I've been a fan of Rotosound 66's for quite a while. However, I've found a new long-lasting stainless string that I like even better. Ernie Ball Stainless Slinky. Yep. Most recently (within the past year), I've tried Pro Steels, Roto 66's, DR Hi Beams, and the Ernies. For me, the Slinkies beat everything, and, as I mentioned, last a long time. For me, strings are pretty much dead when you slap the E string and get kind of a thub thub sound instead of brightness. The stainless Slinkies stay bright for months. The most disappointing of the above strings were the Pro Steels, which lost their sparkle fairly quickly.
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My new favorite stainless roundwounds
- Thread starter Flatwound
- Start date
Not my experience with Pro Steels, but I’m anxious to try these Ernie Ball Stainless Slinkies now.
Glad you found something you like. It’s always interesting to see how different strings work for different people. I’ve been a long time D’Addario guy and actually moved away from the ProSteels back to XL Nickels because the ProSteels just had too much zing and sparkle and for me they stayed that way forever. Strictly IME.
Aaand, the EB Stainless Slinkies aren’t available in 5-string sets???….
Wow, I didn’t notice that! I kind of assumed that they would be available in 5 (and probably 6) string sets. Weird. I switched back to 4 string basses a couple of years ago or so, due to hand problems.
Even the contact at my favorite string supplier was kinda surprised to learn that and even reached out to EB to make sure that 5- and 6-string sets were indeed unavailable.
Weird!….
I guess I could get a set for my T40….
Slinky steels are the biggest under the radar string ever. I discovered them a few years ago after using DR for many years but running into QC issues. I’ve since moved onto Cobalt rounds as my absolute favorite but the Slinky stainless are a very close second.
That’s cool. I’m super happy with the Elixir stainless steels on my fretless. Takes awhile sometimes to find what you like even on specific basses. Too bad they don’t make them in a 5 string set. Stoked you found what you like and hope it helps you enjoy playing even a little bit more.
Interesting! I’ve never tried their SS rounds, but might have to. I’ve currently got ProSteels 45-105 DGCF on my Peavey Fury IV and I’m enjoying them. DR DDT are on my list to try; perhaps I’ll have to add the EB SS rounds to that list.
I'll lhave to try them out. I've used Roto Sound Wound 66 Rounds on my Fender P-Bass since the early 70's because John Entwistle was my inspiration. Well. Him and Berry Oakley. I use Deep Talkers on my Fender Jazz Bass. Remember the big thing was to boil the Round Wounds when they start getting untwangy. I'd just wait until the day before a gig and boil them and they'd be like new, for a couple of days.
Aaand, the EB Stainless Slinkies aren’t available in 5-string sets???….
Jason at Fret Nation has .130 Ernie Ball SS singles available.
- Mar 27, 2016
- 68
- 88
- 37
- Disclosures
- I am not the famous Steven Harris, I just happen to share the name with a famous bass player! Can provide ID if necessary
That's awesome you have found a new set you like 
.
My first love are the rotos, then the markbass energy stainless steels, then the slinkies.
I do the whole "put dead strings in a pot methylated spirit" thing, and find all these strings like having a bath every now and then
My only gripe with the rotos is that when they come out of the spirit, the red cotton comes off, and so I wind some more on. Don't get this issue with mark bass or slinkies. Very very possibly a placebo effect, but I feel the rotos sound better after the spirit compared to the others.
Anyway, glad you like the slinkies. I still want to try more sets
.My first love are the rotos, then the markbass energy stainless steels, then the slinkies.
I do the whole "put dead strings in a pot methylated spirit" thing, and find all these strings like having a bath every now and then
My only gripe with the rotos is that when they come out of the spirit, the red cotton comes off, and so I wind some more on. Don't get this issue with mark bass or slinkies. Very very possibly a placebo effect, but I feel the rotos sound better after the spirit compared to the others.
Anyway, glad you like the slinkies. I still want to try more sets
Pro Steels suck 
. . . . I mean . . . . um . . . . I've been rather disappointed by Pro Steels on every bass I've tried. . . yeah, that's what I meant to say 
. . . . I mean . . . . um . . . . I've been rather disappointed by Pro Steels on every bass I've tried. . . yeah, that's what I meant to say 
That's the exact reason why I haven't tried them. I have all 5 string basses and don't mess with mismatched strings especially on the B which I do love to utilize. It's not just a thumb rest for me.Aaand, the EB Stainless Slinkies aren’t available in 5-string sets???….
If you like mids and don't like steels that are too bright and you like softer feeling and more flexible they definitely will suck to play. They are stiff, very grabby on your fingers, they are great for certain things but definitely not the best option for others. I've used them on a couple basses and aside from being useable I didn't really see them as a better alternative than anything else I've tried. LolPro Steels suck
I’d like to try the Elixirs, but they don’t come in my preferred .040-.095 gauge.
