The Oliv E is very dark sounding. Nice slap sound, not a million miles away from the slap sound of the EP slap E. Quite nice tension, but definitely less flexible feeling than the EP. The Oliv has alot more fundamental, very solid sounding down low,but less perceived midrange projected. My Oliv has been on one of my basses with plain gut A,D and G and has lasted about 5 years with regular playing. The EP is a nice alternative, especially if amplified. The Oliv A is tighter, not as nice for slap.