D'Addario VS. Ernie Balls?

MistaMarko · #1 09-26-2006, 06:04 PM

Which should I get?

LoveThatBass · #2 09-26-2006, 08:06 PM

DR High Beams

Toneonbass · #3 09-26-2006, 08:17 PM

I am not a fan of EB. but that's just me

MistaMarko · #4 09-26-2006, 08:30 PM

well im looking at some super slinky EB's for my 5 string cirrus peavey, but what would be better for a good price?

tplyons · #5 09-26-2006, 08:35 PM

I started off on Ernie Ball's, had stints with GHS and LaBella before settling on D'Addarios for the past two years. There's a good reason for it.

Slater · #6 09-27-2006, 11:53 AM

When comparing nickel roundwounds, I don't find much of a difference. I would buy whichever has the best price...

markjazzbassist · #7 09-27-2006, 12:52 PM

i currently play d'addarios. i like the xl's and chromes.

Dave Siff · #8 10-04-2006, 06:18 AM

I've found very little difference between D'Addarios and Ernie Balls. I switched to Ernies in 1999 because I won 25 free sets, but I was using D'Addarios before that and I never really noticed any change in the sound of my bass.

fenderx55 · #9 10-04-2006, 06:33 AM

EBs feel like they have less tension to me, I prefer the D'addarios.

scorpionldr · #10 10-04-2006, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MistaMarko

Which should I get?

Ernie Balls. Better longevity, brighter tone, better wrapped.

Hawkeye · #11 10-04-2006, 08:06 AM

The only direct comparison I have made is using EB Slinky's on a 5-string Godin BG-V bass. The D'Addarios are Godin's house string and I never liked the sound out of that bass until I changed out the strings. The EB's were brighter but more focused. I guess I'm prejudied but the 2 times I've used D'Addarios roundwounds (once on the Godin, once on a Jazz V), I've found them to be heavy on harmonics, light on fundamentals, with a moaning and indistinct quality that actually made it hard to hear the differences in notes lower down the neck on the larger strings. They exhibited (to me anyway) a lack of focus and punch. They are what some would call "warm" sounding, not punchy. YMMV but that's my take. The D'Addarios on my first bass (a Godin Freeway 4) were the same deal. It sounded much better when I put Dean Markleys on it.

Sean Baumann · #12 10-04-2006, 11:34 AM

EB strings seem mid scooped to me. I like the D'Addario EXL170s.

RwG · #13 10-04-2006, 06:25 PM

I currently use D'Addario XL 165's, however, I'll be in the recording studio the next 2 weeks and the engineer suggested that i bring a set of EB's. Now, I've never tried EB's because I've been very happy with the D'Addarios. So in 2 weeks I'll have a pretty good comparison of the 2.

However, since i've been playing on D'Addarios for the past 7 years or so (it was DM blue steels before that) I am a little reluctant to change while in the studio but i'm willing to give it a shot to see how it goes, but i'm only changing them on 1 bass, the other are keeping the XL's for now.

i'll post again when the recording is over and let you know how it went.

Premo

steve66 · #14 10-04-2006, 06:33 PM

Ernie Ball for Ernie Ball basses and Fender/ish P basses

Sean Baumann · #15 10-04-2006, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RwG

However, since i've been playing on D'Addarios for the past 7 years or so (it was DM blue steels before that) I am a little reluctant to change while in the studio but i'm willing to give it a shot to see how it goes, but i'm only changing them on 1 bass, the other are keeping the XL's for now.

i'll post again when the recording is over and let you know how it went.

Premo

... Especially in the studio. You going to set the proper intonation on the fly as well?

RwG · #16 10-04-2006, 08:33 PM

yeah, i questioned that, the engineer says he's going to do a set up on all of out guitars. sounds really odd to me. but i'll let him do 1 bass and i'll keep my other as is. it's a big name studio that does national acts so i'm trying to have faith in them.