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Extended holiday returns
Returnable until Jan 31, 2027 Learn more
Returnable until Jan 31, 2027 Learn more
This item's return window has been extended for the holiday season: Returnable until Jan 31, 2027
To qualify for a full refund, items must be returned in their original, unused condition. If an item is returned in a used, damaged, or materially different state, you may be granted a partial refund.
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Availability:
In Stock.
Arrives
Tuesday, Nov 10
Recently Viewed
At a glance
- Condition
- New
- Set
- 45-130
- Model
- BKB5-130
- Weight
- 159 g
- Color
- Black
- String Gauge
- Medium-Heavy (45-130) — 5-String
- Instrument
- Bass Guitar
- Warranty
- 2-year warranty.
Features 5
- STAYS BRIGHT TWICE AS LONG: DR's ultra-hard K3 coating locks out sweat, grime, and corrosion, so your tone stays fresh set after set, gig after gig, with far fewer restrings.
- CUTS THROUGH ANY MIX: A round core design and stainless steel wrap deliver full, balanced harmonics with crisp articulation, so every note stays clear and punchy live or in the studio.
- FEELS AS GOOD AS IT SOUNDS: The flexible round core keeps this set soft and musical under your fingers, giving you the expressive, comfortable feel serious bassists demand night after night.
- LOOKS AS BOLD AS YOU PLAY: Finished in a deep, opaque jet black, this set gives your bass a sleek, modern look that stands out on any stage without sacrificing tone or feel.
- HANDCRAFTED FOR THE LONG HAUL: Made in Westwood, New Jersey since 1989 using premium American materials from core to ball end, so you get consistent quality trusted by touring pros worldwide.
Description
These strings aren’t just for looks; they deliver a clear and articulate sound that cuts through, even in dense mixes. A thin, tone-preserving coating helps extend life without dulling your sound or feel. The result is more playing time with fewer string changes. From slap to sustain, they respond to your touch with tight lows and balanced mids that keep your tone centered. We’ve crafted Black Beauties with care in New Jersey for over 30 years, one string at a time.
Specs 20
| Brand | DR Strings |
|---|---|
| String Gauge | Medium-Heavy (45-130) — 5-String |
| Color | Black |
| Instrument | Bass Guitar |
| String Material Type | Alloy Steel |
| Brand Name | DR Strings |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| UPC | 600781003711 |
| Item Highlight | Extra tension pushes deeper low end and thicker tone while keeping feel manageable under your hand. |
| Item Weight | 159 g |
| Manufacturer | DR Strings |
| Model Name | BLACK BEAUTIES |
| Model Number | BKB5-130 |
| Manufacturer Part Number | BKB5-130 |
| Set Name | 45-130 |
| Coating Description | coated |
| Body Material Type | Alloy Steel |
| Finish Type | Coated |
| Sound Profile | Clear, articulate, balanced with reduced overtones |
| Recommended Uses For Product | playing bass guitar in musical contexts |
No specs match.
Frequently asked questions
If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is:
Tuesday, Nov 10
Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
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Similar Products
Top Amazon Reviews
Amazing sound and perfect tuning!
Set name: 45-105
I am currently using these DR Strings Black Beauties on my bass, and I couldn't be more satisfied. The sound quality is magnificent—crisp, punchy, and clear. What impressed me the most is how well they hold their tuning; I rarely have to readjust them. Plus, the black coating looks absolutely stunning and feels great on the fingers. Highly recommended for any bass player looking for premium tone and reliability!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2026 by Ross Duran
Best sounding, playing strings I have found for my Rickenbacker 4003!
