Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

[Diego]

I just installed fresh strings on all my guitars, and for something different I went for Ernie Balls.

10-52 Skinny Top Heavy Bottom for my Ibanez, and 9-46 Hybrid Slinkies for my Strats.
I've normally used Elixirs for the lighter gauges.

And damn these EB strings are soft as hell! The 9-46 sets particularly feel like spaghetti.
Elixirs and D'Addarios have a much firmer feel with the same gauge, I actually like those a lot better.
The EB 10-52 strings however are fantastic.

So, next time I buy EBs, it's gonna be 10-46 and 10-52 for sure.

How do they manage to make them so soft? I'd never noticed this kind of thing within different brands.

 

[Maynardo]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

Trata de probar Dunlop... en sonido son lo mejor que he probado

EDIT for non spanish speakers: "You should try and get some dunlops, in terms of sound they are the best I've tried"

 

[Diego]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

Pero las inventó Hetfield o no?

Gracias, las voy a considerar!

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

habla abla abla habla

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

hablas Ingles solamente!

 

[Ed Hunter]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

:laugh2::laugh2::laugh2:

 

[Maynardo]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

ok, at least my part got fixed

 

[Diego]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

Sorry guys! He suggested Dunlops.

Anyway *****es, if you speak english, then answer my questions!

I mentioned that Ernie Balls are strangely soft.
Any brands or sub-brands that are supposed to be harder, softer, whatever?
I noticed there were some Ernie Balls with Titanium, of all metals, in the mix.
Really expensive too. What the hell's that about?

 

[Maynardo]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

when I tried them I thought Elixirs where VERY tight also, not very bright BUT they last for a REALLY LONG TIME... EBs and Dunlops feel kind loose not sure why tho

 

[Kam]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

I actually think it's the other way around. My main strings have been D'addarios since I started playing pretty much, but every time I try a different brand I'm surprised by how flexible they feel.

Rather than the EB's being particularly loose, I think D'addarios are relatively tight.

Also, Ernie Balls sound like ass. Flame away, gentlemen.

 

[Diego]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

I think these sound fine, to be honest. Not outstanding or anything, their feel really surprised me.

However, a few months ago I put some 11-49 Ernie Ball Rock n' Roll (Pure Nickel) on my Ibanez.
They sounded amazing, but wore out way too fast.
I really love pure nickel strings, I'd happily put them in all my axes if they didn't last so little.

 

[Maynardo]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

The rock and roll ones are a completly different story... to my ears they are at the same level as dunlop when it comes to sound, regular EBs I think they're just "average" strings in all areas.

 

[Ed Hunter]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

I think these sound fine, to be honest. Not outstanding or anything, their feel really surprised me.

However, a few months ago I put some 11-49 Ernie Ball Rock n' Roll (Pure Nickel) on my Ibanez.
They sounded amazing, but wore out way too fast.
I really love pure nickel strings, I'd happily put them in all my axes if they didn't last so little.

I love the feel/cost of EB's but they dont last for S**T:sad: 3 hrs after i put them on they are black, none of the others brands do this?

 

[Maynardo]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

I love the feel/cost of EB's but they dont last for S**T:sad: 3 hrs after i put them on they are black, none of the others brands do this?

Did you tried ELIXIR?... they feel almost new after weeks. You could also trie the string cleaner product they sell at music stores

 

[Diego]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

Do coated pure nickel strings exist?

That would be perfect.

 

[korovamilkdud]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

I think the loose feel was intentional. That's just the way they wanted their "Slinkys" (get it?) to feel. I like em. I have to fight and kill to get my hands on the pure nickel 11-49 I like, but they're pretty nice.

 

[Ed Hunter]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

Did you tried ELIXIR?... they feel almost new after weeks. You could also trie the string cleaner product they sell at music stores

i now use CLEARTONES http://www.cleartonestrings.com/default.asp

and i am still using a pack from 3 months ago!

 

[thespricket]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

I have a set of Ernie Balls, which I usually use, on one guitar and a set of Dunlops on the other and there really isn't much of a difference. However, the Dunlops are said to be pre-stretched at the factory and I can see that being true. They didn't take long to maintain tuning. When you're comparing any major string maker realize they all make them basically the same way and with the same materials. A nickel plated round wound string is going to be the same no matter who makes it. People like to be picky and elitist, but the truth is that strings are just strings. I just use Ernie Balls because of the cool packaging and many of my favorite artists are said to have used them, there I said it!!

I work at a GC selling accessories, mostly guitar strings, and I get really annoyed by someone who refuses a similar brand and type because we happen to be out of the brand they use. Often is the case between Ernie Balls and D'addario.

BUT! When you're dealing with coated strings or different windings certain companies may have a leg up. Elixirs, for example, are leading the way for coated strings.

 

[thespricket]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

I have a set of Ernie Balls, which I usually use, on one guitar and a set of Dunlops on the other and there really isn't much of a difference. However, the Dunlops are said to be pre-stretched at the factory and I can see that being true. They didn't take long to maintain tuning. When you're comparing any major string maker realize they all make them basically the same way and with the same materials. A nickel plated round wound string is going to be the same no matter who makes it. People like to be picky and elitist, but the truth is that strings are just strings. I just use Ernie Balls because of the cool packaging and many of my favorite artists are said to have used them, there I said it!!

I work at a GC selling accessories, mostly guitar strings, and I get really annoyed by someone who refuses a similar brand and type because we happen to be out of the brand they use. Often is the case between Ernie Balls and D'addario.

BUT! When you're dealing with coated strings or different windings certain companies may have a leg up. Elixirs, for example, are leading the way for coated strings.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Ernie Ball strings... WTF?

Huh, I haven't noticed that. Then again, I haven't used any other brand for 8+ years.