Ernie Ball Cobalt Round Question (paging jwilson67)

[GK Growl]

jwilson67, I've seen you post about the above mentioned strings in numerous threads and I was wondering you if you could give me an idea about these vs. the standard Ernie Ball Nickel Rounds. If you've had experience with both, are the tension profiles similar between the Cobalt and regular nickels per given gauge? I have a bass that I just found out today seems to really like the Ernie Ball nickels but these Cobalts got me curious if they would just be more of an already good thing, although the price of these Cobalts make me wanna run the other way. Ahh...the joy of tone chasing.

 

[michael_t]

If you want to page someone, you should tag their name like this: @jwilson67.

 

[keto]

I find Cobalts more full range and FULL, a little less clanky. Tension wise not sure, I am fond of higher tension and the Cobalts suit me fine, been a while since I had normal EBs on anything.

 

[Geddy Freeman]

I tried both and like keto said the cobalts are more full range, they have the meat and balls the nickel slinkys lack. Little bit more tension than the nickel slinkys but I find slinkys floppy so they're not too high in tension and they last twice as much.

 

[catcauphonic]

I just replaced my cobalt rounds with another pair. Big diff after using the first pair for about 7 months as they were quite dead. I love them right out of the package or with just a few hours of wear on them, on my active Spector. Worth the extra coin to my ears.

I think fuller compared to the standard slinky rounds, with comparable tension

 

[jwilson67]

jwilson67, I've seen you post about the above mentioned strings in numerous threads and I was wondering you if you could give me an idea about these vs. the standard Ernie Ball Nickel Rounds. If you've had experience with both, are the tension profiles similar between the Cobalt and regular nickels per given gauge? I have a bass that I just found out today seems to really like the Ernie Ball nickels but these Cobalts got me curious if they would just be more of an already good thing, although the price of these Cobalts make me wanna run the other way. Ahh...the joy of tone chasing.

Here I am! Yes - I have used both extensively. The Nickel Slinkies are definitely stiffer than the Cobalts - which feel almost noodly out of the package but that doesn't translate to them feeling like DR round core or Dunlop Superbrights. I love both of them but the Cobalts are superior (IMO) and worth the extra money. I've heard people say they die quickly but I have the opposite experience.

The Cobalts are a more balanced string also and they play easier in the upper frets than the nickels. Keep in mind I love an aggressive sounding string and they deliver in spades but they are also great as mellow tones too. I don't really know how to describe them any better other than that I love them and they are hands down my all time favorite string. The sound they produce seems to bounce off the fret board effortlessly. The only thing about them is they get kind of grimey looking over time but if you can get past that they are the shiznit.

Of course this is all my opinion and what I like but they are absolutely worth checking out. I guarantee they're unlike any other string you've tried before!

 

[jwilson67]

I tried both and like keto said the cobalts are more full range, they have the meat and balls the nickel slinkys lack. Little bit more tension than the nickel slinkys but I find slinkys floppy so they're not too high in tension and they last twice as much.

That's interesting! I found the Cobalts to have less tension for me but this just shows how peoples' perceptions are different.

 

[catcauphonic]

Here I am! Yes - I have used both extensively. The Nickel Slinkies are definitely stiffer than the Cobalts - which feel almost noodly out of the package but that doesn't translate to them feeling like DR round core or Dunlop Superbrights. I love both of them but the Cobalts are superior (IMO) and worth the extra money. I've heard people say they die quickly but I have the opposite experience.

The Cobalts are a more balanced string also and they play easier in the upper frets than the nickels. Keep in mind I love an aggressive sounding string and they deliver in spades but they are also great as mellow tones too. I don't really know how to describe them any better other than that I love them and they are hands down my all time favorite string. The sound they produce seems to bounce off the fret board effortlessly. The only thing about them is they get kind of grimey looking over time but if you can get past that they are the shiznit.

Of course this is all my opinion and what I like but they are absolutely worth checking out. I guarantee they're unlike any other string you've tried before!

Yes, I forgot to mention the better balance from string to string compared to a lot of strings.... As in it doesn't sound like I'm playing a regular guitar when I use the D & the G strings

 

[jwilson67]

Yes, I forgot to mention the better balance from string to string compared to a lot of strings.... As in it doesn't sound like I'm playing a regular guitar when I use the D & the G strings

Which gauge are you using?

 

[catcauphonic]

Which gauge are you using?

The only ones that the Bass Shop in Seattle has in stock... I wanna say it was in the purple letters on black packaging.

Edit: maybe it was the pink, i'm gonna call them tomorrow to find out!

 

[jwilson67]

The only ones that the Bass Shop in Seattle has in stock... I wanna say it was in the purple letters on black packaging.

Edit: maybe it was the pink, i'm gonna call them tomorrow to find out!

Those would be Super Slinky 45-65-80-100.
On my 5 string I use the Regular Slinky set which is the above with a .130 B. On my 4 I use Hybrid Slinky. Lately, however I've been cheating on them with a set of Prosteels on my 4 string.

