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Sweetwater
4.5 (24)
$32.99
Guitar Center
4.5 (37)
$32.99
Amazon
4.6 (5403)
$32.99
Reverb
4.0 (9)
$13.95 27 available New
Musician's Friend
4.0 (45)
$32.99
zZounds
5.0 (8)
$29.99
Thomann
4.4 (216)
$32.00

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "DR Strings Black Beauties Medium 4-String Bass Strings". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

DR Strings Black Beauties Medium 4-String Bass Strings are renowned for delivering a bright tone and exceptional clarity, enhanced by an ultra-thin stealth coating. Handcrafted since 1989, these strings are an embodiment of DR's commitment to excellence which has attracted a loyal following of world-class bassists and guitarists.

At the heart of the Black Beauties lies a round core wire and stainless-steel wrap wire contributing to its full and articulate tone. The stainless-steel wrap not only maintains brightness but ensures a responsive feel. Each string in the set is coated with DR's K3™ ultra-hard coating in jet black that not only extends string life but also amplifies projection, reduces unwanted overtones, and enhances clarity.

The Black Beauties are designed with the latest in coated bass string technology, with pre-coated wire in black for maximum life and protection. They offer a fast and smooth playing experience, perfect for rapid bass lines and complex finger work.

The balanced gauge set of 45, 65, 85, and 105 offers a versatile tone palette suitable for any music genre. They provide a full frequency response and ample string tension, making them an excellent choice for 4-string bassists dropping the low E to D. Like all DR Strings, the Black Beauties are crafted using superior materials and handmade with old-world craftsmanship, resulting in a premium set of bass strings that are peerless in tone, feel, and longevity.

Key Features:

  • Handmade with an ultra-thin stealth coating for extended life
  • Round core wire and stainless-steel wrap for bright and articulate tone
  • Pre-coated wire in black for maximum life and protection
  • Balanced gauge set of 45, 65, 85, and 105
  • Full frequency response and ample string tension
  • Crafted using superior materials for consistent tone, feel, and intonation.

Product specs

Guitar Type Electric Bass
Number of Strings 4
Coated Black K3 Coating
Gauges .045, .065, .085, .105
Winding Type Round Wound
Core Material Round Steel
Winding Material Stainless Steel
Scale Length Long, 37.75" at taper

FAQs

What type of coating do the DR Strings Black Beauties Medium 4-String Bass Strings have?

These strings feature a black K3 coating, which provides enhanced durability and a smooth feel while preserving the string's tonal quality.

Are the DR Strings Black Beauties suitable for long-scale bass guitars?

Yes, these strings are designed for long-scale bass guitars, with a scale length of 37.75" at the taper.

What is the winding type of the DR Strings Black Beauties Medium 4-String Bass Strings?

The DR Strings Black Beauties are round wound, which offers a bright tone and a traditional feel, ideal for a variety of music styles.

Do the DR Strings Black Beauties provide a good low-end response?

Yes, these strings are known for enhancing low-end frequencies, providing a fuller and richer bass tone.

What gauges are available in the DR Strings Black Beauties Medium 4-String Bass Strings set?

The set includes gauges .045, .065, .085, and .105, offering a balanced tension and feel across all strings.

Mannybass

Mannybass

Probando las DR Strings - Black Beauties - Fat Beams - Pure Blues - Long Necks

Video thumbnail for Probando las DR Strings - Black Beauties - Fat Beams - Pure Blues - Long Necks by Mannybass

Probando las DR Strings - Black Beauties - Fat Beams - Pure Blues - Long Necks

Mannybass

Mannybass

Video thumbnail for first impression - DR Strings BLACK BEAUTY Bass Strings by Rumblin Man

first impression - DR Strings BLACK BEAUTY Bass Strings

Rumblin Man

Rumblin Man

Video thumbnail for DR Black Beauties Bass Strings / Review by Bobby Bass Universe

DR Black Beauties Bass Strings / Review

Bobby Bass Universe

Bobby Bass Universe

Video thumbnail for I'm giving DR strings a second chance! They sucked last time by Ronan Conroy

I'm giving DR strings a second chance! They sucked last time

Ronan Conroy

Ronan Conroy

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique black color stays vibrant and looks striking on any bass

  • Long-lasting durability, reducing frequent string changes

  • Versatile tone from crisp highs to resonant lows, suitable for diverse music styles

  • Coating reduces fret clatter and finger noise, great for fast playing

  • Comfortable and silky feel due to K3 coating, enhancing playability

  • Excellent tone control, comparable to non-coated strings

  • Maintains tuning stability over extended use

  • Consistently reliable sound even after multiple gigs

CONS

  • Coating can feel sticky during initial use, affecting slides

  • Black coating may flake over time, especially with aggressive playing

  • Some users report reduced brightness compared to other new strings

  • Occasional quality control issues, such as dead strings out of the box

  • Slightly higher price point compared to similar strings

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about DR Strings Black Beauties Medium 4-String Bass Strings.

User experience

  • Black Beauties are praised for maintaining tone for months, though some find them too bright initially.

    Source
  • Owners note a relaxing feel with less tension, ideal for relaxed and funky playing styles.

    Source
  • While some find them smooth and long-lasting, others describe a "dead" sound or "weird" feel.

    Source
  • Coating longevity varies; some report no wear after a year, while others experience flaking within days.

    Source
  • One user noted that after 3 months of heavy summer gigging, the coating on DR Black Beauties started to come off only where plucked, indicating decent durability.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Suitable for fingerstyle players due to potential coating wear when using hard picks.

    Source
  • Some players report that DR Black Beauties deliver a "piano-like" sound with great highs and clank, suitable for genres requiring bright tones.

    Source
  • The coating on DR Black Beauties helps reduce unwanted string noise, which is beneficial for fingerstyle players focusing on clean tones.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some prefer DR Hi Beams, Fat Beams, or Sun Beams over Black Beauties for better tone.

    Source
  • The DR Black Beauties aren't as bright as GHS strings, providing a more balanced tone that users appreciate for various styles.

    Source
  • DR Black Beauties are considered not as loud or "alive" as DR Fat Beams, which are praised for their volume and dynamic presence.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Boiling DR Black Beauties can rejuvenate their brightness, maintaining them for about 2 months with regular boiling every few weeks.

    Source

4.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 7 Ratings

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Artist usage

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See how Greg Christian uses DR Strings Black Beauties Medium 4-String Bass Strings

Greg Christian

Bassist

Testament

...
Verified via YouTube

Greg used this strings when he joined back Testament. At 0:32 you can see the black coated strings on his Tobias bass.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use DR Strings Black Beauties Medium 4-String Bass Strings, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Ampeg SVT-5 Pro
Ampeg SVT-5 Pro Bass Amplifier Heads
1
Ampeg SVT-810E 8x10 Bass Cabinet
Ampeg SVT-810E 8x10 Bass Cabinet Bass Amplifier Cabinets
1

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