Bass Strings Comparison - DR Lo Rider Vs. Ernie Ball Cobalts

This is a comparison between 2 sets of 5 strings:
1. DR Strings Lo-Rider - Stainless Steel Hex Core
2. Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalts. Both are 045-130 gadge.
Which one do you like better?

[@PS-fg3hp]

This is one of the best (if not the best) A/B (bass string) comparison in UA-cam (and I've been binging on string shootouts for the past few days). Same tune, same technique comparison, QUICK alternates, unaccompanied playing, excellent visual/editing, and most playing techniques covered (although a little slim on chordal work but not a deal breaker). Keep it up man. Do a four way or a nine way comparison! Subbed!

[@pertybass]

Wow, thanks! That's amazing

[@glynnsmith4560]

Been watching comparisons for days and yours is top three for presentation. Great job.

[@pertybass]

Wow, thanks!

[@samohtben]

I prefer the DR, which surprises me. They have a more true Stingray sound to my ear. Thanks so much for this!

[@pertybass]

Thanks

[@pecavallo]

Nice comparisson. They are very close but I liked the DR Lo-Riders a bit more as they sound more open and clear at all times.
The EB Cobalts sound fuller but I like Stingrays sounding like Stingrays.. a lot of attack and mid/treble without muddyness.
Thanks for sharing!

[@pertybass]

Thanks

[@PerezBroz-p5o]

I use lo riders and was thinking about trying the cobalts. I'm quite surprised that I didn't think they sounded better. Thanks for the video very well done comparison.

[@pertybass]

Glad I could help

[@novamusicgdl]

Low rider o cobalt for You ?

[@JVMC_ZR1]

I mainly use DR'S Lo Riders and Pure Blues and I love those strings. I tried Colbalts before and although I liked how they sounded, they just seem to die off too quickly. Just a week or 2 and they sound nothing like they did before.
The DR'S seem to last ages. I leave them on up to a year on some basses.

[@bertrandmajorik6589]

BASS player here, i'm allergic to nickel stuck on stainless steel, wanted to try cobalt strings, with your demo,
i don't see why i'd spend 10$ more.......... thank you for sharing your experience.

[@pertybass]

OK! Thanks

[@alexskibicki2262]

Thanks for the comparison. I’ve been thinking about buying one of these strings recently.

[@pertybass]

Go for it!

[@alexskibicki2262]

@@pertybass Indeed I will. I normally use dunlop stainless steel strings, but I am interested in trying something new. I have tried dr lo riders and they sound great. I have been curious about the ernie ball cobolts.

[@gary999t]

Love cobalts. Only problem is the rust spots. Some people get the rust a lot worse.

[@pertybass]

Thanks and I agree! the rust bums me too

[@FlamesAt1000ft]

Ernie Balls Slinky’s for me Period!! They’re designed with Fenders & MusicMans in mind!..to bring out their tones in ANY type of playing style! ☝🏾🤨Of Course,..they CAN sound fine on other types of Basses as well! Strings are up to one’s personal feel,.. ears & tastes!! b(‘ _

[@pertybass]

Thanks

[@TeeCeeBee]

Cobalts for the slightly bigger bottom end. Good test.

[@pertybass]

Thanks

[@SamJayMusicMelbourne]

Did you level match when you did the video? I've heard that Cobalts have more volume/output, but cannot hear the gap of the output if you have level matched. If not then both strings have same high output in this video to my ears :)

[@pertybass]

No I didn't, there's a different in the volume of the two strings

[@kevindabramo1944]

DR Lo-Riders by a slight margin.

[@pertybass]

Thanks a lot!

[@kevindabramo1944]

@@pertybass No problem. I just put a set of Lo-Riders on my Fender Jazz bass. I've tried Hi-beams before but this'll be the first time with Lo-RIders. So far so good.

[@ralfsteikowski9184]

hard to decide ... think i´d go for DR

[@pertybass]

Thanks

[@1thess523]

I like the DR, I might get some next for my P Bass after this 👍

[@pertybass]

Thanks

[@patbaker4259]

I’d go Cobolts. Would be interesting to compare to the cobolt flats on the same bass

[@pertybass]

Thanks, I'll try

[@patbaker4259]

Pertybass And as always a great sound and style👍🏿

[@TeeCeeBee]

I use cobalt flats on my P bass. Punchy!

