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Finally tried Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats

#62
I got a 50-105 set a couple months ago and I've been enjoying them. Higher tension than I'm used to, but I've come to like it. I actually went into the store looking for GHS Pressurewounds, but they had none.
 
#64
I have a set on my foundation, and love the hard driving punch. My only complaint is that the wraps on the A string have big gaps in them and it’s accumulated some nasty funk that drives me crazy to look at. I think I’m going to replace them with a set of the cobalt balanced tension flats.
 
#65
Gyver said:
Howdy,

I finally tried Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on my Ric 4003, and must say I am really impressed (and surprised!). I like bright /middy flats (Chromes, Fender 9050, TIs), and from everything I've read about the Cobalts I expected them to be bright, which they are. But I was surprised by how punchy and tonally balanced they are. And no "clank," either. Awesome.

If you are looking for a string that straddles the worlds of flats and rounds I highly recommend them. I'm curious to hear how they sound as they age, but for now it appears I have a new favorite flat.

Gyver
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3 years with a set on my thunderbird and they sound massive with a pick.
 
#66
PennyroyalWe said:
I think I’m going to replace them with a set of the cobalt balanced tension flats.
Click to expand...

Here are the Cobalt Flats tension figures on a few of their sets, obtained through EB Customer Service...

45-60-80-105 would be as close to a "balanced tension" set as you can get them.

Cobalt Flats 2813:

G 045 - 47.58 (lbs.)
D 065 - 52.51
A 085 - 49.12
E 105 - 41.78 (Total 191.00 lbs.)

Cobalt Flats 2815:

G 040 - 39.42 (lbs.)
D 060 - 43.80
A 070 - 32.58
E 095 - 32.50 (Total 148.30 lbs.)

Cobalt Flats 2816:

G 045 - 47.58 (lbs.)
D 065 - 52.51
A 080 - 44.49
E 100 - 37.72
B 130 - 35.35 (Total 217.65 lbs.)
 
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#68
michael_t said:
Here are the Cobalt Flats tension figures on a few of their sets, obtained through EB Customer Service...

45-60-80-105 would be as close to a "balanced tension" set as you can get them.

Cobalt Flats 2813:

G 045 - 47.58 (lbs.)
D 065 - 52.51
A 085 - 49.12
E 105 - 41.78 (Total 191.00 lbs.)

Cobalt Flats 2815:

G 040 - 39.42 (lbs.)
D 060 - 43.80
A 070 - 32.58
E 095 - 32.50 (Total 148.30 lbs.)

Cobalt Flats 2816:

G 045 - 47.58 (lbs.)
D 065 - 52.51
A 080 - 44.49
E 100 - 37.72
B 130 - 35.35 (Total 217.65 lbs.)
Click to expand...
I’m looking specifically at this set, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#70
stringtapper said:
I can confirm. I've used them on my Stingray 5HH for about six years now and I've only changed to a new set once. That first set kept its zing much longer than I expected.

I also use them on my Caprice. I had them on one of my Jazzes, but found that I really like the Chrome .50s on it. That mostly comes down to what I use the bass for though. I tend to use my Jazzes and Ps for either Soul/R&B or anything where a less "modern" sound is needed, so I like higher tension and heavier gauge flats on those (the Ernie Ball Custom Gauge Flats Group I with a .55 G!).

My Stingray and Caprice are used more often for "modern" stuff (pop, church, etc.), so that's why I prefer the Cobalts on those.
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It is good to know that these will last a long while . Love them on my 4H , they are not coming off till they have too !
 
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#71
CB3UK said:
The last set of rounds I had on my Warwick Corvette were Cobalt. I frigging loved them. They were my favorite string by far. I decided to switch to flats (after 23 yrs of playing never used flats) and went with GHS. I love the ones Ive got on there. Eventually when I tire of this set, Cobalt flats are what I'm going to try next. Turns out I prefer flats.
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Awesome, this thread has me wondering how the Cobalt flats would sound on my Corvette. I love flats and tapes (La Bella tapes anyway), but I like using the Warwick for slap occasionally. Not sure how the Cobalt flats would do with that. Sounds like they could be a great option for my fretless, though!
 
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#72
Feral Feline said:
Where does anybody buy these?


I've been ACTIVELY looking to buy a set since they first came out, I've yet to find any. Not in Asia, not in Canada.

I've been duped several times — "Sure, our south-side location has them...", when in fact the sales staff invariably are WRONG and they're not Cobalt Flats, but some other type of flats or Guitar-Cobalts — wasted trip to south-side or any other location; and the inter-store shipping never works "the other store didn't ship the right ones" or "they don't have them after all"; Oohoohooo here's a good one — "We can get them in, special order, but it'll be 3-to-6 months", but I'm not going to be here nor there in 3–6 months — etc etc ... ;
OR the computer is wrong and indeed despite the computer saying they're "in stock" ... the staff are unable to find any in this dimension of 3D-reality.


Obviously I prefer brick-&-mortar shopping frustrations to buying online and having them in a matter of days instead of years of still not having them...
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As others have said, FretNation.com has them. I've had great experiences buying strings from them. They seem to have the best selection and the best prices. Shipping has been pretty fast for me (although covid might affect that), and customer service has been great the 1 or 2 times I've contacted them. I think these are pretty niche strings, so you may have no choice but to settle for online.
 
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#73
For all those who have tried the Cobalt flats, what kind of speakers are you playing through? A piezo tweeter sounds completely different than a HiFi FRFR cab, which sounds totally different then a 1x15" cab, etc. What sounds great through one set of speakers, or even dark, may sound bright, harsh, or tiny through another. Since these are known for their brightness and punchiness, I think it might be a useful question. I think the same line of thinking applies to the midrange, too.
 
#74
bassically_eli said:
For all those who have tried the Cobalt flats, what kind of speakers are you playing through? A piezo tweeter sounds completely different than a HiFi FRFR cab, which sounds totally different then a 1x15" cab, etc. What sounds great through one set of speakers, or even dark, may sound bright, harsh, or tiny through another. Since these are known for their brightness and punchiness, I think it might be a useful question. I think the same line of thinking applies to the midrange, too.
Click to expand...

I am currently using a Asdown ABM-210H-EVO IV cabinet that is ported but voiced very tight on the low end that is deep and rich . The mids and highs shine through with this cabinet very well and there is the option to turn the tweeter off ( which I personally do ) but it sounds just as good with the tweeter on . I have a second exact cab on the way if I wish to add it for more a little more headroom .
 
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