Ernie Ball Slinky gauges

[Aaron Houts]

Just a little comment in case anyone searches this later:

I recently tried EB Super Slinky strings on my Fender P5. I matched up the size of the stock B string (125) and ordered the corresponding set.
I don’t know why, but the gauges on the other four strings are proportionally way lighter than they are in the other sets.

Stock strings for my American Professional Precision 5 are:
45 65 85 105 125
EB Super Slinky 5s are:
40 60 75 95 125
The only one that’s the right size for me is the B.

I’m going to try a different approach which is to find the four string set I want and order the B separately.

The four string Regular Slinky set is closer to the gauges I want. I ordered that. I’ll use the 125 B string from the other set which will get me much closer to the stock sizes I prefer.

This will be:
50 70 85 105 125
I think this will do the trick.
If not, I’ll order a 4 string set of Power Slinkies and a 130 B string.

I’ll report back.

Just wanted to get this on the forum to save someone buying two sets of strings.

 

[ixlramp]

The EB Super Slinkys are far more tension balanced, if anyone wants that.
45-105 + 125 results in a B much looser than the other strings, equal tension would be 105 + 140.

The other 4 gauges are lighter just because they are, sets come in a variety of gauge combinations.
The gauges are clearly published so this is not a hidden danger you need to warn people about, people should of course be aware of all the gauges in a set, and usually are.

 

[mouthmw]

You should have tried EB Standard Slinky (45,65,80,100,130) instead of Super Slinky. Would probably work better balance wise too.

 

[Geri O]

Balance is one of the good things about the Power Slinkies which are my go-to strings for years and years.

At 50-70-85-105-135, they are a little heavier than most. But they serve me well.

 

[Aaron Houts]

The EB Super Slinkys are far more tension balanced, if anyone wants that.
45-105 + 125 results in a B much looser than the other strings, equal tension would be 105 + 140.

I'm learning that I'm less bothered by a difference in string tension than I am by a difference in string width.

The gauges are clearly published so this is not a hidden danger you need to warn people about, people should of course be aware of all the gauges in a set, and usually are.

Maybe it's because I'm just getting into focusing on strings, but a post like this would have helped me. I searched before I bought them and didn't find the post I needed so I made this one for the next string newbie looking into EB Slinkies.

You should have tried EB Standard Slinky (45,65,80,100,130) instead of Super Slinky. Would probably work better balance wise too.

You are so right, but what I figured out was to get the 4 string set of Regular Slinkies.
The gauges are different than the five string set of Regular Slinkies and it's not just the B string. They are 50-70-85-105. I used the 125 from my Super Slinky set and I really like it. I've decided to find the right 4 string set and then find the right B string.

Balance is one of the good things about the Power Slinkies which are my go-to strings for years and years.

At 50-70-85-105-135, they are a little heavier than most. But they serve me well.

I may move up to the 4 string set of Power Slinkies but those are different gauges than the 5 string Power Slinky set. 4 string gauges are 55-75-90-110 but those seem pretty heavy.

After getting the Regular Slinky 4 string set and adding my own B string, I'm pretty sure either that or the Power Slinky 4 string set will be perfect.

I think I will also probably go with either a 125 or a 130 for the B. If I go with the 130, I know it will have more tension, will it also have a stronger sound?
That'd be the main reason to switch.

Does anyone have recommendations as to where to buy individual Slinky strings?

Thanks, everybody.

 

[Geri O]

Does anyone have recommendations as to where to buy individual Slinky strings?

Thanks, everybody.

Fret nation.com.

 

[Aaron Houts]

Fret nation.com.

Thanks.
I checked there before, but couldn't find the singles listed on the site so I contacted them.

 

[michael_t]

I checked there before, but couldn't find the singles listed on the site so I contacted them.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Aaron Houts]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Thank you so much!
I guess I just didn't know which ones were the Slinkies.
I went to your link and followed the descriptions in the address:
"Nickel plated steel round wounds."
Perfect!
Going to look into that 130. Might as well at least try it. I like the 125, but I might like the 130 better.
Thank you again!

 

[michael_t]

On a side note...