[@alarmclock314]

@@pertybass I love the EB Hybrid Slinky Flatwounds, 45-105. Very bright for a flat and smooth to the touch.

[@davidwells999]

Thanks so much. Aiming for a slap sound on my 5 string and the EB Cobalt's do it for me! Oh and they put out a lovely low bass sound on the B mmmmm good!

[@pertybass]

Glad to help!

[@littleblackcloud86]

They're really similar. DRs have a thicker bass tone, whereas the cobalts have a more prominent midrange.

[@pertybass]

Thanks

[@bradwillard3152]

DR's have a bit more of a "bell overtone". This is on purpose but I think I like the fundamental balance of the Coblats.

[@jonathanchevallier7046]

To my ears, the cobalt sounds a little bit more mid range. But it's very close I think. Thank your for this test.

[@pertybass]

Thanks for watching!

[@geeush]

EB’s kind of boomy at certain moments. Would go for DR’s in this particular comparison.

[@pertybass]

Thanks

[@claudiosotos]

dr for me

[@christopherphinney9585]

Are there differences in feel? The slinky’s on my ray special 5 are chewing up my hands. I’ve heard the DR strings are a bit softer feel. Thoughts?

[@pertybass]

I also has the slinky’s on my EB, the DR definitely feels softer in my hands

[@BeesWaxMinder]

I’ve ALWAYS been a Slinky fan BUT they lost out, here....

[@novamusicgdl]

Dr lowrider for me

[@pertybass]

Thanks

[@cvortmann]

Thanks for the comparison. I've used the Cobalts once in my 4-string Sandberg but they rusted very fast. Then I've tried the DR Hi-Beams and it was the best string combination for that bass. I've since got a 5-string Stingray Special but I'm still on the Slinkies set that came with them and was thinking if the DRs would sound good with that bass too.
1. Did you have to do any adjustment in the nut for the .85 and .105 strings? (the Slinky set that came is the same as the Cobalts in the video .45 .65 .80 .100 .130)
2. Have you tried the Hi-Beams? If yes, how the sound differs from the Low Riders? I know the Low Riders have a higher tension but not sure how different they sound.
All the Best!

[@pertybass]

Thanks. I didn't tried the Hi-Beams but I intend to in the near future.

[@cvortmann]

@@pertybass Thanks for the answer! Did the .105 E and .85 A fit ok in the compensated nut?

[@haneyhanes]

@@cvortmann @Pertybass I'd like to know the same thing, any issues with the nut?

[@omarmoran3097]

​@@cvortmannthere shouldn't be any issue. If it was 110 then there probably would be

[@user-dw3hq9ty1f]

DR :)

[@IgnatiyShuChannel]

Ernie Ball all the way!

[@pertybass]

Thanks

[@woody357]

The Dr imho have a little meat to their sound, whereas the EB’s sound a little thin to me

[@pertybass]

Thanks

[@armandhammer8507]

A lot less finger noise with the Cobalts and slightly warmer.

[@pertybass]

Thanks

[@marselluswallace6]

I listened to the video without watching and i couldnt tell the difference

[@pertybass]

It's a subtle difference

[@Lorderon777XXX]

1 and 2 cool!

[@bapt_andthebasses]

Cobalts have more mids/hi-mids and slighty more bass.

[@andreaperelli5323]

Cobalt

[@pertybass]

Yes

[@teukurizkynoer8033]

Did you will get rust with old cobalt strings???

[@pertybass]

Unfortunately they did!

[@Helios824]

Dr Strings is Way Better Than Ernie ball

[@pertybass]

Thanks

[@Timulus70]

cobalts sound cleaner to me

[@pertybass]

Thanks

[@Helios824]

Dr Strings is Way Better in my opinion

[@andreaperelli5323]

they actually are, I started a project with the dr on my stingray (brand new DR), switched to the cobalt ones to put the dr in my precision, back to recording with my stingray with cobalt, had to get the take from the beginning because it was wayy brighter, don't care what they say in the comment section lol I promise cobalt are more hi-fi/top ending/coearer than the dr