I have some with no rust, some that rusted over a long time, and some that rusted fairly soon after installed. Tone wasn’t affected by those that did rust.
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EBMM Cobalt Slinky Flatwounds Rust or Not?
- Thread starter JEDI BASS
- Start date
This is the second thread I've seen about this. Both times I saw it I quickly checked my Cobalts and was glad to see nothing wrong with them. I've had them on for months. Hopefully they stay that way for years to come.
There was another thread on this topic recently - within the last month or so. the OP said he lived in a humid environment. I wonder if it could be environmental or a chemistry-thing as well. Even possible a supply issue with different batches of the steel.
So - plan on buying new strings any time you perform maintenance?
I tortured and abused GHS Boomers for over 30 years. Never had a failure.
Still possibly my all-time favorite string!
Thank you for contacting Ernie Ball Customer Service!
Unwinding and rewinding the strings is not recommended, as it can damage the integrity of the string, and would not be considered a defect. However, If you give us a good mailing address, we'll go ahead and hook you up with a spare this time.
Sincerely,
Ernie Ball Strings and Accessories
Domestic Customer Service Team
[email protected]
On Tue, Jun 22, 2021 at 1:09 PM
Must be a form email that they sent out - and apparently, a true statement in their case.
So - plan on buying new strings any time you perform maintenance?
I tortured and abused GHS Boomers for over 30 years. Never had a failure.
Still possibly my all-time favorite string!
Thank you for contacting Ernie Ball Customer Service!
Unwinding and rewinding the strings is not recommended, as it can damage the integrity of the string, and would not be considered a defect. However, If you give us a good mailing address, we'll go ahead and hook you up with a spare this time.
Sincerely,
Ernie Ball Strings and Accessories
Domestic Customer Service Team
[email protected]
On Tue, Jun 22, 2021 at 1:09 PM
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=> goop
If you still have them & want to re-try them, wipe them down well with a cloth dampened with 99.9% isopropyl alchohol... the EB Cobalts seem to have a lot of sticky (probably polishing) "goop" residue out of the pack. Then wipe with a *lightly dampened* cloth with body safe refined mineral oil aka "white oil". Re-install. I give them a quick wipe down after playing with a mineral oil re-tanked "fastfret" applicator & a cloth. Haven't had any corrosion/rust issues, may depend a bit on body chemistry how well that works for each individual.
Never had to do the above and only used a dry cloth for years with Roto77 (played until mechanically unfit), Pyramids or Fender 9050, but do it now. Switched to rounds/PWs with the band during covid, with rounds it seems to help and prolong life at lot as well.
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+1. For me they were absolutely perfect and I almost put them on all of my basses - until I played a gig. I get really sweaty hands on gigs and like you I found the Cobalts to be very sticky. So much so that it got into my head.
If I were a studio guy and more in control of the climate situation I would probably use them. As it is, I’m back to Pressurewounds on my primary gig bass, which are very smooth and actually the opposite of Cobalts in that sense.
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Meh. That might be academically true, but I’ve been swapping sets of strings - dozens of kinds - on and off of basses since 1984 and I can’t see how it’s reducing string life. What I can see is how Ernie Ball would rather you put a new set on than move an old set on and off.There was another thread on this topic recently - within the last month or so. the OP said he lived in a humid environment. I wonder if it could be environmental or a chemistry-thing as well. Even possible a supply issue with different batches of the steel.
Must be a form email that they sent out - and apparently, a true statement in their case.
So - plan on buying new strings any time you perform maintenance?
I tortured and abused GHS Boomers for over 30 years. Never had a failure.
Still possibly my all-time favorite string!
Thank you for contacting Ernie Ball Customer Service!
Unwinding and rewinding the strings is not recommended, as it can damage the integrity of the string, and would not be considered a defect. However, If you give us a good mailing address, we'll go ahead and hook you up with a spare this time.
Sincerely,
Ernie Ball Strings and Accessories
Domestic Customer Service Team
[email protected]
On Tue, Jun 22, 2021 at 1:09 PM
In my email exchange with EB customer support, I mentioned that I was surprised that they seemed unaware that it's common practice among bass players to try strings on different basses, and that I've done it for years without issue until the very first set of Cobalt Slinky flats I tried. I suggested that if they feel that their strings are too fragile to allow this common practice, they should state so on the packaging. That might lead to a decrease in sales, since no other manufacturer seems to be disturbed by this practice or has (or even seems to need) such a warning. I've swapped TIs, LaBellas, Chromes, Roto's, and Fenders many times over the years.
There was no warning on the replacement string, so I don't think they're listening to me
Never for me. I have a set that is 3 yrs old , and another set that is maybe approaching the 1 year mark.
I agree. I've lost count of how many sets of strings I've tried and swapped in the last 10 years without issue.
But breakage is a "thing" with the cobalt flats...
I've been gigging Cobalts on my Dimension 5 and my Precision V for close to 2 years. All seasons festivals, pubs, rehearsals, practicing, no issues at all. About 30 shows last year. Haven't changed 'em out either. I play percussively as well as smooth and easy.
It may be physiology. For ex; I've been hunting for an Ibanez RG and some are fine but some are totally rusted out at the bridge and pole pieces of the PU's. Sometimes it's maintenance or lack thereof. Often times, people's 'essence' just wrecks gear.
How bright do they sound @ 2 years? I really think their brighter tonal range is what sets them apart from other flats, which really helps me in a rock mix with guitar and keys. But I'm only 2 months in, so I have no experience with how long I can expect them to sing like that.
I had a set on for two and a half years, brown and rusty looking all over, and the difference between them and a fresh set that I put on didn't even feel like 5%. Closer to a set of rounds brand new vs played in over a week, not brand new vs haven't been changed in over a year of playing. Definitely not broken in and "dead" like most people think of flats.
Keep the votes coming. So far, about 1 in 4 have experienced rust. That’s actually better than the impression I had from my research.
From my understanding they’re the same composition, just different outer ribbon shape.
I'm playing in an Irish-post punk band doing Pogues type renderings of Irish classics. With a solid amp, one can definitely use almost any string.
If suddenly I found myself playing a rock gig for an extended period, rehearsals & on-stage would tell me quickly if the Cobalts were the right string...for me anyway.
Could be. I just know I’ve had a few sets of the flats that have had no issues but one set of rounds that rusted after one gig. I’ve heard they changed something to keep this from happening but I don’t know. Once was enough for me. Love the flats. Playing them on a gig tonight in fact.
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No rust ever, several sets on several basses. Oldest set must be more than three years old, still intonating, sounding and playing well. To me, the strings do not feel sticky at all, but are somewhat rough for a week or so, until played in or wiped with IPA. I consider LaBella DTFs sticky, they are so glossy and smooth they sometimes feel glued to my fingertips. Urrgh.
I live in quite dry climate area, my hands are extremely dry and they don’t sweat. Using Fastfret quite regularly.
A couple g-strings have snapped at tuner end.
I live in quite dry climate area, my hands are extremely dry and they don’t sweat. Using Fastfret quite regularly.
A couple g-strings have snapped at tuner end.
