Not Just A Pretty Face - A Follow-Up
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Published on 12-21-2010 04:00 PM
Number of Views: 2025
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...
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