Is it possible to get a bad set of strings!

RBX4 · #1 08-31-2011, 06:05 PM

My EB slinkys went bad after two weeks, wth!!!

droo46 · #2 08-31-2011, 06:13 PM

There are those who would argue that EB strings are notorious for losing their brightness very quickly. There's nothing wrong with your strings.

M0ses · #3 08-31-2011, 06:17 PM

Though your subject's syntax does not make it a question, the grammar does. So I'll answer it.

Yes.

Droo has a point, though.

waynobass · #4 08-31-2011, 06:19 PM

Ernie Ball strings are bad to begin with! Try DR instead! Thanks!

RBX4 · #5 08-31-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waynobass

Ernie Ball strings are bad to begin with! Try DR instead! Thanks!

I might give'em a try I've never had a problem with the slinkys till this set, that's why I'm asking.. Might give the Dr's a try

Ric5 · #6 08-31-2011, 06:39 PM

Is it possible to get a bad set of strings!

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Hell yes ... some strings are bad right out of the box.

JakeAndAirwaves · #7 08-31-2011, 06:43 PM

Ernie ball has element protective packaging. Mine are still pretty bright after a few months of pick playing. They are slinkeies though.

RBX4 · #8 08-31-2011, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

Is it possible to get a bad set of strings!

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Hell yes ... some strings are bad right out of the box.

Almost definite this is a bad set

FreshTrooperXBL · #9 08-31-2011, 06:59 PM

Putting on a new set of D'Addario strings on my bass and the D string snapped on me (put on correctly and all were being tuned slowly up to concert pitch). I love that brand to death though so it was just a minor set back for me.

bassgod0dmw · #10 08-31-2011, 07:02 PM

I was originally using Rotos, but I've had more dead strings right out of the box from them so I switched to Ernie Ball. EB's always lasted like 2 weeks for me, so then I switched to DR and never looked back. I get a solid couple of months out of a set, and I've got 2 basses that have 6 months and 2 years on their current sets...and they're still pretty decent.

Gearhead17 · #11 08-31-2011, 07:11 PM

I have dealt with several sets of Ken Smith strings to be dead sounding right out of the package. It can happen with other brands.......

DR Strings have been consistent since I switched to them a few months ago.

RBX4 · #12 08-31-2011, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I was originally using Rotos, but I've had more dead strings right out of the box from them so I switched to Ernie Ball. EB's always lasted like 2 weeks for me, so then I switched to DR and never looked back. I get a solid couple of months out of a set, and I've got 2 basses that have 6 months and 2 years on their current sets...and they're still pretty decent.

Rad!

mmbongo · #13 08-31-2011, 07:36 PM

Two weeks? That's pretty good for Ernie Ball's. Try DR next time.

darkstorm · #14 08-31-2011, 08:54 PM

Yes, Ive gotten bad strings in DR and Ken Smith. Strings dead in the package.

blahblahblake · #15 08-31-2011, 09:00 PM

I just had to replace the D string from a brand new set of TI flats (dead as a door nail, whatever that phrase means) so it definitely happens from time to time. Sucks when each string is like $12 a pop....

rockstarbassist · #16 09-01-2011, 09:28 AM

Yes it is possible, but EB's die quickly anyway.

MatticusMania · #17 09-01-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Two weeks? That's pretty good for Ernie Ball's. Try DR next time.

I used to use EB Super Slinkys, and those strings would stay bright for at least a month. Thought I always preferred them once that shine wore off.

I use Chromes now, though.

Ewo · #18 09-01-2011, 09:43 AM

The whole set went dead quickly, or one particular string? I've often run into a single string, in a set, that goes dead much more quickly than the others, or is pretty much dead from the git-go. I take that to be defect in the string.

Didja mean the whole set went dead? Have you tried the alcohol soak?

If that restores them, then you know the strings weren't defective. And you have a way of prolonging their useful life!

St Drogo · #19 09-01-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ewo

Have you tried the alcohol soak?

If that restores them, then you know the strings weren't defective. And you have a way of prolonging their useful life!

Eeenteresting. Expand?

Ewo · #20 09-01-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by St Drogo

Eeenteresting. Expand?

If the strings all went dead at the same rate, and the alcohol soak restores them all, the most likely explanation for them going dead is some combination of these:

1. body oil
2. environmental gunk (like dust, lint)
3. sweat pH
4. skin cells sticking in the windings (exfoliation, IOW)

(That's assuming the player has clean hands! #5 would be something like...grease from buffalo wings on break.)

The alcohol soak will address 1, 2, and 4: the alcohol gets gunk out of the windings. It won't help with corrosion from 3--but if strings go dead at the same rate from corrosion, it's not a product defect in itself. That might just be a bad fit of player and brand.

Them's my thoughts. As I said before, one string going dead faster than others points toward a defect. When they go dead at about the same rate it points to something else.