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Who else loves DR Black Beauties?

M-Mittlesteadt

M-Mittlesteadt

Sep 6, 2024
1,076
3,374
65
Central WI
#1
I was using Dean Markley SR2000 strings on my 6 string, but then became enamored with Heiko Jung.

I just installed DR Black Beauties on my 6 string last night. I absolutely love the tone and feel of these strings! Rich, full, warm, yet bright...but without the clanky zing of traditional SS strings. I lowered my action even further (which was already quite low).

As a bonus, a full 6 string set was only $44 on Amazon.

So far I am really loving these Black Beauties. Aside from tone and playability, they also look nice on my bass.

SR2000's...

SR2000-strings.jpg


DR Black Beauties...

DR-Black-Beauties-strings.jpg
 
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#4
I've been playing the Black Beauties on my 6 string since putting them on and while I'm not very picky with my string choices (other than providing me what I generally look for in a string choice), these strings sound absolutely beautiful.

They are very balanced across all strings. My C string sounds full instead of weak or "tinny", and well balanced tonally with the other strings, and the low B is absolutely the best low B I've ever used. It sounds so clean and notes are distinct. From the open low B to the E, F, G, and A on it sound identical to those same notes played on the E string. Most low B's on other sets, when fretted, seem to choke and the notes decay rather quickly, but the Black Beauty Low B rings out with great clarity.

These strings sound rich and full, across all strings and all up and down the fretboard. I'm sure it is dependent on the bass they are strung up on, and on my Ibanez GSR206 6 string they could not be a better match.

I typically prefer bright SS strings and dial back the zing a bit with my tone control, but I find no need to with these. They are not overly bright, clanky or buzzy even with very low action. At $44 for a full 6 string set, these are becoming my favorite string choice.
 
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#5
I posted this same thing but for whatever reason black beauties work great with the sound gear vibe. I have the sr505 and they were great with it. On my Warwick streamer they work well too but I think I like the more raw tone of uncoated steels better. I seem to find deals on them so for cheap these are hard to go wrong with. They do hold up a long time like most DR strings. I don't think the coating actually makes it stay brighter for me than uncoated DR strings but it does actually seem to give you a unique voice.
 
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#6
GTHintz said:
I posted this same thing but for whatever reason black beauties work great with the sound gear vibe. I have the sr505 and they were great with it. On my Warwick streamer they work well too but I think I like the more raw tone of uncoated steels better. I seem to find deals on them so for cheap these are hard to go wrong with. They do hold up a long time like most DR strings. I don't think the coating actually makes it stay brighter for me than uncoated DR strings but it does actually seem to give you a unique voice.
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I honestly did not even think of getting them because of the coating. I've had coated strings before and found there wasn't anything typically special about coated strings. I wanted to try them more because I've been working on more complex chordal music and this guy (Heiko Jung) has the most beautiful tone.

I have a Squier P/J 4 string that gives me the more traditional "bass" tones for most popular genres, but I'm doing more musical exploration with my 6 string and instead of the typical descriptors most players are in search of with string choice, I'm searching for my own "voice". So yes, I think "unique voice" is a great way to describe them. They are just different in a way that words alone can't convey.
 
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#7
M-Mittlesteadt said:
I honestly did not even think of getting them because of the coating. I've had coated strings before and found there wasn't anything typically special about coated strings. I wanted to try them more because I've been working on more complex chordal music and this guy (Heiko Jung) has the most beautiful tone.

I have a Squier P/J 4 string that gives me the more traditional "bass" tones for most popular genres, but I'm doing more musical exploration with my 6 string and instead of the typical descriptors most players are in search of with string choice, I'm searching for my own "voice". So yes, I think "unique voice" is a great way to describe them. They are just different in a way that words alone can't convey.
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I think how I'd describe them is having a lot of the musical character of the dr hi beams but with less highs replaced by more mids which creates a more well rounded tone. Your GSR has a signature deep punchy Ibanez tone I call it and those work great together. Also if you ever happen to try labella RX stainless steel on there they absolutely sounded brilliant on my bass. I have a gsr205. Those were the magic combination. I'm pretty much opposite of traditional when I'm looking for tone. I have always gone for a tone that can boldly stand on its own. I'm not really into overdrive but I want an aggressive growly clean tone that has mass behind it without getting muddy. Best way I can describe it.
 
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#8
I've been loving the Black Beauties on my 6 string so much that I ordered a 4 string set (40-100) for my Precision (P/J). My 6 string is more for writing, classical and tribal/experimental music.

The full, rich balanced tone of the Black Beauties will be great for my Precision when playing more traditional genres (Blues, Rock, etc.). The BB's still have enough punch and brightness for when I play more aggressively with my Precision...may look nice on this too...

PJSun.jpg
 
#10
I just swapped out the stock SS rounds (not sure what brand the bass came with) for the DR Black Beauties because they sounded so good on my 6 string.

I love their tone and feel on my P/J 4 string!. Gauge is 40-100 (I wanted slightly lighter strings on it). So full, deep and just the right amount of brightness. I can get that classic Precision thump or that aggressive punchy tone as well.

PJ-Old-strings.jpg



PJ-BBs.jpg
 
#14
Prodigus Filius said:
Few more questions.
Can these strings be strung through body without issues. Particularly interested in the 125 gauge in this scenario. In addition, the 45-125 set has no tapered strings. Correct?
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I have BB's on both, my Precision 4 string and my Ibanez 6 string. Not through body stringing, but they are quite long. And none of them are tapered (including the low B).
 
#15
M-Mittlesteadt said:
I have BB's on both, my Precision 4 string and my Ibanez 6 string. Not through body stringing, but they are quite long. And none of them are tapered (including the low B).
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Thanks for info. I’ve read the winding length is 37.75”. I need no less than 37” and no greater than 38.25”. So they should be fine.
Have you found the coating is pretty robust?
 
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#16
Prodigus Filius said:
Thanks for info. I’ve read the winding length is 37.75”. I need no less than 37” and no greater than 38.25”. So they should be fine.
Have you found the coating is pretty robust?
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I haven't had mine on very long. Lots of differing views on that, but a lot of that could be using a pick versus fingers, environmental factors, etc. Mine are still new, so...time will tell.

It doesn't feel like there is even a coating on them to be honest. They look, sound and feel like SS strings, only black. They are bright (but not overly "zingy"), full and even across all strings. I love the tone and feel throughout. Well balanced tension and tone.
 
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#17
Prodigus Filius said:
Have you found the coating is pretty robust?
Click to expand...


I have a set on my precision, and while I do really dig the tone, I've found that the coating is not very resilient. In fact some of it came off just threading the string through the bridge, and there's a very obvious patch of wear in my favoured playing spot, although I do play predominantly with a pick which probably doesn't help.
 
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#19
Great sounding and feeling strings. I love them on a Maple board. The only con I have with them is they wear very quickly with a pick. 2 hours of practice playing fast and heavy music after installing and they could be silver where I pick. I haven't found it to comprise the tone in a significant manner.
 
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#20
Flying B said:
I have a set on my precision, and while I do really dig the tone, I've found that the coating is not very resilient. In fact some of it came off just threading the string through the bridge, and there's a very obvious patch of wear in my favoured playing spot, although I do play predominantly with a pick which probably help
Click to expand...

Flying B said:
I have a set on my precision, and while I do really dig the tone, I've found that the coating is not very resilient. In fact some of it came off just threading the string through the bridge, and there's a very obvious patch of wear in my favoured playing spot, although I do play predominantly with a pick which probably doesn't help.
Click to expand...
Yeh I imagine a pick would degrade the coating quicker.
 

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