Broke a string last night

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Ok,It is no big deal,We expect to break strings as we play.
I have been using Cobra Coils for several Years and have never broken one.on, or offstage.I began keeping a log when I started using them and found that I easily got 12 gigs playing from one set.I changed only because I did'nt want to break a string onstage,the tone of the strings remained good throughout.
I would guess I was getting about 40 hours from each set.
I recently purchased a couple of sets of strings which the players on the U.S.Forum are calling "the greatest ever" etc.,
I broke a third string last night after about 15 hours playing!!
The tone of the new strings were good but not noticeably better(or worse)than the Cobra Coils.
I just wish Bobbe had an agent here in the U.K.
Billy

[Malcolm]

Billy I have had similar experience with Jagwire .Never broken one on or off stage and very little tone loss over a long period.From my past experience trying to get things sent over from Bobbe's shop , I don't fancy your chances getting them.

[Ken Byng]

Billy
I use Cobras for exactly the same reason as you - tone retention and mechanical longevity. I will bring back a suitcase full of Cobras next April when I go to Nashville to pick up my Show Pro from Jeff Surratt.

I haven't spoken to Bobbe about getting bulk discount for retailing them in the UK. He is very ill at the moment, only going into his store for 2 half hour sessions a week. I am worried that if anything untoward was to happen to Bobbe, whether the long term plan for Cobra Coils would continue.

It just goes to show how much strings have improved from 30 or 40 years ago where there is disappointment from Billy that a third 0.011 third string lasts for a 'mere' 15 playing hours from the Live Steel string set. I used to change my 3rd string every other gig and my 5th string every 4th gig to reduce the embarrassing string breakage on stage at a show. I can't remember the last time I broke a string since using Cobra Coils.

[Uncle Roy]

Ken or anyone have you heard of Live Strings, I sure you have. Whats your comment on this product , anyone used them?

[Ken Byng]

Roy
I made reference to the Live Strings in my post above.

I haven't tried them as yet, but Billy Knowles of North Carolina has sent me a complimentary set to try out in the last few days. I have to say that they will have to go a long way to beat the Cobra Coil string.

I spent an hour once at Bobbe Seymour's store just talking with him about how the Cobra Coil came about. He met a metallurgist once and described the inherent physical demands placed on pedal steel strings. The expert told Bobbe that what he needed ideally was a steel string with a mixed alloy of cobalt and brass. It took a lot of development, but the Cobra Coil string stands up really well to the elasticity rigors of being stretched and released.

[Uncle Roy]

Sorry Ken, Old age made me miss your reference to Live Strings

[Paul Brennan]

So, is Bobbe the only person selling Cobra Coil strings? I've heard so much about them I'd love to try them. I've always used GeorgeL because it's about the only string that it's possible to get on this side of the Pond. I use a 12 as my third string E9. If you wind most of it up along the shank of the tuner post it won't snap when you're installing it. It sounds much better and I get many more hours of it than an 11 in this position.

Ken, you say Bobbe is very ill. How bad is he?

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

On my first visit to the S.I.T. Company in Akron Ohio I was given the guided tour by Founder of the Company Mr. Vergil Lay, and the then president of the Co. Mr.Bob Hird and shown what was for 16 years a secret, the process they had for ensuring the strings did not slip on the ferrule. It involved spraying the ferrule winding on the end of the string with some kind of resin and to prove it he had 16 year build up block of resin that needed two hands to hold at the back of his spray booth!, in the dispatch area there were boxes and boxes of strings with all sorts of labels on them and destined for all over the world, I asked lots of questions and some of the answers were, The steel comes from Kentucky, the little brass ferrules are made by the Swiss "Cos they are good at tiny engineering projects like watches & clocks" and they needed a precise finish. I also asked Bob Hird if I could buy some Jag strings as they were proving popular at that time, the answer was a "no" I had to buy those from Danny (which I did) , but when I asked why not, they all come out of the same factory? The answer was " I can`t tell you that!" so, draw your own conclusions. I know Bobby is a good salesman and have spent some time in his shop and though he may have exstensive workshop facility ... I don`t think he has a string factory "out back" yet?
I am yet to be convinced about all the hype that comes out when a string appears in a new packet on the market place. I am happy useing S.I.T strings and stand by my original statement.." if they are good enough for Emmons they are good enough for me!"
I have gone to a lot of trouble for my steelie bretheren in setting up Rebecca (my Daughter) in providing a good and reliable string service Supplying strings for about half of what some of us used to have to pay per set!

AND... I don`t break 3rds. ...........

Buddy Emmons signature series E9th sets still £6

[Ken Byng]

SIT's are good, and I have used the stainless ones often in the past. They are well packaged and you get 2 third strings included in the E9 set, and overall are excellent value for money.

I don't use Jagwire strings because of quality issues after getting a couple of batches with small areas of corrosion on the plain strings. But everyone to their own - some love them and swear by them which is fine. People have criticised Bobbe Seymour for the way that he deals with customers, but all I will say is he does at least fulfill his orders and also pays his suppliers invoices.

There are a number of strings on the market that are pretty good as far as minimal breakage is concerned, and that can only be a plus. I include Cobra Coil, SIT, D'Addario, GHS, George L (made by GHS) and Franklin. When I get the set of Live Strings I'll compare them to what I normally use. Live Strings look like filling the void in the States left by unfulfilled Jagwire orders, and that will unfortunately put the Jagwire company under even more pressure in the future.

[Les Wright]

I recently bought a couple of sets of Live Strings to try them out. Proved ok on my Mullen but the 3rd snapped immediately on my Excel, obviously not up to the extra strain from the longer 25.5inch scale. Never had this happen with SITs from John.