Ernie Ball: Slinky, Cobalt, M-Steel, Paradigm: A 9-42 Taste Test!
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- Опубликовано: 11 апр 2017
- www.ernieball.com
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There are two types of strings, I think: good ones and bad ones. My experience tells me that Ernie Ball only make good ones. Believe me, I’ve been sent quite a few bad ones from competitors. Rusty strings, bad windings on the ball ends, dull, kinked… you name it. Most unfortunate for those competitors whom shall remain nameless.
Back to Ernie Ball. They’re good ones. Ernie Ball do a variety of great alloys ranging from the classic Super Slinky’s through to the Cobalts, M-Steels and now the virtually indestructible Paradigms. I have gathered all of the aforementioned and given myself (and us) a little taste test for this video. Speaking of videos, it’s very hard to sonically convey a significant string-type difference through the medium of RUclips, hence the barrage of verbal descriptions. But it was fun, a learning experience for me, and I hope it’s at least a little enlightening for you.
Today’s tools:
Guitar: 2012 Smitty Custom Guitars “Coffeecaster” with Lollar P90 Soapbar Pickups. See: smittyguitars.com
Amp: 2016 VASE Tonesetter 18 Head & Ext. cab (miked). See: www.vase.com.au/products/tones...
Extra effects: Fractal Audio Systems FX8 MKII Multi-Effects Pedalboard (overdrive and delay). See: www.fractalaudio.com/p-fx8-mul...
Cables: Goodwood Audio and Providence
Power Supply: N/A
Mic: Shure SM57 (VASE); Samson Airline77 (me)
Camera: Canon 60D (me) and Nikon D5100 (random photos)
Soundcard: AVID Mbox Pro 3
Computer: Apple iMac 27" i7 3.4 GHz 16 GB RAM
Software: Logic Pro X, Waves L3-16 Limiter (to keep levels in check at output), Apple Final Cut Pro X (video editing and RUclips compression). 
Видеоклипы
CLEAN (bridge)
1:39
Thanks dude 👍🏼
Legend.
Mak Baltezar Leviathan a no from mi
Awesome bro thank you, they all sound the same to me lol
They’re all 100% identical in sound. I guess it just proves you gotta play them until you find one that feels/bends/lasts how you want.
I didnt find this very useful. By the time you got to the 2nd set, I had forgotten what the 1st set sounded like, etc. I think you should use one pup, one riff and then cut together shots all 4 sets, one right after the other, with no caking, in between. And then cycle thru the other pup, other riffs, etc. Any time youre doing a comparison, it should be bam bam bam, no talking in between. Hope that's constructive. Thanks for all the demos :)
I considered doing that - and may still as I have the footage for another edit. Cheers and thanks for the comments.
I agree. What I do for these comparison videos where it's more than 2 strings or the guy decided to jam for a while is either scroll back and forth from my phone wearing headphones or if I'm really looking to try a new string I listen to them individually and rate them immediately after for overall tone on a scale from 1-5 putting most emphasis on how they sound clean. Then I give a brief description whether they sound bright or warm and write down what the reviewers say about how they feel.
If you're already a fan of each of these strings and want a quick side by side for a direct comparison my methods don't really help.
In this case I personally rated the Super Slinky and the Paradigm the highest. When I look at the price, I chose the Super Slinky. I don't really care about how durable they claim to be. I've tried the Cobalts and don't care for the feel. I would be interested to try the M-Steels on my tele or strat but I watched this specific video for a Les Paul that has plenty of warmth and bottom end. My Les Paul sounds better with bright strings so I get a really noticeable chime from the bridge pickup and bell from the neck.
I agree 100%
In mixing, where critical listening distinctions are made, the same processor will absolutely be a/b'ed directly by quickly switching back and forth on the same program material. Listening for one minute and then setting up another processor and then listening for a minute, and then switching again... absolutely useless. Why can't guitarists figure this out?
I partly agree, but since the video claims this is a Taste Test, it's viewer's work for using this as for right test material. Thankfully Brett added icons of each string, it is fairly easy to compare back and forth by oneself. Besides, which element and string each person want to compare is different from the other. If you want to compare the tone of the strings, you must normalize volume for fair comparison but if the output you must not. Similarly, the first impression/quick relative switching method doesn't tell the whole, even misleading. I think it's impossible to satisfy all the necessary conditions for strict testing in a single video.
