Finally tried Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats

[Yahboy]

Swap the la Bella LTF4A with Cobalt flat 2814 on my new Squier CV70P, weird that entire set output are lower than La Bella LTF4A !!!!
Meanwhile, the blue silk also shown more Navi blue than both old set on my J and PJ.

Beside low output, the tonal still sound right , even string to string tonal and open sounding.

Will swap with the old set to experience output different soon.....

 

[thrashingbass]

Swap the la Bella LTF4A with Cobalt flat 2814 on my new Squier CV70P, weird that entire set output are lower than La Bella LTF4A !!!!
Meanwhile, the blue silk also shown more Navi blue than both old set on my J and PJ.

Beside low output, the tonal still sound right , even string to string tonal and open sounding.

Will swap with the old set to experience output different soon.....
View attachment 5413629

Have always liked the looks of that particular Squier P bass! Hope you enjoy it. Which pickup is that?

I have never used the Ernie Ball Cobalt flats (long or short scale), though have read about some of you experiencing corrosion on them over time, which is a pity. Though likely less "special", do love the mids balance on the EB Group 1 flats 2800, so maybe I am sticking with them for now on my little Bronco (I know they also have 110 Cobalts-2817-for short scale basses as well.) Oddly addictive to play with their nice feel, even as thick as they are.

 

[Yahboy]

Have always liked the looks of that particular Squier P bass! Hope you enjoy it. Which pickup is that?

I have never used the Ernie Ball Cobalt flats (long or short scale), though have read about some of you experiencing corrosion on them over time, which is a pity. Though likely less "special", do love the mids balance on the EB Group 1 flats 2800, so maybe I am sticking with them for now on my little Bronco (I know they also have 110 Cobalts-2817-for short scale basses as well.) Oddly addictive to play with their nice feel, even as thick as they are.

It is just stock pup with aged cream pickups cover install. The pickups are 11.6k overwound, massive tone with la Bella LTF4A, but shy with the fresh EB2014....

After experience the rusty issue on early set, I have no longer meet that problem after serve by GHS fastfret.

 

[SteveCS]

...
I'm curious to hear how they sound as they age
...

Just over 3 years on - what is your conclusion? I've had mine on a fretless SR4 since December 2020 and they still sound great - that shrill 'new string' top end went failrly quickly but since then there has been little change - the clarity and balance is still there. In spite of a little corrosion over the saddles there is no deterioration in tone and they still sustain naturally with no sign of the dull thump often associated with dying strings.

 

[Mikaelbass]

Installed these today on a whim. Local guitar store had a 5 string set and my Stingray 5 needed new strings.
Previously was running NYXL rounds.
They’re interesting, the brightness seems to be very prominent in the D and G strings, followed by the E with the A and B less so.
But I’ve used lots of flats before and know they need to be played in and settle Before the character comes out and balances.

They feel sticky like a lot of flats but that will go. Definitely a strong sounding strong. Nice fundamental.

I’m on a string journey again atm but I’ve always enjoyed the sound of a worked in daddario XL nickel round. I hear a little bit of that here. I considered these for my new sandberg VM4 but I’m running Fat Beams on that for now.

The cobalts are very thick tonally. A lot less EQ required compared to the NYXL’s.

I’ll give these 6 months or so, see how they bed in then maybe change to a fender flat or chromes.

My strings came with purple silk which looks awesome with my stingrays matching black headstock and gold hardware.
Very royal.

 

[Brian Patterson]

After a dizzying search for the perfect first flatwounds, I jumped on a set of La Bella 760FS Deep Talkin' Bass Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings - .045-.105 Standard Long. Looking forward to the comfort level and quieter fret changes...

 

[Mr_McBride]

Just installed my first set of Cobalt Flats (45-105) and I am a bit surprised. After reading about them here, I expected them to be lower tension than the rounds I've been playing. This is my first experience with flats, so I don't really have any basis for comparison.

The 45-105 have a lot more tension than the DR Pure Blues rounds that just came off. Now, the DR Pure Blues have a round core, so for they are on the low tension side for a round wound string.

I've play on these for a bit before I decide to try the 40-95 or the 45-100 set.

 

[Dr. Turkey]

Shame they don't make a 6 string set. Has anybody compared these to La Bella's gold flats? I like the feel and general sound of the golds a lot but would like something with a bit more attack

 

[klattman]

Shame they don't make a 6 string set. Has anybody compared these to La Bella's gold flats? I like the feel and general sound of the golds a lot but would like something with a bit more attack

Tried the gold flats. They have a thuddy vibe and look cool. For vintage vibe they would work well. I like the tone of the cobalts much better ( more mid aggression and a bit more highs).

 

[Mr_McBride]

Cobalts only come in one gauge for 5-string. I am lucky that that gauge has less tension than the 45-105 4-string set.

 

[Yahboy]

 

[Mr_McBride]

View attachment 7027430

How do you like the tension on the 45-100? Do you prefer light or heavy tension?

I’m going to live with the 45-105 set for a bit, but I am already thinking about trying the 45-100 or the 40-95 set. I’m really not sure which I would like best. That means that I will have to try both gauges to see.

I am liking the 45-130 5-string set, though.

 

[Yahboy]

How do you like the tension on the 45-100? Do you prefer light or heavy tension?

I’m going to live with the 45-105 set for a bit, but I am already thinking about trying the 45-100 or the 40-95 set. I’m really not sure which I would like best. That means that I will have to try both gauges to see.

I am liking the 45-130 5-string set, though.

