@@FynnFTW through my setup, the dullness of old strings is easily removable for the final output. Plus, I don't play any shows or for other people really these days, so any sound tinkering is really just narcissism.
@@grubalaboocreosote4774 Well, i just like the Sound and feel of fresh strings. Guitar and Bass. So i change my depending on how they feel, look and Sound. Mine are 7 Month on and i will probally change them in the next few Months. I just like to change things arround and see what sound difference they make. Its a lot of Fun to experiment with.
1.Slinky Regular: 2:53 2.Slinky Cobalt: 3:04 3.Slinky Coated: 3:14 4.Slinky Flatwound : 3:24 5.Custom Gauge Group II: 3:35 6.Slinky Stainless Steel : 3:45 (Triple tap 2:53 for idiotic nonsense) 🙃 Leave a “Like” if you did it. Or.. if you just appreciate the timestamp love. 🎸 🤘
Mike Dirnt of Green Day uses the 2733 Cobalt Hybrid Slinky strings, which I think speaks very highly of their quality as he is one of the finest Bass Players in Punk Rock, second only to Matt Freeman. :)
Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky Strings have the sexiest tone i've heard from any bass strings, and i've used many different brands of strings such as Fender, Ibanez, and DR. They fit my needs extremely well as i'm primarily a Punk-Rock player that does a lot of picking.
i'm interested in the cobalt slinkys but is it true that they go dull quickly? how often do you usually replace the sets? been using the same elixir strings slapping the hell outta them for 6+ months they still sound as bright and crisp as when i had put them on
@@_Majoras from my experience, the cobalts tend to wear out faster than the stainless slinky's and elixirs. I tried the cobalts two different times, and BOTH times they lost that crisp "clank" within two weeks of install. Which I guess isn't bad to someone that can afford to buy a new set of bass strings that often. I'd honestly recommend sticking with the elixirs. They maintain their snappy tone longer than the Ernie Ball brand IMO. Which I'd say is more cost effective in the long run lol
@@mclaochra1819 elixirs are a great value for sure, probably the best! i've heard good things about DR. i do like ernie ball but like you say they wear out way too quick
I play punk, not heavy music, but once you've grown used to the click of the pick on flatwound strings, the grind of roundwounds just sounds like a big mess. It's so different from classic punk/metal sounds where the bass sounds super bright until the other instruments come in. With flats, the sound is darker, but it doesn't change much when the guitars come in. Some older metal guys like Steve Harris and Cliff Burton used brighter flatwounds a la Rotosounds or Slinky Flats.
Awesomely informative!! I use Fender J bases and strictly (for the last 2 years) coated hybrid gauge Ernie Balls. Cleaned/thoroughly wiped with EB string cleaner wipes after every gig. I get on average 8-10 1.5 to 3 hour long sets outta that. Used to use the regular hybrids, also cleaned/wiped after each gig.. I''d get maybe 5 sets til they sounded weak, then I'd boil em and get one more good sweaty set. Spend the extra scratch on the enamel coated, DEFINITELY worth it. I'll try cobalts every few years, and love the sound, they always break a gig or two in. Maybe it's my bad luck.. BUT when playing lead, I only use cobalt 10s on my telecasters, the regulars I'd change strings after every set.
Those Group II Flatwounds sound sooo good! I've been using them for years and I'm super happy. So much low end and a great base to shape your tone through the amp. And very little fret buzz too (for me at least).
The graphs EB offers shows a higher output overall, and a bump in the midrange. Both are what Stingrays are known and chosen for. Stainless is famous for the very high frequency especially for slap. The cobalt are in a category all their own and while "bright" is what people are calling them, it isn't in the 5k to 10k that makes stainless stand out.
I use the slinky flatwounds. They’re wound with the the cobalt, so they’re still pretty bright. I love them! I play anything from praise and worship to metal with them! The regular cobalts are huge sounding, no doubt. I just can’t deal with the string noise. Lol
I’ve always played regular slinky, but the cobalts had a great treble tinny sound with deep resonant bass frequencies. Just sounds like it would sit in a metal mix better.
Thanks for doing this fluff. I’ve been looking for punchy string to do some work with cleans, and I was influenced by this to get the stainless steel coated strings. I put them on a couple of days ago and I can’t put my stingray down. They sound GREAT!!! Thanks.
