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Finally tried Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats
- Thread starter Gyver
- Start date
I do not experience any type of "affect" to intonation. I have EB Cobalt Flats on 3 of my basses and they sound and feel fantastic! I wouldn't have any hesitation purchasing a set (or two) if I were you. Highly recommended if you're looking for great feel and articulation of notes.
Thank you! I'm looking to configure a lower tension 5 string set (each string 40-45 lbs). The project will require single purchases but I rarely change my strings so I don't mind paying a bit more. Here's what I was thinking:
G > 040 ~40 lbs
D > 060 ~44 lbs
A > 080 ~45 lbs
E > 105 ~42 lbs
B > 130 ~36 lbs
Am I on the right track or have I overlooked some functional aspect?
Riis
Fret Nation has the Cobalt Flats balanced tension set (45-60-80-105) for only $27.99.
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I would suggest you get in touch with Jason (owner) at [email protected] and ask him what kind of pricing he may be able to put together for your custom set.
I've had them on my PJ for many months and they still sound great. I haven’t played the PJ on a consistent basis, however. But since they're flats, I would expect them to have good longevity. Great strings!
Purchased the 45-100 gauge.
Normally play 45-105 rounds so dropped a gauge because flats always have less flex.
Finding them very well balanced in playability and tone. Slightly sticky fresh on but this seems to be fading.
Sound to me like broken in rounds but again, I'm sure this will pass in time.
Really pleased with them overall. Is the A string slightly duller than the rest? Just an observation.
Normally play 45-105 rounds so dropped a gauge because flats always have less flex.
Finding them very well balanced in playability and tone. Slightly sticky fresh on but this seems to be fading.
Sound to me like broken in rounds but again, I'm sure this will pass in time.
Really pleased with them overall. Is the A string slightly duller than the rest? Just an observation.
I love EB Coabalt Flats! Have them on 3 of my basses. I don't notice a difference with the A strings with my sets. Double check the ball end going through the bridge. Sometimes it will get twisted. That may dull your tone. Just loosen up the tension with your tuner and wiggle the ball end around to make sure it seats properly. Hope this helps.Also, be sure to set your witness points.
Glad you like them. I switched over from Dunlop superbrights to the cobalt flats on my Ibanez fretless and really enjoy the sound and myyyahh, also a little easier on the fretboard.
I'm not sure there would be lot of difference between a 40 and 45 G string so your balanced set suggestion will probably work...and cheaper, too! Just need to add the 130 B string as a single.
Riis
I currently have an old, well broken-in set of D'Addario Chromes on this '15 G&L Tom Hamilton ASAT Bass. I'd salvaged them from a project bass, and after junking the rounds that came on the G&L, I thought "WTH, I'll try the Chromes, just for s...ts and grins..." I was pleasantly surprised at how they performed, and I like them quite a bit. But...
- I don't normally use D'Addario strings at all, since I'm allergic to whatever they finish their strings with. It takes too much time & effort with some very nasty solvents to make them playable. So, I just avoid them; especially since, with any other strings I've used so far (after 50+years of playing bass), I can just put them on; tune them up; and go. So...
- What to replace them with? I have a couple of new sets of Chromes (don't remember ever buying them, but... there they are), but I haven't been looking forward to going through the PITA cleaning process when the old ones die. OTOH, I do like the "bright flats" sound from this bass, along with the stiffness (I play with a pick most of the time). What to do, what to do...
Happily, I also have a couple of sets of EB Cobalt Flats (these I do remember buying). After listening to the videos, and reading everything here? I think I know what strings the bluest, blingiest bass I own will wear...
To me, Cobalt flats sound very slightly clearer than TIJFs, and I like the hammer-on sound (or fret contact in general) a little better because it seems a little cleaner.
The Cobalts G string seems exceptionally nice; now and then I imagine it sounds like a woodwind. Anyone else hear that?
The Cobalts G string seems exceptionally nice; now and then I imagine it sounds like a woodwind. Anyone else hear that?
