string questions

[motleycrew]

Do coated strings like DR Black Beauties effect brightness of sound..Could they actually darken the sound?

 

[avionix543]

I've had many sets of BB's and I wouldn't personally characterise them as the brightest strings out there when they're new but they do hold quite an edge for longer than non-coated strings, especially the B and E which usually die off pretty quick for me. They have a nice balance to them and in my experience, work better on ash basses than ovangkol or bubinga (I'm sure there will be disagreement on that... it's just my opinion :wink: ). They didn't darken the sound on my FNA Jazzman - fattened it up is more accurate. I got a killer MM tone out of it when I wanted it, but they also did a great job projecting a solid Warwick tone. DR doesn't make 'bad' strings at all, they just make a bunch of different sounding strings. ~M~

 

[Warwick_rocks]

How often do you guys typically change strings? Also how many hours a day do you normally play? I'm just curious is all - I can tell when I need to change mine but I'm interested in other peoples patterns

 

[avionix543]

Non-coated strings I can kill in 40 hours or less, depending on the strings and what I'm playing. Coated ones I've gotten a couple hundred hours out of on some occasions. I usually play between 10 and 20 hours a week on average with my Optima's staying good for maybe four or five months - same for Elixir's and EMP's. I don't really do very much with non-coated strings anymore since it just costs too much to keep new ones around in my climate (salt water is about 100 meters from my doorstep...) ~M~

 

[Warwick_rocks]

I'm really gonna consider getting the EMP's for my next set - It's too bad GC only carries all the other Warwick styles - As for my other basses they can keep the regular strings since they don't see as much use - HEHE :lol: