Welcome to Thunder Row, where bassists from around the world connect, collide, confer, conference, compose, collude, and communicate!
Don't be shy, jump on in!



Roy's Blog




*Teach Me Bass Guitar, the most comprehensive, effective, and entertaining program of bass instruction anywhere. Guaranteed.
www.teachmebassguitar.com


Free Sample Lessons
Sign up for THUNDERFIST: Your FREE bass tip excerpts from TMBG - the most fun, effective self-paced video instruction for bass guitar ever created!
Your Name*:
Your Email*:
(*We will not share this information.)

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

myspace myspace
myspace myspace

 


  • Not Just A Pretty Face - A Follow-Up

    From the moment I first saw the new DR Neon Strings, I knew I had to have a set. Was it because I already like my Black Beauties and knew that anything made by DR would appeal to me? Nahhh, it was the neon. I’d have bought rusty wire if they’d coated it in neon. Neon and blacklights just do something for me. Been that way since the Seventies. So I bought myself a set of the yellow strings in the medium gauge (45 65 85 105). In the 5-string set, the B’s a 125. All in, they were about $42.00 CDN. Being from DR, I wasn’t really concerned about whether or not they would sound good. I just trusted the brand name enough that they wouldn’t release something like this as a gimmick. I think they have too much at stake with their reputation. Let’s face it - what good is a pretty face if there’s nothing underneath? (stink-eye to Ralph) The Look Obviously, the neon is going to be the selling feature. Sorry, DR, but nobody’s going to see these and say, “Oh look, Razorback, DR has a new string.” “My goodness, Evil Eye, so they do!” “Hmmm, I wonder if they would sound as good as my Swing Bass strings?” Neon first, sound later. These strings are luminescent under normal lighting, and scream for attention under blacklight. This is not just a very cool thing visually - it’s quite functional as a means of helping you see where you’re putting your fingers. Whereas a bass with fibre-optic LEDs along the side of the neck will help a musician see what his fingers are doing in the dark, the DR Neon strings will let the whole room see what your fingers are doing in the dark. The entire fretboard lights up, as do your fingers when in the vicinity of the strings. The E and A strings in particular shake with a hypnotizing neon pulse as you pound out the low notes. Absolutely mesmerizing. The Feel The DR Neon strings are very smooth, thanks to the K3 coating. They also have good grip under your plucking fingers. There’s a warning on the package about how you can risk damaging the coating with metal edges and advises the user to string them up carefully through metal bridge holes. I’d also recommend staying away from things like nail slides and any hard edged picks. It’s been advertised that the coating is seriously long-lasting, but let’s not invite trouble with deliberate, wanton acts of destruction. (What? Not bass players…surely…) Score another point for DR - phenomenal look, great feel… The Sound The DR Neons shocked me at first play with a deep, clear bass resonance I’d not heard in any of the strings I’ve tried before. They produce a powerful tone, very full-bodied and defined. Clean, the low ends are pure, no muddy, half-thunder. The mids and highs are even and steady - I call them the talking notes. The low end is the rumble, the higher end is the conversation. Deep, clean, resonant, rich, bright…you’ll find your own words when you try them. When I kicked on the overdrive, they came to life with an angry growl that completely contradicted the pretty yellow colour. I tell you, if you had a set of these in PINK, and heard this kind of aggressive tone coming from such a “girlie” colour, you’d be hard-pressed to make the connection in your mind. This is a new generation in strings - extreme bass power married to modern technology. They call this new generation “Superstrings,” and after using them, I agree without reservation. Three for three. Perfect score for DR. I’m in the process of making a new video of me playing a song with these strings. Soon, soon… In the meantime, if you haven’t already done so, make sure you ask Santa for a set for Christmas. They can help Rudolph find his way through the night...
    Comments 12 Comments
    1. SilverFlame46's Avatar
      SilverFlame46 -
      Great article, Elmeaux. Looking forward to the video!!!
    1. thunderman's Avatar
      thunderman -
      Now I have to go buy myself a Christmas present!
    1. c-note's Avatar
      c-note -
      Was by a GC store & I was itching to go in maybe I'll try the neon strings thx Elmeaux
    1. Patrick's Avatar
      Patrick -
      If you use these strings be careful not to use black-light for a prolonged time.
      Black-light is mainly invisible (for humans) UV light which can seriously damage your eyesight !
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      The use of blacklight is fun with them, but not required. They look good under a variety of low lights. Deeply coloured Christmas LED lights bring up the colour in them, too. Though I haven't tried them on stage, I hear that stage lighting gives the audience its money's worth in terms of stealing the show.

      Super cool to dress all in black, turn off all the lights, and have one very low wattage blacklight on...not too close to where you're standing, of course. All you see are strings and fingers. Outrageous!
    1. TobiasMan's Avatar
      TobiasMan -
      Elmeaux,

      I do believe you are just a tad excited about these strings.

      Better Beauties, you say?
    1. jthomas353's Avatar
      jthomas353 -
      Quote Originally Posted by Elmeaux View Post
      The use of blacklight is fun with them, but not required. They look good under a variety of low lights. Deeply coloured Christmas LED lights bring up the colour in them, too. Though I haven't tried them on stage, I hear that stage lighting gives the audience its money's worth in terms of stealing the show.

      Super cool to dress all in black, turn off all the lights, and have one very low wattage blacklight on...not too close to where you're standing, of course. All you see are strings and fingers. Outrageous!
      Get some inexpensive white gloves and cut out the fingertips. That should really standout.
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      I'm more than a TAD excited.

      I remember when I went in to pick them up at the music store (I had to have them ordered in from the main warehouse as they were not on the shelf)...I had paid for them in advance, so all they had to do when I picked them up was to mark it on the bill that the item had been received.

      While they were doing that, I opened the package and uncoiled the E string. It actually drew a crowd of HOLY SMOKERS who'd never seen anything like them before. The guy at the cash register actually called to other employees to come and take a look. A crowd of shoppers and employees actually "gathered 'round."

      One guy asked if they came in different colours...another asked if there was a version for lead guitars. I heard a couple of definite, "I have to get some of those..." among the group.

      I'd say DR owes me about $100.00 for ad fees right about now.

      Yep...meesa satisfied customer!!!

      It's fun having things in my world that can still shiver me timbers....
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      Quote Originally Posted by jthomas353 View Post
      Get some inexpensive white gloves and cut out the fingertips. That should really standout.

      Or I could put T M B G on each of my fretting fingernails in glow in the dark paint...


      ...or spell out R O Y V O G T on my teeth, so that if I smile....


      ...naaaaaahhh....
    1. SilverFlame46's Avatar
      SilverFlame46 -
      Quote Originally Posted by Elmeaux View Post
      I'm more than a TAD excited.

      I remember when I went in to pick them up at the music store (I had to have them ordered in from the main warehouse as they were not on the shelf)...I had paid for them in advance, so all they had to do when I picked them up was to mark it on the bill that the item had been received.

      While they were doing that, I opened the package and uncoiled the E string. It actually drew a crowd of HOLY SMOKERS who'd never seen anything like them before. The guy at the cash register actually called to other employees to come and take a look. A crowd of shoppers and employees actually "gathered 'round."

      One guy asked if they came in different colours...another asked if there was a version for lead guitars. I heard a couple of definite, "I have to get some of those..." among the group.

      I'd say DR owes me about $100.00 for ad fees right about now.

      Yep...meesa satisfied customer!!!

      It's fun having things in my world that can still shiver me timbers....
      Glad you like them, but now we need the video so we all can see them!!!
    1. SilverFlame46's Avatar
      SilverFlame46 -
      Quote Originally Posted by Elmeaux View Post
      Or I could put T M B G on each of my fretting fingernails in glow in the dark paint...


      ...or spell out R O Y V O G T on my teeth, so that if I smile....


      ...naaaaaahhh....
      Me agrees with ya, that may be a bit too much!!!
    1. line6bassman's Avatar
      line6bassman -
      Multi-Colored are cool!! http://www.thunderrow.com/showthread...tring-Bass-set
  • Latest Videos

    Donohoe & Grimes Do Up Some Floyd

    Publish Date: September 26, 2014, 10:15 am


    Read More Read More


  • Bass Tips

    Beginning Bass Lessons

    Publish Date: July 25, 2015, 1:00 pm


    Read More Read More


  • Ads