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new EB COBALT srings
- Thread starter bassbo2112
- Start date
Replaced the Dunlop Stainless Steels on my Lull MV4 with Regular Slinky Cobalts today. I was skeptical of all the claims, but I have to agree ... great lows, focused articulation, well balanced, improved harmonics and virtually no break in. Not as smooth as I thought they would be, but smoother than most roundwounds.
Have to wait a while to see how they hold up tonewise, but so far I'm impressed.
Have to wait a while to see how they hold up tonewise, but so far I'm impressed.
Rumor is GC was shipped a small quantity of a specific gauge set. Not sure which ones...
waiting for them to get here...................cant wait to try them myself!
waiting for them to get here...................cant wait to try them myself!
I like all of the descriptions of the tone one can get with 'em, but am put off by reports of stiffness/tension. Some people like high tension - not me!
Tat2dHeart
Only two strings away from an attitude problem.
My local GC got one set and I got them to try out in exchange for reviews. They're going on tonight and getting a tryout. Gauge set I got was 105/85/70/50. I'm just trying to figure out which of the basses I'm going to put them on before I restring.
Yep, GC has them. $30. I'm looking forward to getting home and trying them myself. If there 1/2 as good as advertised I may have a favorite string. If I ever get home that is... Chose the 45-100 set .
Tat2dHeart
Only two strings away from an attitude problem.
Okay - put the EB Cobalts on my '01 Spector Legend. Had a teeny challenge with the D string not wanting to sit well in the groove on the nut, but a single swipe with the emery board fixed that. Previously, this bass has D'Addario nickel rounds on it, so that's what I'm comparing against (nearly all of my basses except my Dingwall have D'Addario's on them).
After three hours of playing, here's my early opinion. YMMV.
In short, I like them and I'd buy them again.
After three hours of playing, here's my early opinion. YMMV.
- They're really comfortable to play. Not too slick and not like playing glass or sandpaper on the slides.
- The sustain is noticeably longer on both plucked notes and harmonics. I don't have recording equipment available at home to record and compare, but I'm working on getting access to some for real statistics and not just subjective opinion.
- They're bright, but it's a thicker, heavier bright than you get with nickel rounds, IMHO. See previous note on recording gear and stats.
In short, I like them and I'd buy them again.
I have a 5 string set on backorder with Musician's Friend. As long as they get here by the time my Bongo neck gets back from Pat Wilkins, I can wait.
Oh, and while they had two different 4 string Cobalt sets ($29.99/set), I was told at the Atlanta Guitar Center that they probably won't carry 5 string sets, so if you are waiting for 5ers at your local GC, I'd verify that they are even planning on carrying them.
Oh, and while they had two different 4 string Cobalt sets ($29.99/set), I was told at the Atlanta Guitar Center that they probably won't carry 5 string sets, so if you are waiting for 5ers at your local GC, I'd verify that they are even planning on carrying them.
Tat2dHeart
Only two strings away from an attitude problem.
Comparing tension on the same bass, they felt like they had a tad more tension, but I'm comparing to the D'Addario's that just came off and they were on it for more than six months.
I pulled out two of my other basses that have new strings on them and played side by side. In comparison to new strings, I didn't think there was a lot of tension difference.
Tat2dHeart
Only two strings away from an attitude problem.
What the GC stores carry in strings and accessories tends to depend on what sells in their market, I think. I got cut a deal on my set of Cobalts in exchange for the reviews so the store manager could decide what he wanted to order for stock.
Well i kind of hate to sound like a fan boy but I'm gonna have to agree with the EB hype. They ARE louder, I DO think they have better mids, good sustain and a really nice feel for roundwounds. Tension doesn't seem any different from the roto 66 swings i have on my Highway one jazz. I put these on my old Washburn B2, which has Fender '62 P pick ups. I've never really had a favorite string brand before. I currently use roto 66 on my jazz and the colbalts replaced D'addario chromes. I may add a set of colbalts to my Am standard jazz and see how much i really like them. So far, i definitely like them better than the chromes. I'll really need more time to see if i like them better than the roto's. They definitely feel better. Maybe this is the string brand i've been looking for, but kind of hard to tell after only an hour of playing them, and hopefully they'll have long life. I would definitely recommend giving them a try. Now lets give them another hour before bed....
That sounds really appealing! Any perceived harshness in the highs?
How does the low end compare with the Rotos? I currently have those on my P/J, and the E string "fatness," for lack of a better term, is the one thing I'm finding lacking without a bunch of amp eq.
Tat2dHeart
Only two strings away from an attitude problem.
I was really pleased with the highs, as well. They had a thicker sound than the D'Addarios, but not distorted. Up above the 12th, they were clear and bell-like. No warbling and nothing tinny or buzzy about them.
They're getting a longer workout this afternoon with more instruments in the mix. I'll check back tonight and let you know how they stand up to that.
I ordered a set from GC yesterday and was informed today they are on backorder.
Definately curious about the tension myself.
Definately curious about the tension myself.
I ordered a set from GC yesterday and was informed today they are on backorder.
Definately curious about the tension myself.
They are cheaper here:
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Especially after you sign up as a TB user and get the VIP pricing.
