My take on the coated bass strings. EB set 3836 5 strings
I have used the EB 5 string set (the ones in the green packet code 2836 Regular Slinky) since time began, I have always had those strings on all my previous basses even before I owned my first stingray 5. (and I've had 2 of them) which is fair to say if there was going to be a remarkable nasty difference on these new coated sets, I would have been able to notice straight away. On the contrary, I can tell you in all honesty that the new coated ones, even though they have only been on the bass just under an hour, they don't seem to show any negative difference, of course I am not yet able to tell if they will sound as bright as they do now in the weeks to come but I am hoping that they will.
As for the enamel coating, I can't even tell it's there, they don't feel weird at all to me, nor different in terms of touch and sound, and I was pleasantly surprised that the low B still retain the same punch and clarity as with the 2836 set.
It could be just my opinion but I also feel that the coated strings sound better when the piezo is set at 100% it seems like the sound is more bassy and less nasal, which is another bonus imho.
I will give these strings a good test in the weeks to come but I am positive that they represent yet another great product from the Ernie Ball factory (thanks BP), and if you haven't tried them yet do yourself a favour and get a set, specially if you use a piezo.
Thumbs up from me.