Sweeeet!! Coated Bass Strings!!!

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by Big Poppa

no wazoo its not that big of deal but you can see that customer service threads are usually 50/50 owner error our error and I may be being kind..no biggie just pointing out that since spidey didnt install his strings right...everybody is making sure that the coated strings don tslip Im not bagging on spidey either great guy...just pointing it out

Ummm BP, Mine didn't slip it was some other guy. I have only had flats ever slip on me.

I had a pack waiting to go and wanted to hear what people had done if anything different with the coated.

Since one guy had a problem, I slapped mine on my #1 in the house to get my own result to post.

I did my normal thang and no issues.

The coating is working well because normally the Slinkys, like the competitors nickel strings as well, turn my fingers black for a few days.

The coated aren't doing that.

Jim

[LeftyOZbass]

I always used to love the Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky gauge 45-105 (orange set)strings so I though I would give these new "Coated" versions a go. I bought 2 sets in Aug'09 and had them sent to Australia. I have been using Elixir Nanoweb Medium strings exclusively for close to 5yrs now and have been very happy with those. So why change ? well it is an age old question that in itself requires a holiday.
I strung my Fender Jazz Duluxe up with the EB's and straight away noticed the different resistance with sliding up or down. After about 1 week the tone started to fade and by the end of the 2nd week I was amazed to find the tone had become equally "Flat" across each string.
Here I was and they had nothing going for them so I put the 4 month old Elixirs back on and whoa they still had better tone left in them than these "New Coated" strings had at the end of just 2 weeks!!!
I am very disappointed with these Ernie Balls
Elixirs Rule!!!

[Grand Wazoo]

Originally Posted by LeftyOZbass

I always used to love the Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky gauge 45-105 (orange set)strings so I though I would give these new "Coated" versions a go. I bought 2 sets in Aug'09 and had them sent to Australia. I have been using Elixir Nanoweb Medium strings exclusively for close to 5yrs now and have been very happy with those. So why change ? well it is an age old question that in itself requires a holiday.
I strung my Fender Jazz Duluxe up with the EB's and straight away noticed the different resistance with sliding up or down. After about 1 week the tone started to fade and by the end of the 2nd week I was amazed to find the tone had become equally "Flat" across each string.
Here I was and they had nothing going for them so I put the 4 month old Elixirs back on and whoa they still had better tone left in them than these "New Coated" strings had at the end of just 2 weeks!!!
I am very disappointed with these Ernie Balls
Elixirs Rule!!!

Not everyone is compatible with everything on the market, I am loving the coated bass strings ref# 3836 and they've been on my Bongo from Sept 4th, still bright as a bell, however I can't compare my experience to that of other people as lots of factors are at play, weather conditions, humidity and people's sweath.

I don't sweath, my sons does a lot his coated strings last him 3 times longer nonethelss. Personally I will continue to purchase these coated strings until something better comes out on the market.

ok I go quietly now.

[LeftyOZbass]

Hi Grand Wazoo,

Your point of "Not everyone is compatible with everything on the market" while true doesn't take away from the simple truth the this new EB "Coated" is in fact competing on the market against the likes of Elixir & others and should by all accounts be able to hold its own.
August in Sydney Australia is winter time here and not at all humid,
I do sweat but hey isn't that the whole point that coated strings should be able
to deal with?
Again in this regard the Elixirs deal with this easily over and above the EB's.
I usually get 4-6 months from them before the E & A start going dead and furry with the coating coming away.

let me know how your strings last

[LawDaddy]

Just did a gig with the lime yellow/green package coated 105's. I supply the bass for our bass player in my band. He didn't know they were on it.

The bass was recorded direct to hard disk and it sounded great! We play very traditional blues/soul and the strings sat very nicely in the mix. The bass player was very impressed with the playback. He's sold.

I would describe the presentation in the mix as a very round sound: extended bottom, warm midrange, and sweet top end (not brittle); reminds me of the regular slinkys after the short break in and mellowing period when they're in that perfect state of age.

I personally like the string-to-string balance and tension on the lime green set - moderate comfortable tension but still enough to have the occasional popped D or G-string cut through the mix but with the thump of the 105 low E. I also like the smooth (but not artificially slick) feel to the strings out of the package.

I installed with 2-3 wraps, cut off excess or wife gives me frowns for an untidy guitar. They stay in tune great.

