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Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky?????

#21
I've tried them twice. First time I hated them and then gave them another shot on my SR5 when I saw a 5 string pack. Still dislike the feel and sound. It's like someone turned up the treble control on an active bass. I'm going back to regular Slinkys.
 
#22
I think Slinkys always sound good on EBMM basses, but their longevity is **** in my experience. Once the Cobalts are done on my two SR5's I'll either go back to Slinkys or maybe try DR's on them.
 
#23
I tried them on my stingray, I loved the tone. Very harmonically rich. Good tension and good string to string consistency. The wear/ longevity is something that will prevent me from buying them again. The freaking oxidized like crazy, the shiny metal goes dull fast, tone doesn't change but the outer surface gets rough. I have played NOS vintage steels before and I think "cobalts" is another try of the old school guitar strings metallurgically speaking . If i played out more and changed strings ever 2 weeks or less then I could imagine using these. They are extremely high performance with a very short lifespan...not to different from other slinky strings.
 
#27
The more I think about it, the more I realize that the slinkys on my SR5 are fine. They add a lot to the tone of the bass. Plus, I would feel like a schmuck paying that much for a set that will last as long as my $20.00 5 string slinkys. I have a surplus of my main brand of strings (La Bella Hard Rockin' Steels ) that I really like on my American Deluxe Jazz 5. I want to know how my SR5 would sound with them. I just thought that since my bass came with the Slinkys and sounded great, that I would just continue using the Slinkys. So, the more I think about it the more I remember the old saying...."If it ain't broke, don't fix it).
 
#28
I tried wiping my strings down with goo gone, didn't help the oxidation. maybe next time goof off the strong stuff. Sound wise Im sure they will come back but the string feel and oxidation i think one would have to find a way to polish the strings without leaving gunk all up in the windings. I will try, got nothing to lose.
 
#29
Best sounding strings I've ever tried, but with every set I've had, I've broken a string. To EB's credit, they did send me a new set after I complained, but after a few hours on the new set, again, a broken string.

I've been playing bass for 30 years now (off and on) and I only recall breaking one or two strings in that time.

Also, the strings are breaking near the middle of the length of the string so it seems to not be an issue with my basses.

Anyone else have these break?
 

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