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Opinions on Ernie Ball Bass Strings...

#41
Geri O said:
Cool, thanx. In spite of my long-winded post, I would like to try other strings. I really don't have any complaints with the Power Slinkies, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to check out something else.
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No problem. If you try the D'Addarios, I think you will find that they are a lot brighter out of the box than the Ernie Balls.
 
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#43
For whatever reason.... they pull the hairs on my arm. I never thought I was that hairy, but it appears I am.... otehr than that I think they are great strings and are the best strings for EBMM basses.
 
#45
I bought some cobalts and within 2 days they were tarnished!
 

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#48
I haven't read the whole post, mainly because "Ernie Ball Strings" is a subject that comes up...fairly often. So, I imagine that, as usual, opinions range from "greatest string ever", through "kinda nice", to "Meh", down to "spawn of Satan". Just like every other brand of string, in fact... Where do I stand, re EB strings? I'm in the "Kinda nice" camp. I've only ever used the Hybrid and Super Slinkys. I put them on pretty much every new 34" scale bass I get, and use them as a starting point to find the "right" strings for that bass. And, sometimes, they are the right string for that bass. I like them because: they're inexpensive; I can get them anywhere; they last a good long while (for me); and they're very consistent, set-to-set. Never had a bad string, either. Other than Rickenbacker Light Nickel Rounds on my 4003, and GHS Boomers on my Gibson T-Bird and my Kramer Duke, EB's are the only rounds I use. But, I prefer Flats (usually La Bellas) and tapes on most of my basses...:whistle:
 
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#50
it's an old topic but since it's related i prefer to ask from here,

i couldn't find on the website, and maybe i can get faster answer here,

i have a 35,5" scale bass, would those strings fit to my bass?

i saw this page [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]and it says there is long and super long EB strings, also says long is 37,25" from ball to taper, which is good for me. these values are right? if so shortest EB string is 37,25", right?
 
#51
delid said:
i have a 35,5" scale bass, would those strings fit to my bass?

i saw this page [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]and it says there is long and super long EB strings, also says long is 37,25" from ball to taper, which is good for me. these values are right? if so shortest EB string is 37,25", right?
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The best thing to do is to measure the actual distance on your bass from where the ball end sits and where the string clears the nut. That would be the minimum "winding length" you need.

And yes, the Ernie Ball "long scale" is 37.25" in winding length.
 
#55
I use the Extra Slinky 40-95 because they have always been decent and they're relatively easy to find in the gauges I prefer. I should probably experiment with some of the recommendations I've gotten over the past few years but it always seems like it's harder to find other strings in those gauges.
 
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#57
I love the cobalt flats. They are my new go to for flats. So far I've only used two sets on two different basses, but one set is close to a year old now, and still retains a great midrange character, with a nice top end. No nasty dead thud, which I don't care for with most others.

It's definitely not a typical dead flat sounding string, which is why I like them. They are the perfect flat for me, coming from chromes.

I've tried a set of slinkys in my past and they were all right sounding, but I'm a diaddario pro steels guy, as that's my preferred SS round wound string.

No hate for them, I'd use them in a pinch, but I do prefer the pro steel strings to those.
 
#58
I like the regular ol Slinkies as well enough as any other string I tried in the past few years. I've never had any problems with the ones I've purchased, as I've heard some people complain they have. Bonus is that most retailers carry them, and they're inexpensive enough for a standard 45-105 set.

However.... In the past 2 years I've been really liking their Cobalt Rounds in the thicker 55-110 gauge (which cost another 40% more :greedy:), but to me they sound and feel worth it for now.

:bassist:
 
#60
Linnin said:
I'd like to read a good honest review on those. I've considered the .055-.110 Cobalts a time or two, but never pulled the trigger. I like heavy strings with commensurate tension.
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Give em a go one time. The thickness and tension is right up your alley. The negative that I mostly hear (read) is that they die rather quickly. This has not been the case for me. Some days I'll put an hour or more on them, and as much as I like that new string zing, I've had the current set on my Spector for 6 months.
 
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