I only use 2814 ( 45-100 ) with .010 neck relief ( 7th fret check point ) and Low action ( 1.55mm on E till 1.25mm on G string @ 17th fret check point ) .
DG string not too stiff, EA not floopy. I can play it with no problem after play both Ti flat and LTF4A.

2814 serve me well on both Bacchus J and Squier Mattfreeman P, all string sound well string to string tonal balance even the set on Bacchus J are quite aging from 2019. The E string never sound dull and dead , unbelievable lasting that crisp and clarity she has.

If i strung the 40-95 set ,the E string are easily get fret buzz on first 6 fret with my personal setup , the 095E vibrate/bounce too much compare to 100E.

Meanwhile the 45-105 set quite challenge my personal plucking habit , i can't make the 105 E sound as clear as 100E. Another issue for me are since i familiar with both Ti flat and LTF4A 70/75 and 100 string gauge on both A and E string, 85/105 notable thicker and different fretting feel on finger.

I am liking with 2816 too , nice string to string tension and work well for B standard 4 string bass too. The crispest flatwound 130B string than others brand i been use.

 

[Mr_McBride]

I only use 2814 ( 45-100 ) with .010 neck relief ( 7th fret check point ) and Low action ( 1.55mm on E till 1.25mm on G string @ 17th fret check point ) .
DG string not too stiff, EA not floopy. I can play it with no problem after play both Ti flat and LTF4A.

2814 serve me well on both Bacchus J and Squier Mattfreeman P, all string sound well string to string tonal balance even the set on Bacchus J are quite aging from 2019. The E string never sound dull and dead , unbelievable lasting that crisp and clarity she has.

If i strung the 40-95 set ,the E string are easily get fret buzz on first 6 fret with my personal setup , the 095E vibrate/bounce too much compare to 100E.

Meanwhile the 45-105 set quite challenge my personal plucking habit , i can't make the 105 E sound as clear as 100E. Another issue for me are since i familiar with both Ti flat and LTF4A 70/75 and 100 string gauge on both A and E string, 85/105 notable thicker and different fretting feel on finger.

I am liking with 2816 too , nice string to string tension and work well for B standard 4 string bass too. The crispest flatwound 130B string than others brand i been use.

Thanks for added detail. I prefer low action as well and it sounds like you play with a light touch like I do.

I have a new Fender Player p-bass that I am fighting to get a good setup on. The fret work is crap which seems normal for a Fender. I will likely have the bass plek’d.

The 5-string p-bass I have is a Sire p5r, which I had plek’d and have the action nice and low now.

I’m going to give the 45-100’s a go.

 

[Yahboy]

Thanks for added detail. I prefer low action as well and it sounds like you play with a light touch like I do.

I have a new Fender Player p-bass that I am fighting to get a good setup on. The fret work is crap which seems normal for a Fender. I will likely have the bass plek’d.

The 5-string p-bass I have is a Sire p5r, which I had plek’d and have the action nice and low now.

I’m going to give the 45-100’s a go.

I been own 4 Player P in past, has same disappointment with their factory fret work !

Below are 2 unit i bought couple month ago , one has crazy low fret found every way, the second one has unfinished factory fret levelling process out from box. Damn !
Meanwhile, Player P has cheap pot use , un-smooth tuning machine set and poor nut slot position cut.

 

[PhinDog]

Hey,
I have a question about gauges. I play a Stingray Sspecial 4H. It comes stoc 45-100 sllnkys. I’d like to try the cobalt flats. Should I use the same gauge or one size down? I don’t want to file the nut if possible.
Thanks, Phin.

 

[Dr. Turkey]

Hey,
I have a question about gauges. I play a Stingray Sspecial 4H. It comes stoc 45-100 sllnkys. I’d like to try the cobalt flats. Should I use the same gauge or one size down? I don’t want to file the nut if possible.
Thanks, Phin.

You'll probably be good to use any gauge without filing the nut, but if you want to be extra sure go with the same gauge.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Hey,
I have a question about gauges. I play a Stingray Sspecial 4H. It comes stoc 45-100 sllnkys. I’d like to try the cobalt flats. Should I use the same gauge or one size down? I don’t want to file the nut if possible.
Thanks, Phin.

I had been playing the Super Slinky cobalt flats for a bit now. i've always preferred thinner gauge strings. I really love the tone and growl. But our band plays tuned down and I had an epiphany that perhaps a larger gauge string would be a little less floppy, so I switched to the 45-105 cobalt flats. no issues at the nut and I'm able to keep the action a little lower with the thicker strings tuned down a half step than I could with the thinner gauge set. i'm so happy with the change, I'll probably go up a gauge whenever I replace them on my other gigging bases. I'm thinking you'll be fine with whichever you choose.

 

[PhinDog]

I had been playing the Super Slinky cobalt flats for a bit now. i've always preferred thinner gauge strings. I really love the tone and growl. But our band plays tuned down and I had an epiphany that perhaps a larger gauge string would be a little less floppy, so I switched to the 45-105 cobalt flats. no issues at the nut and I'm able to keep the action a little lower with the thicker strings tuned down a half step than I could with the thinner gauge set. i'm so happy with the change, I'll probably go up a gauge whenever I replace them on my other gigging bases. I'm thinking you'll be fine with whichever you choose.

Thank you! It's time for a setup. I should throw these on during that.

 

[PhinDog]

You'll probably be good to use any gauge without filing the nut, but if you want to be extra sure go with the same gauge.

Thanks! This was my thought as well.