Brand new EB Cobalt Flat string broke while installing it

[timmus]

I was installing a brand new set on my bass (G&L L-2500) and when I was tuning up to pitch, the A string broke right where the tuner end silk starts. I have never had a string break in the 100s of sets I've installed over the years of playing but this is the first time I am trying these EB strings. Are these strings known for breaking?

I just emailed EB to see if there is anything they can do for me under warranty. I literally got these strings 2 days ago.

Argh!

 

[michael_t]

I was installing a brand new set on my bass (G&L L-2500) and when I was tuning up to pitch, the A string broke right where the tuner end silk starts. I have never had a string break in the 100s of sets I've installed over the years of playing but this is the first time I am trying these EB strings. Are these strings known for breaking?

I just emailed EB to see if there is anything they can do for me under warranty. I literally got these strings 2 days ago.

Argh!

There have been more than a few threads about the D string snapping during installation, but those were from a few years ago. This is my first time reading about the A string breaking.

Have you followed the quirky installation method Ernie Ball recommends for these particular strings?

 

[timmus]

There have been more than a few threads about the D string snapping during installation, but those were from a few years ago. This is my first time reading about the A string breaking.

Have you followed the quirky installation method Ernie Ball recommends for these particular strings?

The only thing I saw quirky was the way they recommend wrapping it at the post...kind of like a "double wrap".

Is that what you're referring to? I thought odd.

After looking at it again, I think the string got caught under the string tree on the headstock and where the wrap to string core transition is, is where it broke. I may have to replace that tree with something else that won't grab that transition area...maybe something like this:

Right now it has the round retainer like Fender uses.

EB is sending me a replacement string. I was just going to buy a new single string but that one string was half the cost of a new set (plus shipping).

 

[michael_t]

The only thing I saw quirky was the way they recommend wrapping it at the post...kind of like a "double wrap".

Is that what you're referring to? I thought odd.

Yes. I've never understood the point of the "double wrap" as I think it could only increase the risk of breakage.

After looking at it again, I think the string got caught under the string tree on the headstock and where the wrap to string core transition is, is where it broke...

This actually makes more sense. Never thought of that.

 

[Yahboy]

I was installing a brand new set on my bass (G&L L-2500) and when I was tuning up to pitch, the A string broke right where the tuner end silk starts. I have never had a string break in the 100s of sets I've installed over the years of playing but this is the first time I am trying these EB strings. Are these strings known for breaking?

I just emailed EB to see if there is anything they can do for me under warranty. I literally got these strings 2 days ago.

Argh!

Few months ago, G string break once install for my jazz bass. Email Ernie ball, lot of bull Shxt excuse. After few week complaint, i got a replacement G string and this one work fine while install.

I do believe they knew the issue many years ago, but still keep production without improvement.

 

[Yahboy]

The only thing I saw quirky was the way they recommend wrapping it at the post...kind of like a "double wrap".

Is that what you're referring to? I thought odd.

After looking at it again, I think the string got caught under the string tree on the headstock and where the wrap to string core transition is, is where it broke. I may have to replace that tree with something else that won't grab that transition area...maybe something like this:

Right now it has the round retainer like Fender uses.

EB is sending me a replacement string. I was just going to buy a new single string but that one string was half the cost of a new set (plus shipping).

I got mine free shipping.

 

[timmus]

Few months ago, G string break once install for my jazz bass. Email Ernie ball, lot of bull Shxt excuse. After few week complaint, i got a replacement G string and this one work fine while install.

I do believe they knew the issue many years ago, but still keep production without improvement.

I have one on the way to me without any fuss from EB. I just needed to send a picture of it broken and a few other tidbits of info. It may have been my fault that it broke (see above) but not sure. I am going to replace the string tree that's on it with a different style retainer hoping the transition point on the string doesn't get snagged on this style. At $60 a pop for a set of strings, I will be a lot more careful this time around.

 

[Egg250]

It happens. Not to me, yet, but it happens. Have you ever broken a string on this bass? If not, don't rush out and do something you may not need to do.

Defects in manufacturing happen. If you are consistently breaking a certain string at a certain spot, you may have an issue. Typically, it would be a guitar on one of the unwound strings, maybe at the saddle. There might be a burr or rough spot that cuts the string.

