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Ernie Ball Cobalts: probably my favourite strings now

#22
I agree that the cobalts are stiffer than TI's.

Sound wise I find the TI flats to be mid heavy and light on bass. I find the cobalt flats to have an upper mid emphasis and lots of zing in the highs. I would say that the cobalt flats have more bass than the TI's but not anything close to the low mids and bass of a traditional flat.
 
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#26
javi_bassist said:
Hello guys

Yesterday I tried a set of these strings in my Yamaha BB735 and I was just blown away. I was skeptical at first: it's my main bass and these were supposed to be very different to roundwounds. But they just sound amazing. And I think they have more output than regular roundwounds. I was expecting more "flat" touch, but they feel like rounds.
I have been on a quest for the perfect strings for years. I have tried a lot of strings. I was using lately Markbass (grooves), Dunlop (regular and super bright) and D'addario XLs. However, in my country, Cobalts cost the same as D'addario XLs. Dunlop and Markbass are a little bit more expensive. They are all awesome strings and I am happy with any of these sets, but the Cobalts really have something.
Click to expand...
Cobalt flats or rounds?
 
#28
Jazzdogg said:
Can any of you compare Cobalt Flats to TI Jazz Flats?
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I have both. The TIJFs have more mids and less high end that the EB Cobalt flats. EBCFs are more balanced, sounding like some types of broken-in rounds. EBCFs feel like flats to the touch, but have more tension than TIJFs.

I’ve advised many who have never tried flats to try EBCFs first. If they don’t like them, there’s not much need to try anything else. EBCFs are the closest to round wound string tone than any other flats I’ve tried, including TIs.
I tried TIs on almost every bass I own (10) and they finally ended up on my fretless acoustic. I love them on that bass but not anything else.
 
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#29
I am trying another set on my American Deluxe Jazz right now. Hopefully they dont develop rust quickly. Tried them before, one lasted for about a year and a half without any rust/patina, the other one developed it in a few months.
 
#30
Cobalt round and flat have long been my favorite flavor.
Beware, they have bad batches now and then. I've had some oxidize within a week. I've had some dead on arrival. It's not often enough to deter me anymore but I did start using my second favorite NYXL for a while because I knew they'd be consistent.
 
#31
Jazzdogg said:
Can any of you compare Cobalt Flats to TI Jazz Flats?
Click to expand...

Much said already on this. Here’s a little less scientific: I love TI’s and have them on multiple basses including an Alembic Stanley Clarke (not your typical bass for flats). I really don’t find them floppy like everyone says — they feel and sound great to me — and I’ve found they bring out the best on my basses and can be used for many styles. Plus, they last forever.

That being said, I put EB Cobalt Flats on my fretless P after years with the TI’s and it produced a more pleasing, mellower tone — really nice for the jazz I play.

Also have found that some flats sound better on different basses: Labella DTF are amazing on my Mustang, but absolutely hated them on my fretless P. So, sometimes tough to categorize a string as “X” when the pickups between basses really make a difference.

So, these are my two fave brands of flats — I think likely the most “versatile” flats I’ve tried (and I’ve tried Chromes, Rotosound, GHS Precisions, Labella DTF). All really nice, but the TI and EB were winners for me.
 
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#37
javi_bassist said:
Hello guys

Yesterday I tried a set of these strings in my Yamaha BB735 and I was just blown away. I was skeptical at first: it's my main bass and these were supposed to be very different to roundwounds. But they just sound amazing. And I think they have more output than regular roundwounds. I was expecting more "flat" touch, but they feel like rounds.
I have been on a quest for the perfect strings for years. I have tried a lot of strings. I was using lately Markbass (grooves), Dunlop (regular and super bright) and D'addario XLs. However, in my country, Cobalts cost the same as D'addario XLs. Dunlop and Markbass are a little bit more expensive. They are all awesome strings and I am happy with any of these sets, but the Cobalts really have something.
Click to expand...

Both EB 2816 and 2810 has pretty solid B string tone and well tonal balance with the rest.
 

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