Oh and ask them for a new set not just replacement strings. Chances are the others in the set could be bad. I set the extras from the bad set aside for emergency use but hope I never need them.
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Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats
- Thread starter 5string5fingers
- Start date
Got my new set of strings in today, hopefully I won't have an issue with these.
Interesting enough there was a card in this package showing you Ernie Ball's recommended way to install strings. This wasn't in the last package I bought, and not sure I've ever seen this in any other brand. Also tells you there is more info at [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Interesting enough there was a card in this package showing you Ernie Ball's recommended way to install strings. This wasn't in the last package I bought, and not sure I've ever seen this in any other brand. Also tells you there is more info at [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I was one of those who was super excited, I have not bought a single Ernie Ball product since 1993.
These had me intrigued, then the delay in the release, I cancelled my order with BSO.
Bought a set of Sadowski blue label nickels and have been loving those for several months, the break in nice, and fade with grace, but I digress
So for months I read the opinions, and it gives me the impression that EB must have sent out the most inconsistently manufactured strings in history!
"They're Rough"
They are smooth
They are bright
They are dull
They are stiff
They are floppy
They went dead in days
They have stayed fresh for months
Love them hate them.
Then add:
They don't seem to like being strung through body.
The breakage numbers are insane!!
Well curiosity got the better if me, (and bassstringsonline.com sale) thanks @SLaPiNFuNK
I got a set in the mail.
Impressions: in order from out of the package to play test.
Wow these are really flexible
Hmm they feel warmer to the touch than steel or nickle. Like aluminum does.
Smooth and sticky, in the same way that 1/2 rounds feel, my skin catches the sharp edge of the outer wrap.
Now to stringing up my Squire VMP5. (Modified heavily )
can't risk stringing through body with all the reports of the brittle core, so top load it is.
Look at the instruction sheet, scratch my head, ***? Tie a knot kind of? Really, no other string suggests this. ignore it.
As always guess the necessary length, start with G.
Bend 90 deg. With needle nose pliers.
snip excess.
Insert bend into tuner, and wind up as usual.
Next B string repeat above, worried that the "rat tail" at the headstock will not be long enough, ending with the wrapped portion of the string on the post.... (it was long enough by a centimeter)
Finish the set.
Tighten, check intonation, set witness points, recheck intonation. Readjust truss rod lower action, recheck everything again. Stretch them in. Retune.
Hmm they settle in quick, like DR'S nice.
PLAY TIME.
unplugged, these are LOUD and bright.
Still a little sticky, not too bad though.
Hook up my trusty headphone amp.
Damned if these don't sound like rounds and feel like flats!!!
Roto 77s are like this too, when fresh.
The cobalts feel snappy not stiff, like the feel!!!
they seem to vibrate like other hex cores; a little less wild and random as round cores.
In short i resevedly say that I like these very much.
Time will tell. Crossing fingers that they don't break, and the stickyness will diminish.
These had me intrigued, then the delay in the release, I cancelled my order with BSO.
Bought a set of Sadowski blue label nickels and have been loving those for several months, the break in nice, and fade with grace, but I digress
So for months I read the opinions, and it gives me the impression that EB must have sent out the most inconsistently manufactured strings in history!
"They're Rough"
They are smooth
They are bright
They are dull
They are stiff
They are floppy
They went dead in days
They have stayed fresh for months
Love them hate them.
Then add:
They don't seem to like being strung through body.
The breakage numbers are insane!!
Well curiosity got the better if me, (and bassstringsonline.com sale) thanks @SLaPiNFuNK
I got a set in the mail.
Impressions: in order from out of the package to play test.
Wow these are really flexible
Hmm they feel warmer to the touch than steel or nickle. Like aluminum does.
Smooth and sticky, in the same way that 1/2 rounds feel, my skin catches the sharp edge of the outer wrap.
Now to stringing up my Squire VMP5. (Modified heavily )
can't risk stringing through body with all the reports of the brittle core, so top load it is.
Look at the instruction sheet, scratch my head, ***? Tie a knot kind of? Really, no other string suggests this. ignore it.
As always guess the necessary length, start with G.
Bend 90 deg. With needle nose pliers.
snip excess.
Insert bend into tuner, and wind up as usual.
Next B string repeat above, worried that the "rat tail" at the headstock will not be long enough, ending with the wrapped portion of the string on the post.... (it was long enough by a centimeter)
Finish the set.
Tighten, check intonation, set witness points, recheck intonation. Readjust truss rod lower action, recheck everything again. Stretch them in. Retune.
Hmm they settle in quick, like DR'S nice.
PLAY TIME.
unplugged, these are LOUD and bright.
Still a little sticky, not too bad though.
Hook up my trusty headphone amp.
