Ernie Ball Slinky - nickel wound or stainless steel?

mouthmw · #1 07-15-2010, 10:03 AM

I'm thinking of trying EB strings and was wondering which ones to take. Nickel wound seem to be the classic Slinkys, can't find anything on the stainless steel version.
Hybrids are the only ones I'm interested in, it's my gauge of preference (45-105).
The price is almost the same.
How do they compare? I've only used stainless steel type strings in the past (DR, Warwick...).

WayneS · #2 07-15-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mouthmw

I'm thinking of trying EB strings and was wondering which ones to take. Nickel wound seem to be the classic Slinkys, can't find anything on the stainless steel version.
Hybrids are the only ones I'm interested in, it's my gauge of preference (45-105).
The price is almost the same.
How do they compare? I've only used stainless steel type strings in the past (DR, Warwick...).

I tried Slinkys. Didnt like them. I thought they sounded bad and they were dead before the show was over.

GG-Thunderbird · #3 07-15-2010, 11:07 AM

I've had some experience with EB slinkys. The nickel ones sound awesome out of the package, but they die pretty quickly. As for the hybrids, you can definitely tell there is a difference in sound. They sound slightly muted compared to the non-coated EB strings. They last a little longer, but don't have the best sound in my opinion.

As far as stainless steel strings go, I've found that D'Addario Prosteels are great. I've had a set on my jazz bass for almost two months now and they still sound amazing.

woody357 · #4 07-15-2010, 11:15 AM

I like and use Slinkys (nickel), I can go from finger style to slap and pop without missing anything. I like them best after they mellow, when I need to I can get a nice Motown thump. I know a lot of people say they die quick, but I have not had that problem with them. Try a set they are inexpensive.

DWBass · #5 07-15-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneS

I tried Slinkys. Didnt like them. I thought they sounded bad and they were dead before the show was over.

I agree! I just put a set on a bass I have and a couple days later........mud!

woody357 · #6 07-15-2010, 12:39 PM

IMHO I think they work best with Musicman, and G&L basses. What I like to call hot basses

mouthmw · #7 07-15-2010, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GG-Thunderbird

As for the hybrids, you can definitely tell there is a difference in sound. They sound slightly muted compared to the non-coated EB strings. They last a little longer, but don't have the best sound in my opinion.

I thought hybrid was only the gauge size name. Like extra, super, regular and power. They're all nickel plated steel wire wrapped around tin plated hex shaped steel core wire.

My bass and pickups are rather hot, so it might work with it.

GG-Thunderbird · #8 07-16-2010, 09:19 AM

My bad, I didn't recall correctly. The coated hybrid strings are what I have played and sound a bit muted. I haven't tried the non-coated hybrids yet. Sorry for the mix-up.

pbass888 · #9 09-07-2010, 08:19 PM

man i just traded for a 96 mia jazz and i have ernie ball hybrid ( mix of thin d and g from super slinky and thicker e and a string from reg slinky with guages at .45,.65,.85,.105). I love the sound after a few weeks. Great for my jazz style i play with neck pickup at 0 and bridge p.u at 10 and tone at 0 to get a jacoish type sound for solo and walking. According to the previous owner these strings have been on about 3 months. Perfect not too bright which I felt dean marley blue steels were. they are nickel i believe the orange package not the silver (steel)
I get close to this tone.... if it helps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS2aDlLkY1E

Crabby · #10 09-07-2010, 08:39 PM

I played stainless steel stings exclusively for years but have come to appreciate nickle strings more and more. When I bought my first Stingray5, I replaced the stock strings with Blue Steels of the same guage set and was really surprised at the results. The bass became insanely bright, the string tension was way too high and everything had to be re set as the different tension threw out the truss rod and bridge settings.

Once I had her all set up, I found the low B string was dead as a doornail right out of the box, The D and G stings were too thin sounding compared to the lower strings and nothing felt balanced.

I was shocked as I had used this exact guage set of Blue Steels for many years and was really disappointed with the feel and sound of my Ray5.

So I bought a set of regular Slinky 5's (45-130) which were again the same guage as the Blue Steels, replaced them and wow! Everything was better about the Ray. The balance from string to string both in feel and in volume was perfect, the low B was tight and massive sounding, I had lots of growl but lots of clarity and punch as well.

It was clear to me that Stingrays were pretty much designed around that string which sounds silly but actually does make sense. I have never used anything else since on my Ernie Ball basses. they are some of the least expensive strings around and although, I admit they don't last as long as some brands and when they die, they really get dull sounding, but they don't cost a fortune and they just work for me.

having said all that, i just love the nickle round Fender strings that come on the new USA models. They sound fantastic on my PBass!

Jake of Bass · #11 09-07-2010, 08:52 PM

I love slinkys, but I think it's the bass in part you use. I have them on my SR5 and they're a bit too bright for such a dynamic bass so I actually prefer their dulling after a couple days. If I put them on a P I probably wouldn't like them though.

Jake of Bass · #12 09-07-2010, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabby

I played stainless steel stings exclusively for years but have come to appreciate nickle strings more and more. When I bought my first Stingray5, I replaced the stock strings with Blue Steels of the same guage set and was really surprised at the results. The bass became insanely bright, the string tension was way too high and everything had to be re set as the different tension threw out the truss rod and bridge settings.

Once I had her all set up, I found the low B string was dead as a doornail right out of the box, The D and G stings were too thin sounding compared to the lower strings and nothing felt balanced.

I was shocked as I had used this exact guage set of Blue Steels for many years and was really disappointed with the feel and sound of my Ray5.

So I bought a set of regular Slinky 5's (45-130) which were again the same guage as the Blue Steels, replaced them and wow! Everything was better about the Ray. The balance from string to string both in feel and in volume was perfect, the low B was tight and massive sounding, I had lots of growl but lots of clarity and punch as well.

It was clear to me that Stingrays were pretty much designed around that string which sounds silly but actually does make sense. I have never used anything else since on my Ernie Ball basses. they are some of the least expensive strings around and although, I admit they don't last as long as some brands and when they die, they really get dull sounding, but they don't cost a fortune and they just work for me.

having said all that, i just love the nickle round Fender strings that come on the new USA models. They sound fantastic on my PBass!

+ a million.