Been using .09 Slinkys for years. Just tried the .09 Cobalts and was blown away. They feel so much better and are very easy to bend. Will try the M-steel next.
The Cobalts kick ass , the M-Steel were to stiff for my liking!
1.38, 3.30, 5.57, 9.16. My favorites are Slinkies and Paradigm. Slinkies have more "air". Paradigm sounds tighter and has more low mids. The others sound more aggressive. Beautiful Tele! Thank you, very good presentation.
Great demo Brett. I never knew there was such a difference in tone and play. Really like the slinky and paradigm, though.
Thanks, Jin!
Great demo AWESOME PLAYING, and custom Tele!!
I've used Super Slinky since I was around 14 years old, I'm now 63, they are nearly impossible to break a string and I do some serious bending!!
I use them on acoustic as well (Earthwood, fyi.) 10s with unwound G for playing lead on acoustic they sound awesome and last for many gigs acoustic or electric.
Thankyou for the in depth demo, nice job!!
Great review! Thanks a lot, Brett.
great video Brett !!
Great video Brett
Great review and comparison. Thank you!!!
man those cobalts have a BEAUTIFUL high end
Thanks a lot, Brett! I'm just going to start playing 9-42 by Ernie Ball and thinking which of those four models would be the most suitable for me)
You've done a great deal 😎💪
very useful comparison thanks a lot!
Wow that Smitty guitar sounds awesome!! nice vid! thx
I bought a Musicman Cutlass at the beginning of the year which came strung with M-steel strings. They're still sounding good. To me they feel a bit stiffer than other 9s which is nice for me because I have 10s on my other guitar. They bend very nicely as well.
thanks for the demo......my favorite sound was the m steel.....i was hoping the paradigm would sound like the m steel....tried cobalts once, they were too muddy brand new....m steel for me
Great demo, I just bought the cobalt, like them very much. I like the super slinky's, and used them before. After your demo I prefer the cobalt, the M-steel did not like at all. The paradigm's a little to bright for me. Thanks
*SLINKY* 1:38 1:53 / *COBALT* 3:30 3:53 / *M-STEEL* 5:57 6:14 / *PARADIGM* 9:16 9:43 /
Absolute legend! Thanks😁👌
Very interesting. My ear is crap so I have a tough time perceiving differences. Glad you made this video as I was always curious about this. How would you compare these to the RPS strings that they typically string the Musicman guitars with at the factory?
The Super Slinky's just have that classic airy high end and throaty midrange tone we've all grown to love. The Cobalts surprised me... kinda of like a hi-fi sounding slinky. Pretty cool. To me the M Steels sounded a bit harsh and 1 dimensional, like they were pre-compressed. The Paradigms were muddy and dark. This is all based on the clean tones, when you add drive the differences become negligible.
1. SS and Cobalts tied
2. M Steels
3. Paradigms
Funny how their most expensive string set sounds the worst.
I do not hear a difference
I bought a package of these that had regular Slinkys, Cobalt, and the M steels, and I found I liked the Cobalts the best. Better than the nyxl and better than most brands I've played. My favorites used to be the ghs Boomers when I was young then I had a long fascination with the Dean Markley blue Steels, and I'm usually after a set that sounds good but doesn't cost much more than six or seven dollars for a package since I don't play out really, but boy do those Cobalts sound great!
Thx for doing this
For me with different strings, it's not so much a tone thing, but more how they feel, how fast they set up, how they preform, and how long they last.
Thank you !
The best guitarist I know personally swears by the Cobalts on his Les Paul standard. Had a string break twice on two new sets of Slinky with a Japan Strat that I just traded. Batting 1000 with D'Addario. Last forever and no issues. Brett you're the best resource on the web.
I don't think I'm even close to being the best resource, but I sure appreciate the sentiment. Cheers, Mr. Mips!
Mr. mips
Just a suggestion. Ernie Ball makes the RPS strings for strats and whammy bar guitars, They have re-enforced wraps at the ball end.