Damned if these don't sound like rounds and feel like flats!!!
Roto 77s are like this too, when fresh.
The cobalts feel snappy not stiff, like the feel!!!
they seem to vibrate like other hex cores; a little less wild and random as round cores.
In short i resevedly say that I like these very much.
Time will tell. Crossing fingers that they don't break, and the stickyness will diminish.
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Yup I'm one of the guys who was a bit angry about strings breaking. Now however I have a set on my Jack Casady and my Pbass and love them! Glad your enjoying yours also!
Oh I meant to mention that I will report back after they play in.
Out of the gate:
More balanced in output than other flats I've used.
Tonally G and B "fit".
With other flats (fender, chromes, LaBella) the G is twang, and the B is a thubby mushball.
NOT THESE: even and harmonically rich B and E.
Bright but NOT twangy G.
Back to playing them.
Stayed in tune overnight on the stand, good sign.
Out of the gate:
More balanced in output than other flats I've used.
Tonally G and B "fit".
With other flats (fender, chromes, LaBella) the G is twang, and the B is a thubby mushball.
NOT THESE: even and harmonically rich B and E.
Bright but NOT twangy G.
Back to playing them.
Stayed in tune overnight on the stand, good sign.
Thanks for the great reviews.
Been wondering about the B as well as the E. Looks to be the next set I try.
That's the only hitch- can't stand the 'catch' on DD Half-Rounds, waiting for the gaps to fill with grease, dead skin, or whatever and finally become smooth.
I put these strings on my Big Al a few days ago, and can't yet get them to stay in proper setup. Stretchy like Plastic Man. I finally decided to just crank them up a half step and leave them sitting on the bass overnight, and we'll see what's up with that tomorrow.
Set all the witness/contact poins at the saddles, nut, and tuner posts initially? After pulling on the strings to ensure the wraps are nestled snugly against each other on the tuner posts?
Yeah, I did all the usual things. It just seems like these strings are really stretchy. Either that or maybe there was some slack at the tuners I didn't catch. I'm thinking maybe I should take them back off and start over.
With the breakage issues some have had, I'd think hard about re-mounting them (but maybe that's all behind and there's no issue anymore). I would slack them off one at a time to ensure there is no 'twist', then tune 'em up, check the winds on the pegs, and let settle overnight like you said, and hopefully all will be good in the morning.
I did take them off, and when I put them back on, the tip of the G broke off. Fortunately I had enough left to work with. The intonation now is still not as precise as I would like (slightly sharp on the E and A) but it's better than it was. Maybe it's just been so long since I changed strings that I've forgotten how much of a PITA new strings can be. LOL
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no issues with mine so far and I'm totally digging them. I have Chromes on my Gibson Thunderbird, Cobalt Flats on my parts jazz bass wired in series and another set of Cobalt Flats just arrived to go on my ESP FB204 (Frank Bello PJ sig bass). Love them on my jazz. They are definitely not as smooth feeling as chromes but it's not an issue at all. They're more flexible than chromes and the tone is definitely a little brighter than chromes (definitely a little more round wound sounding but with little to no string/finger noise). Overall they're very, very playable for a flat. I play in a 3-piece punk-ish band (fingerstyle) and these cobalts sound great in our mix and cut through (similar to how brand new Chromes sound.....maybe even a little brighter). I'm happy with them so far....we'll see how I feel in 2 to 3 months.
After all the stuff I've been reading about these strings I'm going to make the plunge and buy a set just for sh*ts and giggles. I'm using Cobalt Rounds right now and they're my all time favorite string for my Carvin. I'm very, very curious to play the flats! I have low expectations as for them replacing the rounds but I'm hoping for an unexpected surprise.
Cool! I'm going to get the 5 string set though. My only thing is I'm one of those weirdos who actually likes the roundwound "squeak" - particulary from a pick. The only other flat I've ever tried is Chromes.
I was using EB Cobalt Flats, and same first impressions. They feel amazing, the purple is nice, etc.. I got bored of them fairly quick. They were on my Fender Jazz, but I put rounds back on. I may put the EB Flats on my Squire P. They sound awesome with a pick, as well. Especially played very close to the bridge.
Oh, and you don't cut them because I cut mine and they buzz like mad at the nut. Very annoying, but it very well could've been a newbie mistake on my end.
Oh, and you don't cut them because I cut mine and they buzz like mad at the nut. Very annoying, but it very well could've been a newbie mistake on my end.
The only thing that worries me is that they sound like more of a pain in the butt than they're worth.
Well, they do take longer to go bad, I suppose. I'm going back to rounds for quite awhile, however.
OK follow up. Dead in just over a week. No more EB strings for me.
the stickiness never went away, they sounded like reg ol flats after a week
