slap. The black coating does look nice aswell, i think i might splash out on a set and then try DR high beams see which i like best.
Also, the black coating wont stain the frets will it?
Click to expand...

I use these on my Stingray and they are great. They take that aggressive edge off but do not change the instruments character; and they last a long time
 
  • Like
Reactions: GwenOnBass
#29
I love these on my P bass. They have made the bass come alive.

Ive had thnm for almost a year on my backup bass (that doesnt get played much). I got them used as i thought they might look good on the white Jazz. That they do but i never really cared for the tone and feel. A year later i gave them a go on my main bass and im hooked.
I had a set of neons when the first came out but didnt really like the feel. Does anyone know if they are the same strings, just different colours? I do remeber the Neons feeling quite rough.
 
#30
I've not tried the black beauties but I have tried the DR Neons. I can imagine there won't be a massive difference other than the colour? They probably use the same coating?

I have a 4 string Ibanez Srx720 and i've modded it to use the low B rather than E due to the type of metal my band plays, tuning an E that low just never sounds great.
I've never really liked the feel of playing a 5 string though I'll no doubt end up with one in the future.

Anyways, I found the DR Neons on the internet after seeing a youtube video of some awful band that used them, I can't remember their name. I got a 5 string set for about £20 and didn't use the E. They sounded really good and lasted ages. i got them like 7 odd months ago? I'm not sure, a long time anyway. But the coating is still pretty good and I'm only now deciding they need replaced.

I'm going to venture into another set just as a personal preference. :)
 
#31
I put a set on my Mexican P bass, and beautiful $75 bass! They look terrific and sound punchy and lively. I've had 'em on for maybe three months and have nothing but good things to say about them. I see no degradation of color and they remain awesome. I have a Markbass Little Mark II head with an Epifani 210 cabinet, and I use an Aural Exciter as well, which adds "space" and a rounder bottom to the sound. Very happy with the set up, so much so that I am buying a set of the Black Beauties for my Mexican J bass, too. Oh, and I also put a Gotah bridge on both basses, which makes a nice difference in sustain as well.
 
#32
Yep love them on my Pbass. I have another set of BB's and just traded for the silver star set. I don't think that bass will use any other. The sound awesome and the coating after 3 months heavy use are just starting to flake off. Not noticable from far away.
 
#33
I've got 'em on my Streamer fretless and think they're really cool looking and very easy on the fretboard. They sound great on the fretless although I wouldn't use them on my fretted basses - not aggressive enough for what I like in a fretted bass sound. I'm currently using R Cocco nickels on one of my main fretted basses (another Warwick Streamer) and really like the way they sound and feel. Deep and snappy sounding with that smooth nickel feel. And long lasting.
 
#34
A question: how do they compare to elixirs?

I use Elixirs but am interested in the BB's purely for cosmetic reasons.
I understand the coating on both is completely different, causing the Elixirs to feel slippery and the BB's rough.
But how does their sound compare? And do the BB's last as long as Elixirs?
 
#35
Been using DR BB's on all 3 of my basses for a good while now and love them. Yes, if you do use a pick the coating with come off quicker, but I've used some sets until practically no coating was left where I use my fingers or pick, but still sounded fine. I'm not a lover of really "bright" strings,use to use Hi-Beams and Boomers, but ever since I tried the Black Beauties, they are perfect for me.

Strings, as with most anything, are user preference...what feels / sounds / looks good to one person, may be poope for another. But I suggest that you at least try a set, if you like them fine, if not, well move on to something that fits your style.

cheers
 
#36
Chili said:
Hey, i was looking to order some DR high beams since i've heard nothing but good things about them, but while searching for them, i came accross DR Black Beauty bass strings, does anyone know if these strings are werth the money? I'm deffinitly interested in them, but they cost £32. Can anyone who has used these strings let me know what there like plz before i spend the money.
Click to expand...
 
#37
Since this thread is quite old, I thought that I'd just offer a short comment to address something that I've noticed a conspicuously absent from the thread (at least from what I've read).

ANY DR string (IMO) could NOT possibly be a bad choice, for at least Bass Players. I have used multiple versions on both Acoustics & Electrics, Basses, 6 strings, 7 strings & acoustics (and lately a 12 string acoustic). All seem to have serious tonal advantages. Wonderful stings, If it were not for their price I would use them all the time. With the number of times I play per week, I have to change strings regularly & often.

Here's my thing with the Coated DR's (this applies to literally ALL versions [even the clear]), they quickly loose the adhesive properties and start to "Flake" off the metal surface. This seems to always be where I play the hardest & make the most consistent contact. Unlike LaBella's (and others) for example, which use a micro-fine nylon ribbon that is wrapped around the exterior surface, the DR's COAT (and MOST others) them. Now this is more a "cosmetic" issue than one that effects playability, but, I have noticed this is pretty consistent theme with DR's (and other "coated") stings. Just slightly unsightly for gigs. I've noticed this the most with the "Black Beauties" & "Red Dragons". Especially, when a pick is used.

Just something to think about. I'm no Chemist, however, I would think if they were to create a less brittle coating material, that this would greatly increase their lifetime. Seems that I replace them, almost, as often as untreated strings. Not because they are loosing tone, but, for the simple fact that they look horrible on stage. So, the "Cool Factory" is NOT offset by their longevity ~vs~ cost.

I sure hope this helps some players out there. A $30 set of strings that is advertised as "Long Life" should be FAR superior to a set for $14 that you'll replace just as often. Just a thought.

~my 2 cents~
 
#38
Orpheus55 said:
I use these on my Stingray and they are great. They take that aggressive edge off but do not change the instruments character; and they last a long time
Click to expand...

Been using DR coated strings now for more than a year. Pretty well matches my experience with what I believe to be essentially the same string: DR Neons. Like others who posted above, I see mild wear on the underside of the string at the fret contact point. As I play finger style, I don't see pick wear. I feel the DR coated strings - in whatever color - give me the tone I want from my 'Ray.

I'm on month 3.5 on mine and don't feel they need to be changed just yet. Caveat: I am a dedicated changer of strings. Before I found DR coated, I changed strings every six weeks or so. I play an average of four hours / day FWIW.
 
Last edited:
#39
SLaPiNFuNK said:
It sounds like these are not only the old non-K3 coated version but also very old unfortunately. I would not compare these to the current strings. Non-K3 haven't been produced in over a year...

I would give a current set a try before writing these off...
Click to expand...
I see this is a so-called zombie thread. However I was wondering if it's true that they don't ground well and cause hum with single coils. Want to try some black strings on a certain black bass and not sure if i would like tape-wounds. pawleeP
 
#40
I’ve been using Black Beauties for a long time now. Absolutely love them on my Lindy Fralin equipped Lakland BG Pbass. I kept convincing myself to use flats(TI Infelds, Chromes, La Bella), but keep going back to the DR’s. They just feel like home too me. I’m mainly a finger player and don’t have problems with flaking. Eventually they start to wear, but it’s gradual in my experience. I have not noticed any additional humming with my passive P or J bass.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back