D'Addario vs Ernie Ball

[Jaruquin]

Trying to decide between D'Addario nickel wound or Ernie Ball nickel wound slinkys. Anyone have any thoughts on this sets of strings?

 

[Kenzy]

We need more information, man. For instance: What do you want to get out of the strings tone-wise? What music do you play?

I've used the Ernie Balls before, never the D'Addario Nickelwound, though I have used the D'Addario ProSteels, which I love. The ProSteels give you an extremely bright, punchy, metallic tone, which is perfect for me.

 

[fivestringgecko]

+1 to Kenzy, we could use a little more info. Are you thinking about trying both brands or you have, and don't know which to stick with?

I used the EB Slinkies for a couple years when I first started playing, tried the D'Addarios and didn't go back. I've tried a few other brands along the way and keep going back to D'Addario EXLs.

Strings are pretty personal/subjective, so if you haven't tried either set, you may have to try both (or even other brands) before finding what you like.

5sg.

 

[Jaruquin]

I'm looking for a warmer sound with a little punch. That's why I thought the nickel might be a good idea. I play a wide range of music so I want something versatile.

 

[Got2SadowskyNYC]

EB engineers the metal for low tension. They feel like playing on rubber to me.

DAddario XL's are stiffer.

I use DAddario Prosteels which are slightly stiffer than XLs'.

Most basses ship with Nickels.

 

[fivestringgecko]

EB engineers the metal for low tension. They feel like playing on rubber to me.

One of the reasons I stuck with the D's. I also liked the tone of the EXLs better.

5sg.

 

[Jaruquin]

Well I like a tighter feel so I think I'll go with the D'Addario.

 

[DWBass]

D'adds for me! The Slinkys are nice but die very quickly!

 

[mrbell321]

I don't really like EB's. They sound... squeaky? And on the bass, too floppy. I like the feel on a guitar, but again, I"m not a fan of the tone.

 

[Aussie Player]

I like EB's on my 5 strings. My Alembic Essence 5 has had the same set for 12 months and they sound great.
On 4 strings Iike SIT medium nickel.

 

[jabsys]

I prefer the sound & feel of EB's, but they just don't last long enough for me, it's only a few months before they're dead.

 

[funkybass]

I prefer the sound & feel of EB's, but they just don't last long enough for me, it's only a few months before they're dead.

If you are getting a few months out of EB's, you are doing good.

 

[armybass]

I much prefer EB's feel to D'Addarios. They have a much more supple feel to me and I find they last just as long as D'Addarios.

 

[JimmyM]

I prefer the sound & feel of EB's, but they just don't last long enough for me, it's only a few months before they're dead.

I get 5 or 6 shows out of a new set of rounds tops. You're complaining about a few months???

 

[deeptubes]

The EB's I tried barely lasted longer than the Bass Boomers that I will never use again. 2 weeks, dead. Have tried other strings, kept coming back to D'Addario. I now have about 10 years of D'Addarios in the mancave closet.

 

[Jaruquin]

Just put a set of the D's on the bass. Haven't played threw the amp yet but I love the way they feel. Nice and tight! Will update when I play threw the amp.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

If you are getting a few months out of EB's, you are doing good.

Yeah, you're talking two rehearsals or one gig (tops) for me

 

[ksandvik]

Now there are other brands you should also try out, Dunlops and my favorites, DRs of all kinds.

 

[Jaruquin]

Just had some DR highbeams on my bass. Didn't like them....the low B sounded like poo poo!

 

[alexlocurto]

I never liked Ernie Ball bass strings, but that's just me.