Cobalt vs. TI flats

[Chrisk-K]

I preferred the Cobalt to the Roto, GHS, Chromes & LaBella, but I had two Cobalt strings broken over the past 3 months (I had never broken other brand bass strings in 30 years). So, I'm thinking about trying the TI flats. I shied away from them in the past because I didn't think I'd like their low tension, but nowadays I much prefer low tension strings. My understanding is that the TI flats sound less bright and less mid-scooped than the Cobalt flats. Is that correct? I'd love to hear from TBers who've tried both the Cobalt and the TI flats before spending $80 on a set of strings.

 

[WG Plum]

I prefer Cobalts on everything except my Mustang PJ that I had defretted. It has TI flats on it and sounds wonderful. If I want flat flats, I prefer La Bella flexible flats to the TIs.

 

[Marko 1]

I just tried my first set of flats, the Cobalts, and I'm hoping they don't break, lol...

I'm thinking of putting them on other basses as the Rounds wear out. And if they last for years as other flats are supposed to, that makes them tempting, as well.

 

[Mastermold]

I preferred the Cobalt to the Roto, GHS, Chromes & LaBella, but I had two Cobalt strings broken over the past 3 months (I had never broken other brand bass strings in 30 years). So, I'm thinking about trying the TI flats. I shied away from them in the past because I didn't think I'd like their low tension, but nowadays I much prefer low tension strings. My understanding is that the TI flats sound less bright and less mid-scooped than the Cobalt flats. Is that correct? I'd love to hear from TBers who've tried both the Cobalt and the TI flats before spending $80 on a set of strings.

TI flats are $95 now for a 4 string set.

I have been using TI flats for years and have a new set of Cobalt flats but I haven’t put them on a bass yet. I just installed LaBells LTFs on a bass today, so far I like them and they seem to be as comfortable as the TI flats they replaced. Might try them out if you’re looking for lower tension at a better price.

 

[MdC64]

I just browsed Amazon and found TI flats for 56 bucks and change.

 

[mdogs]

I tried Cobalts, they are far too clanky for me and I am mostly a stainless round wound guy. TI’s are pretty much just right. I always think they have too much thud until I plug in and then I remember why I love them. I wouldn’t spend anytime worrying about the tension, people make far too much of a deal about this.

 

[Jeb]

I bought a great Fender jazz bass at a guitar center Las Vegas in July of '03. Put TI flats on it a couple of years later and they are still on and still wonderful!

 

[JKos]

TI flats are $95 now for a 4 string set.

$57 on Amazon right now

 

[james condino]

TI flats, like Spirocores for upright bass, last forever and just keep getting better with age....

 

[Yahboy]

I prefer Cobalt flat on jazz bass or modern dual humbucker bass, the natural strong upper mid voice and solid lower mid could make they sound growl along with right amount amplifier bass knob raise. Both B and E string on cobalt flat has best solid and clear tone than others flatwound bass string I been use.

The fresh Ti flat sound weird on some modern dual pickups bass guitar like Ibanez SR. I only prefer the broken in Ti flat on split or single coil P bass and Stingray.

Both are nice string to me, I suggest OP try both himself.

 

[wiscoaster]

I'm sorry, but I haven't tried Cobalts so I can't make the comparison, but I have used the T-I flats and I can vouch for both their sound and their quality. I have the short scale* Jazz Bass 43-106 set on my Guild Starfire right now.

* the T-I "short" scale is actually 32 inches.

 

[waver]

I’ve got TI flats on my #1 bass and cobalts on my #2. I like them both.

TIs sound pure, clear, and organic on my Fodera P. To me, piano-like. With one pedal (Wampler Euphoria) I can make that clean sound even fuller, or go more overdriven and distorted for certain songs.

For my #2 - a Reverend Mercalli - I specifically wanted a different sound - zingier, more towards a round wound sound, but with a flats feel. Love the Cobalts for that.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Never used the TI's ($$) but installed a set of Cobalt 5's. Not sure what prompted breakage as cited by the OP. Been happy so far but, next time, I'm going with a lighter gauge 4 string set and purchasing the separate 130 B. To my ears, they sound like well-worn rounds.

