Ball Cobalts

[1951fds]

I recently tried Ernie Ball cobalts purchased on eBay. The first set arrived and the G string broke. The second set had a short scale E string in a long scale package. Third set arrived and it was for guitar not bass. All from same eBay vendor. These are normally a favorite string since installing on a 2004 mij opb51. Be wary of eBay string sellers.

I realize some worry about fret wear with these but I'm 72 years old and my frets will outlive me.

 

[michael_t]

I realize some worry about fret wear with these but I'm 72 years old and my frets will outlive me.

You don't specify if you're talking about Cobalt Rounds or Cobalt Flats. Which?

By the way, there is a reason why I would never shop eBay for strings.

 

[smeet]

I recently tried Ernie Ball cobalts purchased on eBay. The first set arrived and the G string broke. The second set had a short scale E string in a long scale package. Third set arrived and it was for guitar not bass. All from same eBay vendor. These are normally a favorite string since installing on a 2004 mij opb51. Be wary of eBay string sellers.

I realize some worry about fret wear with these but I'm 72 years old and my frets will outlive me.

I would try fretnation.com, Jason is a TB member and a good guy.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I would try fretnation.com, Jason is a TB member

Well, was.

 

[Killing Floor]

Problem 1 and problem 2 both seem like you got had by the seller. Problem 3 is either the same or an accident. Are you sure they’re legit?

 

[tindrum]

With the abundance of fakes out there I’d NEVER buy strings on eBay. There is a YouTube video where a guy has a pack of Ernie Ball guitar strings and compares them to a counterfeit set he bought online. The copies got even tiny details of the packaging right. Pretty shocking and almost impossible to tell.

 

[ardgedee]

After the first two problems why did you order a third set from the same vendor? Cobalt Flats are not difficult to find.

 

[1951fds]

Rounds. 50-105

 

[michael_t]

Rounds. 50-105

Just curious... How much did you pay for those three sets off of eBay?

 

[bassrique]

There are plenty of threads on Cobalts here, and most likely them - the flats in particular. I like -- love -- the 95s.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

Yeah, FretNation or bust! Always good experiences, if ordering online, that’s the spot!

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Strings By Mail!!!!!!!!

Awesome company, awesome customer service!

 

[onda'bass]

strings and beyond

 

[blindeddie]

i bought a set of ernie ball slinkys from guitar center about a year ago and the A string snapped when i was tuning up to pitch. i went back and got another set and the D snapped, same thing. i went back and got a third set and the E snapped. i went back a fourth time and got a set of Rotosounds. same bass. different strings. never had any issue before or after. never using EB strings ever again. garbage

 

[Plain Old Barry]

With the abundance of fakes out there I’d NEVER buy strings on eBay.

Not just eBay... I bought fake D'Addario acoustic guitar strings on Amazon. My money was quickly refunded.

Now I buy 99% of my strings locally. My local shops can order stuff they don't normally stock.

 

[1951fds]

After the first two problems why did you order a third set from the same vendor? Cobalt Flats are not difficult to find.

Because I'm not very bright.

 

[1951fds]

Thanks for the valid comments. I won't name the eBay peddler but they shipped from Utah. I wanted to mention it publicly because it looks like factory defects since packaging was sealed. I doubt they were fakes but it's possible. I've changed strings twice since breakage of the G so it's probably not a tuner or nut issue. I ordered another set 50-105 from a different seller.

 

[1951fds]

I recently tried Ernie Ball cobalts purchased on eBay. The first set arrived and the G string broke. The second set had a short scale E string in a long scale package. Third set arrived and it was for guitar not bass. All from same eBay vendor. These are normally a favorite string since installing on a 2004 mij opb51. Be wary of eBay string sellers.

I realize some worry about fret wear with these but I'm 72 years old and my frets will outlive me.

Thanks for the valid comments. I won't name the eBay peddler but they shipped from Utah. I wanted to mention it publicly because it looks like factory defects since packaging was sealed. I doubt they were fakes but it's possible. I've changed strings twice since breakage of the G so it's probably not a tuner or nut issue. I ordered another set 50-105 from a different seller.

Received my Ball cobalts from different ebay seller. Installed them on my Fujigen Neo Classic Jazz and it was like installing a boost button. Increased sensitivity of the pickups and just provided more tone out of an already unique sounding Jazz bass. Same as they did on my opb51. Cheaper than a new pickup with similar results, at least to my ears.