EB Cobalt Strings?

[STRATDELUXER97]

Anyone try these yet? Wondering how they affect fret wear? Research tells me they are smooth feeling strings and with greater volume...More harmonic content in the wound strings...Guess they came out on the 7th,so it's kinda early I guess?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?



"Cobalt Regular Slinky


Engineered to maximize output and clarity, Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky Guitar Strings are the latest innovation in string technology. Seeking to provide guitarists and bassists with a new voice, Cobalt strings provide an extended dynamic range, incredible harmonic response, increased low end, and crisp, clear highs.

Cobalt provides a stronger magnetic relationship between pickups and strings than any other alloy previously available. Cobalt Slinkys are also soft and silky to the touch, making string bending a breeze."

I love the tone and feel of Pure Nickel strings,so my gut tells me that these strings might not be my cup o tea? ;o) I don't need more volume,but more harmonics is always a cool thing...Maybe I'd try one set and see.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

A friend tried them at NAMM and his report to was "man...they are really bright"

 

[wolf5150]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

WAY too expensive for mere mortals so I guess the ones singing their praises loudly will be the guys who don't have to pay for them !!!!

 

[Quencho092]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

only 10 bucks. I just blew 25 on a set of pyramid flatwounds that will probably last me 6 months, if these cobalts dont tarnish up like nickel they should last a good while.

I wanted to get a set of not even slinky cobalts to see if they blast the pickups' output up a notch but they're back ordered to hell on MF. More energy that can be controlled via electronics, I'm ok with more brightness and harmonics, there's volume and tone on my strat!

 

[jtougas]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

Anybody try these yet?

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

A friend tried them at NAMM and his report to was "man...they are really bright"

That might actually be a help on certain of my guitars (my Norlin LP Custom and my Explorer). Doesn't sound like something I'd want on all of them, though. And if they are expensive...forget it. I am a cheapskate when it comes to strings. Five, maybe six bucks max, and keep 'em on a long time.

 

[karpathion]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

I have a set on my Warmoth Tele. They are a little bit brighter than normal, but with that particular guitar, it works pretty well.

They do seem to last a little longer. I've had mine on for 6 weeks, and they still look and sound pretty good.
Sliding up and down the fretboard is a little bit easier too, but you get a little more "squeak" than normal.

They seem to be like any change you do to a guitar. You gain one thing and loose another.
If they would drop the price a little, I'd buy a case of them for this Tele. But, for the price, I'll stick with my regular old slinky set.

 

[twebb0716]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

I really like them. They are brighter and do last quite a bit longer I found. I think I'm a convert to them. Really impressed.

 

[dreadguard268]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

They're a tad bit louder when playing unplugged. I'm in the process of switching over.

 

[jtougas]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

Cool - I've got a guitar or two that'll work on...

 

[desertdude]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

I use them, and they are brighter. I really lie them. I have always used EBs regaurdless

 

[Farkus]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

I have a set on one of my Strats.

After having played them awhile I must say that I like them. To me, they do feel 'softer' than regular strings. I don't know if I'd say they are a lot brighter, but they do make getting harmonics easy.

Definitely louder unplugged than standard strings.

When they're easier to get I'll probably use these along with the coated EB's.

 

[GinoAmes]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

I did not like them. I was totally sold on all the press and when I got them I did not like how they felt. To me they felt rough under my fingers and I switch back to regular Ernie Ball Power Slinkys!

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

I tried a set, hated the feel and sound more than I have hated any string.....ever.

Not for me

 

[formula73]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

They are loud and VERY bright. They are not nearly as corrosion resistant as I'd hoped. I went on a tear and bought 3 of these very expensive sets of strings and they were all dead in a week...just like my old standby, cheapo Daddarios. Back to Elixir plated plains, for me.

 

[LonePhantom]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

I had a set sent to me to review, and I think I'll be converting over to them soon. Great bright tone, so easy to bend, they are smooth as anything too! I bit louder than the standard nickel string, and a more complex tone with added clarity and dimension. They also lasted a reasonable time more than standard nickel strings. I've now strung up my guitars with some other strings to review, and I have really noticed how much stiffer other strings are compared to the Cobalts.

 

[jmh151]

Re: EB Cobalt Strings?

I just put a set on my Korina PRS.

Feel wise, they bend very easily, almost like you down tuned a half step. They feel very smooth, especially the bass strings, when I took them out f the package they almost had a plastic feel to them. They are much louder, I wouldn't say they are bright as in brittle, but I'm able to pull off pinch harmonics easier with them.

There's noticeably more sustain, and increased resonance, I can feel the guitar body vibrate more. It makes the guitar feel more alive

Where they do help alot is they give more output to the coil tap, giving a more useable tone. With higher gain the increased output in humbucker mode becomes less apparent