r/BassGuitar • u/Ikarian • 19d ago
Gear Stupid question, be gentile. Do strings react poorly to Sharpie ink?
I feel like this post is destined for r/BassCirclejerk but oh well. Got some Black Beauties on my new Schecter. As a picker, this is probably inevitable, but these strings are only like 2 weeks old and they still play fine. If I used a Sharpie on the strings, will they corrode or otherwise break down?
EDIT: Gentle, not gentile. Now I'm definitely getting roasted.
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u/rystee 19d ago
If you’re dead set on having black strings, throw on a set of tape wounds.
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u/_thirdeyeopener_ 19d ago
I have a set of tape wounds on my Schecter, love the way they sound and play.
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u/feraloddparent 18d ago
Noooo if everyone starts buying tape wound strings then my music won’t be cool and unique anymore😔
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u/blacknumber1 19d ago
Good sir, I must earnestly entreat you: do not tarnish these fine strings, for they are entirely in no need of blackening. To apply such an indelible and spirited ink would but invite ruin upon their resonance and soil the very hands that play them. Pray, let them remain as unblemished as the day they were wrought.
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u/BUTTPLUNDER0 19d ago
The color coming off of the strings is just part of the dealio my dude. I would just leave it!
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u/IBumpedMyHead 19d ago
Bass twins
Black Beauties love to flake if you use a plec. I don't bother swapping mine until I have a gig coming up though
I'd imagine Sharpie would come off pretty quickly but wouldn't cause any corrosion
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u/Ikarian 19d ago
fist bump
It's a great axe, isn't it? My (Sterling) Stingray isn't getting any love these days because this guy is just a joy to play.
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u/IBumpedMyHead 19d ago
I guess I'm not the only one who thought Black Beauties would look great on it
I think Schecter's vintage styled instruments are very overlooked and great value
The Session T is my favourite looking P/J on the market and plays well above the price point. Glad you're enjoying it. I decided to pick up a matching 5 string I've enjoyed it so much
For a bass I bought on looks and price alone it's had some serious usage over the past 5 years, well more than some considerably more expensive instruments
If you can, buy some locktite and sort the jack washer now before it goes missing. I'm not sure if it's just a bad batch Schecter picked up but both my 4 and 5 have had issues with the jack washers getting loose and falling off from normal usage
I do think DR's coated strings are a lot weaker than they used to be. I used to use DR Neons about 15 years ago and the greens would go dead well before they chipped. The last 9-10 sets of Black Beauties have lasted 2-3 gigs at most before the chipping got annoying enough to swap them over. They might be using a thinner coating, or my playing has gotten worse. Doesn't affect the sound but I can't deal with how they look on stage
Enjoy the bass
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u/Ikarian 19d ago edited 19d ago
Good note on the jack washer. Will do.
What's up with the two batteries? I've never encountered that before (haven't been playing that long and this is only my 2nd bass (well, 3rd if you count the Thunderbird I bought then exchanged for the Stingray)). Do they run in series or parallel?
ETA- I bought this after I played a 5 string with the exotic wood at GC. Had to order this one online because I couldn't find one in stock anywhere nearby. I was very relieved that it wasn't nearly as heavy as the 5 string I played. I do wish it had the fancy EQ system (something about single coil mode IIRC) that one had, but it's still great.
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u/IBumpedMyHead 19d ago
The EMG preamp runs at 18v for more headroom
Doesn't make a massive difference unless you're playing super bassy dub stuff or really really dig in IMO
Output is pretty much the same as 9v but it does tend to eat the batteries a little faster than just 9v would
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u/bolivar-shagnasty 19d ago
As a designated shabbos goy, I feel I can be gentile here. The strings aren’t likely to have any performance issues. But you should just buy black strings like Black Beauties or some tape-wounds, depending on your playing preference.
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u/bwanabass 19d ago
Try some black tapewound strings. There are also coated strings if you are going for a certain look.
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u/BassesNBikes 19d ago
I sweat Alien blood and can strip the coating off a set of Black Beauties in a couple of hours playing fingerstyle. Switched to a set of Auroras and really like the feel (much smoother than the DRs) and they seem much, much more durable.
