The Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt Guitar Strings (9-42) is an Ernie Ball other, currently around $9.99. Close alternatives include the Ernie Ball M-Steel Regular Slinky Guitar Strings (10-46) and the Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Guitar Strings (9-46). It pairs well with the Synergy SL2 Module and the Friedman BE-Mini Head.
Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt Guitar Strings (9-42)
Ernie Ball · other
Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt (9-42) is an electric guitar string set using cobalt-alloy wound strings, a material Ernie Ball developed specifically to increase magnetic response with guitar pickups for greater output, clarity, and dynamic range compared to traditional nickel-plated steel strings. Built on the classic 9-42 Super Slinky gauge, it combines the familiar light-gauge playability players expect with the tonal benefits of cobalt construction.
- playability
- clarity
- response
- articulation
- tonal upgrade
- audibly wider dynamic range
- genuine tonal upgrade
- cobalt alloy
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt Guitar Strings (9-42) is commonly used in
- Bluegrass
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Jazz
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt Guitar Strings (9-42)
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Synergy SL2 Module gives it high gain to fill it with
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Friedman BE-Mini Head brings the high gain it's missing
Egnater Tweaker 88 Head
Egnater
tonal matchEgnater Tweaker 88 Head's low gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Ceriatone 2202H gives it high gain to fill it with
Friedman Jose LTD
Friedman
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Friedman Jose LTD brings the high gain it's missing
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 gives it high gain to fill it with
Bad Cat Lynx 50
Bad Cat
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Bad Cat Lynx 50 brings the high gain it's missing
Friedman Jose Arredondo
Friedman
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Friedman Jose Arredondo gives it high gain to fill it with
Pedals that stack with the Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt Guitar Strings (9-42)
Tone City Dry Martini
Tone City
tonal matchInto Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt Guitar Strings (9-42), Tone City Dry Martini is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 brings the fuzzy it's missing
Fender Hammertone Overdrive
Fender
tonal matchFender Hammertone Overdrive is voiced for a clean amp's front end — Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt Guitar Strings (9-42) gives it exactly that
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
tonal matchAshdown Geezer Butler Signature's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt Guitar Strings (9-42) delivers it
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
tonal matchInto Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt Guitar Strings (9-42), Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Warm Audio Jet Phaser
Warm Audio
tonal matchRun Warm Audio Jet Phaser into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Demon FX Gladiator Double Preamp Just
Demon Fx
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Demon FX Gladiator Double Preamp Just gives it low gain to fill it with
Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby Classic GCB95F
Cry Baby
tonal matchRun Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby Classic GCB95F into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar character
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt Guitar Strings (9-42)?+
The closest matches in character are the Ernie Ball M-Steel Regular Slinky Guitar Strings (10-46), the Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Guitar Strings (9-46), the DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker. Budget picks: Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Guitar Strings (9-46). Boutique upgrades: DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker.
What pairs well with the Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt Guitar Strings (9-42)?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Synergy SL2 Module, Friedman BE-Mini Head, Egnater Tweaker 88 Head — The transparent tone has headroom to spare — Synergy SL2 Module gives it high gain to fill it with.
How much does the Ernie Ball Super Slinky Cobalt Guitar Strings (9-42) cost?+
Around $9.99 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).