Question 1

Which artists use Ernie Ball 7-String Regular Slinky Cobalt (.010–.056)?

Accepted Answer

Jason Richardson (Solo / ex-Born of Osiris) has cited Ernie Ball 7-String Regular Slinky Cobalt (.010–.056) in a sourced interview. See "These artists use this product" above for the full citation.

Question 2

How is this different from the 2730 7-String Slinky Cobalt?

Accepted Answer

.056 vs .062 on the low B string. Same gauges on the top six strings (.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046). The .056 on the low B feels noticeably looser in B standard than .062, which some players prefer for faster picking and easier bending; .062 is preferred when tuning down to Drop A or Drop G# where the heavier string holds pitch better. Pick by tuning: 2729 for B standard / Drop A; 2730 for Drop G# and below.

Question 3

Who plays 7-String Regular Slinky Cobalt?

Accepted Answer

Jason Richardson is the documented anchor user. His Music Man Cutlass HH 7-String signature is factory-strung with this set; the artist series page calls out the gauge. Richardson's current solo catalog uses 7-string E standard (with low B) primarily, with Drop A and Drop G# variations for specific songs. The .056 fits his playing style, lead-fluid with fast picking patterns where a heavier .062 would feel sluggish on the low end.

Question 4

Will this set work for Drop G#?

Accepted Answer

Marginally. The .056 low string in Drop G# sits at about 18 pounds tension, on the soft end for hard rhythm work but playable for melodic and lead-driven material. For dedicated Drop G# rhythm, step to the 2730 (.062 low). For E standard with occasional Drop A, the 2729 is correct.

Question 5

What's the cobalt voicing change like on a 7-string vs a 6-string?

Accepted Answer

More pronounced on the wound strings. The low B and the wound D, A, and E strings all benefit from the cobalt alloy's higher magnetic permeability, the low end reads tighter and louder through the same passive pickups (Fishman Fluence, BKP, EMG). On the plain strings the voicing change is subtler. Most 7-string players notice the cobalt voicing on the low end first.

Question 6

Is this the gauge Jason Richardson uses for his signature lead style?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Richardson's lead vocabulary is fast, picked-articulated, and bend-heavy. The .010 plain top gives him the bend feel he wants; the .056 low string keeps the rhythm passages tight without slowing the picking hand on the wound strings. He's also discussed using Paradigm Power Slinky in parallel for tracking when he wants the coated-string longevity through long studio sessions.

Question 7

Are 7-string Cobalts noticeably louder than nickel 7-string Slinky?

Accepted Answer

About 2–3 dB through passive pickups, same as the 6-string Cobalt comparison. On a 7-string this matters more because the low strings have more harmonic content to begin with, the cobalt push helps them sit forward in a mix where the bass guitar is also competing for low-mid space.

Ernie Ball 7-String Regular Slinky Cobalt (.010–.056) review: the lighter 7-string Cobalt

Anatomy

Tone

Where this set sits in the Cobalt range

Who plays this set

Best for

Worst for

Install and break-in

Verdict