After YEARS, Elixir has gotten bested for me.

[songwriter21]

Hey All,

I've been an Elixir faithful for a long time now. I'll still use them for gigging, because they last forever. My new Schecter Studio 5 (incredible bass for such little scratch, btw), came with regular, uncoated strings, this time being Ernie Ball Slinkys. They're indeed so much slinkier than Elixir. I have Elixir on my workhorses, and man, they are a lot stiffer! I discovered that I like the EBs, but know they don't last too long, like most strings (obviously compared to Elixir). I do, however, remember using DRs years and years ago, and they lasted noticeably longer than any other uncoated brand. I had the Lo-Riders, but want something more flexible (like the EBs), and with good mids like those.

Again, the EBs are cool, but those are hex-core like the DRs, so I decided to gamble on DR's Fat Beams' round cores. I'm hoping they combine the nice growl of the Slinkys/Lo-Riders, with better lifespan. The FBs are cheaper than the EBs, too, which seems backwards to me from what I remember (DRs always seemed to cost more, compared to more common EBs), but who knows. I like that they seem to have more punch than other DRs (from videos), on top of the longer life of that brand, as is.

What have been your experiences, and what cn I expect...what I've written here, or different?

 

[michael_t]

I had a chance to try DR Lo-Riders 40-60-80-100-125 and DR Fat Beams 40-60-80-100-125 back-to-back on my son's Ibanez SR-1205E with Nordstrand Big Singles last year.

Hex core vs. round core, the FBs do provide a little more flexibility and suppleness, but in terms of tonal quality, I actually prefer the LRs for the extra punch, especially the low B for its clarity and definition.

I don't normally use stainless steel rounds on any of my basses, but I don't mind playing the DRs as they feel smoother in texture than any other SS rounds I've tried.

No comment on the EB or the Elixir as I have no experience with them.

 

[Yahboy]

How about a try on Dunlop Super bright Nickel ?
This SBN sound lasting than 3 months old NYXL on my current Yamaha TRBX504, the dead NYXL sound no different than Dead EXL......

 

[MynameisMe]

EB slinkys have become my favorite strings. I was a DR Pure Blues fan and had ordered the EBs because of the cheaper price. I now prefer them.
Are your hands caustic? Mine last months.

 

[songwriter21]

EB slinkys have become my favorite strings. I was a DR Pure Blues fan and had ordered the EBs because of the cheaper price. I now prefer them.
Are your hands caustic? Mine last months.

My hands aren't bad, so it's not crazy.

 

[LBS-bass]

I played slinkys for years, recently switched to GHS pressurewounds and LaBella DTFs and happy with the changes. I liked the slinkys, though. I am not a fan of coated strings in general, don't like the feel of them at all, but I realize a lot of people do. I think, though, that you will enjoy the feel of non-coated strings more and more as you become used to them! Keep them clean and they should last a while.

 

[MynameisMe]

My hands aren't bad, so it's not crazy.

I knew a guy played in a country band that changed his strings before every show. (Every week) I thought that was nuts!

 

[Aidil]

I still have the Elixirs Nickel 32-130tw from 2015/16 on a 6er multi-scale 33.6-35.5". Sure they are stiff strings, and my preference actually has moved to flexible strings too, which I mainly play Dunlop Super Brights 40-120 on a fretted 35" and I have Dunlop Flatwounds 40-120 on a fretless 34", Dunlop Super Brights 45-105 on a fretted 34", and D'Addario Nylon Tapewounds 50-135 on a fretless 34". Still, I don't have any intention to take the Elixirs off from that one particular bass. They just fit the bass nicely, which allow the string action to be set low.

I may have tried the EBs on others' basses, but never on my own. Despite the Slinkys on the name, don't know why I don't have any interest on them. For me, the Dunlop (Super Brights) are the ultimate flexible strings. So, I urge you to try them (if you haven't done so).

 

[songwriter21]

I had a chance to try DR Lo-Riders 40-60-80-100-125 and DR Fat Beams 40-60-80-100-125 back-to-back on my son's Ibanez SR-1205E with Nordstrand Big Singles last year.

Hex core vs. round core, the FBs do provide a little more flexibility and suppleness, but in terms of tonal quality, I actually prefer the LRs for the extra punch, especially the low B for its clarity and definition.

I don't normally use stainless steel rounds on any of my basses, but I don't mind playing the DRs as they feel smoother in texture than any other SS rounds I've tried.

No comment on the EB or the Elixir as I have no experience with them.

I think I may try the Lo-Rider nickel next. You're right, the FBs' B is lacking in definition, compared to the rest of the strings. Also, the EBs seemed to more balanced with more mids and certainly treble/possibly hi-mids. But, I remember steel LRs lasting a long time, and going back to steel now has me missing the smoother feel of nickel.

How about a try on Dunlop Super bright Nickel ?
This SBN sound lasting than 3 months old NYXL on my current Yamaha TRBX504, the dead NYXL sound no different than Dead EXL......

I've tried them...died fairly quickly, and have had some dead strings out of the pack, including on a brand-new, custom Kiesel.

I still have the Elixirs Nickel 32-130tw from 2015/16 on a 6er multi-scale 33.6-35.5". Sure they are stiff strings, and my preference actually has moved to flexible strings too, which I mainly play Dunlop Super Brights 40-120 on a fretted 35" and I have Dunlop Flatwounds 40-120 on a fretless 34", Dunlop Super Brights 45-105 on a fretted 34", and D'Addario Nylon Tapewounds 50-135 on a fretless 34". Still, I don't have any intention to take the Elixirs off from that one particular bass. They just fit the bass nicely, which allow the string action to be set low.

I may have tried the EBs on others' basses, but never on my own. Despite the Slinkys on the name, don't know why I don't have any interest on them. For me, the Dunlop (Super Brights) are the ultimate flexible strings. So, I urge you to try them (if you haven't done so).

See above, regarding my experience with the Dunlops.

 

[Yahboy]

I think I may try the Lo-Rider nickel next. You're right, the FBs' B is lacking in definition, compared to the rest of the strings. Also, the EBs seemed to more balanced with more mids and certainly treble/possibly hi-mids. But, I remember steel LRs lasting a long time, and going back to steel now has me missing the smoother feel of nickel.



I've tried them...died fairly quickly, and have had some dead strings out of the pack, including on a brand-new, custom Kiesel.



See above, regarding my experience with the Dunlops.

Sound like you have lot experience on string use, just go with EB slinky, and change them each week or couple weeks. Problems solve.