Thx for doing this string shootout. I've been playing bass for 40 years and have never used Ernie Ball strings. I will definitely be trying out a set of "cobalts... Sorry D'Addario, you discontinued the "flex steel" strings.
I just picked up a fender professional precision bass, used. i have used ernie ball on my telecasters for decades. I am here to see the bass string review. Not sure what gauge i will like on a P bass.
I'm thinking of going back to Ernie Ball strings due to the feel. I've been playing DR Hi-Beams for the past 15 years but I'm getting a little tired of the feel of stainless steel. Those nickel plated strings feel so much better, I just remember them dying in a few hours of play.
Hi! I know that you're endorsed and very proud of it. But, I think that a bass strings shootout at the "same price range" with "different brands" would have been more... relevant? Love ya anyway bro, hope you enjoy the R,R tour! [Cobalt are pretty impressive btw!!!]
I love the sound of the Cobalt strings. Its what I use however, its getting annoying that they don't last long. They usually last between 4-6 weeks before they start looking and sounding like crap. Im tempted to go back to regular slinky strings to see if they last longer.
I gotta try those cobalts, switched back to EB after being a DR guy mainly because my stingray hates those strings with a passion for what ever reason. Using slinkys now and I like them, but dont love them
i really like the Cobalt Flats, I think I might use them next time i need strings I don’t get the impression the high end is being taken away too much, despite being a little more quiet
Having just come back from practice after trying prosteels in a mix, I'm not conviced the brightness makes a difference unless solo. The low mids are where the bass lives, which is where flats are strongest.
As most of y'all, I really felt in love w/ the Slinky Cobalt strings, but since I'm not able to spent 50 dollars every 3-5 weeks, I would have to boil them, and a question about that; Boiling the strings would make them loose some of the treble-ish/bright-sounding sound they have? I know that boiled strings don't sound exactly if they were new, because if they actually loose some it's tone from boil to boil I'd have to just keep the Regular Slinkies I've on my axe Thanks :)
I always end up coming back to the regular slinky’s, but I started recording recently and I’m looking for something with a little more “scooped” tone. This helped me get a good comparison, I think I might order a set of the cobalt slinky’s.
Yeah, it was a short video and he was focusing on being consistent and pick is probably his main style. If someone wants a finger vid, make one. Another vid like this sold me on Cobalts as unique.
Awesome demo, fluff. 😎🤘🏻🎸 that bass sounds killer. My personal favorite strings are the slinky cobalts and the regular slinky bass. The slinky cobalts in my opinion sounds phenomenal. It has a killer punchy tone. And the regular slinky bass has a warm but punchy tone. I would like to check out the cobalts on one of my basses.
Ive been playing the light Cobalts for the past month or so... Top notch. Ive always loved my SS strings but the cobalts got me.. The Heavy gage cobalts not so much.. Id rather get the beefy slinkys for a nice deep crunchy metal tone.
Tbh, I think within the context of a mix, I'd do for either the regular slinkys or the stainless steel. Although the Cobalts sound good by themselves, those extra mids would just end up getting EQ'd out.
I think your Regular Slinky DI clip is actually the amp track. That definitely doesn't sound like a DI and it sounds identical to ti amp clip. Other than that, great comparison! Thanks!
There are very low variety with bass strings set for bass. the lowest you can get is 110, and then goes directly to a 125 if you buy a 5 string light bass. No in between. And the 110 set, the high strings use a 55 wich is too heavy for a Drop C for example. And last but not least, no 140 or 145 strings available within a set... So Ernie Ball need a "Mammoth Slinkies" for the bass too
i am a bass player and im using flatwounds on my P-bass. sound nothing like what your recorded there. was kind of suprised. but maybe its the stingray, who knows. I like flats for that dark, dull sound. but sure, it depends on the music you make. also usin Ernieballs regular slinkys on my Jazzbass and my Sting Ray :)
I like the video but it also needs a finger-style demo for the strings. Flat strings have a lot more treble with a pick, and round strings are less zingy with fingers.
