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New EB Cobalt Strings

Well I have had my set on for about a week now. I'm still not sure how I feel.
I play in a cover band, so with certain songs we play.... They ROCK!! Other songs the seem a little bright for me. They only have maybe 15 hours on them, so maybe they will break-in a little bit. As far as me playing by myself, I like them. The tension is a little more than most rounds. Not bad though. Plus we play half step down most of the time so suits me fine.
I don't know if these are game changers, but give them a try.
I did mess round with some maiden tunes the other night and they sounded good when you dig in a little. If your into that kind of thing.
 
^ +1. Totally agree, the first set I put on (45-100) on the old Washburn w/ '62 fender pups were a little bright for my taste. Liking the tone with the 50-105 set on my Am standard jazz much better. They are good strings no question, but I'm not completely sold just yet. Still like my roto's and I could really go either way. There's definitely lesser strings out there and again I agree, well worth a try for anyone. If you want I bright tone I'd say they might be the string for you.
 
Just put a set (45-100) on my jazz. I just played them for about 2 hours so I'm only sharing my first impression. The last set of rounds on my jazz were DR stainless steel lo-riders and for the last week or so I had my trusty old chromes back on it.

First, they are a noticeably rougher to the touch than the DR's but the DR's were pretty rough at first too. I'll be interested to see if that rough, almost stickiness, fades like the DR's did. I hope so anyway. When I plugged in I did notice an increased output. They also sound "bigger" than other rounds. I would characterize the tone so far as a cross between nickel and stainless rounds. There seems to be the high-mids and harmonic characteristics of nickels but with the bottom and top end of stainless. I'm certainly not sold on them yet. I'll have to let them break in some and will hopefully get to test them out in a band setting this week. I'll post again when I have a verdict.
 
I replaced other EB rounds with these on my Telecaster custom bass (which has bass-aplenty). Do have both more bottom end and top end when called for. But, not surprisingly, the difference is subtle. I will be staying with flats for most of my basses, but these are better across the spectrum than other rounds I have tried. And they offer good value.
 
I just installed a set of Cobalt Hybrid Slinky's: .045 .065 .085 .105 on my Spector U.S.A Forte with a US Haz Preamp (EMG P/J Pickups)
For those who aren’t 100% familiar with Spector models this is basically a USA NS-2 without the inlays.

I have a Nickel Allergy so I have only used Stainless Steel strings over the past year. I have tried just about every Stainless Steel string around. I always settle back to DR HiBeams.

I confirmed with Ernie Ball that there was no Nickel in these strings so I ordered a set from Bassstringsonline.com (great price by the way)


Here are my initial feelings.

The Cobalts are crisp and bright.
The Cobalts have very clear low end.
The Cobalts have a bit less lower midrange (but it may just be less muddy)
The Cobalts have tons of sustain.
The Cobalts seemed to have a bit more output.
The Cobalt tension is bit tighter then HiBeams but not as tight as LoRiders.
The Cobalts feel really smooth and balanced.

If you are moving from Nickel to Cobalts they may take a while for you to get accustomed to.

Here are the sound clips for you to listen.
Everything was set identical for both the Cobalt and HiBeams recording.


DIRECT RECORDINGS

Spector USA Forte w/ Haz Preamp Direct into Protools no EQ. (Bass at 70% Treble at 50%)
Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalts .045 .065 .085 .105
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Spector USA Forte w/ Haz Preamp Direct into Protools no EQ. (Bass at 70% Treble at 50%)
DR Hi Beams .045 .065 .085 .105 (still fairly new)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]



GK MB200 w/2X10 Cab Mic'd

Spector USA Forte w/ Haz Preamp GK MB200 2x10 Cab Mic'd into Protools no EQ. (Bass at 70% Treble at 50%) AMP set (Treble 12'oclock Bass 12'oclock, Lo-Mid 2'oclock Hi-Mid 2'oclock)
Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalts .045 .065 .085 .105
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


Spector USA Forte w/ Haz Preamp GK MB200 2x10 Cab Mic'd into Protools no EQ. (Bass at 70% Treble at 50%) AMP set (Treble 12'oclock Bass 12'oclock, Lo-Mid 2'oclock Hi-Mid 2'oclock)
DR Hi Beams .045 .065 .085 .105 (still fairly new)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I just installed a set of Cobalt Hybrid Slinky's: .045 .065 .085 .105 on my Spector U.S.A Forte with a US Haz Preamp (EMG P/J Pickups)
For those who aren’t 100% familiar with Spector models this is basically a USA NS-2 without the inlays.

I have a Nickel Allergy so I have only used Stainless Steel strings over the past year. I have tried just about every Stainless Steel string around. I always settle back to DR HiBeams.

I confirmed with Ernie Ball that there was no Nickel in these strings so I ordered a set from Bassstringsonline.com (great price by the way)


Here are my initial feelings.

The Cobalts are crisp and bright.
The Cobalts have very clear low end.
The Cobalts have a bit less lower midrange (but it may just be less muddy)
The Cobalts have tons of sustain.
The Cobalts seemed to have a bit more output.
The Cobalt tension is bit tighter then HiBeams but not as tight as LoRiders.
The Cobalts feel really smooth and balanced.

If you are moving from Nickel to Cobalts they may take a while for you to get accustomed to.

Here are the sound clips for you to listen.
Everything was set identical for both the Cobalt and HiBeams recording.


DIRECT RECORDINGS

Spector USA Forte w/ Haz Preamp Direct into Protools no EQ. (Bass at 70% Treble at 50%)
Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalts .045 .065 .085 .105
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Spector USA Forte w/ Haz Preamp Direct into Protools no EQ. (Bass at 70% Treble at 50%)
DR Hi Beams .045 .065 .085 .105 (still fairly new)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]



GK MB200 w/2X10 Cab Mic'd

Spector USA Forte w/ Haz Preamp GK MB200 2x10 Cab Mic'd into Protools no EQ. (Bass at 70% Treble at 50%) AMP set (Treble 12'oclock Bass 12'oclock, Lo-Mid 2'oclock Hi-Mid 2'oclock)
Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalts .045 .065 .085 .105
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


Spector USA Forte w/ Haz Preamp GK MB200 2x10 Cab Mic'd into Protools no EQ. (Bass at 70% Treble at 50%) AMP set (Treble 12'oclock Bass 12'oclock, Lo-Mid 2'oclock Hi-Mid 2'oclock)
DR Hi Beams .045 .065 .085 .105 (still fairly new)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Nice demo! It seems like the EB Cobalts were a little louder.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Has anyone here tried these on a 35" scale bass yet?

I know LimaGuy did his tests on a Forte so that would be 34".

I'd assume the length on these is the same as any othert EB bass string but I'm not sure if any of those fit 35".
 
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bunkaroo said:
I hope they start selling singles. I'd love to pair the 130 with a 45-105 set on my Euro 5.

Can't wait to try these this weekend - my two sets are coming today from BassStringsOnline.

Guitar singles sometime in April. So probably bass too.

I can assist you with this if you need before actual singles are released. Always like a project :)
 

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