Ernie Ball or D'addario

[Koki]

Which one you like more? Just shoot.

Don't vote if you haven't tried them both!

[bassgod0dmw]

I used to play only EB strings, and I really liked them. I have heard that EB contracts their strings out to D'Addario, so basically they are made by the same company. Anybody know if this is true? I remember the DR thread...

I switched to DR Lo-Rider SS...they rule!

[midopa]

EBs are great

[BigOleBoogie]

I used to use D'As only. Started with EB's until my G&L and had to get a longer string and got DR's. I like the nickle strings better and EB's are too short so it's back to D'As for me.

[PaulMacCnj]

The EB's sounded too clanky to me. I've tried them on two different basses and just didn't like them. The D'A's were okay (I liked them better than the EB's) but I prefer other strings.

[tplyons]

I started with Ernie Ball's, used them for a while before trying D'Addario's which I love. I'll still use EB's in a jam though.

[Ukko]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I used to play only EB strings, and I really liked them. I have heard that EB contracts their strings out to D'Addario, so basically they are made by the same company. Anybody know if this is true? I remember the DR thread...

I switched to DR Lo-Rider SS...they rule!

EB makes their own strings and has for many years.

[Eggman]

Originally Posted by Ukko

EB makes their own strings and has for many years.

Very true - they have a factory near Palm Springs I believe.

I use EB Slinkys - love them.

Tried DA Half Rounds - couldn't find a tone I like. Recently tried DA round wounds (stainless steel) - they are good - but I prefer the EB strings.

[caesarbass]

DADDARIO!!!!!!!! I love the XL's, ProSteels, and the Chromes (flatwound), super consistent and they last a long time, and they're not the expensive!!!

[markjazzbassist]

Ernie Ball all the way.

[HMZ]

I think the EB's are too floppy. I use the D'Addario XL 165's and find them to have a much tighter feel to them. I also like SIT Rock Bright nickels.

[winston]

My favorite of the two is D'Addario. When it comes to strings I'm a cheap date--I generally like most inexpensive mass-market nickel rounds I've tried (D'Addario, EB, Dean Markley, Fender, Ken Smith, Adamas), especially after a month or two of regular play.

The one exception is GHS--I like most of their other strings (Super Steels, Progressives, Flats) but find their nickel Boomers to be the worst feeling/sounding strings available--like installing a big ol' suck switch with no "off" position. Every few years I try a set of Boomers just to make sure I didn't get a bum set, and the verdict's the same.

I haven't found that more expensive/esoteric nickel rounds are any better than the cheapies for my uses. I like DR, Pedulla, and Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Rounds, but to my ears none (excepth the late, great D'Addario Slowounds) have the long-lasting midrange complexity of D'Addario XLs.

I also dig D'Addario ProSteel rounds and Chrome flats, while I think their Half-Rounds sound boring and feel gross. Just IMHO, of course.

[infinitetoast]

I've used both Ernie Ball and D'Addarios and can't say I can make a reasonable comparison. Usually by the time I'm ready to throw on a new set of strings anything is a welcome change.

Lately I just buy Ernie Ball Slinkys, they're always in stock and I've never been disappointed.

[vince a]

DA Chromes (45-100)

[Mr_Dave]

I've been using D'addario XL165s for about 3 years - i like them. I have a friend who loves slinkys so i gave then a go. I they felt smoother to me that the DAs and also less tight, which wasn't so good because i didn't tweak my action... But i did like them. I might try them for a bit longer and setup my bass better...

[ibz]

D'addario seems to last longer for me and sound better.