The bass player plays with a felt pick, after cleaning the felt dust off the next day, the strings still sound great. I would expect to get many gigs out of these.

Overall a very musical-sounding string.

LawDaddy's verdict: Highly recommended!!!

Thanks BP and crew!

EDIT: The bass player adds: "Yeah, they're very easy on the fingers as well. Rock solid feel to boot.".

[Grand Wazoo]

Sadly my coated bass strings set #3836, which I fitted on Sept 4th 2009, and sounded good up to 2 days ago, were pronounced dead and awfully dull this morning 25th Sept 09 06:00hrs. that is 21 days i.e. 3 weeks.

The usual set I have been buying for the last 18+ years (set #2836) actually lasts me at least 2 weeks longer, hence I am at a loss as my findings contradicts the aim of these particular coated sets.

My opinion is that they should go back to the drawing board on these ones and see what is causing them to die prematurely, because on the other hand, we have accertained that the EB coated strings on my son's electric guitar 09-42 set, do actually outlast the non coated ones by a reasonable stretch, he is happy and so am I.

But as far as the coated bass strings are concerned, for the time being I'll continue to buy #2836 because for the money they cost the don't justify the expense of the coated ones. I hope they will find a new formula or recall them all together as they don't actually do what they set out to.

Sorry I'll now return to my self silenced state.

[Colin]

Originally Posted by Grand Wazoo

I hope they will find a new formula or recall them all together as they don't actually do what they set out to.

you asking for a recall based on one set and one experience? are you just trying to cause trouble?

[Grand Wazoo]

No Colin, I don't intend to cause trouble, let's be mature. I am hoping for a review on the formula for the benefit of the consumer, but if it doesn't happen, never mind, I am happy to continue to use the non coated strings.

[LeftyOZbass]

Originally Posted by Colin

you asking for a recall based on one set and one experience? are you just trying to cause trouble?

Hi Colin,
please consider my previous post in the equation of "experience" with the new coated bass strings also.
Did you miss it?
Exactly the same time frame with string life as Grand Wazoo!
Dead Strings equal=bad deal.
Why did you ask him the ridiculous question "are you just trying to cause trouble?"
This is slowly turning into a situation of Buyer beware and manufacturer shape up.
Maybe Grand Wazoo could try the rival option I mention and report back here to add even more weight to this little slice of reality.

LeftyOZbass

[agplate]

I'm talking with Customer Service on the issue of the new coated strings and (in my experience) the very short lifespan of my first two sets. CS is always concerned and interested in the users' experiences (good or bad) with this new product. I'd like to write a full review, but let's give EB time to hear OUR tales of success or failure with the new string design. I want these strings to succeed!

[Musicman Nut]

I got mine in August I think and I do a lot of out doors gigs, infact our Sound tech Sat on a outdoor gig thought I had my Tweeters on and asked I shut them off, but they we're off. so far I'm happy with my sets., much better then the Elixar sets I've tried so I'm hooked.
l'll be keeping these, DJ

[beej]

Originally Posted by LeftyOZbass

Why did you ask him the ridiculous question "are you just trying to cause trouble?"
This is slowly turning into a situation of Buyer beware and manufacturer shape up.

LeftyOz, Doesn't sound like a ridiculous question to me. Inflammatory comments like "manufacturer shape up" makes me think you're trying to do the same. Relax and enjoy things around here.

Guys, if you have particular issues with product performance contact customer service and let them work with you. You know BP and crew stay on top of any issues that arise. (That said I personally love the coated slinkys.)

[LeftyOZbass]

beej,
Just stating the facts as I see them. Isn't that what a Forum is for?
So consumers can exchange & form their views on a particular item or subject.
As a moderator it would appear that you have taken some things I said personally.
My experience is not yours & further more I didn't get value for money with these strings.

as quoted from agplate
"....but let's give EB time to hear OUR tales of success or failure with the new string design. I want these strings to succeed!"

All I want is that EB Coated Bass String techs read all comments & take note that something isn't fully 100% (yet) Simple!!

[danny-79]

Looking forward to the sets of coated that ive got in the post but hope there not gonna be a let down heard some mixed reviews now about them , i recently had the brain storm to go lighter gauge (45-100) an after 2days ended up putting the old set of regs back on (50-105) phew!! ill let ya all no how i get on with them . the coated that is

[Jimmyb]

Interesting, yet also informative...