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New EB Cobalt Flats?

#1,021
Tension is such a subjective things. IME even on similar basses the same type and gauge strings feel different. Right now I have DR Pure Blues on 2 jazz basses and a 5 string P bass and they all feel a little different. I also find that unless the strings are really stiff or really loose I quickly adjust to the differences in tension. Also notice that it changes a lot on a gig and that strings that have perfect tension at home feel much looser the bandstand.

I've had EB Cobalts 45 - 100 set on my Moollon P Bass for about 9 months. Briefly changed to the 40 - 95 set thinking they'd be more like TI's but they were just too loose for me. Put the 45-100 set back on and have never looked back. Used that bass on a couple of gigs over the weekend, Monday rehearsal and jam and was reminded again how much I love those strings. They really are a perfect match for this bass. I'd say compared the DR Blues and D'Addario XL's I've been playing, they have slightly higher tension but it all disappears once I start playing it for a bit. My only complaint is the nice purple silks are getting a bit ragged on my G string since I've taken these strings on and off a couple of times. I'd swap it for a new one but they sound so great now that they're broken in!
 
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#1,023
ObeyDaRiffness said:
That's the opposite actually. I HATE loose strings.
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If you normally play flats, I would suggest getting the heaviest Cobalt set.

Bass strings online can get the singles now, so you can order the heavy four string set and add a B string. The five string sets are only available in a couple of different gauges for some reason.
 
#1,024
HeavyDuty said:
I just had D and G breakage when stringing - the same gradual failure when first tuning up that others have described. I'll give EBMM a call Tuesday - has anyone had recent experience with getting these replaced?
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Took several days to get a response from EB and then they wanted to know the serial number and some other info I didn't have - I had already thrown the string and the packaging away.

The EB website doesn't let you backorder out of stock items. After waiting I tried to buy a few extras but was unable to.

Jason at BSO is now selling the singles so I ordered a few from BSO. I don't care so much about paying for them as the waiting and inconvenience.

I used to use Pyramids but quit because they were too fragile. Got tired of dealing with broken strings. I used custom gauges on those and had to get them direct from Germany. If the problem persists with the Cobalts I'll probably just order a case of extra D strings (I don't use the G's).
 
#1,033
I recently put a set on my SR5 HH and while they are not tonally what I am used to with LaBellas and TI's I do like them. The tension on these is somewhat of a subjective thing from moment to moment. There have been times I have played them and thought they felt stiff and uninspiring then a few minuets later thought they felt great. I think there is something to the comments stating that they loosen up a bit as you play them. I like the high end snap that they have in that you can get a real round wound brightness and not just clank from the top end. I am interested to see how they mellow and or age.
 
#1,036
HeavyDuty said:
I just had D and G breakage when stringing - the same gradual failure when first tuning up that others have described. I'll give EBMM a call Tuesday - has anyone had recent experience with getting these replaced?
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I had the same problem with my D string when I tried a set of these. Snapped as I was tuning up. I work at a music store and that same week our guitar tech had the same issue when setting up a customer's bass with Cobalts. After having this happen twice in one week with two different sets, I gave up on Cobalts and began to look elsewhere. I tried Roto 77s, LaBellas, and have now settled on Chromes. Never had that issue with any other string.
 
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#1,037
Waluigi said:
I had the same problem with my D string when I tried a set of these. Snapped as I was tuning up. I work at a music store and that same week our guitar tech had the same issue when setting up a customer's bass with Cobalts. After having this happen twice in one week with two different sets, I gave up on Cobalts and began to look elsewhere. I tried Roto 77s, LaBellas, and have now settled on Chromes. Never had that issue with any other string.
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I believe there were teething pains with these at first, but from what I can tell it has been worked out. EBMM immediately replaced mine.
 
#1,038
HeavyDuty said:
I believe there were teething pains with these at first, but from what I can tell it has been worked out. EBMM immediately replaced mine.
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Teething pains or no, it seems some people are still having this problem. I'm the type that if something fails on me like that, even once, I'm done with them. Life's too short to worry about string reliability and consistency. I left the other three strings on for a few days, using a round in place of the defective strings. They sounded alright and the tension felt good, but I wasn't as impressed as I was with the LaBellas or Chromes. I play Ernie Balls for my roundwound bass strings and use regular slinkys on all my guitars.
 
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