First time I really notice a difference

[yamaha]

So I've been playing bass for quite a few years. Had cheap-intermediate gear for most of that time. For the past year, I've been buying a lot, and more quality stuff.

I changed strings on my Ibanez GSR500 today. I've always bought D'addario, Earnie Ball, or DR. Noticed a bit of a difference between brands, series, etc.... but no huge difference.

Today, what a difference. The Ibanez still had it's original Exilir (I think, according to a music store employee, it's what Ibanez puts on the GSR500), and I put on some D'addario's. Of course, the tone is now brighter, as they are new, but not as rich. Kind of sounds thin. I always use roundwounds. What are your experiences in quality tone (I don't slap).

[Groover]

I put a set of DR Black Beauties on one of my basses a while ago (it was an MIJ P-J), and the sound thinned out so much that I took the strings off almost right away (I gave them a week or so, but still didn't like them).

I put the EB Slinkies back on, and life was good again.

I know the the DR are supposed to be better quality, but they did not work on that bass (or maybe I just didn't like them).