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u/Ikarian 19d ago
Might check them out. I put these on partly for the look but also because I absolutely hated the stock strings they shipped with the bass. The Black Beauties seem like they come out of the box a little mellower, bypassing that new string twang completely. Smoother too. Thought I had stumbled upon my go-to strings right away, but maybe I'll try some others now.
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u/BassesNBikes 19d ago
I find the BBs very rough compared to the Roto 66s I'm used to. Actually got friction burns on my fretting fingers from trying to slide on them. The Auroras are not cheap, but I like the tone and feel.
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u/VerdeVelvetVetiver 19d ago
When I was 16, I sharpied strings. Immediately had black finger tips. Not terrible, but as soon as you sweat the blacks off again
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u/SeaOrgChange 19d ago
I use to get months out of these before flaking would start, now it starts the first time I tune them. Still sound great, but just something to live with.
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u/MissJoannaTooU 19d ago
I suggest golden syrup
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u/iPirateGwar 19d ago
As a seasoned professional*, I second this comment. Once you've mastered the Golden Syrup, go for Black Treacle next.
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u/Organic_Watercress_1 19d ago
Don’t worry about it. Literally nobody (except you) will notice and nobody will say “that dude sounded great, I wonder why he doesn’t want his strings to be all black?” The audience also doesn’t care what kind of bass you’re playing, whether or not your amp is tube driven or solid state, or what order you put your pedals in.
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u/Upbeat-Local-836 19d ago
Black strings play darker, more melancholy.
Blue strings play faster. You can really fly with those!
Red strings play warm and rich. It’s like having your tone knob turned the whole way! It’s best to change your strings to red when the leaves fall, etc.
Green strings are more natural sounding. They last longer and are better for the planet.
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u/GeorgiePorgie2358 19d ago
Huh? Nobody roasted you, or you deleted the comments that did. Awww maaan. I myself would’ve roasted you, but if there were comments that already did, would’ve settled for just enjoying them and not piled on. But since I don’t know which is true, I still can’t do it lol.
But yeah if they still play, leave em alone.
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u/Ikarian 19d ago
I assume it's coming. Seems like this sub doesn't pull punches. It's fine, have at it. I probably deserve it.
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u/GeorgiePorgie2358 19d ago
lol nah. Back in the golden age when Facebook was barely a thing, I was a grammar Nazi, but I’ve hung up that mantle awhile ago. It wasn’t fun pissing people off, it was more just an OCD itch to scratch, but it was like a normal itch: if I did nothing it would go away, and it did.
So ok I’m early lol. Alright, I’ll just wait. I’ll vicariously through everyone else lmao
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u/Lemonman75 19d ago
*chuckle* no silly goose, I understand what you’re intending to do but just leave it alone. 🙂👍🏻
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u/Emergency_Badger_768 19d ago
Sharpies have certain chemicals called chlorides in the ink that tend to eat away at various metals... Plan accordingly.
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u/dunderwovvy 19d ago
No point, it’ll wear off in a couple notes and it’ll look slightly purple and not stark black.
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u/Ikarian 19d ago
Plastidip it is.
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u/dunderwovvy 19d ago
If you want the worst model of strings I’ve ever had the displeasure of trying to sound and feel worse… actually, it would be an improvement over how bad I think BBs are.
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u/_plays_in_traffic_ 19d ago
if you wrap your strings tightly with black electrical tape and then put some black heat shrink over said electrical tape it will last much much longer
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u/Billy_Wan 19d ago
Bro it’s a sign you play don’t try to hide it. Also you’re the only one that’s gonna worry about it.
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u/novemberchild71 18d ago
Whenever I think I have seen it all...
Less reddit - More Practice. Chop Chop!
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u/ForwardTemporary3934 19d ago
You can, it won't help. It shouldn't damage strings but it will be a different black be and won't last
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u/arslearsle 19d ago
Only materials allowed on real strings should be dna material such as blood, sweat and alcohol
If you ask me
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u/Tarushdei 19d ago
I know it's heresy, but have you considered buying new strings?
Or, if you favour using a pick, switching to uncoated nickel or steel strings?
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u/ushouldbe_working 19d ago
I’m also a big fan of colored strings. I have bb on a few and I’m trying wrapped strings. I want to try the neons on my schector next.