So I've been really digging the regular slinkies as of late. Love them. The Cobalts sound even better, but I just looked up the price difference and I think I'm fine with these :D
My Ernie ball 9-42 always go black-rusty after a few days after I install them... I always wipe them after playing but I can't figure out how to keep them fresh longer :(
Those cobalts are monstrous. I really loved playing cobalts. But they die so quick that I couldn't justify them as my go to. Maybe if I'm only tracking 1 song.
Troy Powell. YES! I used these twice as my last two sets of strings (the second time just to be sure it wasn't a fluke). They sound great but they literally visibly oxidize and die within weeks. I can't justify spending more money on them then a regular set of slinkys.
Matt Lazer I notice them lose that new string sound after my first play with them. Still good for another week or so before it's too dull. But yeah the oxidation is crazy fast.
I'm very impressed by the Cobalts, I'll have to try those in 3 years when I replace my strings.
mmarocker hahaha
Dude, those Cobalts are gonna be the reason I replace my strings for the first time in 11 years.
grubalaboo creosote if you havnt replaced your strings in 11 years i doubt that you really care about the sound of ... well ... anything
@@FynnFTW through my setup, the dullness of old strings is easily removable for the final output. Plus, I don't play any shows or for other people really these days, so any sound tinkering is really just narcissism.
@@grubalaboocreosote4774 Well, i just like the Sound and feel of fresh strings. Guitar and Bass. So i change my
depending on how they feel, look and Sound. Mine are 7 Month on and i will probally change them in the next few Months.
I just like to change things arround and see what sound difference they make. Its a lot of Fun to experiment with.
1.Slinky Regular: 2:53
2.Slinky Cobalt: 3:04
3.Slinky Coated: 3:14
4.Slinky Flatwound : 3:24
5.Custom Gauge Group II: 3:35
6.Slinky Stainless Steel : 3:45
(Triple tap 2:53 for idiotic nonsense)
🙃
Leave a “Like” if you did it.
Or.. if you just appreciate the timestamp love. 🎸 🤘
6 packs of bass strings? that will last at least another 200-300 years
That's easily $60k worth of strings right there
Lardman less then that shortly mostly unless he doesn't like playing metal.
@@wowdogeful buying a pack of bass strings is only $50 if not $70-80 but it feels like youre spending your life savings lmao
The Cobalts definitely sound the most powerful and treble sounding.
Man the cobalts seriously are the best strings I have ever played or heard. I can never go back
Arthemesia I tried Cobalts and thought the same thing
your face for sure! I love em
Same there so bright it’s great
Arthemesia I would absolutely agree I have them on all my basses they are amazing
Mike Dirnt of Green Day uses the 2733 Cobalt Hybrid Slinky strings, which I think speaks very highly of their quality as he is one of the finest Bass Players in Punk Rock, second only to Matt Freeman. :)
inb4 Adam Neely says something clever
First time for everything
B A S S
Hey bro
The 10-46 strings sounds surprisingly good on a bass
Calum Stout He just picked the wrong pic.
Hahahahahaha
woosh
word
lol!
Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky Strings have the sexiest tone i've heard from any bass strings, and i've used many different brands of strings such as Fender, Ibanez, and DR. They fit my needs extremely well as i'm primarily a Punk-Rock player that does a lot of picking.
i'm interested in the cobalt slinkys but is it true that they go dull quickly? how often do you usually replace the sets? been using the same elixir strings slapping the hell outta them for 6+ months they still sound as bright and crisp as when i had put them on
@@_Majoras from my experience, the cobalts tend to wear out faster than the stainless slinky's and elixirs. I tried the cobalts two different times, and BOTH times they lost that crisp "clank" within two weeks of install. Which I guess isn't bad to someone that can afford to buy a new set of bass strings that often. I'd honestly recommend sticking with the elixirs. They maintain their snappy tone longer than the Ernie Ball brand IMO. Which I'd say is more cost effective in the long run lol
@@mclaochra1819 elixirs are a great value for sure, probably the best! i've heard good things about DR. i do like ernie ball but like you say they wear out way too quick
Was not expecting THAT much of a noticeable difference!
Nice shootout, the cobalts definitely had the biggest tonal difference than the rest.
Beard looking fierce
3:14 an electric guitar string pack made it in the list ?
