Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings

[TwoString]

I thought I'd pop in for a quick review...

The guitar...

-lite-ash body
-baja neck
-Fralin blues special pickups
-4 way switch mod, 300k Bourns volume, modded TBX bass/treble cut tone control

From the moment the strings were on, I could instantly hear the volume and tone changes. The guitar was so much brighter and louder unplugged than with my normal GHS boomer set. The plain strings are very smooth, although I detected a bit more resistance to bending. This isn't necessarily a bad thing...I was looking for a bit more resistance without having to go to 11 gauge, and these feel like they'll do the trick. The wound strings feel like they "catch" on my fingertips more though, which makes sliding notes on the wound strings a bit more of an effort.

Plugged in, the guitar is indeed much louder, and the note separation and definition noted in the promotional material is easy to hear. I had to knock the treble down on the amp a bit to keep it from getting too shrill, but I feel like this setup will cut through a band mix very well. It's like my entire rig has been re-EQ'd for the better. I can also feel the extra punch in chords too, and the strings ring together nicely on arpeggios. These strings do seem a bit treble-rich though, and it's going to take some knob twisting to find the right balance.

In the end, I happy with the results. If the strings last as long as they say and they don't dull as much with age, I think this will be my new go-to set. Now to try them on my Esquire and Strat.

[MAMealer]

Originally Posted by TwoString

This isn't necessarily a bad thing...I was looking for a bit more resistance without having to go to 11 gauge, and these feel like they'll do the trick.

What gauge did you put on?

[TwoString]

I've been using .010 for several years now and have become used to having some bends to a little out of control, but these seem to feel a little tighter. Maybe something like a .0105.

[Cymro14]

I'm using EB Cobalt 10s on my Baja. I definitely feel them easier to play than the D'addario 10s I used for ages. The EBs bend easier and there is slightly less tension.Tone wise they give a great woody qack on 2nd and 3rd stops. The bridge stop is pure country twang. I'll be sticking witht these.

[Elias Graves]

My experience is very similar. Louder, more definition just like the box says. You may not like them on a real bright guitar or if youre after a darker tone.

[MajorScale]

Tele's can be notoriously bright, especially on the bridge PU so I've not tried these cobalts yet because of these boosted highs others have mentioned, but may just have to give them a go based on the review...

[kaiserthegreat]

I have a set I haven't got around to using yet. Now I want to try them!