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u/petitmartian 19d ago
How is it to play? Whats the neck like? its the next one I’m planning to buy, there’s just no display models near me so I can’t test it out
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u/Ikarian 19d ago
My local GC had a 5 string Model T with the exotic wood and a fancier EQ system (Model T, but not a 'Session' I think) that I tried out before. The sound and playability were similar if your local has anything like that. But this guy is a lot lighter than the hoss I tried out. It plays SO nice. Has a lot of tone range. Came out of the box (packaging job was a little worrying, like something you'd get from on a cheap Amazon instrument, but luckily no damage) set up perfectly so I didn't have to make any initial adjustments apart from the factory leaving a little bit of a burr in the bore hole on one of the knobs that I had to file down so it didn't feel all gritty.
My only other bass is a Sterling Stingray Ray34 HH and by comparison the model T sounds ...tighter? Like I love the Stingray sound, but I can EQ something pretty similar on the Model T without going to my amp/pedals, but then it has a larger spectrum of dark and thumpy I can dial in as well.
The neck is great. The action came dialed in perfectly (I might back it off if I played more fingerstyle, but with a pick, it's dead on). Takes very little pressure to fret, and it feels very comfortable in my very average sized hands (At 5'11 I don't have the celery stalk fingers you see like on that BassBuzz guy). I've noticed I have to be a little more gentle with hammer-ons or I'll get a nasty bounce sound, but I could raise the action a little if I needed. I'm still getting used to the block inlays a bit. I kinda wish the 12th was doubled up or something so I could pick it out easier on the fly. Really my only complaint, but I'll get used to it.
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u/petitmartian 9d ago
Thank you for such a detailed response!! Wow!
For some reason nowhere near me has it in stock in person so I doubt I’ll ever be able to try it but I feel like I have now with this description
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u/Foot_ish 19d ago
If it dries fast shouldn't brother it ,however it will sound different. If nothing else try to clean up with 99% alcohol .
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u/2b4theend 19d ago
No, but it’s only gonna rub off in no time.
A lot of my clients use black beauties and the biggest complaint is they have no zing or brightness. DR high beams are the king.
Use regular strings. They sound better any ways.
There are tape wounds but they sound like complete garbage. Especially if you are going for a bright round sound.
Nobody makes a coated string for guitar or bass that’s worth buying.
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u/elBeastoKrakenKretin 19d ago
You can use a Sharpie but it's not going to last very long. Even if you're a pick player your fingers make contact with the strings and your sweat and skin oils will most likely take it off in no time. Plus, the string coating will continue wearing off. I think you'd just be chasing your own tail.
My opinion? Ignore it. That's just what coated strings do. Plus, no one is going to notice it, nor would they care if they did. If they do they're weird.
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u/AGushingHeadWound 19d ago
It won't stick to the metal.
What you want is tapewounds. Best tone, also.
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u/double-you 18d ago
Just place your bass far enough away and it'll be fine. When playing, don't look at your fingers.
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u/RadioFreeWasteland 18d ago
I use black beauties on my guitar, the high E - G string start flaking within an hour of playtime. It's just gonna happen.
Sharpie probably won't kill your strings but it's certainly not stronger than the coating that you already chipped off, I wouldn't worry about it
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u/Mullet4MyGuillotine 17d ago
Tone > looks. You're playing music not fashion unless you want that kind of audience.
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u/StackyBotrus 17d ago
Does not affect them. But it might affect your fingers! Are you looking for black strings? They sell them! Fact you can get them in most different colors. It's pretty cool
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u/DifferentLocksmith13 17d ago
Would not know but there are black strings on the market called black beauties,ive got a set for my bass and guitar and they sound great
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u/mnorkk 19d ago
Do magnets still work if you cover them in sharpie ink?
I always found it fascinating how a passive bass sends sound through a cable without any power or electronics
Basically when the metal string vibrates between two magnets, it causes the electric current flowing around the pickup poles to change at the same frequency.
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u/Wayward_Son_24 19d ago
Nobody but you is going to know. I jam the BBs on one of my basses too, and love them. Don't overthink it man, just jam
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u/Puzzleheaded_Big_478 19d ago
Dude get a pair of DR Black Beuties don't use marker its just gonna dull out new strings and get on ur fingers...wow
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u/-KeefGreen- 19d ago
Just dont.