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EB Cobalt Flats vs TI Flats Tension

Christcr

Christcr

Supporting Member
Feb 8, 2015
1,127
2,399
Utah
#1
For those of you who have used the lightest gauge Ernie Ball Slinky (Cobalt) flatwounds and the TI flatwounds, which have lower tension?

I had some TI flats years ago, but I honestly can't remember other than they were definitely low tension. I have a couple basses strung with the 95-40 EB cobalt flats and they are nice low tension. But I could go with even less tension. I think the only string company that has a flatwound string that might have lower tension is TI. True or not? Oh, and I like brighter flats, not the deadish "thumpy" flats. And the cobalts definitely give me more of the high end I like to hear.
 
#6
If that's the case, I might go ahead, take a chance (those puppies are EXPENSIVE!), buy a set, and try them out on one of my basses. Like I said, it's been a very long time since I've played a set. So long, I don't even remember how I felt about the sound or feel. I guess I must not have been overly impressed (since I didn't keep using them), but opinions can change over the years...
 
#8
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#9
I have both, went from several years of cobalts to currently on year 2 of TI flats. Which one has more or less tension, I don't know as I never measured tension on my strings.

As to which one feels the most flexible, both are close to me. The TIs feel a little bit more flexible, but the cobalts feel flexible too compared to average flat wounds that I've used in the past.

To sum it up, I don't compare those two strings in terms of flexibility differences, but in tone. TIs have lots of mids. I call mid-forward strings. Cobalts have more highs. Cobalts rust, but TIs don't (or have not yet?).

Both were/are on my Kiesel Vanquish pictured in my avatar. Cobalts were on it during the time of the picture. Both are worthy strings, imo.
 
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#12
Over in the DB forums, there is at least one member who keeps a measure of every DB string in the market and we would have a numerical answer right now. But Thomasktik publishes the string tensions

Jazz Flat Wound Bass Guitar | Guitar Strings | Products | Thomastik-Infeld Vienna

Super long scale is more tension ~41 and short scale in the ~32

upload_2022-12-1_9-31-54.png


Can't find info on ErnieBall strings but I have a kitchen scale. Maybe I'll get me some Cobalts in a day or 2 and use this formula. I think it will be accurate if I have metric version.

UW- Unit Weight. Unit weight is expressed in pounds per linear inch (lb/in).
L- Scale Length. This is the vibrating length of the string. This is determined by
measuring the distance from the nut to the bridge of the instrument in inches (in).
F- Frequency or pitch. This is the pitch at which you will be tuning the string
expressed in cycles per second (Hertz).

To calculate the tension of a string in pounds use the formula below, inserting the three variables described above:

T (Tension) = (UW x (2 x L x F)^2) / 386.4
 
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#13
Jtown690 said:
To calculate the tension of a string in pounds use the formula below, inserting the three variables described above:

T (Tension) = (UW x (2 x L x F)^2) / 386.4
Click to expand...

Yep - the Physics of these things says that, to a pretty good approximation, if you weigh the set, the heavier one will have more tension. The assumptions in there are that the strings are about the same length (or you cut the longer ones to the same length as the shorter ones), and that the restoring force is mostly due to tension - if one set has considerably thicker core wires, it would change the math a bit.
 
#16
74hc said:
Cobalts rust, but TIs don't (or have not yet?).
Click to expand...

Cobalts rust???
Mine haven't. I still have the very first set I've ever used in a bag pocket, dated 2019, no sign of rust.
If it's a matter of stains of dirt, I've experienced several DRs and Rotos ending up in a waaay worse state in a much shorter timeframe (also, dying tonewise at an insanely faster rate).
 
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#17
Kijuer said:
Cobalts rust???
Mine haven't. I still have the very first set I've ever used in a bag pocket, dated 2019, no sign of rust.
If it's a matter of stains of dirt, I've experienced several DRs and Rotos ending up in a waaay worse state in a much shorter timeframe (also, dying tonewise at an insanely faster rate).
Click to expand...
yes cobalts rust. i moved from nickel round rounds to cobalt flats in 2019 and noticed rust forming on the strings in the plucking area. i realized it was from condensation on my beverage i drink during practice. slightly wet fingers. now i make sure my fingers are totally dry before touching the strings. no more rust.
 
#18
It isn't so much the "tension" specification that you feel when plucking. That's more about what your bass's neck feels.

The TIs "roll" under your fingers, like oversized nylon guitar strings or a bit like silicone or gut strings. Nothing like a Cobalt of any gauge.
 
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