Wade's experience with Cobalt strings

[edhalen]

I have a question - maybe BP can answer this - was there any testing done to determine fret wear over time using the Cobalts as compared to a regular set of slinky's? I understand Cobalt is a harder metal that what is used in regular slinky's.

thanks

 

[Big Poppa]

no noticable difference

 

[Jamie M]

I fitted my first set of Cobalts over the weekend and i have to say they are great. They sustain really well and you can just tell they can handle some abuse.

 

[axeman570]

I threw a set of cobalt 9's on one of my les pauls....at a low volume I liked them....but when I was at a rehearsal and my amp had a chance to open up I didnt care for them....they were a bit too brite...and even though they have not been played much they my fingers seemed to drag on them more so than on my normal strings...slinkys or daddario xls....not for me

 

[livewire78602]

Strings will not work with EVH Wolfgang Floyd rose D,tuner

when using the D tuner, I found out the Low E string will not go down to perfect tune as it will be to sharp. Probably cause made of cobalt. Thought the guitar was broke or something and found this out when I was going to use it for a live show. Put regular stings such as GHS, or EVH etc. back on guitar and the D- tuner worked great again. So cobalts probably good for other guitars but not for EVH Floyd D,tuner. Sounded good on my Music Man JP BFR. I did notice as previous post that my fingers were dragging more on them like when sliding on fretboard etc. Felt more like Steel round wound strings especially the low strings.

 

[JMD]

I finally played the Cobalts at a gig last week - using my morse std. The tone was awesome. they feel great too. The only downside is they chew my picks up lick crazy - Picks lasted 1-2 songs before starting to get hung up. No big deal really - I buy my picks in bulk so they cost about 30cents a piece. I'll keep using 'em on account of my impression of improved tone.

 

[beefyslinky]

I gave my friend a pack of Cobalts to use on his EMG pickups and he didn't like them either. I play with passive pickups and my tone I get with the Cobalts is perfect for me.

 

[1ChicagoDave]

I agree with main post. I've only been playing for about 7 months (total). The guys set me up with Cobalts when I bought my SG, so I just kept with them over the months & through a few string changes. I decided to play around with some different strings & just put on a set of Regular Slinky 10s. I have to say...so far, I'm much happier. I usually play pretty clean, without distortion or effects. I just love the warmer tone of these nickel strings. Also, something that always sort if annoyed me....disappeared. The fret buzz that was mentioned earlier. My high E string would buzz like crazy after a few days. And my 1 & 2 strings were so bright, they would always overpower everything else — my G, DSus, & Cadd9 chords all pretty much sounded the same....all I'd hear was that super bright high G ringing out (and usually buzzing). And anything above the 12 fret on strings 1 & 2 sounded way more 'electric' than 'guitar'. Did I just bend my string....or step on a cat?

Again, I don't have a lot of experience. But, almost all of it has been with the Cobalt. I'm excited to give the Nickels a good run over the next few changes. These nickel strings just seem to match that "tone in my head" a lot more than the cobalt. Also, any slight bends or things tend to actually sound good with the nickel strings....(character?)....instead of like I did something wrong.
I'll update if I notice any other major differences over the next few days or so.

Am I needing out way too much, or does somebody here know? ...could these major differences have to do with Magnetostriction? (How metals react to magnetic fields and tension. Also, the thing that makes high power lines buzz.) Cobalt exhibits the largest room temperature magnetostriction of a pure element at 60 microstrains. Yet, Nickel actually has a negative Magnetostriction. Just a theory.

Thanks!

 

[DrKev]

Hi Dave and welcome to the forum!

Magnetostriction has practically zero effect on guitar strings or their vibrations. There is virtually no remagnetisation taking place at any time and magnetostriction is also a very tiny effect (1 microstrain is a 1 part per million deformation). The Cobalt strings use an iron-cobalt alloy which have much smaller magnetostrictive properties. (Yes, I'm not just a moderator, I'm an ex-physicist).

The plain strings in a Cobalt pack are identical to the plain strings in the Nickel Slinky pack (or any pack of Ernie Ball strings), tin-plated high-carbon steel). The Cobalt alloy is used only for the winding of the wound strings. But even though they are the same strings, I found the plain strings seemed warmer and quieter in a Cobalt set because they are in the context of brighter and louder wound strings. That you thought they were brighter and overpowering is interesting!

I loved the feel of Cobalts, but like you I also prefer the tone of nickel-plated Slinkys. Guitar tone is like cooking - lots of ingredients: woods, pick and fingers, pickups, effects, amplifier and speaker. Cobalts are a new flavour to the mix. You have to try it to see if suits your recipe. That's strings for ya, it's a personal voyage. Find what you like, there is no right or wrong.

 

[Tollywood]

Guitar tone is like cooking - lots of ingredients: woods, pick and fingers, pickups, effects, amplifier and speaker. Cobalts are a new flavour to the mix. You have to try it to see if suits your recipe. That's strings for ya, it's a personal voyage. Find what you like, there is no right or wrong.

Dr.Kev, I enjoyed your cooking anology.

 

[beej]

Dr.Kev, I enjoyed your cooking anology.

He's not just a moderator and an ex-physicist ... he's a gourmet to boot.

 

[Tollywood]

He's not just a moderator and an ex-physicist ... he's a gourmet to boot.

I'll never measure up to that guy. A real Renaissance Man.

 

[dwells]

Best strings i have Ever used and ill never go back to normal slinkies, i have so many friends using them in australia, out of about 20 people i know who have tried them i think maybe 2 guys didnt like them at first but they eventually loved them.
i work in a studio every day for my work and the cobalts just sound better on every Guitar i have tried them on, even clients i ask to try them and they have loved them, but you cant please everyone hey

 

[AC15]

I use super slinkys, on my LP, then tried the Cobalts. I love the tone, but the fret buzz on the low E and A is a problem ( sitar land?) I tried adjusting the action, but not much improvement. I then replaced the E and A with Super Slinkys, and lowered the action back, and the fret buzz is gone? The gauges are the same, what is causing this? Could I have a bad set?
Any ideas?

 

[DrKev]

The tension on the wound strings is slightly lower than normal slinkys. You may need to loosen your truss rod a touch as a result.

 

[AC15]

Didn't know that, I'll give it a try.
Thanks!

 

[DrKev]

Any time!

With less string tension the neck will be a little straighter and a little extra buzzing may occur, particularly on the lower frets i.e. toward the nut. (BTW, If you have fret buzz on the highest frets, truss rod will have no effect and you'll need to raise the action).

Personally, a little fret buzz is of no consequence provided it's not intrusive when playing with a clean tone.

 

[Cliffsullins]

I just put a set of Cobalt strings on my Stratocaster. Madre De Dios! These are the most unusual strings I have used in ages. They are crisp clean and ring forever. I love these strings. But I have put them through their paces. With two different amps and settings, these strings ring true to my ears and have found a new fan. Now to try the bass strings. Wonder if there'll be acoustic Cobalts.
I like the feel and consistency. I have used EB since the 70s. In fact when(if) they are still in Costa Mesa, CA, I could see the Co. building from my friend's apt porch. But I worked for Leo Fender, before Ernie took over Music Man brands. Still great guitars, but I miss Leo.

 

[imastratoholic]

Hmm, I haven't tried the cobalts yet. Currently using eb slinky 9's. Maybe next string change I'll grab a set.

 

[Corrosion]

Hey,
Could anyone tell me about the life of regular bass Cobalts last compared to slinkys? I Play for sometimes 4 hours a day with quite an aggressive attack with a pick, fingers and slap.
Slinkys are pretty much dead for me after about a month.