EBMM Cobalt Slinky Flatwounds Rust or Not?

[JEDI BASS]

Hi all,

I've got another thread where I'm discussing possible replacements for my favorite string to date, the EBMM Cobalt Slinky Flatwounds. Despite always having clean and rarely sweaty hands, the Cobalt flats start rusting very quickly for me. I would like to know how common this is with a poll of my fellow bassists.

TIA

 

[Nebadon2000]

I had Cobalt Flats on Bass for 3 months in 2019 no Rust BUT they were very Sticky and left some kind of goop on body and neck of Bass. The goop lessened after a month and stickiness was always there a little; worse in certain weather conditions.

They did sound great that's why I beared it for 3 months before I took them off

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Had a set on my Fender P bass for about 6 months with no issues.

 

[JEDI BASS]

I had Cobalt Flats on Bass for 3 months in 2019 no Rust BUT they were very Sticky and left some kind of goop on body and neck of Bass. The goop lessened after a month and stickiness was always there a little; worse in certain weather conditions.

They did sound great that's why I beared it for 3 months before I took them off

3 months, for me, is a short period of time. I do 1 to 2 three hour gigs a month, and learn new material on my other basses. So, In 3 months, my main players may see anywhere from a few hours of use to 16 hours of use, max.

So, how much action did your Cobalts get in the 3 months?

 

[JEDI BASS]

Had a set on my Fender P bass for about 6 months with no issues.

How much playtime did they see?

 

[Zooberwerx]

I voted "no rust" but, other than practice & rehearsal, they've seen minimal play time. Installed over a year ago and I rarely store in the case.

Riis

 

[Nebadon2000]

3 months, for me, is a short period of time. I do 1 to 2 three hour gigs a month, and learn new material on my other basses. So, In 3 months, my main players may see anywhere from a few hours of use to 16 hours of use, max.

So, how much action did your Cobalts get in the 3 months?

10 to 15 hours a week

 

[Benny4P]

A little bit of rust, but more importantly, a very sticky feeling that just won't go away. I tried them for 6 months, but no luck. Good sounding B string though

 

[J Posega]

Gonna follow this thread as I just put a set on my Squier Rascal and hadn't read about corrosion issues prior to buying them and I love the sound, so I hope they don't corrode too fast on me.

 

[Altitude]

I love the sound and have no rust issues. They are really sticky though. Bit of a turnoff.

 

[P. Aaron]

Have them on 3 basses. 2 I use regularly for practicing, rehearsals and gigs, no problems there with any stickiness or rust, or any type of thing considered negative.

They're on a fretless I haven't looked at it months. Maybe I'll see if that bass is ok.

 

[cataract]

I put some Cobalt rounds on my Jazz and the next day they were looking kinda splotchy- not “rust” but some sort of darkish corrosion. They still sound OK but I’m bummed because I bought 4 packs and now I don’t wanna use the other 3 lol. I dig how they sound though!

 

[jeff62]

Have them on 3 basses. 2 I use regularly for practicing, rehearsals and gigs, no problems there with any stickiness or rust, or any type of thing considered negative.

This. (Only more than 3 basses )

 

[PBandJazzBass]

How much playtime did they see?

Not sure on exact number of hours, but it was my main bass at the time. It was probably the only one I picked up at home when I wanted to play a BG and it was the only bass I used at the time for gigs.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

I've use them extensively since they were introduced - many sets on many basses.
The only issue I've had with these, that I've never had with any other string, is they are prone to breaking at the post when bringing back up to pitch after maintenance, etc.
(Mostly the G string, one D string.)
No rust, not sticky.

 

[Yahboy]

Coblat flat are pretty sensitive with body PH and environment humid compare to LTF4A and Ti flat. Even LTF4A easier get sticky after few song, but never rust.

Share my personal opinion and solution here. Hope help.

Before Coblat flat get rusty or corrosion , those brownish thing be the first sign appear on string surface , now you need nail polish block and GHS fastfret to slow down the rusty problem get worst. Alcohol and WD40 do not help at all. That must be a mojo with fastfret treatment .

Lightly sand those brownish sign with nail polish block, until string surface look shine and clean, then rub with fastfret. Now you need apply fastfret before and after every time you play the bass. Once the brownish thing appear, do same process.

