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Post subject: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 10:34 am
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The M Steel line, ultra high output strings.

Does this seem like a gimmick to you guys? I just changed to a new set this morning, so I won't need to buy for 2-3 months, but when that time comes, I'll definitely try to get my hands on a set.

I can only imagine how these strings are gonna interact with my SDS-1s, good lord they're already heavy.

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Post subject: Re: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:41 pm
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EB aren't all that gimmicky. I use the "cobalt" strings, which really are different. Love them or hate them. Apart from a tendency to color my fingers and fretboard black if there's any moisture, they really do play well for me.

However, note that most of EBs strings are all identical for the three lighter strings - it's just the wound ones that differ.

I'll give these new ones a shot. Strings are cheap enough to give it a try. :)


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Post subject: Re: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:43 pm
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Yea, but it says it's make your playing sound heavier. Says it adds more low end. I saw a NAMM article on FB. Pretty interesting, I wish I knew the science behind it.

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Post subject: Re: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:48 pm
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If they add something it has to come at the cost of something else, right?

Wouldn't more bass/bottom end imply less brightness/treble?

Just an initial thought: That actually sounds like something more suited for acoustic guitars vs. electric guitars.


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Post subject: Re: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:54 pm
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I'm not sure how it works, it says it's for electric, though.

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Post subject: Re: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:59 pm
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http://www.guitarworld.com/namm-2013-er ... ar-strings

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-b ... 013-a.html

I don't know where the article I read is. i can't find it on google, but people say they see a difference.

The article I read didn't even say anything about increased durability. I've never broken an EB string anyhow. Only ones I've ever broken were D'adiarrhea.

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Post subject: Re: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 4:31 pm
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Buxom wrote:
I'm not sure how it works, it says it's for electric, though.

From reading on it, it looks like it's the same as the Ernie Ball Cobalts, but with a hex core of a special steel. That would make the wound strings stiffer and boomier.
The existing cobalts (really an iron-cobalt alloy) are more magnetic than regular steel and nickel alloys, and my guess is that these new strings will benefit from that too.

It's worth a try, I'm sure. If too stiff, well, there's always going back to the regular cobalts.


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Post subject: Re: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 4:33 pm
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arth1 wrote:
Buxom wrote:
I'm not sure how it works, it says it's for electric, though.

From reading on it, it looks like it's the same as the Ernie Ball Cobalts, but with a hex core of a special steel. That would make the wound strings stiffer and boomier.
The existing cobalts (really an iron-cobalt alloy) are more magnetic than regular steel and nickel alloys, and my guess is that these new strings will benefit from that too.

It's worth a try, I'm sure. If too stiff, well, there's always going back to the regular cobalts.


They're coming out this summer.

I entered a contest to win a few packs of them before they're released. Let's hope that works. :)

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Post subject: Re: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 8:06 am
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OK, I have now tested these new M Steel strings (.011 gauge).

In short, they are much like the Cobalts, except stiffer, louder, far more expensive, and not suitable for people with nickel allergies.
The stiffness is the main reason these won't stay on my guitar. The bass strings get bend angles from the bridge, nut and frets, which is not good. It's also harder to do pinch harmonics on the bass strings on these.

After two days, these go in the garbage where I think they belong. Back to Cobalts for me.


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Post subject: Re: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 10:10 am
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Ehh, Well, with that info, I guess I'll stick with plain 9s.

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Post subject: Re: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 12:27 pm
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Wait, you only change strings every three months? Aren't they just two feet of rust by that time?

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Post subject: Re: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 12:59 pm
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GilgaFrank wrote:
Wait, you only change strings every three months? Aren't they just two feet of rust by that time?

? Who only changes strings every three months? I don't see anything about that in this thread?


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Post subject: Re: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 2:32 pm
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arth1 wrote:
GilgaFrank wrote:
Wait, you only change strings every three months? Aren't they just two feet of rust by that time?

? Who only changes strings every three months? I don't see anything about that in this thread?


The OP said it.

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Post subject: Re: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 2:46 pm
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GilgaFrank wrote:
Wait, you only change strings every three months? Aren't they just two feet of rust by that time?


Honestly, it's how long they take to corrode. i'm not going to bother with a string change, though. Later this month the guitar should be going under the knife.

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Post subject: Re: New Ernie Ball strings.
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 4:29 pm
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I use 2 guitars and would probably change strings every month or so, but I am trying to prolong the life, to save the money and to change the strings before important gigs or before studio recordings. 20€ per month isn't much, but when you add it up, that's 240€ a year. If you do it once per 3 months (but bare in mind - I don't play as much as I would've liked, no time sadly), it costs you 80€ in a year. You can get a nice pedal for the 160€ difference :)

One thing I found helped A LOT is this little cleaner:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/ghs_fast_fret.htm

For me personally, the strings last a whole month longer before they start to lose tone and tuning stability if I apply the cleaner after playing the guitar for more than an hour and using a cotton cloth to wipe it down afterwards. So instead of me resisting the urge to change strings after a month, the urge gets there after 2 months. Add in the fact one, sadly, can't play 2 guitars at once, and you're up to 3-4 months before changing the strings on both guitars.
Besides, a lot depends on your sweating (the composition itself, how much your hands sweat) and whether you wash your hands before you play guitar and stuff like that. A pal of mine hasn't changed his strings in probably 2 years lol :lol: He doesn't gig or have a band or anything like that, just plays at home during weekends. I couldn't play on his guitar at all when I picked it up :lol: But, credit to the guy, he was once fully dressed, jeans, t-shirt, 2 sweaters and 2 or 3 jackets (it was a dare) while there was 30°C outside. We were all sweating from heat, just dressed in t-shirts and shorts while going to PE, he didn't have a single drop of sweat once he finally took all those clothes off :lol:

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