Pretty sure its not the strings. Check the Bridge for friction spots
Nice review
Love Cobalt Skinny top heavy bottom. Have had the same set in my IBANEZ RGA72TQMZ for a year now, and still hold tune very well with the Floyd bridge.
I used Super Slinky set for years. Gonna try Cobalts. Sound the best in this comparison. Especially "Comfortably Numb" part. The sweetest mids. Even though - regular Super Slinky set has nice warm mids too. MSteels sound mediocre in comparison to all other here. Paradigms are a nice surprise. Need to try them too. Thanks, mate - you did nice job, you play great and made some helpful vid for others 🙂 Best of luck.
i like the m-steel, especially when combined with traditional EMG 81.
Always a great video...Was talking to a "important person" and I told him that you are the best on RUclips. BTW, have you tried the Clusterfuzz by Function f (x)?
The Smitty and the Vase is a heavenly match....luv it...!
I wonder how many guitarists could pick the different string types in a blind fold test??? Don't believe I could
If you knew what to look for physically - the grainy-feeling and springiness of the Cobalts for instance - I believe you could. Also, you could probably tell the sonic difference between, say, old-school Slinkys and the M-Steels because there is a real volume difference. The Paradigms and the standard Slinkys don't feel that different so would be hard to tell (blindfolded), but the Paradigms will still sound and feel great in weeks whereas the Slinky's probably not so much.
Cool...thanks Brett...!
Love the slinkys feel but I have an acid sweat problem that rusts strings in 1 gig so looking forward to the Paradigm's hitting the shelf.
Hi, nice video, but have you tried them each for a while? if u did, how long did they last?thanks
So the msteels are the loudest right? I’ve been considering them for a long time, guess I will buy a set. I’m hoping to improve my signal to noise ratio, i.e needing less gain for distortion therefore less hum while practicing.
I have always been a D'Addario man - but these Ernie Balls look alright, might try a set next.
Hmm great comparisons Bergs, I'm likewise a super slinky convert of the same Guage. The m-steel i loved the frequency response with the typical Cnumb solo, tone held so intense sounded great. A worthy point in the making of each sets capabilities. So moral of the story....Oils ain't oils Sol and strings ain't just strings. I have six sets of supers to work through now so will consider the future sounds. Good on ya mate always a pleasure to listen and learn we appreciate it mate cheers daryl
Thanks, Daryl. I appreciate the kind words and support. Rock on!
From my personal experience:
Cobalts have the most output and treble and are easy to stay in tune right after you first put then on.
Paradigms will last the longest and a break resistant, but however other than lasting you longer they’re pretty similar to the regular pair
The Cobalts sound sort of like D'Addario NYXLs compared to other strings in terms of tone and maybe a little louder. Less mids but a smooth rolloff and brighter but clear highs.
I’m looking to score some guitar strings myself and all your strings had there own distinct tones , volume , bottom end 👍
I’m going to purchase them - me like ...btw I’m new here .. 🤘🎸🤘
Iv used 9-42 superslinkys for 30 years and i will never stop use them...
I used cobalts 9-42 for 1-2 monthes... a few days ago 6-th string has broken.So I'm thinking of tryin' another strings)))
I have been trying all sorts of brands for 4 decades...! Ernie Ball was my regular choice but they did oxydize too fast and broke too often.
Moved to Dean Markleys, until they began to ship rusty string packages.
Changed to GHS boomers: very good but still not the right guage I was looking for.
Now I use 2 sets for several years that give me complete satisfaction:
GHS Gilmore Blue 10-48 on Fender type scale (25,5), they bend easy, stay in tune, sound bright, don't rust quick and don't break even with powerful Whammy bar sollicitation.
On Gibson-type scale (24,65) I use Duesenbergs 10-50. These strings are incredible: believe it or not, I have the original set still mounted on my Doozy Senior 52 for... 5 YEARS ! Yesssss. OK: I don't use it everyday, but still going strong, clear and bright. I mounted a set on my i35LC and man: what a difference ! Kills anything else up to now. These are my 2¢... \m/
Yep GHS are my second choice after Cobalts. GHS makes a great string
+Bob Boitt Tried Cobalts but wasn't convinced: sound great, very crispy, but stiffer than my Ghs and corroded very quickly. For double the price, not really a great deal…
Brett I think The First Set came out on top for me they sounded more clearer
I like the way the way the M- Steel ones sound he most.
