There is something about Ernie Ball Slinkys (?)

[MYLOWFREQ]

I've been using the hybrid slinky strings since the late '90s. I've tried other sets here and there, but always come back to this.

 

[sawzalot]

The fastest way to completely change your tone is to try a different brand/type of strings. I love Cobalt rounds on my USA Sterlings but not so much on a fender Jazz. I like slinky’s on my stingray 5 a lot, it just gives the right kind of bright/warm sound. Originally I started using them because they were 1) relatively cheap and 2) you can get them pretty much anywhere. But I really like them and so I’ve kept using them.

 

[P. Aaron]

I found the Green Slinky's to be ok strings. I preferred for many years DR's Nickel coated Sunbeams and Low Riders.

Now the Dimension and Precision V sport EB Cobalt Flats. They just work.

 

[Dust2Dust]

Holy cow! I'm in the exact same boat as you

I am a diehard Super Slinky man

But, when I put them on my Jazz 5 (Squier 70s Classic Vibe) they were too unruly. I was twisting knobs on the bass, the effects, and the amp all to try and make it manageable.

I'm going back to Sunbeams. I've got a pack on the way from Sweetwater.

 

[Dust2Dust]

This is why strings are such a personal choice. I used to hate slinkies because they were stiff and too bright for my taste, which sounds exactly like why you like them!

I have been using Slinkys exclusively for a decade, but my tastes seem to be changing. I find myself turning down the treble alot. You said the Slinks were too bright and I guess I'm starting to feel that way too.

What stings do you use?
And if the answer varies, just tell me about the less expensive (cheapest) strings.

 

[Timmah]

Funny- I’ve been going through strings trying to find something I truly love for years and years. My first bass had EB Slinky 50s on it. I never bothered to change them, didn’t know that was a thing. So by the time I moved on a couple years later, I thought I hated them. They had no top end to speak of, couldn’t stay in tune- (turns out they were just super, super dead) so I embarked on a journey to find the right strings for me. Rotosound, DR, D’Addario (these are the only ones I really hated), GHS, LaBella, Dunlop, you name it. Flats, rounds, grounds, nickel, stainless, unobtainium. Finally I circled back to EB because I needed a set of strings an hour before a gig, and, woah. They sound great, they feel great, and they’re cheap. They die a little quickly for me, but when they’re good, they’re good. I’m gonna be trying them on more basses.

 

[jwad]

Every bass player should know their color slinky.

Best value, consistent, reliable, sounds good, available anywhere strings are sold. Orange Slinky and I have been estranged for a while, but I take comfort, knowing they’re out there for me anytime I need them.

 

[steveinohio]

I liked them for a long time but always felt they died quick. My current favorite strings are Fender. I change strings pretty often though so now I want something that sounds pretty good and is around the $15 range.

 

[steveinohio]

A lot of times (not always though) when I get weird overtones on new strings it has to do with the break angle of the string over the bridge or nut. When that happens I'll bend the string a bit in those areas. It usually solves it for me.

 

[DianaBass]

I bought my Music Man Stingray bass and it came with Slinkies, since then I've put them on another bass (a Squier.). My Fender Aerodyne has whatever they put on there. I LOVE the feeling of the Slinkies! However, this week I sat in and played someone bass that had LaBella Halfwounds, and I was in love! Sadly, he reports that they are no longer made. They had the best of both worlds, and I sounded pretty darn good.

 

[DianaBass]

I liked them for a long time but always felt they died quick. My current favorite strings are Fender. I change strings pretty often though so now I want something that sounds pretty good and is around the $15 range.

I just got a Fender Aerodyne recently, and the Fender strings (I assume are Fender,) are wonderful! Feel a bit more playable than the Slinkies.

 

[FirewalZ]

[

I've been using Slinkys for as long as I can remember. Over 20 years. I dabble with other brands from time to time, but always go back.

This is how I am with Sunbeams. I’ll flirt with a few other brands, but always seem to find my way back to Sunbeams.

 

[Nuage420]

I play the heck out of my EB Cobalt Flats and they still sound great months down the road! I also treat them with GHS Fast Fret on a occasion... this really keeps them fresh. I have 7 basses and 6 of them wear EB Cobalt Flats. Right now, I wouldn't even consider another string.

I played my old beater bass that lives in a case all this past week while out of town with cobalt flats, with a pick or good finger attack you can't tell they're not rounds

 

[Kipp Harrington]

I played my old beater bass that lives in a case all this past week while out of town with cobalt flats, with a pick or good finger attack you can't tell they're not rounds

I agree. Incredible tone!