Ernie Ball Slinkies?

Sgt Baker · #1 01-05-2011, 07:56 PM

anyone use these, if so, recommend? I love bending but often feel restricted..

dreasher54 · #2 01-05-2011, 07:56 PM

I use them and absolutley love them. Easy to bend. crazy smooth sound to me.

ilovenofrets · #3 01-05-2011, 08:01 PM

I have used them in the past. They tend to go tone-dead REALLY fast. I have typically relied on D'Addario EXL 170 (.045-.100) for a long time. A use a bit of that trademark Malmsteen bass vibrato in my playing, and these do it very well. The Dunlop strings are a very good choice too, IMO.

Rebmo · #4 01-05-2011, 08:16 PM

I use EBMM Super Slinky's on all 3 of my SR-4s and 1 SR-4 HH and like them alot. I have a set of meduim slinkies on a 83 G&L SB-2 and it even sounds a bit stingray believe it or not. I really like the mediums and would not go lighter on the SB-2. I like the super slinky's on the Stingrays though. I always wash my hands before I play and have not have had a problem with strings going dead. So for me they work great. YRMV

Reb

bobm2112 · #5 01-05-2011, 08:20 PM

I really like the sound of the Slinky's but they go dead way too fast. I use DR stainless on all of my basses and they seem to last forever.

darkstorm · #6 01-06-2011, 01:26 AM

Havent used EB slinkies for a few yrs. Used to use them for some basses I wanted to accent the crunch factor of a little. Overall lifespan was average lifespan to me of 3-4 months tops.

MRDOOM · #7 01-06-2011, 01:38 AM

I have EB Slinkies on all of my basses and I love them. Great, smooth sound, good for bending, but not low tension strings. I personally have never had a problem with them going dead too fast as I usually only have to replace them every 9-12 months.

**jmattbassplaya** · #8 01-06-2011, 01:40 AM

Like others have said, they are good strings but they die really fast. Similarly priced D'Addario's aren't as bright initially, but they retain their funk a lot longer than Slinkies.

Hartke strings aren't bad for their price either (you can get three sets for $20), but their G strings are dead straight out of the package. The rest, however, retain their zing for quite a long time.

I recently started using Dunlop and have nothing but great things to say about them.

dudelove · #9 01-06-2011, 03:47 AM

I tryied them, they are great and long living, my second "expensive" and they have great tones long time, my favorite is D'Adario, but slinky are greatestest, but I'll hang on d'adario. I used rotosound ones but not more

spaz21387 · #10 01-06-2011, 03:53 AM

I have been using eb slinkys for over 7 years. They have been my string of choise for a long time i have tried just about every round out there and for me the slinkys just have my tone.

tylerwylie · #11 01-06-2011, 06:47 PM

I have to use the EB wipes with their strings otherwise I have to replace them too often.

PluckyThump · #12 01-06-2011, 07:01 PM

I like them a lot. Good sound and feel, good price and every store stocks them. The Slinky .130 B is one of the best nickel roundwound B strings there is IMO. As far as bending goes, they are medium tension. You might want something more flexible like maybe DR Sunbeams.

KsToaDangr · #13 01-06-2011, 07:21 PM

slinkies are the only strings i've used for the last 6 years, on guitar or bass.

MMStingRay · #14 01-07-2011, 02:24 PM

love them on my Stingray, they sound like ass on my P-bass.

CharlieC · #15 01-07-2011, 02:41 PM

I love and use Slinky's for my basses, however I like D'Addario strings better, but find that their string sets do not fit properly on through-the-body bridges on 34" scale basses :-(

IMHO, D'Addario's are brighter, smoother feeling, more tonally balanced, last a little longer, and cost me $25 for 2 sets

The Slinky's are a little rougher, a little less tonally balanced, and last less longer, and cost me $30 for 2 sets -- but they fit properly on through-the-body bridges! (Winner)

If only D'Addario begin tapering at the nut-side another 1/2" on the E + A strings I would not have to settle :-)

Cheers!