Cobalt Flats Question

[BigDrew]

I put them on an MIA P using the instructions. Very easy and no issues....a lot of wraps though.

 

[jaysbass2002]

Strung mine through the body first time and the B string snapped at the bridge. The angle was to great I presume. I should have read up a little first. Customer service was great and sent me a replacement.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

is Step #3 a common thing?...or required....I do 1&2 and neater/parallel wraps than #4...anyone else do step 3?.

I just put them as normal and didn't even notice step 3. All is well with them. No visits from the String Police.

 

[gjohnson441496]

How smooth are Cobalt flats? Are they as smooth as Chromes?

Yes, they are as smooth as Chromes. I've used Chromes and like them but the EB Cobalts are my favorites now. Had them on my Jazz bass for about 2 months. The tension I would describe as supple. Nice on the fingers and stiff enough for playing with a pick.

 

[gjohnson441496]

I cut mine, enough to leave 3 complete rounds on the e,a,d,g tuner posts and 2 rounds on the b post - I play a 5 string. Any more wraps around the post and it'll look like crap and you'll have tuning issues.

My wraps, I'll admit, look like crap, but I've had no tuning issues with the EB Cobalts. As a matter of fact, they stay in tune so well that I've taken notice of it.

 

[WaynerBass]

My wraps, I'll admit, look like crap, but I've had no tuning issues with the EB Cobalts. As a matter of fact, they stay in tune so well that I've taken notice to it.

I meant there will be tuning issues if he over wraps the wire onto the tuning peg.. any more that 3 rounds onto the peg is more than enough

 

[gjohnson441496]

I meant there will be tuning issues if he over wraps the wire onto the tuning peg.. any more that 3 rounds onto the peg is more than enough

No offense taken. The op asked me to upload pics of my tuning pegs with the full wraps and, it's not a pretty sight.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

The sound I get with these I wouldn't describe as rounds, but smooth, as some do, as they are somewhat shorter in sustain. New on they are like new TI flats, but with a somewhat broader tonal spectrum and sound 'bigger, with more top and bottom than TIs.

 

[ET777]

Tonight, I threw a pair of 45s EB Cobalt Flats on my Blazer.... Holy Cow! These kill the La Bella 45s that I had on there before in every way. Much brighter, richer harmonics, better sustain and they feel great. Im excited to start recording with these, because the La Bellas were muddy as hell and I need something brighter that are not roundwound bright. Highly impressed with the EB Cobalt Flats.

I just crimped them back and forth till they broke, and installed them as normal inserting in to the post and winding.

 

[BigDrew]

I was a D'addario fan for a while. I wanted to try Cobalts so I bought rounds for my J and flats for my P and I am reaaaly happy with both! I will probably stay with these for a while. For the record, I think these out-Chrome Chromes.

 

[petrus61]

Just curious what EB isn't doing that every other flat maker seems to be to have to require such an untraditional stringing method at the peghead?

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Just curious what EB isn't doing that every other flat maker seems to be to have to require such an untraditional stringing method at the peghead?

I presume it's because it's a flat wrap over a thinner round wound string rather than flat wraps over an underlying layer of flat wraps meaning an increased chance of unwinding?

 

[petrus61]

I presume it's because it's a flat wrap over a thinner round wound string rather than flat wraps over an underlying layer of flat wraps meaning an increased chance of unwinding?

Interesting. I had asked back in one of the earlier threads if there was anything like that that set them apart construction wise, but nobody seemed to know at the time. Doesn't GHS do this (ribbon over round) with certain gauges on their Precision Flats? I may be wrong, but I think their low E and B are made this way.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Interesting. I had asked back in one of the earlier threads if there was anything like that that set them apart construction wise, but nobody seemed to know at the time. Doesn't GHS do this (ribbon over round) with certain gauges on their Precision Flats? I may be wrong, but I think their low E and B are made this way.

I don't know about GHS as they are uncommon, branded as such in the UK, although I think GHS is an OEM for some. You don't see La Bella much, although a bass playing uncle used them in the 1960s. EB you do see, but mostly Slinky, and the Cobalts are a circa £40 special order, only a hair cheaper than TIs. I actually ordered my Cobalts from talkbass, although that only saved me £2 in the end.

 

[Chiliwailer]

My set didn't come with the instructions, is this a new thing?

 

[Saetia]

I totally forgot about this thread, oops. So I installed my Cobalts as I would any other string. Measure a hand past tuner and "crimp" then cut. 3 solid wraps around the post, will post pictures later. So far so good, I may try the light set (.95) next as they are real fun on my fretless and an even lighter gauge might be even more groovy.

I may sell my Dean Rhapsody though, been craving J pickups again and well... J and flats = flavorful burps lol.