Official Luthiers Forum!

I went to my local music store for some strings and things a while back and they only had one pack of my regular strings left, Ernie Ball Slinky's....which I been using forever... and love btw
I change my strings alot (I play alot) so I was a bit pissed - my buddy who worked there suggested I grab a pack of Ernie Ball Cobalts - I looked at them and saw they were much more expensive comparatively. So I asked him why and he said they are designed to pickup alot more of the sound of the strings, by the pu's, because of the composition of the strings ..... having a high cobalt content???
Now Ive heard alot of claims about this and that product (in the world of strings) having revolutionary new aspect to enhance the sound of your guitar, Ive tried many - most are bs and some make your guitar sound worse than before so I was skeptical... but bought them anyway...
I put them on yesterday and Holy @#$%^& they really do have a huge impact tonally - it enhances the mids and highs and really cuts through... and also makes it sound much fatter at the same time.... in fact its hard to explain, just try them and see..
I could just imagine it would work really well in many recording situations where you are trying to make a guitar cut through a mix but have a hell of a time doing it with vol treb pan compression etc
There is so much more attraction of the strings by the pu's that I could see having to actually having to adjust the (bridge)string height on guitars with super low action.... so be mindful of this if you try them...
Just a heads up for my buds at the OLF - I could see these strings on an amplified electric really making a huge impact on test drivers of amplified electrics at guitar shows - and could make a builder stand out in the minds of potential buyers... thats how much extra these strings impact the sound of a guitar.... every little bit helps in this biz!
Cheers
Charliewood

I've heard nothing but good things about the Cobalt strings, and a lot of people have had the same experience as you. I don't play nearly as much as I used to, and always used elixir strings so they last a while. But this next time I will be getting cobalts

I've tried many brands but always go back to Fender (regular, not those bullet things).
I used to use Fender stainless steel but cannot find them locally.
I have never liked Ernie Ball, but I'll give these Cobalt suckers a try.
Thanks for the recommendation.
DZ

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Wah-wah-wah-wah
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I have found the Cobalt wound strings to be incredibly flexible... don't know if that is for all Slinky's or just the Cobalts. The core of the wound strings must be very small. First set I installed, the A string broke at the bend at the locking tuner post... this left me with the impression that they will break easy.

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David Radlin
http://www.facebook.com/radlin.guitars

@dradlin> Im not using a locking trem but they have held up to some serious string bending so far...

At first post I hadn't played these strings a whole heck of a lot, however, I have played a couple/few hours now ...
and while I stand by the fact that they seriously affect tone in a very tangible way Im just not sure they are going to be my regular string...
They are just a little "tinny" to my ear with my gear and with my playing style.... I play electric guitar with my thumb and forefingers..in a rock and roll vein ....
I went to the Ernie Ball site and they did divulge this on thier cobalt feedback page
"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."

I could tell something was different with the tension but it was a good feel to my estimation.... you can really wail with these strings thats for sure .... Anyway I could see using these strings as a tool in certain situations - for people who play clean - have a darker sounding instrument or just want better articulation out of thier strings these might be the ticket - only trying them will let you know whether they will work for you or not..... but I started this post saying "I play EB Slinky's and love em" - mabye I just love my tone too much to change at the moment - mabye Im just too lazy to dial in my rather complicated amp to adjust for the brightness punch of these strings.. but I will stick w/reg slinks for now... Fillipo was right in thinking I might not love them after a while...
Cheers
Charliewood

Son of a...Now you tell me? I bought 10 sets based on your glowing review!!!


Just kidding. I don't play electric much. When I do, I just chip the rust off of my old strings and play.

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

I put a set on my first build when I finished it. I thought they sounded great, but the feel on my playing hand seemed different... Maybe kind of rough? I don't play anywhere near as much as I used to, so my callouses aren't what they used to be, that could have something to do with it. But the tone was there, for sure. Harmonics were so nice, and plugged in she sounded beautiful. But I couldn't get used to the feel. So I swapped out for my usual boomers.

I always figured some solid iron strings would give you a good output boost, being completely ferrous and all, but they'd probably start slicing into your fingers about ten minutes after you put them on!

Don't know what to say about cobolt strings, but cobolt drills and end mills are known primarily for their toughness (ability to do interrupted cuts and bend during a cut without breaking).

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services