Cobalts are for real

[stingray_guy]

What's the expected lifespan of the cobalts, and what gauges are they avaliable in? I play Rotosound Funkmaster 30-90s (I love light gauge strings on a Ray), the gauges are brilliant for me and if they do them in these gauges Ill pick some up at the bass show next week, the only problem I have with the Rotos are they last probably a month, if that, before they die out. Would love to get some light gauged strings with a better lifespan!

 

[Gravesend Black]

Ernie Ball | Bass Strings[501]=4983


I used some of rotosound strings a few years ago and was not really satisfied - they are dying to fast. The cobalts should fit you if you're looking for die hard strings)

 

[stingray_guy]

Ahh no light guage still I suppose it isn't too bad, I've gotten quite in with my local music store as I go in and buy a set every month or two, they sell them to me at £15 a set so who am I to complain. Wouldve been nice to try these Cobalts, but it seems that EB don't make any light gauge strings that I can see of

 

[guitvai1]

I might be the only one who didn't like the Cobalts. Yes they last a long time but I found my guitars distorting too much with them, especially my strat. They have a certain tone that I just didn't like. Back to slinky's for me.

 

[Gravesend Black]

We are actually in the Bass forum section so we are discussing bass cobalts by default. Did not the use guitar ones but want to buy it for my wife.

 

[keko]

For bass Cobalts seems to me perfect so far, ...but real review I could write after a first gig in March!

 

[danny-79]

Hi all! not been about the forum much lately, don't get that much computer time these days.
Got a set of Cobolts (orange) last week with the intention of putting them on my Buttercreme Stingray, but still havent killed the set of EB Coated that are on there an been on there for .... 12months and still going strong, i love the Coated !
So the Cobolts have ended up on my other, other bass and sound great! will report back when got a set on a Stingray! but still giving thanks for BP's last string inovation of the Coated sets!

 

[kamakazee]

My set of Cobalts have just now died in tone... but I've had them at least twice as long as a set of regular Slinkes. In love with the tone of the PDN Bongo. I'm sticking with Cobalts - they're worth it.

 

[keko]

kamkazee,

glad to hear this!

 

[JayDawg]

I had to go to Denver today for my sons annual cardiology appointment. On the way back, we stopped at Guitar Center and I bought some Cobalt's for me and the Super Slinky's for his Sterling by Music Man Sub Silo 3 guitar that we got him for Christmas. I'm going to use the Cobalt's on my Stingray Classic Breast Cancer Awareness bass first to see how they sound on it. Since it has a lower volume output than my Bongo's do, I figured the Cobalt's would be a good test for it to see how much they will boost the sound volume on it.

 

[kamakazee]

They add quite a bit of boost! I had to dial back the gain on my amp and re-tweak my Sansamp Bass Driver and MXR Bass Envelope Filter - not that it's a bad thing. I'm about to order another set

 

[Bass Control]

My set of Cobalts have just now died in tone... but I've had them at least twice as long as a set of regular Slinkes. In love with the tone of the PDN Bongo. I'm sticking with Cobalts - they're worth it.

When did you put the Cobalts on your PDN Bongo? Just looking for a gauge of lifetime again. I was extremely impressed with them on my former BFR Reflex and I'm hoping they will sound killer on my PDN Bongo.

 

[kamakazee]

I put them on not too long after the PDN Bongo came in, around late October. 4 months isn't too bad, considering I play 2 church services a week and practice almost every day. I usually get 6-8 weeks out of a set of regular Slinkies.

 

[madbassplaya]

How do these strings feel balance wise?

 

[keko]

How do these strings feel balance wise?

Define "balance wise"?

 

[madbassplaya]

Define "balance wise"?

String to string. Generally the A and D strings are tighter in tension than the others in standard sets while the B is much lower than the other 4.

 

[backagain1]

String to string. Generally the A and D strings are tighter in tension than the others in standard sets while the B is much lower than the other 4.

They seem balanced to me.

 

[keko]

String to string. Generally the A and D strings are tighter in tension than the others in standard sets while the B is much lower than the other 4.

I see, ...well, ...in that case my answer is:

Cobalts are better balance wise than a regular set of slinkys, ...or should I say G E and B seems to me tighter, ...whole Cobalt set got higher tension, ...I had to turn a truss rod about 1/8 clockwise, after a regular set which was used before!

 

[lefenton]

So...just threw a set of regular slinky cobalts on my PDN Roasted Bongo 4HH.

Holy Crap!!! The guitarist even commented last night that the bass was putting out some freakish sub tones.

I am really in tonal heaven with these strings. I hear you on the higher tension too Keko. I notice it especially on the D and G strings.

 

[s4001]

I put them on my (^^other bass made in California) last year and they're still gig worthy. Great full toned strings. My Ray is new, so when the strings on it die, I'll be trying the cobalts on it, too.