All user reviews for the Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky Bass 5-String

first off let me say have used ernie ball cobalts exclusively since release and had NO issues until recently with the 5 string set.

so here is the issue, i have the following basses. ibanez SR400QM, traben pheonix, traben array obsession ( recent acquisition).

i have had no issues with the cobalts on my ibanez or pheonix as far as fit. however, the 5 string set does NOT have enough wound area to run string through body on the array obsession. i have compared the eadg strings of the 5 string set to the eadg string 4 string sets and i can confirm the 5 string sets have less wound area than the 4 string counterparts especially on the heavier b and e strings.

now here is ernie balls official response:

"cobalts dont fit long scale basses, for 34 -35" scale length you need to use the long scale nickel strings"

now i dont know about all of you but if you are going to be forced to nickel wound strings why bother with ernie ball? every manufacturer has nickel strings and some are even cheaper than ernie ball.

now let me say this, yes the 5 string set will fit my 34" traben array obsession however, due to either manufacturing defect or ernie ball cheaping out on manufacturing to increase their profit margin per string set to use the 5 string cobalt bass set i am force to run bridge mounted instead of through body. so be forwarned when looking at the cobalt 5 string sets. i think ernie ball decided to only fender style jazz, p, and pj 5 string basses and changed the manufacturing. what makes me say this is that i have a friend with a 24 fret rogue LX205B bass ( which is also a 34" scale length) and he has a set of the 2736 cobalt 5 string sets on it.

so at this time all i can do is reccomend people to contact ernie ball if they want to see ernie ball fix the issue with the strings on our long scale basses and if they refuse just purchase another brands strings i mean no reason to stay with the ernie ball brand for nickelwound strings when every manufacturer has them.