Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: XxpapertigerxX on February 09, 2012, 05:30:41 PM

Title: Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings
Post by: XxpapertigerxX on February 09, 2012, 05:30:41 PM

It seems these are Ernie Ball's newest strings. Here's what they say about them:

Engineered to maximize output and clarity, Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky Guitar Strings are the latest innovation in string technology. Seeking to provide guitarists and bassists with a new voice, Cobalt strings provide an extended dynamic range, incredible harmonic response, increased low end, and crisp, clear highs.

Cobalt provides a stronger magnetic relationship between pickups and strings than any other alloy previously available. Cobalt Slinkys are also soft and silky to the touch, making string bending a breeze.


What do you guys think? Snake oil, or might they be on to something here?

Title: Re: Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings
Post by: gordiji on February 09, 2012, 08:41:00 PM

how much are they? i found no difference when i tried stainless steel so i'd be suspicious.

Title: Re: Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings
Post by: XxpapertigerxX on February 10, 2012, 01:56:56 AM

They list at $17.00, compared to their regular nickel strings at $8.50, but most retailers sell them for quite a bit less. Sorry it's in dollars (I'm from the U.S.), but it should give you the idea.

Title: Re: Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings
Post by: gordiji on February 10, 2012, 04:39:45 PM

i'm open to the idea that different materials like cobalt can have a positive effect on tone.strings are so fundamental for good tone and old strings or tarnished strings kill it. i'll change strings (home player) every 6 weeks or so but i rotate about 4 guitars, when i gigged it was every 2 or 3 weeks.
they don't seem phenomenally expensive though.

Title: Re: Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings
Post by: XxpapertigerxX on February 10, 2012, 10:07:01 PM

Yeah the price isn't too bad, but Elixirs are the same price and those last so much longer. Actually these cobalt strings are supposed to last longer than nickel strings as well, so if the even last even 1.5 times longer I might consider them worth it. But really it's all about the tone, right? If they really do sound that much better, then I don't care so much if they last all that much longer than normal strings.

All that said, I'm due for a string change, so it's a perfect time to give them a go

Title: Re: Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings
Post by: JDC on February 29, 2012, 11:44:29 PM

Thread resurrection!!!

Anyone have a clue how much harder these cobalt strings are compared to normal ones, ie do they eat through frets like stainless steel strings?

Saw this video which sparked my interest due to the proposed increase in definition and volume

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxyW5osj2IE

Title: Re: Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings
Post by: Alex on March 02, 2012, 11:18:17 AM

I'd be sceptical, because in that marketing video the claimes they make are just way over the top!  :? I've experimented with many different string makes in the past and found that basically the normal strings we use 99% of the time are really all you need.

Title: Re: Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings
Post by: JDC on March 02, 2012, 08:04:58 PM

True it is some nice marketing, especially with the artist videos but still interested in them as it appears to be more than "hi, we got new string made by pixies" or maybe I'm falling for it

Title: Re: Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings
Post by: Stevepage on March 02, 2012, 08:17:18 PM

I haven't tried these yet however £10 for a set of strings is a bit too much money. The only time I'll spend more money on strings is for the Ernie Ball Reinforced Plain Steels because they DO hold their tuning better when using a tremolo.

However, if you have a good quality guitar and amp you don't need to bother with what I call 'gimmick' strings. I'm more than happy to use a pack of £2.99 Legacy Strings which sound just like D'addarios, they don't break and you get an extra B and E string. They're cheap because they're made in the UK and have straight forward packaging unlike D'addarios etc

In regards to Stainless Steel strings, I found that they tightened up the low end a touch and did last a little longer but not enough to warrant changing from the regular stuff I get.

Title: Re: Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings
Post by: Afghan Dave on March 03, 2012, 02:29:54 AM

Quote from: Stevepage on March 02, 2012, 08:17:18 PM

I'm more than happy to use a pack of £2.99 Legacy Strings which sound just like D'addarios, they don't break and you get an extra B and E string. They're cheap because they're made in the UK and have straight forward packaging unlike D'addarios etc

Legacy strings are great! I love em.  PDT_003

Title: Re: Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings
Post by: Stevepage on March 03, 2012, 02:50:08 PM

Glad to see some one else is using them on here. Though admittedly I am using Ernie Ball RPS' at the moment but will be buying more Legacy strings soon.

Title: Re: Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings
Post by: JDC on March 03, 2012, 03:04:35 PM

Would like to try these legacy strings if they did singles :(

I am confused as to why your stain steel strings only lasted so long, thought stainless steel did not rust