Cobalt Strings

[Lazarus1140]

I recently purchased a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt strings and finally installed them this morning. It's too early to blast at volume, but my observations so far are this:

They feel different. It is as if the wound strings feel a bit coarser to me.

They are bright sounding and probably a little louder than the standards.

My first impression is that slightly less bending is required to raise to a given pitch. I'm not sure if that's even possible, and without a side by side comparison with an exact guitar sporting standard strings it's really hard to tell.

There is no denying the increase in liveliness and brightness, but I'm not convinced that makes them better or worth the upcharge.

Does anyone have any experience with these strings? What are your impressions?

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: Cobalt Strings

I found the feel to be coarse like you did and couldn't get used to the increased brightness. I removed them after a couple of days and would only use them as a last resort.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Cobalt Strings

I have them on my thunderbird bass. Now it's thundering. These strings are quite the handful.

 

[LazNovak]

Re: Cobalt Strings

I tried them a few months ago and now it's all I use. I love them. They give more punch which is great in a live setting and they hold the new string sound longer than regular strings. I'd like to try the M-Steels.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Cobalt Strings

I found the feel to be coarse like you did and couldn't get used to the increased brightness. I removed them after a couple of days and would only use them as a last resort.

This, exactly.

I gave 3 sets a try on various guitars as well as a set of M steels. Ick. No thanks.

 

[Nacho8807]

Re: Cobalt Strings

I used them a lot in the past. pretty much exclusively. I likes the brightness and liveliness, but they take forever to properly break in, and they don't hold tune as well as others. That funny feeling wouldn't have been an issue if it didn't also cause a lot of string noise from moving your hand. I use the NYXLs now, which are total opposites in almost every way.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Cobalt Strings

Tried em... meh... went back to regular slinky's.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Cobalt Strings

I played about ten minutes early this afternoon. I think they sustain less and lack musicality. I believe if I don't change the strings I won't practice.


Over.

 

[gottalovethe80s]

Re: Cobalt Strings

I really like how bright they sound and how they feel less "slippery"
but I can't justify paying that much for a set of strings so I went back to using regular slinkies.

 

[formula73]

Re: Cobalt Strings

Tried them. Didn't like the tone or the fact that while they were advertised to last longer than regular strings, I still killed them in a week. Back to Elixir.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Cobalt Strings

Tried em... meh... went back to regular slinky's.

I had the same reaction. Initially I thought they sounded better than the regular Ernie Balls, but I think that was all in my head. Not worth the extra $$ IMO

 

[uOpt]

Re: Cobalt Strings

FWIW, the unwound strings in the cobalts are the same as in regular slinkies.

Still, there are many more reports of them breaking. Somehow the set must make people play harder.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Cobalt Strings

I love them, have them on a couple guitars–2 Charvel's and a Strat. They do feel different; however, I like the feel. I would say brighter is what I noticed in my Charvel and will continue to use them...to each his/her own.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Cobalt Strings

At least on bass I found them to be unbearable with any pickups letting in any kind of treble. They really add something to high-gain ceramic pickups, though.

Plan to make a test on guitar.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Cobalt Strings

Still, there are many more reports of them breaking. Somehow the set must make people play harder.

Hence the introduction of Msteels. Which sound worse IMO. Brighter, more grindy/harsh. Also stiffer.

 

[xntrick]

Re: Cobalt Strings

More mids and more output, I like them quite a bit. They sound very nice with an EMG 57 and they seem to last longer. Tempted to try the M-steels but I can't seem to find them for a decent price.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Cobalt Strings

I've been using them for over a year now. I like the way they sound and feel, but I have noticed the tuning issue. It's not so much that it goes out of tune when playing, but it goes out a lot more when the guitar sits for a day or two. Didn't have this problem wit normal strings and it's not an issue on most guitars, but it really sick on floyd equipped guitars.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Cobalt Strings

I also agree with both different feel and longevity. In the end I prefer Slinkys for the cheap option and Elixir for the premium option.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Cobalt Strings

I thought I'd change them right away but I decided to give them a little more time to break in. After ten days I haven't noticed and tuning issues, and they are subject to some fairly radical temperature swings in my house.

I have adjusted to the difference in feel but otherwise have to stick with my original opinion that the brightness is more metallic than musical. There is too much attack for my playing style. It is as though I am unable to play softly and when I attempt to the tone is very sterile. I find it almost impossible to play with anything resembling expressiveness.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Cobalt Strings

Well... I was not very happy with the lack of guts the ernie ball slinky 9's on my new Jackson build.... figured it was much adieu to them being 9's on a floyded guitar...

decided to change to 10's... and after reviewing this thread...thought I'd reconsider the Cobalts.
I bought 2 sets of Cobalts off ebay. Just got them cinched in and Floyd all re-dialed in.... and I'd like to rescind my previous post that read "meh"

These have considerable "balls" (I wouldn't really use the term brighter) over the super slinkys.... not sure how much to attribute to just being a lot beefier than the 9's, (I play 10's on most of my guitars, usually only use 9's for the shredsticks {all I had laying around when I finished this build though})

I played it for a while to really zero my ears into the sound and feel of the 9's before changing them out and then re-listening to the new strings... The Cobalts are Much louder and "ballsy" is the word I would use.

worth the extra money??? up to your ears I suppose. they do have a touch different feel to them as well, texturally. I'm going to give them a good week of abuse and then re-evaluate again.