DR Strings Black Beauties BKB-45

DR have never failed me in what they produce (Low riders and high beam alike) but I was looking for place between using tape-wounds and round wounds on my active Lakland. The Black Beauties have surpassed all expectations and have fit the position perfectly. While Geezer Butler endorses (fair play to him), to me they help to give a real Tony Levin or Tim Commerford sound.. Firstly is their playing comfort and ease. K3 coating is silky and fast to the touch, makes the note definition an ease (you can slap and pop..) feeling soft on the fingers yet never slippy when doing such percussive work. But its the tone versatility and resonance which have impressed me the most. The DR BB's give you tone control unmatched in any round string. I 'humphed with skepticism at the "sound as good or better then un-coated strings", but I totally stand corrected. DR make some of the most innovating bass strings and the BB's continue this tradition. There is plenty of top-end- opening up the mid-range punch, superb overtones and resonance qualities keeping great definition on the lows. Tape-wound strings will always have a great place in bass playing especially in dedicated 60's and Motown 'thump' and fret-less work, but these BB's are exceptional strings.

I got these strings just for the black color, not really knowing what to expect in terms of sound, playability or durability, but Iwas really surprised.

Pros:
- The color is great, the black is really black and stays black.
- The strings stay in tune.
- The sound is amazing with very nice trebles - I'm using an American Fender JB.
- These are the most long lasting strings I have ever tried.

Cons:
- The black finish gives a bit of a rough feeling and I think I can play faster on my other basses with uncoated strings. But I can trade this small playability issue for their great sound and durability.