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Ernie Ball cobalt bright flats vs Chromes, thoughts?

W

WaldoNova

Having fun yet?
Jun 14, 2009
1,806
1,201
Millington, MD
#1
I recently got a SBMM Ray34 that was strung with new Chromes. I like how they sound and feel so I might just stick with them on this Bass. My plan for this bass was(still is?) To use it for slap/funky tunes we occasionally play.

The Chromes sound surprisingly good for slap.

Has anyone used both of these sets and have any insight on their use for slap? Of course I could just decide to put on a set of Highbeams but I like the idea of longevity with the flats.

Thoughts and insight are greatly appreciated.
 
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#3
michael_t said:
If I were a slapper (which I'm not), I would choose the EB Cobalt flats over the D'A Chromes. Why? For one thing, the EB are closer to a roundwound tone, while the Chromes (at least to my ears) sound like flats with a hi-mid clank. Plus, the Cobalts are a little more flexible.
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Great feedback. Since the Chromes are pretty new they have quite a zing for a flatwound string. From what I've read they mellow out in time. I'm gonna have to see how soon and how they sound when they do mellow out.

I'm an ok slapper but I don't slap a lot. My main bass has a set of TI flats on it which are very much not great/usable for slap. This bass will be used exclusively for when I have to play anything with a slap bass line.

Anyone using Cobalt's to occasionally slap? Any other flats that are adequate for slapping?
 
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#4
I use Chromes and EB Cobalt flats and have had both on Stingrays. I think they're both pretty good to great for slap.

I'm currently using Ken Smith Slick Rounds (Ground round wounds) on a Sterling Ray34.

I like the sound of flat wound strings for slap. Chromes definitely dull out more than the Cobalts do, but over time, they both become less bright, with the Cobalts taking much longer to do so for me.

New, they both sound pretty bright. The main issue for me isn't the pop of the D and G strings but the thud of the E and A strings with thumbing. Sometimes I can't get enough of a tone to ring out those lower strings.

That said, I feel like a lot of Larry Graham's early slap sound with Sly and the Family Stone and with Graham Central Station sounds like flatwounds (or super dead roundwounds) with that rubbery loose tone.
 
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#5
shirojiro said:
I use Chromes and EB Cobalt flats and have had both on Stingrays. I think they're both pretty good to great for slap.

I'm currently using Ken Smith Slick Rounds (Ground round wounds) on a Sterling Ray34.

I like the sound of flat wound strings for slap. Chromes definitely dull out more than the Cobalts do, but over time, they both become less bright, with the Cobalts taking much longer to do so for me.

New, they both sound pretty bright. The main issue for me isn't the pop of the D and G strings but the thud of the E and A strings with thumbing. Sometimes I can't get enough of a tone to ring out those lower strings.

That said, I feel like a lot of Larry Graham's early slap sound with Sly and the Family Stone and with Graham Central Station sounds like flatwounds (or super dead roundwounds) with that rubbery loose tone.
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Thanks for your insight. I'm gonna have to try the Cobalts next string change.
 
#7
WaldoNova said:
I recently got a SBMM Ray34 that was strung with new Chromes. I like how they sound and feel so I might just stick with them on this Bass. My plan for this bass was(still is?) To use it for slap/funky tunes we occasionally play.

The Chromes sound surprisingly good for slap.

Has anyone used both of these sets and have any insight on their use for slap? Of course I could just decide to put on a set of Highbeams but I like the idea of longevity with the flats.

Thoughts and insight are greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Chrome sound dark and loss high once broken in except the G string.

Cobalt flat can keep their fresh tone last. 5 years old set on my J still sound great along with healthy crispy E string tone.
 
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#8
Cobalt flats are crazy. To my ear, they legitimately sound like rounds, especially when they're new. Perfect pairing on a StingRay.

I have Chromes on my Ray right now, and I like them a lot. They feel smoother (great selling point), but definitely sound like bright flats instead of rounds. I think a StingRay generally has more than enough treble on tap, so Chromes are totally fine, even as they break in. I got a lot of compliments on my tone last time I jammed with someone.
 
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#9
Cobalts head and shoulders above Chromes for my taste. I have Chromes in light and medium 4 string and a 5 string light set, and I’ve tried them, because they are so popular; but I just find them completely uninspiring. Cobalts, on the other hand, feel great, sound bright and roundish, etc. I much prefer the EB Group flats to Chromes for the mid flat (I think the Groups are stronger fundamentals and more growl, which I prefer); Cobalts are tough to beat for bright in a flat.
 
