Don't use Ernie Ball Cobalts on a string through the body bridge!

[davidjbass]

ARGGGGGGG! I just got a brand new set of 5 string Ernie Ball Cobalts for my Fender American Pro II P Bass V. I was so excited to try these on this bass. Ran the B string through the body onto the bridge then to the tuner. Wound it up and SNAP! As the string tightened at the bridge post the tension of the string being bent cause the winding to break apart. Thus causing the string to unwind as I tightened the it. OMG! I wish I had known this I would have just ran the string from the back of the bridge and not through the body. Now I go no B string for this set. Sorry just venting and trying to give a heads up to others that if you use these strings and if you have a bass that strings through the body don't string them through the body. They will break.

 

[michael_t]

"Ernie Ball Cobalts"... Can we assume you're talking about the Cobalt FLATS, not the Cobalt ROUNDS?

 

[davidjbass]

I am sorry I should have been more specific. They are Cobalt rounds. The green and black package.

 

[davidjbass]

I just sent Ernie Ball an email. I hope they can send me a replacement B string.

 

[michael_t]

They are Cobalt rounds.

Surprising... It's usually flats that give you problems with thru-body installation.

 

[davidjbass]

Surprising... It's usually flats that give you problems with thru-body installation.

Yes you are right. If they were flats I would run them through the back of the bridge not through the body.

 

[Jon Moody]

A .130 is gonna have issues at the break angle of a thru-body regardless; it's just a big string. Take some extra care with that if they do end up sending you a replacement.

 

[AxtoOx]

Not on a bass, but If you have a term bar it lifts it a lot

 

[mcclurer16]

I would ask for a replacement if not a new set of strings. EB touts these as great strings (I like them). They aren't cheap. If EB has good customer service they will replace the strings!

 

[michael_t]

A .130 is gonna have issues at the break angle of a thru-body regardless; it's just a big string.

This reminds me of the recent thread about the DR Hi Beam B string snapping as a result of the fully wound part wrapping around the tuner post.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

I use to use them with a stingray classic 5....
String through body

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

45-130 and one time I even ordered singles and used a 135 through body

 

[Valvehead]

Just bad luck. These strings should be fine for through body routing.

 

[Silky Johnson]

I've ran all types of EB cobalts thru bridge, never had one break maybe I'm blessed. I did have one go dink up by the tuning peg, I think it was a fluke

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Never seen a 130 break, it would have to be a defect or damaged.
I can understand thinner strings wanting to break, but it had to be something major and your bend of the string coming through body would not cause that much stress.

Did you cut the strings at the tuner end? DR suggests you cut them at an angle not perpendicular to the strings. They can certainly unravel and that always ends in trouble.

Good luck,
Dirk

 

[PennyroyalWe]

I had a set cobalt flats that recently broke, too. The wraps started breaking at the tuning peg, and then the strings unraveled on two of them. However, they were an older set that had been put on/ taken off several times.

 

[39-Bassist]

A .130 is gonna have issues at the break angle of a thru-body regardless; it's just a big string. Take some extra care with that if they do end up sending you a replacement.

I guess he should have bought GHS Boomers...lol




Sorry to hear about any string breaking when new.

 

[Jon Moody]

I guess he should have bought GHS Boomers...lol

My response would be the same, regardless of brand. A .130 has 3 covers on it; that's a lot of material to get through a thru-body bridge, for little/no benefit at all.

 

[Root 5]

I've ran all types of EB cobalts thru bridge, never had one break maybe I'm blessed. I did have one go dink up by the tuning peg, I think it was a fluke

A factor might be how high the B saddle is set. If one has higher action it will increase the angle.

 

[Briton]

I guess he should have bought GHS Boomers...lol

Nah!......I think he is looking for a nice tone mate