Which of these two sets of strings would you choose?

[squeally dan]

Got two sets of bass strings for free from an online dealer. Which of these would you use and why:

1. Ernie Ball Super Slinkys -gauge:45-100

2. D'Adarrio EXL170-5 Nickel Wound/Regular Light Guage -45-130

New to bass (coming from guitar) and need to know which to go with. Thanks!

[msaone]

I'm a relic, i've used med. Boomers since the 80's.

If I got free strings, i'd try both sets and see which I liked better than my Boomers.

[Solarmist]

I'm partial to the D'Adds, and think they sound a tad better, but they're both nickel rounds ... either one is fine.

[smogg]

You can't go wrong with either really. Myself I prefer the D'Addario strings (plus I play a 5 string bass) . Is your new bass a 4 or 5 string? If it's a 4 maybe you could try one of each.

[ThatBassBoy]

Originally Posted by squeally dan

Got two sets of bass strings for free from an online dealer. Which of these would you use and why:

1. Ernie Ball Super Slinkys -gauge:45-100

2. D'Adarrio EXL170-5 Nickel Wound/Regular Light Guage -45-130

New to bass (coming from guitar) and need to know which to go with. Thanks!

what bass is it gonna be on, what style do you play.

[squeally dan]

They will be on a 1998 Fender Jazz Bass (USA) -4 string. We play Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Comodoores, Cameo, Etc.

[mjac28]

Number 2 for me I use those on my line 6 Variax 700 I didn't care for the slinky's on my Mark Hoppus

[Bongo66]

D'Ads all the way! I don't like EBs at all. It seems like they go dead after 2 wks. I may be wrong, but I think the EBs are stainless round wounds and the D'Ads are nickel rounds. If you wanted to compare apples to apples you would need the D'Ads Prosteels to The Super Slinks. Personally I like DR Hibeams.

[Mikhail1]

If they are both nickels, then it's like comparing apples with.... well, apples! They are very similar and if you were to force me to name them in a blind sound test, I don't think I could do it. I have played both and like both just fine.They both have a similar life span for me. Having said that, I use D'Addario XL220's, only because they are cheaper and come in a twin pack. Try both and use which ever feels and sounds best to you.

[squeally dan]

The D'addarios are nickel. The Slinkys don't say.

Also, I noticed the D'Adarrios say "long scale." Is that normal size for a normal bass that isn't short scale?

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by squeally dan

They will be on a 1998 Fender Jazz Bass (USA) -4 string. We play Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Comodoores, Cameo, Etc.

Using that bass and playing that music I would say none of the above.

Get some Chromes or other flats.

[ThatBassBoy]

if you only have between those 2, then use the D'Adarrios.

slap funk, i choose stainless rounds
fingerstyle funk, i choose flatwounds
for both, i choose nickel rounds

but thats just me.

[musicxfactor]

Ernie Ball Super Slinkys are nickel plated.

[Fish and teach]

I just put a set of the D'Adarrios on my five string. I like the tone they have. Can't say anything else though because I've only played them about 4 hours. They are very bright compared to whatever was on the Cirrus when I bought it

[squeally dan]

I put the Dadarrios on, and I agree with you. They seem very bright. That may be magnified by the fact that the previous strings were on there for over a year& were very mellow sounding.

[Stone Soup]

They'll break in. D'Addario are a good, widely used string.

[electracoyote]

Ha, my two favorite brands. However, I do not like the fourth string quite so heavy as that D'Adarrio set. That's probably what will make the biggest difference.

[Got2SadowskyNYC]

Ernie Ball's are low tension strings.

D'Addario's are higher tension.

When compairing D'Addario and Ernie Ball of the same guage, Ernie Ball feel like playing on rubber to me.

[phunku]

Are the D'addario's soft to the touch?

[bumperbass]

Originally Posted by phunku

Are the D'addario's soft to the touch?

IMO, I can slide much smoother on XL's than I do on most flats.