Rust and Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwounds

[Soltao]

I love flatwounds and I play rock in a band… in a tropical country. I was more than happy when I discovered the EB Slinky because of the bright sound and the softer feeling (compared to rounds, because the slinky are not the softest flats). I play mostly a P bass or a 4001 rickenbacker in that band and last year after a gig by the seashore, I kept the 4001 in the case and two days later the strings were rusted. I first thought it was my fault because I had maybe forgotten to clean the strings as I use to do. So back to rounds again for the Rick’. Last week I went for the Slinky flats again but with the Pbass. We had a gig in the tempered part of the country so I wasn’t too worry. End of gig, I cleaned the strings and back to the case. Two days later, same results… rusty strings! It never happened with fender flats nor Labella’s… Or even with rounds, is it because of the cobalt? Other people (maybe from Florida, USA) with the same issue with these EB flats?

I was a little bit upset that time, the strings had less than a week, so I put them off and I cleaned them with contact cleaner. 95% of the rust is gone but I don’t feel like play them again live without a backup bass. We’ll see at the rehearsal this week end!
Lesson learned, as soon as I get home after a gig, new cleaning and then the bass sleeps on a stand!

Regards,

 

[Benny4P]

Had the same experience with cobalt flats.. and rounds... Rust all over after just a few weeks. Off they went

 

[Yahboy]

Cobalt flat need lot of care and love . Unlike others stainless steel or nickel flat , she scare sweaty hand , sensitive to environment, dust and outdoor weather. Avoid apply fried chicken or nose grease.

My fragile set of EB 2814 already aged 19 months old from the day i install it (Dec 2020) on my Cort GB74JJ leter move to current Bacchus jazz bass. Still sound healthy-meaty-juicy-growl, the E string still ring clear and tight . The only maintenance i need to do is polish the string surface with nail polish block once i found brownish stain appear.

 

[68Goldfish]

Luckily I've not experienced this. I live and gig in the Pacific Northwest, ocean all around me and so far no problems. I love these strings. Only thing I don't like is they do get sticky to me but I find if I wash my hands between sets they don't get so sticky.

 

[One Way]

The EB Cobalt Flats on my P Bass are about one year old with no rust issues. Indoor and outdoor playing. I applied GHS Fast Fret the day I installed them and reapply every once in a while as needed to maintain a slick feeling when sliding my fretting fingers along the strings.