This is an extension to my previous post:
TIJFs when first installed were terribly "quacky", as they say (I last installed TIJFs so long ago that I had forgotten this). This settled down a lot in only one day. Then on the second day I wrote my previous post. To be fair I will have to give TIJF vs Cobalts more time and then might come back and comment. TIJFs are great strings and I can't dismiss them so quickly.
When I removed an old set of TIJFs - which after about two years were getting pretty terrible in my opinion, almost enough to begin ruining my opinion of the bass they had been on - I noticed that they were *much* more flexible than a new set. I guess that makes sense.
But Cobalt flats are already very flexible when new, much more flexible than new TIJFs. Shorter break-in time I guess, along with other advantages of flexibility.
"Now and then I imagine it sounds like a woodwind" was on an Epiphone Embassy neck pickup with tone=0. I received confirmation of this from someone who had overheard me. Just trivia.
TIJFs when first installed were terribly "quacky", as they say (I last installed TIJFs so long ago that I had forgotten this). This settled down a lot in only one day. Then on the second day I wrote my previous post. To be fair I will have to give TIJF vs Cobalts more time and then might come back and comment. TIJFs are great strings and I can't dismiss them so quickly.
When I removed an old set of TIJFs - which after about two years were getting pretty terrible in my opinion, almost enough to begin ruining my opinion of the bass they had been on - I noticed that they were *much* more flexible than a new set. I guess that makes sense.
But Cobalt flats are already very flexible when new, much more flexible than new TIJFs. Shorter break-in time I guess, along with other advantages of flexibility.
"Now and then I imagine it sounds like a woodwind" was on an Epiphone Embassy neck pickup with tone=0. I received confirmation of this from someone who had overheard me. Just trivia.
The more I play these, the more I get TI flat vibes...
Has anyone compared TIs and Extra Slinky Cobalt Flats?
Has anyone compared TIs and Extra Slinky Cobalt Flats?
Hello, i need to know how the EB cobalt flats compare tension wise vs. normal Daddario XL strings.
would this be a good bet, that i´d just take the EB cobalt flats a 05 tension smaller ?
EB cobalt 040 when i had Daddario 045 on the Bass ? (refering to a 30" Bass, in case that makes a difference)
(never got any answer in my own thread)
i never had flats on a Bass, exept the tapewound on my old/cheap fretless ( which i quasi don´t play)
So, i have no clue how these feel vs. the tension/"tensional feel"
would this be a good bet, that i´d just take the EB cobalt flats a 05 tension smaller ?
EB cobalt 040 when i had Daddario 045 on the Bass ? (refering to a 30" Bass, in case that makes a difference)
(never got any answer in my own thread)
i never had flats on a Bass, exept the tapewound on my old/cheap fretless ( which i quasi don´t play)
So, i have no clue how these feel vs. the tension/"tensional feel"
Just a few comparisons between the two...
D'A XL Nickels 40-60-75-95 = 140.35 lbs. in total tension.
EB Cobalt Flats 40-60-70-95 = 148.30 lbs. in total tension.
D'A XL Nickels 45-65-80-100 = 165.64 lbs. in total tension.
EB Cobalt Flats 45-65-80-100 = 182.30 lbs. in total tension.
D'A XL Nickels 45-65-85-105 = 174.29 lbs. in total tension.
EB Cobalt Flats 45-65-85-105 = 191.0 lbs. in total tension.
hmm, thats not so much difference on the 040 sets.
looking closer to the 045 sets, its like i would need to have a inbetween.
Respectivly is the difference in tension similar, if i go with same gauge (045),
or if i go one gauge (05) smaller with the Cobalts. Hmmm, i guess that helps.....
so, i need to make out if i want more tension, or less, vs. the stock strings on my 30" Talman.
But: the flats would "feel" stiffer, right ?
so going for a lower tension in lbs. would be balanced out "to some degree" by the flats "feeling" stiffer.
am i right on this ?
thank you Micheal !
Not all flats are created equal... EB Cobalt Flats are one of the more flexible flats in the market; they're not as stiff-feeling as some flats, such as La Bella DTFs and D'A Chromes Flats of similar gauges.