If it happens again, same string, same spot, there may be an issue. Take this time, while you're waiting for the string, go over the string tree, bridge, etc and look for any sharp edges. I don't think you'll find one. I think it was a simple string defect and the manufacturer is making it right.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

I have never had a string break in the 100s of sets I've installed over the years of playing but this is the first time I am trying these EB strings. Are these strings known for breaking?

Yes (to both)

EB will likely take care of it.

While they're my most used string ever since they came out, they are the only string I've had that is so susceptible to breakage. Mostly the G, but I have a busted D.
Usually happens when I'm bringing them back up to pitch after performing some kind of maintenance.

Last time I contacted them, they responded; "unwinding and rewinding will damage the integrity...and would not be considered a defect." However, they did send a replacement.

Apparently, what they said is true with these strings - but I've never had that issue - over several decades - with any other string*.

(*Once w/DR on a new installation. They had a new string to me in days)

 

[TheReceder]

Just broke a brand new High G on my banjo. Contacted D'Addario. They sent me 2 singles and a complete set.

They have no idea how much they made by doing this.

 

[Planespotter]

Ernie Ball customer service is great. I had a set with one corroded string a couple years back and they sent me a new string, another full set and a bunch of stickers.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Ernie Ball customer service is great. I had a set with one corroded string a couple years back and they sent me a new string, another full set and a bunch of stickers.

I'm glad you had a good experience with them. Mine was less impressive. I tried a set of the Super Slinky Cobalt flats about 6 weeks ago. Love them, tone, tension, already gigged them once. I decided to try them on a different bass, and when I carefully swapped them out, the G-string broke. I've changed strings scores of times without issue, and when I checked here, I saw that there had been some breakage issues, and that EB support would take care of it. But when I emailed them, their response was terse and dismissive:

Hi (Dr Thumpenstein),
Removing and reinstalling strings damages the integrity of the string and is not something that is a defect.
Sincerely,

Ernie Ball Strings and Accessories
Domestic Customer Service Team
[email protected]​

I responded that trying strings on different instruments is very common amongst bass guitar players, and that there is nothing on their packaging that would suggest that this shouldn't be done or would void any warranty. I'm very careful with the strings when I replace them and since I replace strings four at a time, I've literally changed hundreds of strings over the past 40 years, this being the first one that could not survive such a gentle transfer. After a couple of additional emails, they relented and said that they would make an exception and mail a replacement. This was three weeks ago and so far no replacement, so I don't know if they're actually going to do it or if they were just trying to make me go away. I'm going to give them a full month before I follow up with them. I'll post again once this is resolved, hopefully with a good outcome.

As I told EB Support, I love the strings. I actually bought another set because I planned to have them on two basses. But I will need another G string to make that happen.

Just broke a brand new High G on my banjo. Contacted D'Addario. They sent me 2 singles and a complete set.

They have no idea how much they made by doing this.

Out of general principle, if EB's not gonna stand behind a product that failed with routine use, despite their reputation for breakage, I will have bought my last set. If they do send a replacement as promised, it is likely they'll have a customer for life.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I’m at about 5 sets of EB Cobalt flats. I’ve had six sets, but I retired one set after cutting them down to fit a short scale. I’ve never had one break, but I’ve had more than one string break where the step-down winding hung under a string retainer. I’ve learned to pay attention to that, especially when tuning up a string and the tuner stops moving when I’m still cranking in the tuning key.

 

[HHudson]

The only thing I saw quirky was the way they recommend wrapping it at the post...kind of like a "double wrap".

Is that what you're referring to? I thought odd.

After looking at it again, I think the string got caught under the string tree on the headstock and where the wrap to string core transition is, is where it broke. I may have to replace that tree with something else that won't grab that transition area...maybe something like this:

Right now it has the round retainer like Fender uses.

EB is sending me a replacement string. I was just going to buy a new single string but that one string was half the cost of a new set (plus shipping).

+1 on the replacement by EB. My experiences have been good with that.

Over the years I have had ca. three new bass strings break.. that I can remember at least. One of them was a 100% defective string (Pyramid replaced it very quickly).

