Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Stainless Steel Strings

Tape · #1 04-20-2007, 08:01 PM

I got a set of these the onther day to see how they compared to my ernie ball hybrid slinky nickel plated strings. They feel very odd. They are somewhat ruff and sticky. It is hard to describe. It is difficult to move my fingers along the strings, and its hard to pull my picking fingers away from the strings. The sound is okay, but the feel is not so good. Id really hate to have spent almost $20 on strings that feel awkward. Does anyone know what I'm talking about. Does this get better after playing on them for a while? Please help me.

ROON · #2 04-20-2007, 08:09 PM

I've never had a problem with any set of EB Slinky's. I've had a set of Regular's, Hybrid's and now I use Power's. They all feel exactly the same, obviously the gauge gives it a slightly different feel, but overall they seem to have a very consistant feel.

Tape · #3 04-20-2007, 08:18 PM

are you reffering to the regular, mickel plated ones, or the stainless steel ones?

Ampeg SVT · #4 04-20-2007, 09:23 PM

Stainless Steel strings are generally very abrasive and a bit more difficult to move like butter like NPS strings. Some SS strings arent so abrasive though

Tape · #5 04-20-2007, 11:53 PM

Will the abrasiveness calm down after i play on them for a while?

spade2you · #6 04-21-2007, 12:15 AM

Yup....then the tone will die really quickly. That's stainless steel bass strings for ya.

Tape · #7 04-21-2007, 12:22 AM

Well i dont think ill be getting any more ss strings.

Thanks for the help people.

WalBassplayer · #8 04-26-2007, 03:14 PM

Am I seriously reading all of this? Nickel coating lasts longer than Stainless Steel?

Nickel coated Ernie Ball's sound bright for about 2 hours then sound dead. Go and pay 5 extra bucks for some DR Hi Beam Stainless Steel strings and they will last 3 months and sound great for a very long time.

Disc · #9 04-27-2007, 11:26 AM

They are way too bright imo.

FL Knifemaker · #10 04-27-2007, 01:10 PM

I use the Hybrids on all my "growly" basses. Reverends, P's, etc. I have no problem with the feel at all right out of the pack. They seem to last OK also. My DR's, Low Riders and Fat Beams takes some breaking in.

srxplayer · #11 04-27-2007, 01:23 PM

I use the nickle Hybrids on everything. I have the same problems with SS strings. I really don't like them at all.

I recently put some SS Dean Markley's on my passive jazz. they are SS the Misfits signature strings. I got them cheap at GC so I thought I would try them. I hate them. They feel and sound just like the Blue Steele's.

They came off in a week. Waste of money

CElton · #12 04-27-2007, 01:34 PM

rumor has it that if your sweat is acidic, nickel may last longer than SS. i have this problem and the only string that has truly lasted a long time are the elixirs. i have yet to try sunbeams, but plan to next time around.

Jonah · #13 04-30-2007, 09:31 AM

I put some EB Extra Slinky's today on my 32" bass. Stainless steel strings, nice and bright tone and very easy to play (.95-.70-.60-.40), but they feel very rough on the fingers. I've been playing for 10 years, and these are by far the "roughest" strings I've ever come across.

Feels like they eat up my fingertips when doing slides.

-Jonah