I agree with the comment section.
best one, by far
Legend. An older video I know, but this is what a shoot out vid should be like !! Thank you !
Flatwounds have great tones. Really cool hearing them back to back. Colbalts seem a little too punchy but I guess it's down to what you play.
I play punk, not heavy music, but once you've grown used to the click of the pick on flatwound strings, the grind of roundwounds just sounds like a big mess. It's so different from classic punk/metal sounds where the bass sounds super bright until the other instruments come in. With flats, the sound is darker, but it doesn't change much when the guitars come in. Some older metal guys like Steve Harris and Cliff Burton used brighter flatwounds a la Rotosounds or Slinky Flats.
These string shootout videos are really useful man. Thanks!
I've been using Steel Slinkies and they're my favs out of the lot in your shootout too so I'm pretty happy with that haha.
For my own reference
Nickel- 3:56
Cobalt- 4:06
Stainless- 4:48
Yea I'm feeling the stainless
Awesomely informative!! I use Fender J bases and strictly (for the last 2 years) coated hybrid gauge Ernie Balls. Cleaned/thoroughly wiped with EB string cleaner wipes after every gig. I get on average 8-10 1.5 to 3 hour long sets outta that. Used to use the regular hybrids, also cleaned/wiped after each gig.. I''d get maybe 5 sets til they sounded weak, then I'd boil em and get one more good sweaty set. Spend the extra scratch on the enamel coated, DEFINITELY worth it. I'll try cobalts every few years, and love the sound, they always break a gig or two in. Maybe it's my bad luck.. BUT when playing lead, I only use cobalt 10s on my telecasters, the regulars I'd change strings after every set.
If Blackstar made bass strings, would you try them once?
Ryan Kearney here we go with the black star stuff everyone knows fluff hates blackstar
Also NO
Blackstar needs to stay making guitar amps
Those cobalts sounded badass
4:16 those are electric guitar strings!
Hahahahahaha
Call the whaaaambulance
Those Group II Flatwounds sound sooo good! I've been using them for years and I'm super happy. So much low end and a great base to shape your tone through the amp. And very little fret buzz too (for me at least).
I'm glad to see your subs and views haven't gone down since you've come out
I've loved the cobalts ever since they came out
Thanks man you just helped me pick my next set of strings. I'm gonna go with those cobalt one! I love that sound!
lol, the Cobalt is like "In YO FACE"
I love the Cobalt bass strings!!!!!
Slinky stainless steal for me I think the last one!! Heavy music def!! I've always used rotosound stainless steal 45 105 feeling a change coming on!!
Every Music Man shout be strung with the Colbolts, it brings that MM growl up a notch!
The graphs EB offers shows a higher output overall, and a bump in the midrange. Both are what Stingrays are known and chosen for.
Stainless is famous for the very high frequency especially for slap.
The cobalt are in a category all their own and while "bright" is what people are calling them, it isn't in the 5k to 10k that makes stainless stand out.
I used the cobalt flatwound slinkys. They're absolutely wonderful on a p bass through my GK700RB
Just ordered some,
I use the slinky flatwounds. They’re wound with the the cobalt, so they’re still pretty bright.
I love them!
I play anything from praise and worship to metal with them!
The regular cobalts are huge sounding, no doubt. I just can’t deal with the string noise. Lol
Hi! How long do these strings last?
@@bonovox96 well if you're an average bassist, flatwounds will last 100+ years lol
The flat wounds sound awesome I can’t wait to try them on in a year or two or three or five heck it maybe 10
i now using Ernie Ball Power Slinky bass strings 110-55 on tune Drop A and D, and Regular A and D on my Ibanez GSR180... like Korn!
I’ve always played regular slinky, but the cobalts had a great treble tinny sound with deep resonant bass frequencies. Just sounds like it would sit in a metal mix better.
Liked the riff you played for the demo!
Thanks for doing this fluff. I’ve been looking for punchy string to do some work with cleans, and I was influenced by this to get the stainless steel coated strings. I put them on a couple of days ago and I can’t put my stingray down. They sound GREAT!!! Thanks.
Very cool. Thanks dude. Yea I have a short scale bass I need strings for and it was nice to hear the flatwounds before I paid extra for them. 😎
Thx for doing this string shootout. I've been playing bass for 40 years and have never used Ernie Ball strings. I will definitely be trying out a set of "cobalts... Sorry D'Addario, you discontinued the "flex steel" strings.
