I've had two separate sets of the EB coated. I can't predict others' experiences, but mine were dead after a few days. Elixirs dead after 4 months. For what it's worth, I send both back to EB Customer service. They were very interested/concerned about the situation. Always good service.
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New ernie ball strings.
- Thread starter akaTRENT
- Start date
I replaced a 3-month old set of Elixirs with a new set of EB coated strings last week. The Elixirs were getting a bit hairy and starting to tarnish in places, but probably still had a few weeks left in them.
The EBs are not as smooth feeling as the Elixirs; people who don't like the slick feel of Elixirs should like the EBs better. They "squeak" like regular nickels at first, too, but after a week they have lost the initial roughness and feel smoother. Or maybe I've just gotten used to them. Still not as smooth as Elixirs though.
To my ears, the EBs are notably less bright/middy than the old Elixirs. They almost sound somewhat scooped in comparison. (I was changing one string at a time and could tell the difference right away as I tuned each string to pitch.)
On my short-scale Birdsong I find the E-string on the EBs has less definition; almost muddy on the first few frets. I would guess they'd do better on a long-scale bass, but for this reason (and the relatively scooped tone) I won't be using them again on the Birdsong. YMMV, as always.
The EBs are not as smooth feeling as the Elixirs; people who don't like the slick feel of Elixirs should like the EBs better. They "squeak" like regular nickels at first, too, but after a week they have lost the initial roughness and feel smoother. Or maybe I've just gotten used to them. Still not as smooth as Elixirs though.
To my ears, the EBs are notably less bright/middy than the old Elixirs. They almost sound somewhat scooped in comparison. (I was changing one string at a time and could tell the difference right away as I tuned each string to pitch.)
On my short-scale Birdsong I find the E-string on the EBs has less definition; almost muddy on the first few frets. I would guess they'd do better on a long-scale bass, but for this reason (and the relatively scooped tone) I won't be using them again on the Birdsong. YMMV, as always.
That's too bad if they sound duller than the Elixirs. I think Elixirs sound really dull, even brand new.
Wow, well mileage obviously does vary because I have some Elixirs on my Sandberg, they must be 2 years old and they're as bright as can be.
Oh sure. I'm used to DR Hi-Beams and D'Addario ProSteels, but the Elixirs just sound like half-dead strings to me.
These are intriguing. I do like the Ernie Balls I have on both of my basses, but they die pretty quick. Hmm...
I've once tried ernie ball strings on my bass. they weren't that great. I like d'addario strings better.
Maybe it was a bad set? I found Elixirs very bright for Nickels, and I'm used to Rotosound 66 (steel)!
Has anyone compared the new EBs to the DR coloured strings? They really did sound dead to me, so if the EBs are anything like them I will stay well away.
I think that if any string is going to be coated the coat won't be as hard as metal and it will not sound as bright.
Today I took the week-old EB E-string off and put the 3-month old Elixir back on; all is right with the world again.
Seriously, much better punch and clarity. Maybe I got a bad string, or it may just be the EBs aren't ideal for my specific application (a very warm sounding short-scale bass). Too bad for me, as the EBs are much less pricey, but I won't bother with them again.
