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Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats

#61
Root 5 said:
How long have they been installed?
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They have been on SX my P Bass for almost a year. I took them off that bass, to put a set of Dunlop flats on and put the EB Cobalts on my Squier CV 60's P, and they still sound good. They have calmed down slightly, but they are still quite bright and punchy for flats, and are nice and smooth too. The instillation methods EB recommends is to prevent slippage, and is really not that big of a deal to me. I suppose that might be because the silk ends that go in the tuners are a little thin for bass strings. But I've never had an issue with that. And I have never had an issue with fret wear with them, they are flats.
 
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#62
JRT64 said:
They have been on SX my P Bass for almost a year. I took them off that bass, to put a set of Dunlop flats on and put the EB Cobalts on my Squier CV 60's P, and they still sound good. They have calmed down slightly, but they are still quite bright and punchy for flats, and are nice and smooth too. The instillation methods EB recommends is to prevent slippage, and is really not that big of a deal to me. I suppose that might be because the silk ends that go in the tuners are a little thin for bass strings. But I've never had an issue with that. And I have never had an issue with fret wear with them, they are flats.
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I love Ernie Ball Group flats. Have never tried any of their Cobalt strings because of the various complaints from people.
 
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#66
michael_t said:
I've been asking the same question... The manufacturer's recommended installation method is way too quirky for me to even want to try them.
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That was more or less my view, but at some point I decided to give them a shot anyway. Then when I installed them, I couldn't get the end of the G string to stay inside of the center hole as I was winding. So in the end, I followed their instructions and it stayed in so I was able to complete the installation. Dunno if it was just coincidence that this happened with Cobalt Flats (it has never happened to me with any other string) or is characteristic of the strings. I ended up not liking them for that bass anyway.
 
#67
JRT64 said:
I'm going to try their Group III flats next. I really like the EB Cobalt and the Dunlop flats, so I'm guessing I would like the EB Group III as well.
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I have a set of Ernie Ball Group 3 flats on my Jazz.
They are much more like traditional flats than the Cobalts.
Both strings are nice, but have very different sounds.
Mike
 
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#70
I really love them, except I have the same problem with corrosion. I have basses with steel strings that have been on for years and still shine. I put a new set of Cobalts on a bass, played a gig, then it sat in the case for about 5 months, and this happened - even so I highly recommend them!
D8827515-205C-4A14-B4CE-EE70533CDC24.jpeg
 
#71
Rayjay said:
I really love them, except I have the same problem with corrosion. I have basses with steel strings that have been on for years and still shine. I put a new set of Cobalts on a bass, played a gig, then it sat in the case for about 5 months, and this happened - even so I highly recommend them!View attachment 4199333
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That'll buff right out.

Er...actually, that pic made me shudder...just a little bit.
 
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#74
Can anyone provide the full string lengths of the EB Cobalt Flats 4 string set? (EB P02813) I'm interested in putting these on a Mustang bass that is bridge/top-loading (not string thru). I saw a review on YouTube from someone claiming they tried them on a short scale but I'm hesitant to invest in a set if they'll have too many wraps. Thanks!
 
#76
93tilInfinity said:
Can anyone provide the full string lengths of the EB Cobalt Flats 4 string set? (EB P02813) I'm interested in putting these on a Mustang bass that is bridge/top-loading (not string thru). I saw a review on YouTube from someone claiming they tried them on a short scale but I'm hesitant to invest in a set if they'll have too many wraps. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Are you asking about the total length of the string - whether or not the "long scale" set can be installed on a top-loading short-scale bass without cutting them down to size? I would imagine they would be way too long for that.
 
#78
I just installed some Cobalt Flats on my Mexican Fender P. I like how they feel... similar to the tapewounds on my fretless. They sound good picked or fingered. I can see the appeal of flats... smooth fretting, with deep lows and growly mids. Judging by the sound, the tones achieved would be easy to mix in a live or recording situation. Again... I see the appeal of flats... but you will have to pry my Super Bright Stainless Steel and Nickel Roundwounds from my cold dead hands.
 
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#79
I use the Cobalt flats on 2 of my basses, Dunlop flats and Chromes on the rest. I just don't like the feel of rounds on my fingers all that much anymore; especially on my fretting hand.
 
#80
The Cobalts are my first set of flats. I installed them on a Fender Player P. One thing that took some time to get used to was the tension. They feel "tighter" in standard tuning than rounds with the same string gauges. Flats are fun to play.... and sound better than I thought they would. After a few weeks of playing them, I'm impressed.
 

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