 

[CB3UK]

I'll echo what's been said above. I have a set of regular Cobalts on my Warwick Corvette right now....and they just give me MORE of what I wanted out of the EB slinky. Full is an excellent way to describe them. I like an aggressive tone that's out there in the mix and have been very happy with them. I only play fingerstyle, can't speak for any tonal difference/benefits you pickers out there might see.

 

[Aidil]

Those would be Super Slinky 45-65-80-100.
On my 5 string I use the Regular Slinky set which is the above with a .130 B. On my 4 I use Hybrid Slinky. Lately, however I've been cheating on them with a set of Prosteels on my 4 string.

How do you find the Cobalt rounds when compared to the Pro Steels?

 

[jwilson67]

How do you find the Cobalt rounds when compared to the Pro Steels?

Cobalts are a lot less stiff than the Prosteels and have a more tamed top end with a bit less of the percussive sound typically associated with SS. I ultimately like the EB's better but I just got a couple sets of Prosteels based on price and what my current extra finances will allow. Plus I really do like the Prosteels a lot. That being said, If money was no object I would use Cobalts exclusively.

Basically what I look for in a string is the feeling like I'm not having to wring tone from it which leads me down the bright stainless steel path but not ones that are too loosey-goosie. That is why I don't like Dunlop Super Brights. They feel like they're rolling under my fingers when I dig in and I feel like I'm fighting them.

Honorable mention must also go to DR Fatbeams - the only DR string I really like.

 

[catcauphonic]

Those would be Super Slinky 45-65-80-100.
On my 5 string I use the Regular Slinky set which is the above with a .130 B. On my 4 I use Hybrid Slinky. Lately, however I've been cheating on them with a set of Prosteels on my 4 string.

You've seen them there? I don't see any strings listed on their website. They don't have a huge selection, but only carry a small array as more of a courtesy. Now I'm thinking I might have to hunt down a set of Power Slinkys (110/90/75/55), as i usually like em a little beefier ... especially the D & G Thanks for triggering that idea!

In regards to @CB3UK asking about a pick vs fingers... these days with the band I play with a pick pretty exclusively, and that was what I was 'bassing' my prior comments on. Often at home when I'm just noodling I'll play fingerstyle, and I'm actually wowed even more regarding the cobalts clarity (mainly why i picked up a pick to begin with, i felt a lot of my notes were being lost in the band mix of some recordings. Now i may go back to fingers as we write new songs.)

I think I finally found 'my strings'
(Still looking forward to trying the heavier Power gauge. At worst, I'm sticking with the Supers for the unforseen future )

 

[jwilson67]

You've seen them there? I don't see any strings listed on their website. They don't have a huge selection, but only carry a small array as more of a courtesy. Now I'm thinking I might have to hunt down a set of Power Slinkys (110/90/75/55), as i usually like em a little beefier ... especially the D & G Thanks for triggering that idea!

In regards to @CB3UK asking about a pick vs fingers... these days with the band I play with a pick pretty exclusively, and that was what I was 'bassing' my prior comments on. Often at home when I'm just noodling I'll play fingerstyle, and I'm actually wowed even more regarding the cobalts clarity (mainly why i picked up a pick to begin with, i felt a lot of my notes were being lost in the band mix of some recordings. Now i may go back to fingers as we write new songs.)

I think I finally found 'my strings'
(Still looking forward to trying the heavier Power gauge. At worst, I'm sticking with the Supers for the unforseen future )

The jump from Super to Power Slinkies would be dramatic. If what you are interested in is the bigger D and G strings I'd start with Regular Slinky 50-70-85-105 and see how those suit you. Unless you detune a lot I don't see any reason to go beyond a .105 E.

 

[catcauphonic]

The jump from Super to Power Slinkies would be dramatic. If what you are interested in is the bigger D and G strings I'd start with Regular Slinky 50-70-85-105 and see how those suit you. Unless you detune a lot I don't see any reason to go beyond a .105 E.

I see what you're saying. I don't detune, but im still using a nut cut to fit BEAD (which I tried 2-3 years ago), and haven't had any issues. I best first confirm what I have on, & research from there. I do like a thick string... not a lot of note bending in my style

 

[JGR]

I’m still enjoying my Cobalts as well - I wish the initial zing lasted longer, but I still dig the tone when they have settled in so it works out. Regarding tension, I find them to be some of the stiffest strings I’ve tried, even a bit more than SS Low Riders. So YMMV. I’m running a fairly balanced set, tuned half step down - 135 100 75 55 40

 

[jwilson67]

I’m still enjoying my Cobalts as well - I wish the initial zing lasted longer, but I still dig the tone when they have settled in so it works out. Regarding tension, I find them to be some of the stiffest strings I’ve tried, even a bit more than SS Low Riders. So YMMV. I’m running a fairly balanced set, tuned half step down - 135 100 75 55 40

I guess it just comes down to the fact that I like strings with high tension in general. I really dig in when I play - especially live so I like a string that isn't going to buckle under my fingers. Also, I like that action can be set lower with higher tension sets.

 

[bassist4dalord]

Considering a 55-110 set of these for my Schecter to tune D Standard. I’m concerned, though- my Schecter has two humbucker and it’s pretty “hot”. I’m worried that the Cobalt Rounds might be too much with this bass.

Thoughts?