Double Bass EP's-keep 'em.

[THE SAW]

Here's a short history of events with my EP's:

1)Installed them-days and days of stretching.(about 10 days)
2)Settling down, very stiff under the hand(about 2 weeks)
3)Sound good, feel good (3 weeks)
4)Dead (about 9 weeks)

If you want gut, get gut. Metal, get original Flex or FC.

Similar story with Passiones (sp?) Marketing baby, pure and simple. Don't fix what ain't broke.

FWIW,
S.A.W.

 

[ldekoning]

Dead after 9 weeks?? I've been playing my EP's for over a year now and they are anything but dead. Maybe it's something else?

 

[drurb]

Well, one man's or woman's (see profile) opinion and experience. Certainly, with strings, YMMV applies! This is just another example. Still, judging from the plethora of posts here, especially in the EP megathread, part II (to which I wish the OP had added his comments), most players have favorable things to say.

My own experience with new EP regulars and weichs is that they needed just a few days of stretching, they sounded great, became stiff under the right hand as they aged, and never came close to dead after quite a number of months.

I don't think, especially after all that has been written by real players, that the reputation of EPs is based on "marketing." Anyone interested can get the skinny by clicking the link above in combination with part I of the thread, in addition to the many other threads devoted to EPs.

As to why the OP had the experience that he/she did, perhaps some information about the bass, the setup, the playing conditions, the player's general preference, whether the strings were new, whether they were regulars or weichs, etc. would help to explain what occurred.

 

[Matt Ides]

Drub, is right, every bass reacts differently. I have well used EPs EAD and Oliv G on and I like the sound. Was reminded again yesterday from my teacher just how great it can sound in the right hands. I will admit that my bass is bright so a slightly deader and darker string works great.

I do agree with, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[geoffbassist]

I agree with Drurb. They have worked for me on several basses, but I wouldn't expect them to be right for every bass.
Ive never had any tuning issues either. I really like the weich gauge.

It's such a hassle working out what strings suit different instruments. I guess that why we all have a string draw

 

[chupacaps]

SAW let me know if you're selling them.

 

[abaguer]

I've been playing my EP regulars hard on my jazz bass (with a pretty good amount of arco) for the last 11 months. They're still going strong and the Principal in one of the Orchestras I play with has had his on for over a year and a half. I'd keep em or sell them to me.

 

[maveriten]

My EPs took well over a week to stabilize and while they were not dead after four months, they were completely different sounding/playing strings at that point.

 

[moles]

Been hangin' out on the string forum here for 3 years or more...read a lot of threads - don't seem to remember any of them saying *any* string worked for everybody/every bass.

FWIW - Evah weichs to me had good and bad days. Some rooms/bands/cycles of the moon they *were* a bit dark. Then they/I snapped out of it. Considering getting another set, but there are just so many other strings to blow money on that I haven't tried yet.