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  • Registered: 2011-11-12
  • Posts: 47

Topic: EB Slinky's

(I have overly corrosive fingers and I play lead in my band 1-4 gigs/weekend and practice/write/teach a lot of lead stuff during the week so Im VERY HARD on elec strings)
I started a thread recently looking for advice on strings that don't corrode so bad like the D'addario's I was using.
I was concerned with 2 things:
1) Tonal life----Can I find something that will at least from beginning to end of a 3-4 hour gig/session?
2) Feel and texture as they do start to go bad----Can I find something that doesn't feel so gritty and rusty and hard to move freely on (steel strings) when they do start going bad? .....and I really don't dig any of the coated strings

I have to say, ERNIE BALL SLINKYS are my new absolute fav strings for my fingers and my rig.  Somebody responded with a suggestion of EB's in that thread.  I hadn't tried them in many many years so I gave them a shot.  Right off the bat I thought that they sounded a little bit better and more balanced than the D'addarios and also bend a bit easier.  They have a good bit more tonal life to them.  Plenty to get me through a gig and possibly even two.
But the biggest most impressive thing about them to me is the way in which they die.  They pair I currently have on my axe have been completely played into dust.  They don't have a whole lot of life left in them....as they shouldn't after the hours I've put on them...BUT they still feel great.  They never got that sticky rusty horribly feel.  And for completely dead strings, they actually sound pretty good.  They're dead sounding, but in a balanced kind of way.  I wouldn't gig with them, but for practicing at home they are a Godsend since they retain a smooth feel to them....which is paramount to me.  I played a gig weekend before last, practiced A LOT Sunday-Tues, went out of town for holiday and left the axe sitting out. Picked it up today after sitting for 6 days and they still feel just as good. 

Love these strings for my needs!! Im sure there are other brands that can do this as well, but I like to stick with the very generic brands that I know I can always run to any store and get my hands on since I gig a lot and do good bit of studio work.
Just wanted to give an update incase anybody is looking having string problems similar to what I was dealing with.
(BTW, I use the regular 10-46's)

  • Devan
  • Devan
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  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
  • Posts: 1,304

Re: EB Slinky's

I've used EB 10-46's for decades now... great strings.

Recently, I tried out some 'high end' strings from Pyramid and Snake Oil.  They DID actually last longer than the EBs but I have to weigh that up against the extra cost of them.

In the end of the day - no matter which strings you use, proper after play care will significantly extend the life of them.  I habitually give my strings a thorough wipe down after each playing session with a polishing cloth.  In the few occassions that I forget or don't have time to do so after a gig, I notice that the strings turned to the equivalent of rusty barbed wire very quickly...

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • Registered: 2011-03-15
  • Posts: 120

Re: EB Slinky's

Yeah, Ernie Ball strings are great! Been playing um for over 20 years.
I hear what you say about them going dead but still feel fresh (and still sound good). Haven't had that with other brands.

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  • From: Rainy Wiltshire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-10-12
  • Posts: 131

Re: EB Slinky's

I used Ernie Ball 52-11s (Power Slinky) for years and always found them great, although have recently moved to similar gauge Dean Markleys - similar 'slinky' feel to them, very bendable, and they last almost as long as EBs too without breaking (my main problem...I'm a heavy picker  big_smile ) Plus 3 sets for a tenner on eBay...much better suited to my 19 year old's budget smile

I never liked D'addarios...every srt I've ever tried of theirs (electric and acoustic), at least one string has broken during re-stringing, and brand new strings breaking before they've even been played doesn't quite hit the mark for me....

'What's the use in gettin' sober......when you're gonna get drunk again' - Louis Jordan
Guitars - Gibson VOS R8 LP, Custom built Telecaster w/Bare Knuckle and Duncan pickups, 60's/70's Kay Tulip  (for slide)
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  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: EB Slinky's

I've had good luck with the DR Pure Blue strings.

  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: EB Slinky's

Buy Dunlop string conditioner...works wonders! Put some on every couple of days and your strings last WAY longer.
I used to change strings every week. Now I can go 3 months easy.

Plus it only costs the same as 1 pack of strings big_smile

  • From: Boston, MA
  • Registered: 2010-07-13
  • Posts: 47

Re: EB Slinky's

I used Snake Oil strings, which both sound good and last (for me) MUCH longer than regular strings....offsets the higher cost

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  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: EB Slinky's

I use EB's too... I hate the rust feel... but I have so many guitars, usually the one I havent played in a while will need new strings.

I just started using Finger Ease for before i play, and after I wipe down with a GHS Treated String Cloth. It's a dry cloth that wipes the crap and sweat off strings, and it also looks like it polishes the frets a little...
http://www.amazon.com/GHS-A8-String-Cle … B001OHQSH2

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
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9 Reply by jo2011 (edited by jo2011 2011-12-25 19:58:48)

  • From: Santa Barbara, CA
  • Registered: 2011-09-02
  • Posts: 110

Re: EB Slinky's

Ernie Balls are the best strings on the market. Not too muddy like GHS and not too bright like D'Addario. They have a nice midrange and a tight low end. But for acoustics, I gotta say Martin takes the cake with the Clapton's Choice line. I use EB Power Slinkies on all my electrics and I top wrap the guitars with stop tailpieces.