DR Strings Black Beauties BKB5-45

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Strings For Electric Bass

Completely black
For 5 string bass
Gauges: 045", 065", 085", 105", 125"

Available since November 2005
Item number 187295
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
String gauge 045 - 125
Material Steel
Scale Long Scale
Taperwound No

£40

All prices incl. VAT

Sales Rank

in Miscellaneous 5-String Electric Bass Strings

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142 Customer ratings

5 91 Customers 4 33 Customers 3 12 Customers 2 6 Customers 1 0 Customers

4.5 / 5

sound

quality

Review guidelines

73 Reviews

I'm not picky or demanding...

Tommy T 24.02.2022

Which is why I gave this 5/5. It's my fourth set of strings I've ever bought, and thus far the best. Obviously black strings because Geezer Butler, but playwise they're very good (again, in a small comparison sample).
I don't play especially hard, but I alternate between pick and finger. The black coating hasn't really started to flake, even after quite a few hours of use. So far nothing but positive to say about durability and sound.

So if you're not very concious about the strings' relation to sound they're good. I am satisfied with getting the approximated sound - roughly the right territory, but that's because its usage is basement rock and metal through beverage soaked amps and players.

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Excellent long life

Anonymous 24.07.2014

I've used DR Extras for a number of years as gigging in a club/function band around 100 times a year I found I was going through lots of strings.

With these coated strings I found that I only had to change about 3 times a year, and often that would be more for cosmetic reasons than tone.

When these strings go on, they don't have the same brightness you'd get from a set of brand new steel roundwounds, they have a crunchy kind of tone similar to a set of nickel roundwounds which have maybe done a gig or two.

They stay sounding that way for ages though. I've had sets which have done 30 gigs and you would never know from the tone they weren't new.

The colour coating does flake a little over time, but not so much that affects the sound, only the appearance. This is more of an issue if you use a pick.

I have one gripe with these which is that DR have recently changed the coating to something called Dragon Skin or K3 and while it may be longer lasting, I find it quite uncomfortable when doing a lot of slides as the friction causes a burning sensation too easily.

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Burning issue

Sam3456 27.02.2026

I was curious as to how these would feel with the black coating if it would affect my playing but they feel very nice however I find if I slide too much or to quickly it gives a horrible burning on fretting hand. They sound amazing too so if you don't play anything crazy and would like some nice sounding strings then these are for you. A big bonus is the look, they look very cool.

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DR Black Beauties

Al Warwick 17.10.2018

I?ve been a fan of DR Strings for many years. I?ve mainly used DR High Beams on all my Basses. I love the sound, very bright but not too much to make them sound harsh and they also last for ages.
Read a lot of positive reviews of the Black Beauties and thought I?d give them a go. A bit more expensive but worth a try.
First impression was they looked great on my Warwick Streamer 5 string. Found them quite rough compared to the High Beams and to my ears didn?t quite sound as bright. The black coating is meant to make them last longer but I don?t feel that they lasted any longer than my usual strings.
Glad I tried them but I?ll stick to my High Beams.

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DR Strings Black Beauties BKB5-45

Strings For Electric Bass

This is what customers who viewed this product bought

142 Customer ratings

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73 Reviews

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DR Strings Black Beauties BKB5-45

Strings For Electric Bass

This is what customers who viewed this product bought

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142 Customer ratings

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73 Reviews

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