Riis

 

[74hc]

I have TI right now, but had Cobalts just before. My thoughts:

1- These two strings are quite different, but quite good in their own way. So far, these are my two favorite flats.
2- TIs are mid focus, and Cobalts have more highs.
3- Cobalts don't last that long for me. It started needing replace about 6 months, but being who I am, I kept them for 2 years.
4- Flexibility wise, they are both similar. The TIs have some what more, but not floppy by any means. Floppy is what one gets when they dive their strat's trem. Using that term to describe TIs have become popular, but has gotten out of hand.
5- Cobalts are smoother than TIs. You will feel the windings somewhat more on the TIs but its far from being an issue.
6-Care must be taken when winding Cobalts on the tuners. I have taken mine off/on several times to change to RWs during some parts of the year. You don't want to put a twist in it. Don't wrap it around the tuner by hand to shorten the amount of turning the key.

 

[ELG60]

On my basses equipped with flats, those are my 2 choices. I like the mid complexity of the TI's but the Cobalts are fine too. I'd say that I don't feel a troublesome difference in tension between the two.

 

[nixdad]

I have TI's on 3 of my basses. Two have had them on since 2014.

Great investment - don't let anyone tell you differently.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I happen to be playing each string type on the two basses I’m carrying to gigs these days. I have the EB Cobalt flats on a SBMM Sub Series Stingray hat has the pickup re-wired to parallel. The Cobalts (and pickup re-wiring)provide enough high end to get a little sparkle with no string zing finger noise. The Cobalts seem to be made for the the Stingray, and I guess they are in a way, both being related to Ernie Ball. I can’t imagine I’ll ever use any other string on this bass, but I haven’t tried TIs on it yet…. This is the second set of EB Cobalt flats I’ve had. The first set is still going strong on an Epiphone EB0 and I’ve had them about three years. No broken strings (yet)…..

I have a set of TI Jazz Flats on a parts P-bass body with a Jazz neck. The bass is currently equipped with the pickup from an early 90’s Peavey Fury which is similar in tone & output to a DiMarzio quarter pounder. The TIs provide the expected thump, but with the high mids they are known for, however what you’ve heard is correct; they are nowhere near as bright as the Cobalts.

I like TIs for anything but slap, but it can be done, it’s just an old school sound. I start most gigs with the Stingray and go to the P-bass (which is about two pounds lighter) for the last set or two. I also enjoy the lower tension of the TIs as the night goes on.

You can try a set of TIs for significantly less than $80. Search Amazon for “Accordion accessory Thomastik 344”. Strange but true….

 

[Chicken Wing]

I’ve owned them both. I play Dunlop’s now

Cobalt flats are cool, they never really (for me)totally lost their edge tone wise, always some bite there.

IMO Dunlop’s are the best of both. Punchy, versatile, no thuddy E string like LaBella’s, feel great under the hands.

people have complained about slinky flats breaking in the past, EB wants you to double wrap your initial winding.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

I’ve owned them both. I play Dunlop’s now

Cobalt flats are cool, they never really (for me)totally lost their edge tone wise, always some bite there.

IMO Dunlop’s are the best of both. Punchy, versatile, no thuddy E string like LaBella’s, feel great under the hands.

people have complained about slinky flats breaking in the past, EB wants you to double wrap your initial winding.

Another vote for Dunlop flats. Flexible and sound great. I like them just a little better than Cobalts

 

[AaronBass4]

Not much to add to what's already been said, I am another who is . . .

• using both Cobalt flats and TI flats . . . like both for what each brings
• watching the 'accordian accessory' on Amazon . . . the price goes up and down A LOT. I just got a set for about $56 shipped free from Germany. Seems a little sketch but I have purchased twice and recieved what appear to be the real thing.