dmccombe7

Well not so good with the Cobalts. The G string has an incredible rattle around the 12th fret area. I've never heard anything like it in 44 yrs of playing. It sounds like the core is rattling inside the wrap. Its not fret buzz as its there even with a light touch. Other 3 strings are perfect. I normally use 40-100 and these are 45,65,80,100 but looking down the neck it looks pretty much straight as it was with other strings i've used. I've had D'addario nickel 45-100's on this bass and they were fine. Any thoughts ? I might start a new topic with a short VID clip letting you hear it. As i said it doesn't sound like fret buzz as the rattle is too fine a pitch. It def sounds more like inner core vibrating. Dave Ernie Ball Cobalt rattle.MOV

I put them on my Thumb bass cause i very rarely use it and it never leaves the house now so they have lasted a long long time. From memory i initially found the tension a bit tight for me plus the hi end zing wasn't there altho that didin't bother me at all as i'm not a huge fan of that new roundwound zing thing. Tone hasn't changed that i can say i've noticed in several years. If you like new zingy roundwounds then Elixirs won't do it for you. IMO. Dave

How long do they typically last tho. Trying to avoid changing strings every 2-3mths and that's one of the reasons i went down the flats route. Elixirs might have been my 2nd choice after flats as i have them on my Thumb bass. I've just bought the cobalt flats and i'll see how i get on with them. It might end up a trade off with tone, feel v longevity. Dave

Not had time to fit them yet but hopefully today. Will def update the thread later today. I'm not one for VIDS but i might do a short before and after kind of thing and if it looks ok i'll share. If i'm rubbish i'll keep it to myself. I never know what to play when recording myself playing bass at home. Dave

Had a wee blast from the past album while driving today. Forgot how great this album is. Happy days.

I liked the feel of them. They weren't as harsh as the old Rotosound steels i remembered from years ago but they were a bit zingy. Dave

I quite liked them but they didn't last too long maybe 2-3 mths max but they were cheaper than the D'addario nickels i was buying. Dave

Someone mentioned Joan Armatrading to me last night and for some strange reason this song came into my head. I have no idea why but managed to google it and find out it wasn't even Joan Armatrading. I only had the catchy line Hey Hey Hey What's Going On in my head.

Ordered the Cobalts flats from Amazon will be here tomorrow. Appreciate everyone getting involved again considering we've talked strings so many times before. Thanks again everyone Dave

I'm trying to get away from course strings mainly because i dig in and my fingers get really quite painful after first set. The flats oddly enough make me play lighter so its all in my head plus the fact they last for years. I've never been a fan of that treble zing of new stainless strings. I used to hate new Rotosounds (that was only choice we had back in the day ) I much preferred after about 2-3 weeks of playing but they were so rough on my fingers i actually burst my the skin on my plucking hand and had blood running down the bass during a heavy metal gig i was depping in back in early 80's. Adrenilin was running and i never even noticed it. Mate was at front of stage and shouted out to me. Was like a Gene Simmons scene That was because i hadn't gigged for couple of yrs and had to do the gig with 2 weeks notice. I could do that back then when i was young. Dave

I won't be doing any slap for 2 reasons 1. its a 70's Glam Rock covers band 2. i'm rubbish at it All sorted then. To be honest some of the reviews mentioned the cobalts were louder than other strings but the test showed they were same volume as others. It was just people's perception of them. I have to admit when i heard them in that particular review with various others i definitely thought they were louder. Think it was a test of about 4-5 string packs Dave

The stickiness has been mentioned a lot on the review vids i've seen so far. I'd never judge a string over first few weeks. It usually takes a few months before i can really judge whether they are suited to me. Even better at gigs but that's not happening at moment so rehearsals def show the faults with strings. I love the Labella Low tension flats at home but at gigs and rehearsals they just don't quite do it on the growl or edge side. From what i've seen and heard the cobalts do. Think Amazon looks like best bet at moment. Will either order tonight or tomorrow morning. Dave

I watched the Fodera official Vid and shows the 3 people making them. Yep just 3 people handmade strings. The vid showing Anthony Jackson with his Fodera and dead strings sounded ok to me but the new nickels they fitted did bring it to life a bit but wasn't too keen on the steel strings they do. Dave

100% agree it makes some difference to the overall sound of the band.

Just watched a couple of clips on the TI rounds and they sound OK but not different enough to warrantt a change from D'Addario nickel rounds for me. Not a lot of clips on Youtube. I keep going back to the Cobalt flats to be honest and i think they might be what i'm looking for this time around. Just the price that's making me hesitate. Cheapest i can find around £46 or Amazon at £41 Dave

I'll check them out on Youtube @Cuzzie as your advice over past year or more as been pretty sound. Dave

I was sticking with flats mainly because they last longer and cut down on strings i need to buy. If i remain with nickel rounds i'll probably return to my old trusted Daddario nickels. Had a listen to the Fodero strings but they don't sound too much different to other nickels but they aren't that much more expensive than some i've tried.

Wasn't aware of Fodera nickels. I'll also have a wee look at them but so far the Cobalts seem to tick the boxes on this occasion. Dave

Think he only hears his own vocals but not sure TBH. Dave

No comment that could have been me when i tried it. I've not sand since 70's and altho i've tried in recent years i just can't get the hang of it. Dave

That's an odd one as our singer actually sings better with his IEM. He reaches notes he struggled with before. I've never tried them so have no direct experience with them. Dave

This was taken on that day. Can't remember what he was saying to me but it was funny.