DR Neons VS Red Devils

[adamaarts]

Has anyone tried both and have an opinion on the differences? It seems I see a lot of praise for the Neons, but all I have tried is the Red Devils. I have gone through 2 or 3 sets (with replacements) and there are always one or more strings that arrive dead, and then others that die within a day or two. Other than that, there are obvious and glaring tone differences between each string, like some wear out much more quickly. It was suggested before that I was installing them incorrectly (round core) but I've had countless sets of Hi Beams and other round core, never had that issue.

Anyway, I have some stuff coming up that I'd really like the Red string look for, so I ordered some red neons, hoping to see what others think while I wait. I'll of course add my thoughts once the arrive.

 

[bearfoot]

I have the neon greens on a bass. One thing I can tell you is, even though they've been around 10 years or so, they get a lot of audience comments. People stopped to photograph my bass on its stand, in between shows at a festival, even. Because green strings. : )

I can say that I don't like the feel of them. They feel plasticy , and it doesn't go away. The tone is fairly typical for a coated string, just a bit muted and down-the-middle.

IMO, the look is the best thing Neons have going for them.

 

[mmbongo]

All of the DR K3 strings are the same...the only difference is the color.

 

[bearfoot]

actually I thought I should revisit that impression

I put the green DR Neons on the green bass in early June. played them heavily. they seemed to have a strange tact to them, sort of sticky, and an overall lack of brilliance/highs (compared to nickel rounds), as well as sustain.

but I haven't played that bass since Halloween. which I recall , the strings felt good. They don't feel so much sticky as grainy, now, which is cool.

What I think they sound like to me now is, like an ultralight tapewound. I think its a durable roundwound, down-the-middle tone, and high gee-wiz factor because neon. I like them, and find them preferable played-in. I could do with a slightly heavier E-string, and overall the 45-105 feels lighter than I'd expect. They are kind of the ultimate "stage string", but never wow'd me for tone.

 

[adamaarts]

I eventually sent an email to DR, and their response was they are exactly the same minus the color. The construction process and tone are identical, but the red of the Neon is more of an orange pink.

I still haven't put them on because they don't look red enough to achieve what I wanted.

 

[Vette1976]

I have a set of Black Beauties on my Thunderbird, love the sound! Going with the fell mentioned above I don't think it is plastic feel, but it does seem to almost have a grippy feel...get into a few slides and you could give yourself rug burn on the fingers. That said I like them a lot.
My search brought me here as I was wondering about the actual colour difference between Red Devils and Neon Reds, I would think the Decils wouldn't be black light reactive like the neons?

 

[adamaarts]

I have a set of Black Beauties on my Thunderbird, love the sound! Going with the fell mentioned above I don't think it is plastic feel, but it does seem to almost have a grippy feel...get into a few slides and you could give yourself rug burn on the fingers. That said I like them a lot.
My search brought me here as I was wondering about the actual colour difference between Red Devils and Neon Reds, I would think the Decils wouldn't be black light reactive like the neons?

The neon Reds are more of a pinkish orange color. I would never call that red. But they are black light reactive.

The Red Devils are an actual bright and bold deep red. They look freaking awesome especially with a black bass.... I don't think they react to black light at all.

For those that come across this in the future as well, the tone and coati g feels and sounds exactly the same between the two. They feel okay, a little spongy in tension and grippy in texture. The tone is exactly the same between the two. The neons were basically already losing tone by the time I was finished writing and recording a demo song for a pedal. After that they won't have any use.

It really does suck because they look so stinkin cool, but they die fast and sound so awful. I love DR strings, I use the Hi Beams almost exclusively, the tone and feel are amazing, not too expensive, etc. But their color series is just awful

 

[Lesfunk]

I thought the neons are nickel and the Red Devils are stainless

I could be wong

 

[Nuage420]

I thought the neons are nickel and the Red Devils are stainless

I could be wong

I have Neons, and Black Beauties and thy absolute sound and feel different to me. I would guess the devils and the black beauties are the same?

The Neons having the gritty feel and the BBs are actually kind if smooth

 

[michael_t]

I thought the neons are nickel and the Red Devils are stainless

I have Neons, and Black Beauties and thy absolute sound and feel different to me. I would guess the devils and the black beauties are the same?

Black Beauties = stainless steel.
Red Devils = nickel-plated steel.
Neons = nickel-plated steel.

 

[adamaarts]

Black Beauties = stainless steel.
Red Devils = nickel-plated steel.
Neons = nickel-plated steel.

I wonder why they'd make the BB differently.