Ernie Ball cobalt strings AKA ernie ball razor blades

[Iamthelampshade]

I usually play with ernie ball's or rotosounds, So when they cobalt strings came out I tried out a new pair. They were great until they went dead after a month and shredded my plucking fingers. has this happened to anyone else?

 

[Gorn]

Nope. I found them to be smoother and easier on the fingertips than most strings and they stayed bright for a long time.

 

[bobalu]

Nope. I found them to be smoother and easier on the fingertips than most strings and they stayed bright for a long time.

This has been my experience as well. I have a Super Slinky set on my Am. Deluxe P pass and have not noticed any change in tone over 2 months now (played daily at home, band practice once a week). A bit "sticky" feeling on the fingers out of the package, but that went away after a few days of playing. IMO, they have a note clarity unlike anything I've played to date.

 

[mmbongo]

I'm with the OP, roughest strings I've ever used and I could literally watch my frets being eaten away while playing!

 

[smeet]

I like them a lot so far. Very very focused and the B string is really good, very tight and defined Sounding.

They don't hurt my fingers at all. Sounds like an allergy or something.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Yeah I hated the feel. Very much.

 

[photogdude]

I'm with the OP, I too usually use ebmm slinkys or roto's, both of which feel fine to my fingers, but i tried cobalts, and it was like sandpaper to my fingers.

 

[SamJ]

I'm mixed on them, not sure they last any longer than other steels' tho.. at least for me and my very picky idea of what "last" means.

 

[iiipopes]

Cobalt is harder than nickel or iron. That will make them eat frets. That's why I will not try them.

 

[JustForSport]

I don't know if it's due to the tempering or not, but
Cobalt bits are used to cut and drill stainless steel because it cuts better and lasts longer than high-speed steel (tempered) bits.
Nickel/ nickel-silver is a lot softer than either of those.