Another datapoint - 5 string Coated Slinkies

[keko]

Running now approx. 60 hours "working horse" usage with Coated Slinkies and still everything OK!

I'll continue counting working hours!

 

[shakinbacon]

day 116

will these outlast the batteries?

still going strong

 

[Grand Wazoo]

 

[danny-79]

I got about 4x month's out of a set of coated (regulars 50-105) then the bass was cased for 3x month's while i was away and had gone pretty dull by the time i got back to that bass, i tried cleaning them up an playing it to try an breath some life back into them with no luck so i just changed them. (so cant really count what i have just said about those as a how long they might last in constant use).
There was a set of coated already on the Stingray when i brought it (supers 45-100) (not to sure how long they were on prior to me getting it not long i don't think) so they were in good shape, with constant playing keeping them going theres still life in them as yet (so roughly about 5x month's to date for that set).

 

[JayDawg]

When I got my Sterling bass about a month ago, I restrung it with some new Ernie Ball strings. They are still sounding really good too!

 

[shakinbacon]

update: I'm down with 1-2-3

yeah you know me

ok, bad joke. Day 123 still sound great

 

[keko]

Recently played some long lasting gigs and running now aprox. 90 hours with same Coated EB strings set!
Noticed slightly darker tone at low B and E strings, but still nothing serious!

I usually change strings when "piano" brightness at upper strings is gone (B, E, A), or when I have need to boost highs much more than necessary!

 

[oli@bass]

Day 123 still sound great

I have to raise this question: Do you record the bass to compare the sound, or do you compare it to some new strings, or just your memory?

I ask, because my memory always fools me at how bright a new set of EBMM Slinky's actually is. I kept thinking that my 25th still sounded like new, like the day I got it. And then I put a new set on... and was totally suprised at how much better (brighter and fuller, deeper) it sounded with the new set.

 

[shakinbacon]

I have to raise this question: Do you record the bass to compare the sound, or do you compare it to some new strings, or just your memory?

I ask, because my memory always fools me at how bright a new set of EBMM Slinky's actually is. I kept thinking that my 25th still sounded like new, like the day I got it. And then I put a new set on... and was totally suprised at how much better (brighter and fuller, deeper) it sounded with the new set.

If you read the original thread you can see that I did swap out this set for an uncoated one around day 66 and there was little change in tone. I have been doing live recordings and checking as well.

 

[shakinbacon]

day 129

yes 129 days

see OP

 

[shakinbacon]

135 days of great tone

see OP. Strings are fading now. Definitely useable still though.

 

[shakinbacon]

day 150

see op

 

[keko]

Bacon, You counting days, me hours ...I'm running on mine now approximately 110 playing (gigs) hours with Coated Slinkies, don't counting home practice, ...and feels like just burned in!

But noticed that need some more treble boost than at the beginning, when restrung the bass with fresh ones!

From my point of view it's about half of it's life time now!

We'll keep on turning our counters, right?

 

[danny-79]

Just changed the set (supers) out on my Ray for a new set , got approx 6 months out of them at say 2hrs a day average (thats about 360hrs), thats pretty good going !
It was shocking at how bright the new set are compared to the set that i took off, but also very nice at how quickly they settle in from new.

 

[keko]

OK, I was stop counting playing hours with the same Coated set, but here we are, last Saturday wedding I noticed that Coated EB slinkies on my Sterling finally "died"!

I tried to count how many gigs we played since my last post and here we are, ... approximately 400 hours of hard work (gigs, weddings, some band practice and home practice), ...changed batteries in that period twice, so that's it!

Now my band have a short break, a few weeks without gigs, only practice, so I'm thinking about cheap temporary strings 'cause my new Reflex is about to arrive in approx. 2 months...etc.

What do You think guys? Or just to put regular EB slinkies on?

EDIT: actually, only two lower strings are dead, upper three are still sounding good, ...but You are getting the point...

 

[shakinbacon]

OK, I was stop counting playing hours with the same Coated set, but here we are, last Saturday wedding I noticed that Coated EB slinkies on my Sterling finally "died"!

I tried to count how many gigs we played since my last post and here we are, ... approximately 400 hours of hard work (gigs, weddings, some band practice and home practice), ...changed batteries in that period twice, so that's it!

Now my band have a short break, a few weeks without gigs, only practice, so I'm thinking about cheap temporary strings 'cause my new Reflex is about to arrive in approx. 2 months...etc.

What do You think guys? Or just to put regular EB slinkies on?

EDIT: actually, only two lower strings are dead, upper three are still sounding good, ...but You are getting the point...

My hands sweat a lot and I find the uncoated Slinkies lost a lot of mid/highs after less than a month, so I'm definitely putting a coated set on this week.

 

[Bass Control]

Wow. All of this information and input is great, Bacon! It certainly makes my decision between flats and coats for my new Reflex when it gets here even harder! The coated strings had intrigued me when I first heard about them, but having a "diary" of usage to go off of helps me better understand what to expect from these strings. Very thorough and helpful!

 

[shakinbacon]

Wow. All of this information and input is great, Bacon! It certainly makes my decision between flats and coats for my new Reflex when it gets here even harder! The coated strings had intrigued me when I first heard about them, but having a "diary" of usage to go off of helps me better understand what to expect from these strings. Very thorough and helpful!

my pleasure. I am glad you find it useful

If you end up trying the coated strings please post back here with your experience.

 

[keko]

It certainly makes my decision between flats and coats for my new Reflex when it gets here even harder!

I'll put Coats on the new incoming Reflex too, as soon as factory regular slinkies lose tone!

 

[oli@bass]

What do You think guys? Or just to put regular EB slinkies on?

This.

BTW, does anybody know a way to make those coated strings feeling less dry? Love the sound, hate the feeling...