Author Topic: New Strings (Read 270 times)

jacko · « **on:** November 03, 2011, 09:14:37 AM »

I've been putting off getting new strings for ages but a discount voucher from Mike Griggs at Stringthis finally forced my hand. I've gone for two sets of the newish DR neons - yellow and orange. Just finished fitting them and I have to say they look awesome.

I really like the yellow - stands out incredibly well. I just hope the coating lasts - the red devils and black beauties I took off were mostly silver although I have to admit they've been on for over a year. So far I've not plugged the basses in but the stings have the same feel as the old ones. Can't wait to see them on stage under a UV. Graeme p.s. For folks in the UK, Mike kindly undervalued the package (without being asked) to avoid our import taxes. I don't know about you but I reckon I've already been taxed on my earnings and the US govt have taken a slice in purchase tax too so I don't see any reason to give my govt money when they've not added any value to my purchase :-)

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2011, 10:28:16 AM »

They look very nice, and I hope you are happy with their sound and durability. My experience with them was disappointing. I bought a set for a 6-string guitar and the coating flaked off in short order wherever the pick hit them and wherever they touched the frets; I won't be getting another set.

jacko · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2011, 04:59:04 AM »

Hi Ben.
I'd heard about the flaking problem when they came out but DR have apparently changed the coating so that under normal plucking it should last over 180 hours. I'll report back in a couple of months to let you know how they're holding up.

Graeme

(Message edited by jacko on November 04, 2011)

811952 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2011, 06:50:34 AM »

I particularly like the high-viz yellow-green. That's pretty neat. Maybe they should anodize the wire?

lbpesq · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2011, 07:20:20 AM »

I had a set of green ones on my FerLembic guitar for about six months. No problems with flaking. If regular strings can be characterized as sounding 10 when new and fading to 1 after a couple of months, or so, the Neons started out as a 7 and faded to a 4 after 6 months. Much more consistent, but never sounded as good as new regular strings. I could see them perhaps working better on a bass. But they sure do look cool. The green ones really fit in well with the cannabis leaf inlays on my guitar!

Bill, tgo

pauldo · « **Reply #5 on:** November 05, 2011, 07:44:23 AM »

wow - those really look pretty sharp on your basses Graeme - especially the Rogue!

Very interesting statement Bill - can't wait for Graeme's follow up review of these.

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2011, 10:59:05 AM »

Looks like the Elixir behaviour (without flaking factor)

jacko · « **Reply #7 on:** November 07, 2011, 04:31:00 AM »

Well I'm sad to say that after only 3 hours of hard gigging the orange strings are already showing sign of flaking between the pups (not quite enough to photograph yet). No marking on the greens on my fretless rogue but the MK gets used for about 90% of a set. I'll admit that although I only play fingerstyle I do get pretty aggressive and dig in pretty deep. I didn't notice any appreciable difference in tone between these and the DR coloured strings I took off but I think they may have slightly more tension than the old strings. Possibly just due to them being newer but the action on my fretless seemed around 1/8th inch higher than usual. I only got the strings on thursday so I didn't get much of a chance to check my setup before the gig.
Everyone who commented said they looked amazing. :-)

graeme

pauldo · « **Reply #8 on:** November 07, 2011, 06:47:03 PM »

That is good feedback.
Please post another update as you continue your trial run! Graeme's Test Lab!

jacko · « **Reply #9 on:** December 07, 2011, 08:11:55 AM »

Here's an update. I'm pretty disappointed in the coating. So far I've played three gigs (around 3 hours each) and had two 3 hour rehearsal sessions and the plucking area on the MK is very worn...

You can clearly see that there's very little coating left between the pups and there are orange flakes all over the top of the bass. I'll admit that I dig in pretty hard on the fretted bass once a gig gets going - there's no signs of wear on my fretless! However, from a distance they do look great. Here's a rig pic from a recent benefit we played at Glasgow's Arches in aid of Parkinsons...

As far as playability goes, they feel just the same as the old black beauties and red devils I was using before. They also flaked but because the colours were more subdued the wear wasn't as noticeable. Graeme

pauldo · « **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2011, 10:35:57 AM »

Graeme -
Thanks for the follow up.
Let us know, after more play hours, if the strings hold up sonically.