I put Ernie Ball Slinkys on my jazz bass and lost my tone

[mgb71]

I've got a Fender American Jazz with Custom Shop 60's in it and have been running GHS Boomers with no complaints. The sound was nothing spectacular but just sort of "middle of the road" nice regardless of what tunes I was playing. I decided to try some Ernie Ball Slinkys on it since they sound so nice on my Stingray but I am pretty disappointed with the result. After a week of playing the Slinky's on my Jazz it seems like all of my depth of tone is gone and everything sounds really thin.

Anyone else experience this with Ernie Ball Slinkys on a jazz or other bass?

[jmattbassplaya]

That's my experience with EB strings in general. They sound fantastic after a day or two of settling in, but after a week their tone just goes to poo.

[Righteous Thunderer]

I've never tried them on a bass, but I had them on my electric guitar prior to coming over to the low end. Same results, too, I pretty much avoid them on all instruments now. Same with elixer's, not a fan.

[waynobass]

Ernie Ball strings stink! Try some DR nickel Lo-Riders.

[bass_lord_mutha]

Originally Posted by waynobass

Ernie Ball strings stink! Try some DR nickel Lo-Riders.

+1

I, too, hopped on the DR bandwagon after getting frustrated with Ernie Ball strings going dead instantly. Now I won't be caught dead with anything but Fat Beams on my basses.

[Slackerprince]

I dunno, I had some Chromes on my Jazz and switched to Slinkys, and I felt like I went from a passive bass to an active bass.
I love Chromes on my P, but for starting into slap and pop, Slinkys were way better.
I know, big jump from flats to rounds, but I really love Slinkys for some reason.
I feel like they're smooth to move around on, and are pretty bright.
I wouldn't hesitate to try some DR's, or whatever. I'm open.

S.

[bass_lord_mutha]

Originally Posted by Slackerprince

I dunno, I had some Chromes on my Jazz and switched to Slinkys, and I felt like I went from a passive bass to an active bass.

It's because you went from flats which have the tone of dead roundwounds to fresh roundwounds

Part of the reason Slinkys go dead so quick is because they use a much thinner core wire than other string manufacturers which makes the string more flexible (hence the name Slinky) however the drawback is that the core wire metal fatigues much faster.

[Limeman]

+1 on that. I actually love the tone/feel of Slinkys, but alas... they do indeed crap out way too fast. Good thing they are inexpensive!

[jkjgiants26]

ive used EBs since i started playing bass (about 6 years) and have never had problem with them going dead. Just my experience.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by jkjgiants26

ive used EBs since i started playing bass (about 6 years) and have never had problem with them going dead. Just my experience.

You try any other strings yet?

[bassist4dalord]

I've had this same experience. Right now I'm using D'Addario Chromes on my Squier Standard Precision V (Jazz electronics) and Rotosound nickel-plated steel rounds on my P. I've enjoyed these Roto strings.

+1 to DR. Had a set of stainless Lo-Riders on my P and they were pretty sweet.

[ksandvik]

Originally Posted by waynobass

Ernie Ball strings stink! Try some DR nickel Lo-Riders.

Yep. They don't die for a long time.

[ksandvik]

Originally Posted by Limeman

+1 on that. I actually love the tone/feel of Slinkys, but alas... they do indeed crap out way too fast. Good thing they are inexpensive!

Slinkys are indeed nice for a week but then the twang goes out. I like Dunlop strings for my electric guitars. I tried Dunlops on my bass but the experience was not pleasant.

[Mike M.]

This has been my experience as well with EB's....and with Fender rounds. They feel good, they stay in tune very well but they go dead quicker than other strings I've tried.

[Plays_For_Dog]

Another convert from slinkies to DR fatbeams.

[madmatt]

The only Ernie Ball's I like are the Regular Slinky's.
This is the only string that sounds good on my Fender American DLX P right now. And at $15.99 a set that makes them even better. The Super Slinky's don't cut it for me.
I may try some taper-wound 8250 Fenders on my bass next, but for now the Regulars work ok.

[One Drop]

You can never get them to walk down the stairs like in the commercials, either.

Sheesh!

[mmbongo]

Yeah Slinky's are pretty 'meh'. Not a fan. Usually going to DR is quite a revelation.

Funny story, there is a guy at work who bought a brand new Stingray just to play at church. He thinks Slinky's are the only strings made. Being so anal about strings, it takes everything I have not to smack him, but I have to remember that not everybody cares what strings they use.

[funkybass]

I was in desperate need of strings for my p and had to get the only strings they had, slinkys. Man do they suck. I can't wait to put some D'Addario XL nickles back on.

[mmbongo]

If you DO like Slinky's, you should try Curt Mangan strings. Feel similar, and contain only the good from EB and none of the bad. Curt used to work for EB and went out on his own when EB started getting flaky.