B string match the others on Slink Regular 5 sets?

[drgroovenstein]

I recently got a used Bongo 5, and the original owner was unsure of what type of strings were on there.

Any way to quickly identify if these are EB strings?

One thing I noticed is that the B string is distinctly different sounding than the other strings. Yeah, I know it's a different pitch, but it just wasn't as articulate as the others. All the other strings are still very bright sounding so I don't think they are all dead. Perhaps just a dead B? The B just sounds like it has overtones really muddying it, and it lacks any zing.

I need to buy some new strings, regardless, just wondering if I should give another set of EB strings a try before I experiment with other brands..

 

[adouglas]

I recently got a used Bongo 5, and the original owner was unsure of what type of strings were on there.

Any way to quickly identify if these are EB strings?

Don't take this as gospel, but I did notice that the strings that came on my new bongo had no silk wrappings on them. IIRC all other brands of strings I've tried have had silk on them. So...no silk = EBMM? Maybe.

I just replaced the original strings on mine after nine months. The old ones didn't have any noticeable flat spots worn in them and still sounded okay, but I did notice that I'd been tweaking the upper mids more than I used to.

FWIW, the Bongo is the only bass I've ever owned where I really like the sound of fresh strings.

 

[drgroovenstein]

hrm. Silk on mine, on both ends, guess they aren't EB strings...

Not sure what color the silk is, I have color vision problems. It's either blue or purple.. heh

 

[drgroovenstein]

Went out at lunch and bought a 5 string set of EB Regular Slinky. Sure enough, no silk, so I have no clue what was on the bongo when I received it. I don't know if I'll get a chance to switch strings and re-intonate before practice tonight, I'm sure the rest of the employees in this cubical hell would probably not like to see me wrenching on my bass hehehe.

Yeah, I know I'll have to set the intonation, because when I received the bass it was way off. I just intonated it over the weekend, not an easy task with my peterson strobostomp, that thing will drive you insane!

I really hope I like these strings, they are available at just about every music store around here.

 

[adouglas]

Inexpensive, too, which is cool.

BTW, a while back Strummer posted a nice thread on restringing that had a couple of useful tips in it...I used this procedure when I changed my strings and it saved a few minor hassles:

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12485

 

[drgroovenstein]

They actually were not that inexpensive that this dealer I went to, about the same as the DRs I usually buy and only a few bucks cheaper than the MTDs I use on my 535. I might have to mail order after all.

Thanks for the link!