I've been testing out the GHS Bassics on my Yamaha 5-string for the last couple of months and am very impressed with their tonal quality. Nice punchy low-mids with a clean crisp top end without being overly zingy and brittle. The 130B feels solid with good definition as well.

They're an all-purpose nickel-plated steel roundwound, like the EB Slinkys, and the factory 5-string set, 44-63-84-106-130, is only $19.99 at Fret Nation. (Or even less elsewhere.)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Aaron Houts]

On a side note...

I've been testing out the GHS Bassics on my Yamaha 5-string for the last couple of months and am very impressed with their tonal quality. Nice punchy low-mids with a clean crisp top end without being overly zingy and brittle. The 130B feels solid with good definition as well.

They're an all-purpose nickel-plated steel roundwound, like the EB Slinkys, and the factory 5-string set, 44-63-84-106-130, is only $19.99 at Fret Nation. (Or even less elsewhere.)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Thanks!
Those are some good gauges!
How do they feel?
Are they stiff or like the Slinkys?

 

[michael_t]

Thanks!
Those are some good gauges!
How do they feel?
Are the stiff or like the Slinkys?

I have no personal experience with the Slinkys. But I would say the Bassics are fairly close to the D'Addario XL Nickels in terms of overall tension and stiffness, except the Bassics feel a bit smoother in texture than XL Nickels.

 

[Aaron Houts]

Okay.
I just ordered a 130 and a 135.

 

[LBS-bass]

125 is a little light to pair with the other gauges you're using. I would have expected a 130 on the B with a 45 on the G.

Personally I like the lighter gauges and those are the sizes I use on my 5 strings. No problem at all with the B string but it might not feel right to you if you prefer a heavier string.

 

[Aaron Houts]

125 is a little light to pair with the other gauges you're using. I would have expected a 130 on the B with a 45 on the G.

Personally I like the lighter gauges and those are the sizes I use on my 5 strings. No problem at all with the B string but it might not feel right to you if you prefer a heavier string.

Thank you!
I agree the G string being 50 and the D being 70 were both a little different to me, but I actually like the thicker gauge.
I think I may start out with the 135. If I can make that work, I think it would be best because:
1. more evenly matched string tension
2. hopefully a fuller, deeper sound
3. this size in combination with the other gauges are the exact sizes included in the Power Slinky 5 string set. That way I could just buy and use a full set instead of buying a 4 string set and a separate B string.
This set would be:
50-70-85-105-135

 

[Aaron Houts]

Balance is one of the good things about the Power Slinkies which are my go-to strings for years and years.

At 50-70-85-105-135, they are a little heavier than most. But they serve me well.

UPDATE:
It looks like the Power Slinky 5 string set for the win!
I tried the 135 B string first and then the 130, but I couldn't give up the tension and tone of the 135 after trying it.
The fact that I can now order a prepackaged set and not have to get a 4 string set and then special order a B string is another huge plus.
I'm going to give it a little longer to make sure I like it, but I haven't really thought about trying another size which is a good sign.
Thanks again for your help, everyone.
I really learned a lot.

 

[Geri O]

UPDATE:
It looks like the Power Slinky 5 string set for the win!
I tried the 135 B string first and then the 130, but I couldn't give up the tension and tone of the 135 after trying it.
The fact that I can now order a prepackaged set and not have to get a 4 string set and then special order a B string is another huge plus.
I'm going to give it a little longer to make sure I like it, but I haven't really thought about trying another size which is a good sign.
Thanks again for your help, everyone.
I really learned a lot.

If you are still looking to compare brands, these are the identical gauges and available as a stock item, no custom order needed.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I tried a couple of sets and they are fine, but as usual, I gravitated back to the 5-string Power Slinkies. The D’Addarios are certainly worth a look if you haven’t tried them yet.

 

[Aaron Houts]

If you are still looking to compare brands, these are the identical gauges and available as a stock item, no custom order needed.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I tried a couple of sets and they are fine, but as usual, I gravitated back to the 5-string Power Slinkies. The D’Addarios are certainly worth a look if you haven’t tried them yet.

Thank you.
I had actually found that exact set and was considering them as well.

 

[HMZ]

I'm really surprised Ernie Ball hasn't made a "Hybrid" set for 5 string basses. Something like this 45-65-85-105-130. To me that would be perfect.