Thanks
Cool! 'Never seen that amp before. Sounds great. Cheers from Mike t Wyman and 99 in Los Angeles.
serious Jam night jammers. ha.
Paradigm wins for me shout out to the guy in comments who posted the times in such nice formating
For me the Cobalts have a higher output and a slight heavier sound to them then both regular and Paradigms. Paradigm will last you the longest and also are break resistant, but how ever the cobalts will last longer and not break as easy as the regular
I think the first and last strings sounds the best
I tried the cobalt for the first time yesterday, and they a peculiar metallic smell to it that I have never noticed on any other string. Also they seem a bit rough on my finger tips.
Horrible high friction almost sticky feel. Too callous inducing.
I also play the slinky 9's, but I can't find m steel in 9-42. Have you ever found them on Amazon?
I got the paradrigm i think they some of the best sounding
For the M-String, you can hear the bass note clear and loud immediately
I can't remember the last time I broke a Super Slinky string? Been using them since I was a kid after I learned Jimmy Page used them. Yeah of course like everybody I tried all kinds of electric guitar strings and gauges over the years, but always return to the Super Slinky.
Cobalt the easy favorite here
I just stringed up my Strat with Cobalt 10-46’s. The M steel didn’t do anything for me (beginner here).
@@craig.encinitas I use cobalt strings exclusively now. I think I had my guitar to the shop recently and they only had the m steel so that's what they put on it. I don't see much of a problem with them but I am biased because I haven't used anything but cobalt since they came out years ago.
@@craig.encinitas I would also tell you to try 9's if you're just learning. It makes it easier. Of course if you cut your teeth on 10's you will be ahead of the game
Hey Brett...one day, can you do a taste test of the Artist branded strings?... I'd be interested to see how they size up to the big boys. I'm guessing they won't stay fresh as long but they certainly are at a decent price point for we broke-arse players LOL
Didn't know Lars von Trier had a guitar youtube channel, new sub!
The last 3 pink pack super slinkys have failed on the high E. they keep coming unraveled at the end. I'm thinking my local music store may have gotten a bad batch.
I thought negligible differences. I'll carry on with the slinky 10's.
how long does regular slinky last if you play seldom how many months before you replace strings ?
Will depend on humidity, your own sweat and grime - many things. A few weeks at least, a few days if the climate and other influences play their part. Depends on a lot of things.
I like Super Slinky and Paradigm
Msteel has balanced tone right?
I have used Super Slinky nickel wound for years. I recently switched to the Cobalts.
The Cobalts feel different but I love the tone and flexibility they have over the regular slinkys
Bob Boitt super slinky all good? break easily?
Moon burst
In my experience they last long and seldom if ever break. I do a lot of string bending in my playing and never had a problem.
If you like a warmer tone the pure nickels are good. If you like a bit more volume and ring, then the Cobalts. (my new fave)
Where are the Regular Slinky Stainless Steel strings? These are also the ones to consider as well!
Hi, What is the name of the songs you played?
I think i know, but can't remenber!
I've had the cobalt on for a month. I don't like the feel of them because of the friction and also feel a lot stiffer, they are definetly higher output but after a month of living with them I think they sound dead now.
i like cobalt the most
wheres your headset from?
Anyone else heard the king of the hill intro riff when he first strummed?
Slinky are been sold all over ebay. Selling for $13.50 when they a counter fit from china for $250 and above all the steel comes off on your finger tips. They break rust .and the ends are slightly larger .so harder to put into a bridge. And the steel get into your finger tips and cannot get it our
Dig the Pink Floyd solo
Can you name the song at 9:33 please?
How can I get this guitar!?!!
Why didnt you edit between the sounds...
Спасибо. М-стил мой выбор.
I hated the Cobalts, went back to Super Slinkys. I use Power Slinkys on my Slash Les Paul
Super slinkies are my best friends
which have the most loudest signal?
M steel
The Earnie Balls Cobalt i use now improve the guitar more than changing the Pick ups - they feel also smooth, better.... i play d addario for years, later earnie balls - for me they are not as good to feel, the Sound is other, to. For me are the earnie balls cobalt the best i know, the "M" will be testet soon
Someone help me pls.... Yesterday i change my guitar string to super slinky.... I find that my guitar doesnt make any sound after i change my string... HELP ME!
