EB Cobalt Flats vs TI Flats Tension

[Christcr]

It sounds like (from the comments) that they are close in feel/tension, with the TIs just a little bit "floppier" (along with Labella LT flats?) That's actually good to know. I don't really want something that is like a set of normal bass strings tuned down to C or something, but maybe just slightly less than the cobalts. I doubt that I'll switch over to TIs because I do like the sound of the cobalt flats (as far as flatwound strings go). I'll just string a bass up with them because I'm forever the "tinkerer" (strings, bridges, pickups, tuners, etc). I actually have rounds on most of my basses (DR Pure Blues and DR DDT). But I do like to keep a couple with flats. I'm soon getting a new G&L JB bass (purple!) that will be a likely candidate for TI flats.

As for the EB cobalt flats rusting... I haven't had mine rust, but I have definitely seen them rust for other players. I think it depends a lot on your body chemistry and what you have on your fingers (oil or whatever body "stuff"). Kind of like nickel rounds going dead really fast for some players. I find if I wash my hands more than I think I should when I'm playing, my strings live longer. And wipe the strings down after a gig or practice.

 

[logdrum]

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.

You quoted an entirely different thread post What's a good short-scale bass in the 0-500 range for a kid?

Do you have a problem with me man -

Do you have a metric version by any chance? I need some new strings anyway. Shame on EB for not publishing tension charts. Is D'Addario making strings for a lot of folks and wondering if they make for EB

 

[Kijuer]

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.

Wow I didn't know that, it never occurred to me...but I have a particularly dry skin (as opposed to my husband...he makes his drumstick shine LOL)

 

[HaphAsSard]

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.

Total tension of the Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flat long-scale, 4-string set (JF344) is 140.19 lbs, per the company website, as posted by @logdrum above.

Regarding Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwounds (cobalt flats, set #2815) see here:

Ernie Ball does have their tension info available for those who ask for it. You just need to contact them through email ([email protected]) and specify the set(s) you need the tension info on.

Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats 40-60-70-95 [...]:

G 040 - 39.42 (lbs.)
D 060 - 43.80
A 070 - 32.58
E 095 - 32.50 (148.3)

So yeah, the lightest EB set is 8 pounds heavier than the T-I.

I guess you could put together an even lighter set of Cobalts by buying singles.
(Upon closer inspection, is it possible you're dissatisfied with only the D string tension? In that case, you could just replace the one, with a single .055".)

 

[Jimmy Howe]

The Thomastiks are the most flexible strings I’ve ever experienced. I haven’t tried the Cobalts, but I have Roto77s on two and the “low tension” LaBellas on another. The LaBellas only differs in gage with the ‘A’ string by about 5 thousandths, but they’re a lot stiffer than the TIs. The TIs would work on a bass with no truss rod in my estimation. The tone from the TIs is massive… especially when compared to the Roto77s.

 

[Altitude]

TI Flats have lower tension. To me, Cobalts feel more similar to Chromes than to TIs.

 

[leegreenman]

My two favorite Flatwound strings. TIs feel more flexible, but the low gauged Cobalt flats are also feel great.

 

[Levent]

Firstly, they are both my favourite strings depending on the bass and sound I'm after.
TI is a little lower tension, very classical, lyrical sounding. Almost singing on It's own with some overtones and treble.
Cobalt is a little denser but still very elastic out of the bag. A little more low mid emphasis and modern sound.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I own, play and enjoy both. TI Flats are lower tension.

 

[rodl2005]

Wow I didn't know that, it never occurred to me...but I have a particularly dry skin (as opposed to my husband...he makes his drumstick shine LOL)

Cobalts rust quick 4 me. I get the ol sweaty hands 5 songs in so keeping em dry is a no go.
I've got a set unused, so I'll try wiping them down after gigs, see how that goes. But if that doesn't help much, I doubt I'll get em again.
I like em too.
Fender flats are pretty cool.

The strings I've had on the longest are probably the GHS tapes, on my EB4 Gibson.