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EB Cobalt Flat, great string...... but get Rust !

#21
No idea what cobalt alloy is used assuming that it really is cobalt, and we don't know how much is used during plating and with what else.
This from whicky
  • Cobalt is used in electroplating for its attractive appearance, hardness, and resistance to oxidation;Invalid Link Removed
  • It is also used as a base primer coat for Invalid Link Removed enamels.Invalid Link Removed
 
#24
I've been reading guitar players reporting that Cobalts are tough on their frets.
I can only assume the steel on their guitar strings outer wrap is the same as the outer wrap on the bass strings, and:

Last week I confirmed with my own fingers & pick that the Cobalt steel is harder than Stainless steel in other strings.
I had on a set of D'Addario Stainless strings & after sending my guitar to the luthier for a fret-level EB Cobalts were put on it.

Well, right away I noticed that those new strings were eating at my Dimension V-Pick & there was so much pick dust on the pickups that I was startled.
Here's what Dimension V-Picks look like:

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2.5 mm thick
 
#25
CapnSev said:
Huh. I’m going on many months of Cobalt flats and zero rust or fret issues.
Click to expand...
Year old heavily played Cobalt rounds, no rust 8 Month old heavily played Cobalt flats no rust (discoloration either)
Only strings that rust on me are rotosounds and Boomers. Just lucky I guess.
I seldom play with a pick, so can't speak to that. The rounds are a bit rough, but no noticable wear on the L2500 that both sets lived on initially (the rounds are now on the Dolphin, the flats my fretless ibby)
 
#26
Killed_by_Death said:
I've been reading guitar players reporting that Cobalts are tough on their frets.
I can only assume the steel on their guitar strings outer wrap is the same as the outer wrap on the bass strings, and:

Last week I confirmed with my own fingers & pick that the Cobalt steel is harder than Stainless steel in other strings.
I had on a set of D'Addario Stainless strings & after sending my guitar to the luthier for a fret-level EB Cobalts were put on it.

Well, right away I noticed that those new strings were eating at my Dimension V-Pick & there was so much pick dust on the pickups that I was startled.
Here's what Dimension V-Picks look like:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

2.5 mm thick
Click to expand...
I have had a set of Cobalts on a Stingray and a Jazz for over a year with no signs of fret wear. Both basses are played on a regular basis.
 
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#30
Hi guys! I've installed cobalt rounds on many of my bass guitars 3 months ago. Last night I was playing with my P Bass and noticed that all the strings rusted. I've played that bass only 4 times, and I use D'Addario XLR8 cleaner before and after each session. The rest of the instruments are still ok, but if this is going to happen with all of them, I think cobalt strings are a waste of money.
 
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#31
I think it depends on the alloy in your frets more than anything, because mine rusted directly AT the frets & left marks in the frets, dark marks unlike those from stainless or nickel-wound.

FWIW, Cobalt rounds were fine on my Premium Soundgear Ibanez, but Cobalt flats on my SR eXtreme (SRX) rusted.
I would imagine the Premium line uses a different alloy.
 
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#39
I’ve been playing Cobalts since last November. Absolutely love the tone. Just put my third set on 3 weeks ago and now they’re rusted. I keep my studio room temp relatively stable at 70-75*. Humidity is around 60%. I ordered another set and sent EB a pick. Waiting to hear back.
 

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