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Brand new EB Cobalt Flat string broke while installing it

#21
timmus said:
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! :meh:
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As others have said, Cobalt Flats have a reputation for breaking. I've owned one set,, which lasted about 6 months before the E string broke during performance. It's the only time I've ever broken a string during play, and the only time I've ever broken an E string.
 
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#22
jdjk7 said:
As others have said, Cobalt Flats have a reputation for breaking. I've owned one set,, which lasted about 6 months before the E string broke during performance. It's the only time I've ever broken a string during play, and the only time I've ever broken an E string.
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The only other string I've ever broken was a B string (Fender Flats) many, many years ago, 20 years maybe? It broke at the bridge after about a week of playing and I wasn't playing that hard. I was working as an amp tech at a music store at the time and one of the guitar techs had a bunch of single strings from other sets he had robbed other strings from. I grabbed another Fender flat B from him and used it for several years with no issues.
 
#24
Killing Floor said:
Bummer. Good strings. Hopefully you get another.
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Well, everything I've heard about the Cobalts has been good. I have been told they sound very nice on a G&L L-2500 so I splurged and bought a set. I know things happen beyond the control of the manufacturer but they said they will send me a replacement. Hopefully it won't take too long...that bass is taking up space on my bench :cool: .:).
 
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#26
subdude67 said:
I strung my new bass with cobalt flats last night and the D string snapped just before the tuning peg while tuning up. I am so bummed out, more so because the E, A and G strings already installed sound and feel awesome:banghead::banghead::banghead:
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I feel your pain my friend. I received a new string gratis from EB a few days ago and installed it but you gotta know, I was waiting for it to snap as I was bringing it up to pitch. So far, everything is good. EB took good care of me. I chalked it up to the string getting caught under the tree.
 
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#27
subdude67 said:
I strung my new bass with cobalt flats last night and the D string snapped just before the tuning peg while tuning up. I am so bummed out, more so because the E, A and G strings already installed sound and feel awesome:banghead::banghead::banghead:
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Email to EB customer service team. EB should find out why still has lot snap/break report happen until current day. I am long term Cobalt flat user, and the new G string just snap on tuning peg while intonation setup.

A great flatwound bass string, but has huge amount of production QC failure !
 
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#30
timmus said:
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! :meh:
Click to expand...

I had same experience with A string 4 years ago; Bought from Sweetwater they sent me new pack/set free

'A' went on fine and I still have other 3:)
 
#31
Lance Bunyon said:
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.
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That is my experience, too.
I've had that happen once or twice, plus one string that arrived dead.
Every time, I shot an email, either towards the shop I bought it from or towards the the string brand - and got a brand new one in the mail a couple of days later.
 
#32
DrThumpenstein said:
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.
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So EB did replace the G string after some back and forth. It took a month for the replacement string to arrive, but I did get it, so I have the Cobalt Extra Slinkys on my Aerodyne and my Player Plus J. They sound great, no issues mounting them up, now let's see how long they sound this sweet!
 
#33
timmus said:
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:

41n+dV4iz+L._AC_SX466_.jpg


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). :wideyed:
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Your string retainer may have a sharp edge there. Probably a little filing will correct it.
 
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#34
michael_t said:
Yes. I've never understood the point of the "double wrap" as I think it could only increase the risk of breakage.
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Actually I use the double wrap on all flat wound string installations. I’ve had Dunlop and D’addario flats continue to slip if I didn’t install using the double wrap installation (particularly the smaller gauge strings).
 
#35
JOME77 said:
Actually I use the double wrap on all flat wound string installations. I’ve had Dunlop and D’addario flats continue to slip if I didn’t install using the double wrap installation (particularly the smaller gauge strings).
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Just to clarify what I mean by "double wrap" method, it's where the string is threaded thru the center slot twice instead of just being wrapped around the post twice. I've never ever had to do that with any strings, with or without silks, including flats.
 
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#36
michael_t said:
Just to clarify what I mean by "double wrap" method, it's where the string is threaded thru the center slot twice instead of just being wrapped around the post twice. I've never ever had to do that with any strings, with or without silks, including flats.
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Yes. That is the recommended installation method for flat wound strings.
Like this …..

36E24DB2-B854-47A0-AA10-D3E787C89A42.jpeg
 
#38
michael_t said:
This instruction only comes with the EB Cobalt Flats. I have the EB Group IV Stainless Steel Flats on my P bass and they didn't come with the same instruction. I used the conventional method and they're doing just fine.

View attachment 5232771
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Then you’ve been fortunate. I had something similar happened to me using Dunlop Flats and the representative that I contacted told me that their flat wound strings should be double wrapped (but the still sent me a new set no charge). It typically only happens on the .30-.65 gauge strings though. I’ve never double wrapped TI flats but I do remember having and issue on a C or G string. If I ever install a new set of TI flats I will definitely double wrap the C and G strings.
 

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