I ordered a 5 string set for my fretless. Along with new Bartolini preamp, SGD Lutherie pickup this is gonna be a very sweet setup.
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New Cobalt Strings
- Thread starter bweyland
- Start date
Be sure your fretboard is tough enough to handle these. If mmbongo is to be believed, these strings are quite rough on a 'board. However, I have not had any fretwear on my Squier Mike Dirnt which has been wearing Cobalts for the past 2 months.
Also, that sounds like a killer combo. Post soundclips when its all together!
It's an Ebonol board, quite up to the task. My other fretless is a Clement with a Diamondwood(Dymondwood) board but Ernie Ball hates 6 string bass players.
I just put a .045-.105 set on my Reverend Rumblefish, and it's sounding even more massive and thunderous than usual. They feel a tad rougher than nickels, but it's not an issue. Nice strings.
Forgot to mention that the Cobalts do not seem to age. Even though I have treated them horribly and they are starting to show some rust, they still sound just as good as day 1. I think I am now a convert.
I dunno, I've noticed a small difference in tone over just the first few days. If they stabilize at this level, I will be happy.
BTW, cobalt is a very hard element. Years ago, I worked in a foundry that made hard facing rods (it's what they coat railroad tracks with to make them last longer than plain steel). Cobalt was a primary ingredient.
BTW, cobalt is a very hard element. Years ago, I worked in a foundry that made hard facing rods (it's what they coat railroad tracks with to make them last longer than plain steel). Cobalt was a primary ingredient.
One of our guitar players put a set of Cobalt strings on his guitar - we really like the sound. Seems like something to try for the bass.
It will be interesting to see how they sound over time. That is one advantage of the Elixirs - they last a looooong time.
It will be interesting to see how they sound over time. That is one advantage of the Elixirs - they last a looooong time.
haha i'd consider rust a sign of age. like i said earlier, these seem to rust faster than the nickel ones, and after the rust formed it seemed to dull the sound a bit but they sounded pretty good after boiling them. i don't feel like i should have to boil them after only one gig though, so i think i'm gunna stick with nickels for gigs and these for recording
Just got my 2733 set(45, 65, 85, 105). Really liked the sound and feel. Then fine tuned at the 12th fret, pushed and pended d-string at the bridge saddle a little(Gotoh 206). .=BROKEN d-string!
(And those bridge saddles are not sharp at all, handled any other string brands(mainly DR)
very well) And I never broke strings! Never. So looks like cobalts won´t last long. And tried to bend those cutted extra bits, 5x up/down broked. And when you google a bit you find that I´m not the only one!...... Contacted Ernie Ball and asked for new d-string, we´ll see what happens.
(And those bridge saddles are not sharp at all, handled any other string brands(mainly DR)very well) And I never broke strings! Never. So looks like cobalts won´t last long. And tried to bend those cutted extra bits, 5x up/down broked. And when you google a bit you find that I´m not the only one!...... Contacted Ernie Ball and asked for new d-string, we´ll see what happens.
Got the strings on, haven't installed the pickup and preamp yet. Gonna be dropping the stuff off at a tech I think to do the install.
I've put three sets on my basses. I'm a guy who loves his flats...that's all I had on my basses. I'm a total believer in these...all three basses have such a better sound. Loud, punchy and clear. It's like it lifted a layer of mud off of the bass. The best part, they don't buzz like most round wounds...they fret well and just sound great. Time will tell on how long they last.
Been using Cobalts sense February and could not be happier. Have them on 2 Laklands now and will be putting them on the rest.
Had Cobalts on my VM jazz for a short while. Took them off due to them being too rough for my tastes and the fact that the E string made a wierd noise when open, can't really describe it :/ plus, the G broke 2 weeks in and the tension was too much, as i got a 55-110 set
Just put on my first set. So far love them, loud, punchy, thumpers delight! Super clear, good low mids, nice sizzle. Dark spots on strings come quickly, but still zingy. Suggest you wipe them off after use to avoid this. My previous favs, DR LOW RIDER stainless, and MTD stainless.
Tried them on my 5 string. I'm a new convert. I had to adjust my compressor setting a little, these strings are loud!
=P
=P
I just put a set of 45-100 on my 72 PBass. Anxious to dig in and really play these. They seem to be good strings from all the threads here.
I put these on and well i liked the feel and the notes above the 12th fret sustain and are clear as a bell. I had Sunbeams on, so I'll give these a shot and see where it goes. 
Played my first full gig with these. They are good strings, but I do prefer my DR's as far as tone. I'll leave them on, but I don't think I'll purchase again.
