I had the same problem with my G string. I contacted Music Stop and they gave me new set. No more issues now.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Defective Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt Flatwounds
- Thread starter jglunt
- Start date
What is it with Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt flats G-strings?
Thanks for the suggestion. Tried it, but I still had problems. Ernie Ball contacted me within 12 hours of my email, and they're sending out a new string. Their G strings might we wonky, but their customer service is pretty fantastic. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the new string, but ordered a set of GHS Pressurewounds just in case.
Sounds like me. After I had two bad ones in a row, I contacted their CS. They offered to send me two replacements, so I gave them my address. I figured they might or might not show up, so I ordered a set of Rotosound 77s, which have a similar sound to the EB Slinky Cobalt flats. The replacements from EB and the set of Rotosounds arrived on the same day. Yes, their CS is first rate.
Received my replacement G string from Ernie Ball, and it intonates perfectly. Fortunately, they have great customer service if help is needed.
I had a wonky E string in a regular old Slinky set, they got a replacement to me fast. Even sent a cool sticker to boot. First time with an issue, and I've been using Ernie Ball strings forever.
Still haven't tried their flats though. Maybe one of these days I'll get a set.
Still haven't tried their flats though. Maybe one of these days I'll get a set.
I just got a bad G string with a set of cobalt flats I just purchased. I reached out to their customer service, they replied that this NOT a common problem with their strings. They did ask for some information and pictures. I hope they send me a new one.
The fact that there is an actual forum about this on Talk Bass makes me believe that this is a common problem with these strings, and it seems most often that it's the G-string. They are really great strings--they feel great to play and sound fantastic--but they definitely have some defects. It's kinda like a 1948 Lincoln, which was incredibly comfortable for its time and ran great--but it had the reputation for burning as much oil as it did gas. I'm sure they'll send you a replacement string because this is a common problem, at least with their Slinky Cobalt flats. If not, Rotosound Monel flats have a very similar sound and feel. They are what I'm switching my basses with flatwounds over to, and these days, they actually cost a little less than the Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt flats.
Thank you for the input and the info about the Rotosound flats, I had been meaning to try those as well.
Quick update, the customer service is pretty amazing, they already got back to me and they are sending a replacement G string.
Within a couple hours they got it all taken care of.
I doubt they would admit to it being a regular issue, as it clearly wasn’t just a “bad batch” or anything (something I have experienced with DR strings for example) since people have been talking about it on TB for a few years and it is still happening. Won’t stop me from using them though as they are just too uniquely great sounding!
Last edited:
Indeed they do sound amazing, and I still use them. However, one of the main reasons I continue to use them is because their customer service is so good. I know if I have a problem--and I almost expect one these days--that their customer service will step up and send me a replacement.
Last edited:
Update: The new string came in. I carefully wound it on the post per EB's instructions then very carefully brought it up to pitch and.....
SNAP!!!!
Geez......
Checked the tuners (brand new Hipshots). No rough edges. Everything looked fine. Plus I've had multiple sets on and off this particular bass over the past few months (exploring different string tonalities), and never a problem with the other strings.
I really wanted to like these strings, as I've heard nothing but good about them. But I'm out. I've lost so much confidence that I wouldn't gig them. If I'm not going to gig them, why bother having them on a bass.
Damn! The only problem I've had is the G-string not being able to properly tune. I could bring it up to G, but it would be out of tune on every fret to a different but very noticeable degree. I had two in a row like that on a new-to-me bass I was stringing. That made me question the bass. I took it to my trusted luthier who checked it over and told me it was the strings. I thought he'd gone daft, but the new strings EB sent me are fine.
They just want to avoid responsibility. Lot of evidence shown on the net , talkbass also has lot string break/snap issue report here, invite EB customer team read it !
I’ve never heard of them not replacing a string with issues FWIW, so they do seem to take responsibility when issues occur (just not acknowledgement of a larger design issue)
In early years, they take action pretty fast for string replacement, especially on huge amount of break/snap cobalt flatwound, but not current day anymore.
They increase the price tag to compensate those profits lost.
These strings have obvious problems, and their price has indeed been raised 25% over the last couple years. They're up to $50 per set the last time I looked. For that price, I should get a great set of strings every time. Their price is approaching Thomastik-Infeld Jazz flatwounds' these days (if you're particular where you buy the TIs). As a result, I'm slowly switching my basses strung with flats over to the Rotosound 77 monel flatwounds. They have a very similar tone to them, and though I had a go-round with Rotosound CS over a set of their double-ball-end stainless steel wounds and found them to be wanting, I've never had a problem with their 77 flats. Plus, their price is (currently) a little less than the EB Slinky Cobalt flats.
I believe that, even if we could get EB CS to read these posts, all it might inspire them to do is to discontinue the Slinky Cobalt flats altogether. I don't know that I want that. In spite of their issues (which I hope get worked out), they're still a great-sounding string, and as has already been stated, their customer service is first rate.
