D'Addario vs Ernie Ball
 

Trying to decide between D'Addario nickel wound or Ernie Ball nickel wound slinkys. Anyone have any thoughts on this sets of strings?

We need more information, man. For instance: What do you want to get out of the strings tone-wise? What music do you play?

I've used the Ernie Balls before, never the D'Addario Nickelwound, though I have used the D'Addario ProSteels, which I love. The ProSteels give you an extremely bright, punchy, metallic tone, which is perfect for me.

+1 to Kenzy, we could use a little more info. Are you thinking about trying both brands or you have, and don't know which to stick with?

I used the EB Slinkies for a couple years when I first started playing, tried the D'Addarios and didn't go back. I've tried a few other brands along the way and keep going back to D'Addario EXLs.

Strings are pretty personal/subjective, so if you haven't tried either set, you may have to try both (or even other brands) before finding what you like.

5sg.

I'm looking for a warmer sound with a little punch. That's why I thought the nickel might be a good idea. I play a wide range of music so I want something versatile.

EB engineers the metal for low tension. They feel like playing on rubber to me.

DAddario XL's are stiffer.

I use DAddario Prosteels which are slightly stiffer than XLs'.

Most basses ship with Nickels.

One of the reasons I stuck with the D's. I also liked the tone of the EXLs better.

5sg.

Well I like a tighter feel so I think I'll go with the D'Addario.

D'adds for me! The Slinkys are nice but die very quickly!

I don't really like EB's. They sound... squeaky? And on the bass, too floppy. I like the feel on a guitar, but again, I"m not a fan of the tone.

I like EB's on my 5 strings. My Alembic Essence 5 has had the same set for 12 months and they sound great.
On 4 strings Iike SIT medium nickel.

I prefer the sound & feel of EB's, but they just don't last long enough for me, it's only a few months before they're dead.

If you are getting a few months out of EB's, you are doing good.

I much prefer EB's feel to D'Addarios. They have a much more supple feel to me and I find they last just as long as D'Addarios.

I get 5 or 6 shows out of a new set of rounds tops. You're complaining about a few months???

The EB's I tried barely lasted longer than the Bass Boomers that I will never use again. 2 weeks, dead. Have tried other strings, kept coming back to D'Addario. I now have about 10 years of D'Addarios in the mancave closet.

Just put a set of the D's on the bass. Haven't played threw the amp yet but I love the way they feel. Nice and tight! Will update when I play threw the amp.

Yeah, you're talking two rehearsals or one gig (tops) for me :bawl:

Now there are other brands you should also try out, Dunlops and my favorites, DRs of all kinds.

Just had some DR highbeams on my bass. Didn't like them....the low B sounded like poo poo!

I never liked Ernie Ball bass strings, but that's just me.