Set name: 45-105
I own 10 bass guitars and use a variety of DR string models on all of them. One of my favorite DR sets is their Sunbeams, which I use on all of my short scale basses. I was looking for something with a coating to try on my 4003 and had read good things about these Black Beauty strings which I discovered are basically coated Sunbeams, just like the other DR coated strings like the Red Devils! Prior to swtitching over to these I had been running with DR Lo-Riders on my 4003 which I also use on my Fender Jazz Basses. Contrary to the nice top end bite I get from these on my 62 and 73 Jazz, I just wasn't getting the classic RIC tone I wanted out of the 4003 with LO-Riders installed, so this is why I decided to give these a try. I had been running with DR Red Devils on my Fender Jaguar and my Gretch DuoJet for a long time so I already knew that these coated DRs have a great tone, reduced fret clatter and easy on the fingers to boot, so I already knew there was a good chance these Black Beauties were going to deliver what I was looking for. After installing them on the 4003 and adjusting the truss rods to account for the reduced string tension compared to the Lo-Riders I was thrilled with the results! These strings have proven to be the perfect match for the Rickenbacker! I am getting that classic 4001/4003 tone in spades and with the added bonus of less string noise when sliding, and much reduced fret clank when playing fast runs up and down the neck. Because these are coated, you need to take care when installing them that you don't just yank the strings through the bridge as you install them, otherwise you risk scraping off the micro-thin coating. When installed properly, you should not have to worry about the coating coming off with normal use. I use a pick most of the time and have not seen any evidence of the coating coming off where the pick contacts the strings, or in any of the most commonly played sections of the fingerboard. Have to take these 1-2 Star reviews on here with a grain of salt based on my own personal experience with these... I have read a few bad reviews on here complaining about the coating coming off or the strings being dead out of the box. I can't comment on the dead string issue, but in terms of the coating coming off, it sure sounds to me like these folks failed to read the instructions about using care during installation. If you just pull these quickly through the bridge holes like normal strings without regard for the coating, there is a very high probability that you will fracture the coating which will eventually result in the coating cracking off the string over time. I have DR coated strings on 6 of my 10 guitars and none of them have ever had a problem with the coating flaking off or the strings going dead prematurely. Two of my guitars have had a set of Red Devils on them for over 14 months and they still sound great even after hundreds of hours in the studio. In conclusion, I have nothing but high praise for these strings and recommend them for anyone looking for a high quality coated string with great tone and feel. The black strings also look really cool against the black JetGlo finish of my 4003! If you are looking for the same string in a different color, check out the Red Devils or the Cool Blue versions! Same string, just a different color coating.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2013 by The Resident Gourmet
Great sounding and looking strings!
Set name: 45-125
It took a few practices to get used to the feel of the coating, but I like it now, and it sounds great. What I really like about these strings is switching from Ernie Balls (the b string is 130 and the E is 100), the B and E strings are slightly closer in thickness (125 and 105), so there isn’t a giant difference in volume. It doesn’t sound like a bass cannon when you hit the D note or even open B, but it still sounds just slightly meatier when you grab the fifth fret on the B vs the open E. Plus the black looks killer on my Warwick Corvette!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2026 by Dan Horton
Black and Beautiful...
Set name: 45-105
I'll start off by saying that I've been a big time DR fan for over 10 yrs and used DR's exclusively during that time. I took a chance about a year ago and decided to try the BB's and fell in love! This is the 4th set of BB's that I've ordered and they won't be my last... I really like them! They sound amazing and the feel is that of a regular non-coated string only they don't stick to your fingers like regular strings sometimes do (which is what causes blisters)... Especially if your hands sweat a lot. I am an agressive finger-style player and I absolutely love these strings! They look great, last longer than regular strings and sound just as good and better and they really make my Warwick's colors "pop" in the light. My only complaints are that a little bit of the black finish did wear off of the strings near the bridge (over the pickups) from extreme playing stresses on 2 of the 4 sets I've used. But, even with some of the finish wearing off of the string, I didn't notice any tone loss. Keep in mind, the black strings are difficult to see in the dark while on stage but it isn't something that one couldn't get used to. Both of my basses "sing" and "growl" with the BB's and they look evil awesome! I play in several bands from the most extreme death metal to the 1,4,5's of country and these are my strings of choice... I've used them in the studio recording, live shows and rehearsals. I am an agressive bass player and not very nice to strings... I thump on um! The set that is on my Warwick Streamer 4 string has been on for about 3 months and have 4 gigs, 10 rehearsals and a lot of playing hrs on them and they still sound 70% of new! The set that's on my Thumb 5 string bass has had the BB's on even longer and they still sound atleast 50% of new! Wish I would've discovered these earlier, could've saved a lot of money from having to buy regular strings every week!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2012 by Insomnatic
Nice looking and the tone is just what was looking for.
Set name: 40-100
If I knew anything about Guitar strings at all this review would probably be much more helpful and written better but here is the situation. I am a piggy bank for my 2 twin boys and one of them wanted these strings so bad he bugged me for days. He took out the trash, mowed the lawn, and even did laundry (which I had to redo) but, you get the idea. So after I soaked him for all I could get I went ahead and ordered these and then held them over his head for another day to get a few more extra chores out of him. At the end of it he put the strings on his guitar and he loves them. He was crazy about the black on black esthetics of the strings and the gravelly sound..... at least that's what he said anyways. So if you can decipher that teenager/ musician code I would say they were worth the torture he put us through.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2025 by Crystal
Love these strings!
Set name: 50-110 Tapered
I love these strings. They sound bright and have a good feel, yet cut down on some of the string noise. The coating lasts fairly long. My first set got heavy use for 10 months and the coating is only worn on the area of my strumming hand.
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2026 by MW
Want great strings??
Set name: 45-125
The feel is different than other strings but the sound is superb!!!
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2026 by Lady Chef
Great strings for tone and fingers.
Set name: 45-130
These strings ae really nice, good tone and easy on the fingers.
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2026 by Richard A. Hasting Jr.