I just picked up a fender professional precision bass, used. i have used ernie ball on my telecasters for decades. I am here to see the bass string review. Not sure what gauge i will like on a P bass.
I'm thinking of going back to Ernie Ball strings due to the feel. I've been playing DR Hi-Beams for the past 15 years but I'm getting a little tired of the feel of stainless steel. Those nickel plated strings feel so much better, I just remember them dying in a few hours of play.
I love the Cobalt Flats, feels almost like a flat, sounds almost like roundwound.
Honestly I like the stainless steel and the coated ones the best, not a huge fan of cobalts #notsorry
Hi! I know that you're endorsed and very proud of it.
But, I think that a bass strings shootout at the "same price range" with "different brands" would have been more... relevant?
Love ya anyway bro, hope you enjoy the R,R tour!
[Cobalt are pretty impressive btw!!!]
Second!
I know it’s 2 years after the fact but the video is literally called Ernie ball bass strings shootout as in exclusively Ernie ball strings
The cobalts were the best for most of the tones I go for. For everything else I'd probably stick with La Bella flats
I love the sound of the Cobalt strings. Its what I use however, its getting annoying that they don't last long. They usually last between 4-6 weeks before they start looking and sounding like crap. Im tempted to go back to regular slinky strings to see if they last longer.
Excellent and very helpful video.
I gotta try those cobalts, switched back to EB after being a DR guy mainly because my stingray hates those strings with a passion for what ever reason. Using slinkys now and I like them, but dont love them
Those flatwounds have surprising clarity!
Love that UAD GK amp sim! Nice, fat and has that GK grind.
The flatwound slinkys are my favorites, probably because I use them on my own bass(.65-.130 in G# standard).
i really like the Cobalt Flats, I think I might use them next time i need strings
I don’t get the impression the high end is being taken away too much, despite being a little more quiet
Having just come back from practice after trying prosteels in a mix, I'm not conviced the brightness makes a difference unless solo. The low mids are where the bass lives, which is where flats are strongest.
Those cobalts kick ass! I know what I'm putting on my bass, from now on.
the flats sounds awesome.
Even for heavy music, examples are cliff burton and Steve Harris
Thanks for doing this. Gotta try the Cobalts now.
As most of y'all, I really felt in love w/ the Slinky Cobalt strings, but since I'm not able to spent 50 dollars every 3-5 weeks, I would have to boil them, and a question about that; Boiling the strings would make them loose some of the treble-ish/bright-sounding sound they have? I know that boiled strings don't sound exactly if they were new, because if they actually loose some it's tone from boil to boil I'd have to just keep the Regular Slinkies I've on my axe
Thanks :)
In my experience, Cobalts last almost twice as long as the regular slinkys. Well worth the money
I always end up coming back to the regular slinky’s, but I started recording recently and I’m looking for something with a little more “scooped” tone. This helped me get a good comparison, I think I might order a set of the cobalt slinky’s.
You should of fingerpicked aswell since most bassplayers do and it gives a different tone
Yeah I almost only play finger style,sounds warmer and more organic so that would've been nice to hear.
Or at least played somewhere besides right at the bridge. Still a pretty good comparison though.
Yeah, it was a short video and he was focusing on being consistent and pick is probably his main style.
If someone wants a finger vid, make one. Another vid like this sold me on Cobalts as unique.
Awesome demo, fluff. 😎🤘🏻🎸 that bass sounds killer. My personal favorite strings are the slinky cobalts and the regular slinky bass. The slinky cobalts in my opinion sounds phenomenal. It has a killer punchy tone. And the regular slinky bass has a warm but punchy tone. I would like to check out the cobalts on one of my basses.
Ive been playing the light Cobalts for the past month or so... Top notch. Ive always loved my SS strings but the cobalts got me.. The Heavy gage cobalts not so much.. Id rather get the beefy slinkys for a nice deep crunchy metal tone.
The short scale are the exact same as the regular ones they just have a few inches less length to save money on string if you have a smaller bass
Makes sense, the flatwounds are colbalt as well
Love the cobalt flatwounds on my ray. THUMP!!!