My solution able extend the cobalt flat string life longer than you expect. My buddy who use cobalt flat on stage or show are completely worry free even entire set has shown some light brown coated and no sticky. Those tone still sound healthy fresh !

But there are some metal smell after playing , it is normal for most aged bass string.

My 2+years old Cobalt flat on my Jazz bass still sound meaty juicy and E string sing crisp and clear even entire string look little dull than new set.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

I'm new to the fold. I've been playing them on my Aerodyne and J for the past couple of months. I've been enjoying the tone and have no complaints about playability. I'm not getting any stickiness, glissandos are dead silent as far as string noise, the tension feels fine, too. Haven't seen any rust, but 2 months isn't too long. They've got a bunch of practice time and two 4-hour gigs. They're getting plenty of play and still sound nice and bright, brighter than all the other flats I've tried. I'll post here if they rust anytime soon.

I've use them extensively since they were introduced - many sets on many basses.
The only issue I've had with these, that I've never had with any other string, is they are prone to breaking at the post when bringing back up to pitch after maintenance, etc.
(Mostly the G string, one D string.)
No rust, not sticky.

Yeah, I put them on the J first and thought, they would be just the ticket on the Aerodyne, and when I swapped them, the G broke at the post. After some back and forth, EB replaced it, but their first response was that they aren't meant to be swapped. Their exact response: "Removing and reinstalling strings damages the integrity of the string and is not something that is a defect."

I basically responded, do you know any actual bassists? They did listen to reason and decided to "make an exception this time," and replaced it. They sound great on both basses, so I reckon I'll comply and not swap them, at least for the foreseeable.

Anybody want to comment on how quickly I might expect them to lose their brightness compared to other strings? I agree that a lot of how fast they die has to do with sweat/oils/skin and varies greatly from player to player, but relatively speaking.

 

[Yahboy]

I'm new to the fold. I've been playing them on my Aerodyne and J for the past couple of months. I've been enjoying the tone and have no complaints about playability. I'm not getting any stickiness, glissandos are dead silent, the tension feels fine, too. Haven't seen any rust, but 2 months isn't too long. They're getting some play and still sound nice and bright, brighter than all the other flats I've tried. I'll post here if they rust anytime soon.



Yeah, I put them on the J first and thought, they would be just the ticket on the Aerodyne, and when I swapped them, the G broke at the post. After some back and forth, EB replaced it, but their first response was that they aren't meant to be swapped. Their exact response: "Removing and reinstalling strings damages the integrity of the string and is not something that is a defect."

I basically responded, do you know any actual bassists? They did listen to reason and decided to "make an exception this time," and replaced it. They sound great on both basses, so I reckon I'll comply and not swap them, at least for the foreseeable.

Anybody want to comment on how quickly I might expect them to lose their brightness compared to other strings? I agree that a lot of how fast they die has to do with sweat/oils/skin and varies greatly from player to player, but relatively speaking.

Broke/snap Cobalt flat bass string on tuning post are one of the Cobalt flat trademark. I believe EBMM have registered on first day they launch.

That 2+ years 2814 are move from CV50P > Cort GB74JJ > Bacchus J > MOD Squier PJ and back to Bacchus J . No problem.

But been experience string snap on tuning post twice myself on open box set D and G string. And dead new E string on client bass guitar .

Even there are QC issue on Cobalt flat, but she is the only flatwound bass string in the market able make both J and PJ bass sound great.

Chrome ECB81 ? I don't think she able keep healthy fresh tone after 6 months.....

 

[logdrum]

Only heard about rust here on TB. I started using them when I moved to CA - San Diego and lived near the ocean, but I think SoCal Beach cities are not as wet like Florida - no rust. I am mostly back in NM now except for 60 - 80 days a year when I go tot he East Bay / Bay Area visiting my sister and also part of my work as my company headquarters is in the Silicon Valley.

 

[JEDI BASS]

I put some Cobalt rounds on my Jazz and the next day they were looking kinda splotchy- not “rust” but some sort of darkish corrosion. They still sound OK but I’m bummed because I bought 4 packs and now I don’t wanna use the other 3 lol. I dig how they sound though!

That’s the corrosion or “rust” I’m referring to. It doesn’t always affect the sound right away. But, for me, it starts fairly quick and the bright sound fades in time.