Discussing replacements for EBMM Cobalt Flatwounds

[JEDI BASS]

I never had corrosion either. Must be body chemistry related. (That's not meant to be a negative in any way, just different pH balances for different pHolks.)

No, from what I’ve read and experienced it’s more related to the humidity in the air. The basses that I’ve left at home don’t have corrosion. The ones I’ve gigged outdoors or transported several times to different locations DO have corrosion. I don’t have sweaty hands, and don’t play with dirty hands.

 

[JEDI BASS]

I tried Cobalts on @JEDI BASS instruments. I would call them very round wound like. So much so that I am going to put a set on one of my basses very soon, just can’t decide which one. I agree,body chemistry probably plays a part with corrosion. My strings usually retain freshness fairly long. Hope that remains the same for my experience with the cobalts. Loved them on JJ’ basses!

I hope you have great luck with them Max! I think the 80% outdoor humidity gigs played a part in my issue. That won’t be a factor for you

 

[Altitude]

Awesome strings, but the construction approach leaves a tiny bit of space between each wind. This creates places for organic material to collect and for that reason Cobalts are subject to the same tonal degradation issues as roundwound strings.

Personally I also find them a bit sticky when my hands are damp (every gig). So I’ve moved away from them on gigging basses.

I still think that GHS Pressurewounds offer the best compromise of tone and feel of anything I’ve used. Depending on your bright vs. dark preference, you can let them go more or less dead. I have a set on my Jazz bass right now that I’ve let go a long time, and I rather like the result though it’s new to me.

 

[happygilmour]

Awesome strings, but the construction approach leaves a tiny bit of space between each wind. This creates places for organic material to collect and for that reason Cobalts are subject to the same tonal degradation issues as roundwound strings.

Personally I also find them a bit sticky when my hands are damp (every gig). So I’ve moved away from them on gigging basses.

I still think that GHS Pressurewounds offer the best compromise of tone and feel of anything I’ve used. Depending on your bright vs. dark preference, you can let them go more or less dead. I have a set on my Jazz bass right now that I’ve let go a long time, and I rather like the result though it’s new to me.

They are so sticky if you have any moisture on your hands!! Your hands won't slide down them at all!!

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Roto flats are definitely an option if you want brighter flats that sound a bit like roundwound but feel like flats. They're not the smoothest feeling flats though. They feel almost like pressurewounds under the fingers.

Roto flats can be quite stiff, depending on the gauge. The 45-105 set (which has a nicer tone than the lighter gauge sets IMO) will be pretty hard on the fingers unless you set the action very low. But the good news is that the stiffness enables the action to be adjusted lower than with most other strings, without buzzing. They're also quite high tension so you may have to tighten the truss rod a little bit (depending on the tension of your previous strings of course).

Roto flats have a rather low output (monel wrapping) so you will probably have to adjust your amp/pedal settings a bit. Not really a problem, just something to be aware of.

The only real negative is how they age. They E+A-strings will stay bright a VERY long time but the D+G-strings will mellow out relatively fast. It's mostly noticeable when playing alone. They still work fine in a mix.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Two flatwounds that have been described as very close to D'Addario Chromes are the S.I.T. Power Flats (set PF45105L, gauges 45-65-85-105) and the Gibson Flatwound Steel (SBG-FWLS, 40-60-75-95; SBG-FWLS12, 45-65-80-100). The latter might be even slightly brighter than Chromes, according to a couple reports.

 

[Mastermold]

I tried Cobalts on @JEDI BASS instruments. I would call them very round wound like. So much so that I am going to put a set on one of my basses very soon, just can’t decide which one. I agree,body chemistry probably plays a part with corrosion. My strings usually retain freshness fairly long. Hope that remains the same for my experience with the cobalts. Loved them on JJ’ basses!

I've got a set of Cobalts on one of my basses that I leave out and play a lot, been several months since I put them on and no corrosion issue so as far as my experience with them they last just fine.

 

[BOOG]

There are accounts of Cobalts not oxidizing/corroding but my one and only experience was pulling out a brand new set and finding them covered with rust. They went right back to the store and I have not considered buying anything from that manufacturer since.

 

[HowieD72]

GHS Pressurewounds

 

[jmattis]

This must have been difficult to type!

LOL, I have a set in my hand at this very moment… one of the few flats that I bought, during the pandemic, that I never got around to trying out.

 

[JEDI BASS]

This must have been difficult to type!

Haha! It was odd that I had just gone through my string drawer and grabbed several different sets, and was studying the packaging on the Rotos when I read someone suggesting them.

 

[JEDI BASS]

EBMM replied to my email:

“We are always reevaluating our product line and, if demand exists, it is definitely something we would consider.”

So, if enough people let them know that the strings corrode, they may take action.

 

[DCCat]

I bought a set of Chromes once, but in looking at the gauges and tension for the 40-95 set, I felt that the D string (.060) was likely to be too stiff, so I bought a custom set (40-55-75-95). As a TI guy, I thought the stiffness was greater than ideal but certainly acceptable. I ended up not liking the tone (too bright/zingy/clanky), but the feel was OK. Not sure if it's as easy to order custom sets or singles these days, though.

 

[AndyLES]

I've been using Cobalt flats for a few years now, and on all my basses. Never had the corrosion problem. Y'all gotta check your pH levels in your diets, lol!

I did have a string that got dirty, but some Dunlop string cleaner took care of that.

 

[AndyLES]

To answer the OP's question, though - I've heard a lot of good things about D'Addario Chromes giving that "bright flat" tone.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

So, the nickel Elixir set sounds better than the stainless?

Yes. Yes they do

 

[Gizmot]

After reading a few threads and comments like this, I put a set of Cobalt Flats on one of my basses. Although not terrible, these strings aren’t anywhere close to my standard- TI Jazz Flats. Jazz Flats simply sound a lot better, always feel silky and they last for years. Even after 5 years Jazz Flats have no perceptible drop off in performance. If you consider how long they last, Jazz Flats are a great deal even though they cost more to buy

 

[JEDI BASS]

I've been using Cobalt flats for a few years now, and on all my basses. Never had the corrosion problem. Y'all gotta check your pH levels in your diets, lol!

I did have a string that got dirty, but some Dunlop string cleaner took care of that.

I suppose my pH is a possibility but I have never had an issue with any other strings corroding. And, the Cobalt equipped basses I play only at home don’t have corrosion. So, I assumed it was the high humidity and nasty air quality we suffer through here in Knoxville, Tn during the summer. Who knows… either way, can’t alter my already healthy lifestyle/diet to try to fix a string issue that most players have encountered. I should post a pole, but from what I’ve seen, over half the players experience the corrosion with these strings.

 

[JEDI BASS]

I bought a set of Chromes once, but in looking at the gauges and tension for the 40-95 set, I felt that the D string (.060) was likely to be too stiff, so I bought a custom set (40-55-75-95). As a TI guy, I thought the stiffness was greater than ideal but certainly acceptable. I ended up not liking the tone (too bright/zingy/clanky), but the feel was OK. Not sure if it's as easy to order custom sets or singles these days, though.

I’ve built many custom sets, over the years, to balance tension by buying singles. But, for Chromes especially, it can get very costly.

 

[JEDI BASS]

Yes. Yes they do

Ordering a 40-95 set tonight. Thanks