The other on a different, new to me bass was a Roto77 B sting which Rotosound replaced promptly, but as I found out later when the replacement snapped this was "my fault". The MM bridge has a burr I cannot find or a special sizing which likes to sever the string core above the ball end. I then bought the next replacement B out of pocket. I use a small brass spacer on that bass slipped over the B string providing a few mm of space between the ball end & bridge hole and all is good & solved (as long as I do not forget to slip it on I suppose).

I suspect the unique instructions for the EB Cobolts are to prevent core slippage more than strings breaking... and perhaps prevent people from cutting them down too much... I doubt it makes much of a difference if you have at least ca. three turns around the peg. I have followed & not followed their instructions with no ill affects either way. If a new EB Cobolt string breaks, you'll probably have an easier time getting it replaced without moaning winding it the official unique EB way...

 

[74hc]

Don't start out by wrapping it around the post. Fully wind it.

 

[timmus]

Don't start out by wrapping it around the post. Fully wind it.

I never start wrapping the string around the post first. It adds twisting stresses to the strings, especially wound strings.

 

[timmus]

I’m at about 5 sets of EB Cobalt flats. I’ve had six sets, but I retired one set after cutting them down to fit a short scale. I’ve never had one break, but I’ve had more than one string break where the step-down winding hung under a string retainer. I’ve learned to pay attention to that, especially when tuning up a string and the tuner stops moving when I’m still cranking in the tuning key.

This is what I believe happened to this string. I didn't see that it was caught on the retainer until it was too late. I was thinking that maybe if I slipped a bit of teflon/nylon tube over the string where it goes under string retainer, that may help it slide under the retainer...less friction.

 

[TheReceder]

I'm glad you had a good experience with them. Mine was less impressive. I tried a set of the Super Slinky Cobalt flats about 6 weeks ago. Love them, tone, tension, already gigged them once. I decided to try them on a different bass, and when I carefully swapped them out, the G-string broke. I've changed strings scores of times without issue, and when I checked here, I saw that there had been some breakage issues, and that EB support would take care of it. But when I emailed them, their response was terse and dismissive:

Hi (Dr Thumpenstein),
Removing and reinstalling strings damages the integrity of the string and is not something that is a defect.
Sincerely,

Ernie Ball Strings and Accessories
Domestic Customer Service Team
[email protected]​

I responded that trying strings on different instruments is very common amongst bass guitar players, and that there is nothing on their packaging that would suggest that this shouldn't be done or would void any warranty. I'm very careful with the strings when I replace them and since I replace strings four at a time, I've literally changed hundreds of strings over the past 40 years, this being the first one that could not survive such a gentle transfer. After a couple of additional emails, they relented and said that they would make an exception and mail a replacement. This was three weeks ago and so far no replacement, so I don't know if they're actually going to do it or if they were just trying to make me go away. I'm going to give them a full month before I follow up with them. I'll post again once this is resolved, hopefully with a good outcome.

As I told EB Support, I love the strings. I actually bought another set because I planned to have them on two basses. But I will need another G string to make that happen.


Out of general principle, if EB's not gonna stand behind a product that failed with routine use, despite their reputation for breakage, I will have bought my last set. If they do send a replacement as promised, it is likely they'll have a customer for life.

Just curious how many basses you have. D'Adario sent me less than 10 bucks worth of banjo strings... that shipment was to someone with over 40 differnet string instruments ranging from mandolins to Upright basses. to me it's just smart marketing. EB shouldn't have dissed you. While I agree that moving strings to different instruments can effect their durability, it's not the smartest move to irritate a customer when we all know that a single string probably costs them less than the price of shipping.... I'd love to know the wholsale cost of 1 string.

 

[timmus]

I'd love to know the wholsale cost of 1 string.

I know when I looked up the price for the one string I broke, it was over $24. Just one "D" string

That's when I decided to contact EB about the possibility of a replacement string and they more than glad to send me one. I haven't received it yet so who knows what I'll get. Maybe a full replacement set? I guess I won't know until whatever they sent me arrives in a few days. They did ask me if it was critical if I get it quickly but, no, it isn't. I have plenty of other basses to use. This was more like an experiment anyway. I was curious what they would sound like on my G&L L-2500.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Most major string manufacturers will replace a string that broke right out of the package for free by mail. I had a DR b string break during installation and they immediately sent me a new one.