Also im using squire hss strat..
Gonna need more detail than that
is it just me but couldn't tell the difference
Difference is $$$
Its hard to hear the difference but let me tell you I just put a set of cobalts on my guitar after using elixir and daddario and the cobalts are hands down and more responsive. They sound way better for my taste.
Try it. The cobalt feels smoother, too.... the normal strings feel "stiff". They also sounds better
@@TheDime4life ....i feel the same, almost like a better guitar
Cobalt no 1
Where’s Ernie Ball’s Titanium, in your “taste test?”
what is the solo at 9:57
harry nuts comfortably numb solo 1
@@zugonitec338 thank you ive heard it a million times and couldn't remember the name
Been using ernie ball almost exclusively for 13 years and I've tried all 4 of those strings. There are definite tonal and frequency response differences between them, but I'm not sure an average player will notice much. The feel between them however is immediately noticeable.
My overall take is: m-steels feel sticky and break way to easy, broke 1 within 4 days of a string change. The paradigms sounded generally warmer, were fairly slick but just felt weird and oddly enough broke fairly easily. I've broken 2 different strings within 2 weeks of a change. The regular slinkys are just classic. Sound great, feel great. I can generally get about a month of fairly heavy playing before I break one. But for me the way to go are the cobalts. They're slick, springy and will last months even with heavy every day playing. They sound almost new even after a couple sweaty gigs. Only ever broke strings that were several months old.
Aight this one is probably a dumb one but I’ll ask it anyway. Are the thinnest 3 strings (unwound) in every pack all made out of the same material? The packs all just say stainless steel plain strings.
Yes, the plain strings are all made of the same material.
cobalt sustains better. but paradigm is don't easily break.
Could anyone of you lovely people suggest what one out of these 4 sets are good for an amature to use? Really to need to replace my stings and its been a long time since i have replaced them. Any suggestions are appreciated.
For an amateur, I'd stick with the regular Slinky set, for two reasons: price and utility. Firstly, regular Slinky sets are on average $4.99 US, whereas Cobalts are $9.99, M-Steels are $12.99, and Paradigms are $14.99. Secondly, unless you're recording or gigging and need the extra output from the Cobalts or M-Steels, they're unnecessary. A third point that I forgot to mention is that apparently Cobalts and M-Steels are a harder alloy, and will wear normal frets more quickly with prolonged use. Unless your guitar(s) have stainless steel frets, that's a concern. Lastly, I'll leave you with this; in my opinion, Paradigms sound little different to me than the regular set. In my experience, they get that dead-ass tone that all coated strings eventually get, even if it is the thinnest on the market. I currently have a set of 9-42 Paradigms on my '95 Fender Deluxe Plus Strat, and the bass strings have that telltale *thunk* that coated strings inevitably develop. The tone unfortunately doesn't last as long as the strings.
Bugger the strings, I want the Smitty! :P
Haha. Second mortgage. Not letting that one go easily.
That's just cruel!!! :'(
Come to think of it, I have a lovely CAR Jazzie up for trade! ;)
What differences ? No talk will make some difference, I think
No difference in sound just a difference in price. Ah those marketing ploys.
Super Slinkys 9 always
Funny, that high-end paradigm strings sound as good as regular D'Addario strings.
Cobalt sound superb BUT feel dreadful under the fingers ull know what I mean if you buy a set , I’ve sold all 10 packets I bought 🙃
I like the feel of Cobalt, the wrapped strings have a kind of roughness to them that I find gives a nice control.
Hi Brett fellow Victorian here 😎👍🏻🎸 have you got a Instagram account?? Cheers
What is with creators who need to descibe EVErY element of their signal chain to demo one product that cares not what their prefferances are? ;-?
they m steels i got musta been old. just junk sound
For me it will always be the slinky's.
Se parece al hermano de eric clapton
why do they bother putting the cardboard on the paradigms, the regular packaging inside is way cooler anyway...save money EB, ditch the cardboard!
I think that was just for the beta-test packs. I can't imagine they'll be shelved like that upon release.
Brett Kingman they are in cardboard in the shops