Ernie Ball Cobalts

[Peejay]

Hi all

I've always used roundwound strings and prefer them when they've lost some of their brightness, but not when they've really gone dead (they sound duller than flats then to me at that point).

I should probably just bite the bullet and try a set, but wondered what opinions others have of EB Cobalts. And is there a big variation between Slinkys and Super Slinkys?

Comments welcomed.

Cheers

[ghostwheel]

These are great strings, and the most opinions are sort of positive. But it depends on your technique, your mood, weather, and moon phase whether you like their sound or not. Give it a try, otherwise you'll never know.

[Peejay]

Thanks mate.

I've ordered a set (45-105) and will see how they sound. Guess it also depends which bass I put them on!

Thinking P Bass or Stingray.

[ghostwheel]

Stingray sounds gorgeous with Cobalts. And so does P-bass.

[Peejay]

Might need two sets then!😁

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

I really like the lightest set 40-60-70-95 (blue on the packaging) of EB cobalt flats on my three epiphone vintage pro thunderbirds so it was a no-brainer to sling a set onto my Gibson non-reverse thunderbird. When I bought my Ric 4003 they were also an obvious choice, and they don't disappoint — they really bring out the twang of the bridge pickup and contribute to the 4003 currently being my favourite bass for recording. I'd love to try a 32" set on one of my JMJ mustangs if EB ever decide to make such a set.

[Lozz196]

Try the regular scale, on pretty much all the Mustang basses I’ve bought they’ve come with regular scale strings, including flats, on them.

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

You're right Lozz, the JMJs are supplied new with fender long scale stainless flats, however I'm led to believe that the cobalts are more fragile than steels and might not survive the winding going around the string post. Maybe if any of the sets I have on a thunderbird gets a bit dead sounding, I'll experiment with that set — I wouldn't want to risk it with a new set though.

 

I've just remembered I have a set of 30" Cobalt flats which should fit my Sienna sunburst PJ mustang as the body isn't string-thru, so I can see how they sound on that bass.

Edited July 13 by Jean-Luc Pickguard

[Lozz196]

Yes of course, now you mention it I’m sure I’ve read this somewhere - quite possibly on “that site across the water”.

[Peejay]

Just installed a set of Cobalts (45-105) on my EBMM Stingray Classic. Really like them and they were brighter than I had expected. Not shrill like stainless rounds and maybe more akin to nickels that have been played a couple of times. Just hope they last longer than standard Slinkys, which in my experience are pretty much dead within a few days.

May try a lighter set next time if these hold up OK.

Cheers