My favorite is definitely the cobalts, they sound the best to me as someone wanting to play a ton of genres
i have a Ernie Ball Music Man sterling... its shorter scale than a StingRay does that mean i can use short scale?
Cobalts has a distinctive tone that the others seemed to not. The stainless are pretty great sounding too.
I appreciate the review. I was hoping to see it without the pick as well though.
Wow i didn't think the cobalt ones make such a difference. I've got to try them out myself
Definitely gonna slap the coateds on my new pj bass and slap some tapewounds on my old pbass
Tbh, I think within the context of a mix, I'd do for either the regular slinkys or the stainless steel. Although the Cobalts sound good by themselves, those extra mids would just end up getting EQ'd out.
The Group II flatwounds sound very balanced in the DI track. Really great for post processing I guess.
How’s the wear and tear with cobalt on the frets compared to nickel or steel? Can long term users report?
I think your Regular Slinky DI clip is actually the amp track.
That definitely doesn't sound like a DI and it sounds identical to ti amp clip.
Other than that, great comparison! Thanks!
This is just the video I needed, thanks bud! 🤟
*slinky cobalt are my favorites*
How would the cobalts sound on a precision bass? Would it still sound edgy?
There are very low variety with bass strings set for bass. the lowest you can get is 110, and then goes directly to a 125 if you buy a 5 string light bass. No in between. And the 110 set, the high strings use a 55 wich is too heavy for a Drop C for example. And last but not least, no 140 or 145 strings available within a set... So Ernie Ball need a "Mammoth Slinkies" for the bass too
i am a bass player and im using flatwounds on my P-bass. sound nothing like what your recorded there. was kind of suprised. but maybe its the stingray, who knows.
I like flats for that dark, dull sound. but sure, it depends on the music you make.
also usin Ernieballs regular slinkys on my Jazzbass and my Sting Ray :)
Those cobalts ound so gritty and punchy and warm and twangy all at the same time. Nice
Cobalt sounds cool, great vid Fluff
4:06
4:48
3:03
3:45
What do u do with all them strings after these quick little play throughs?
I like the video but it also needs a finger-style demo for the strings. Flat strings have a lot more treble with a pick, and round strings are less zingy with fingers.
Fluff try tape wounds, Scott Devine did a shootout with them and I think he fell in love with them. Also Cobalts for days.
I run power cobalts .55-.110s and they are really fun but I still need an amp with a gain control
But the cobalts are my current go to
So I've been really digging the regular slinkies as of late. Love them. The Cobalts sound even better, but I just looked up the price difference and I think I'm fine with these :D
The cobalts definitely pop the most.
Absolute standout to me
Usually, I can’t hear a difference between regular and cobalt strings with finger style, but with a pick, that’s insane
Liked the Cobalts through the DI a lot.
Surprised by how bright the flat wounds sounded, but I guess they will be if they’re new.
Was it annoying to restring your bass 6 times?
Alexander C you ever restrung your bass 6 times in a day lol im sure it was fairly annoying
I've only restrung my bass once...in like 10 months.
Not that annoying once you get used to it. Only 4 strings, and you don't have them rubbing up next to each other like in a guitar.
My Ernie ball 9-42 always go black-rusty after a few days after I install them... I always wipe them after playing but I can't figure out how to keep them fresh longer :(
Yeah, the flats sounded nice!
Great video, cobalts it is
Out of all of these, I think the cobalts sounded best. Next time I need new bass strings, I’ll try some of those
Those cobalts are monstrous. I really loved playing cobalts. But they die so quick that I couldn't justify them as my go to. Maybe if I'm only tracking 1 song.
Troy Powell. YES! I used these twice as my last two sets of strings (the second time just to be sure it wasn't a fluke). They sound great but they literally visibly oxidize and die within weeks. I can't justify spending more money on them then a regular set of slinkys.
Matt Lazer I notice them lose that new string sound after my first play with them. Still good for another week or so before it's too dull. But yeah the oxidation is crazy fast.
Which one is the best for a 24 frets bass?
The coated are the best in the bunch for me.
Those cobalts sound gnarly!
Flatwounds are like butter on my fingers I love playing them on bass, not the best for heavy, poppy slap bass tho