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#10
NocoLaw said:
Cobalts head and shoulders above Chromes for my taste. I have Chromes in light and medium 4 string and a 5 string light set, and I’ve tried them, because they are so popular; but I just find them completely uninspiring. Cobalts, on the other hand, feel great, sound bright and roundish, etc. I much prefer the EB Group flats to Chromes for the mid flat (I think the Groups are stronger fundamentals and more growl, which I prefer); Cobalts are tough to beat for bright in a flat.
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This. I hate chromes, love cobalts.
 
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#11
michael_t said:
If I were a slapper (which I'm not), I would choose the EB Cobalt flats over the D'A Chromes. Why? For one thing, the EB are closer to a roundwound tone, while the Chromes (at least to my ears) sound like flats with a hi-mid clank. Plus, the Cobalts are a little more flexible.
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+1000%. Even if not s slapper. I've used both. No contest if it were me.
 
#12
scuzzy said:
This. I hate chromes, love cobalts.
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I'm with you. And it's not for a lack of trying. I have bought no telling how many sets over the years thinking this time with this bass or rig they will certainly work. Nope. Not for what I want anyway. And I like flats (over half of my basses wear them), NPS and even some SS on a couple basses.
 
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#15
michael_t said:
If I were a slapper (which I'm not), I would choose the EB Cobalt flats over the D'A Chromes. Why? For one thing, the EB are closer to a roundwound tone, while the Chromes (at least to my ears) sound like flats with a hi-mid clank. Plus, the Cobalts are a little more flexible.
Click to expand...
I'd have to go with michael_t on this. I don't use D'Addario strings as a rule, for... well, reasons. But, I did use an old, salvaged set of 45-105 Chromes on a G&L ASAT bass. They worked pretty well on it, too. A little brighter than I prefer my flats to be, but... not bad. When they finally died (no idea how old they actually were) I replaced them with Fender 9050L's - which I like a whole lot more on that bass. Currently, I have the 50-105 Chromes on my '24 Birdsong Fusion Fretless bass. They are Birdsong's "standard" strings, and although I was... sceptical... about their suitability? Now that they've broken in, I'm satisfied with them - so far. I don't find them particularly stiff, but Birdsong basses are 31" scale, and the scale does make a difference...They also came on my fretted '25 Birdsong Fusion II, but... nah. They sounded much different on that bass. Very thuddy; basically all lows and low -mids; almost no mids; and no top end to speak of. I replaced them with an old set of Gen1 Sadowsky Blue Label Flats. Much better...
As for EB Slinky Cobalt Flats? I've had the 45-105 set on a Sterling Sub Ray4H for about a month, now. Yeah, they are bright - for flats. And, yeah, they do sound very "round-ish". None of my 30 basses have rounds any more. I generally don't care for their tone (with a few exceptions), but my frost-bitten, nerve-damaged fingers just can't stand how they feel. But, so far I'm liking the Cobalt Flats. On this particular bass. I seriously doubt I'd put them on any of my other basses, though. They just haven't got the lows and low-mids for a lot of what I like to play. Still, on the SubRay they work well. And, yes, they're a little more flexible than the Chromes... :cool:
 
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#16
Right now I'm using Chromes on one of my 6'ers. Love the tone out of the package, but the high end zing goes away fairly quickly. They're still bright ish but I like the initial tone that can be dialed out if wanted/needed.

Frankly, I'd like to try EB Cobalts - and for a 4 string set, they're available.

Anyone know a suitable substitute high C for a EB Cobalt set on a 6 string? EB doesn't make a single lower than a .040".

Thanks for the help.

John
 
#17
jharms80439 said:
Right now I'm using Chromes on one of my 6'ers. Love the tone out of the package, but the high end zing goes away fairly quickly. They're still bright ish but I like the initial tone that can be dialed out if wanted/needed.

Frankly, I'd like to try EB Cobalts - and for a 4 string set, they're available.

Anyone know a suitable substitute high C for a EB Cobalt set on a 6 string? EB doesn't make a single lower than a .040".

Thanks for the help.

John
Click to expand...
Maybe the guitar version could work? If you can find out that the total length is enough for your bass.

www.ernieball.com

Slinky Cobalt Flatwound Electric Guitar Strings

Slinky Cobalt Flatwound strings are now available in guitar sets! These sets are wound with a patented cobalt alloy ribbon for a round sound with a flat feel and feature a plain g string for easy bending and soloing.
www.ernieball.com www.ernieball.com

Edit: Doh... They don't seem to sell single cobalt flats for guitar

www.ernieball.com

Electric Guitar Single Strings

Ernie Ball electric guitar strings allow any musician to get the perfect tonal quality and sound they are looking for. One of the first music companies to make guitar strings specifically crafted for rock musicians, Ernie Ball knows the feel, sound, and look that today's musicians want to...
www.ernieball.com www.ernieball.com
 

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