Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Finally tried Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats
- Thread starter Gyver
- Start date
Do the cobalt flats come in only one gauge? I like them, but I was wondering about a lighter set (5 string).
I was able pull this off by purchasing a standard 5 string set (45-130?) and hit upon a more balanced config by ditching the G & D (45 & 65) and replacing with 40 & 60 singles. Works great but there's only one problem: EB is no longer selling Cobalt Flat singles. Another option under normal circumstances: purchase the 4 string set 40-95 and add a 130 B single.
Riis
I like the tension of the EB Cobalts -- kind of "bouncy" for fingerstyle and less stiff than LaBellas for example. Their texture is rougher though. May put 'em back on my Jazz bass as they are brighter and counteract overwound, "dark" pickups.
Has anyone used the Slinky Cobalt flats on a string thru set up. Many of the flat wound dealers say you cannot run thru body.
Thanks
Thanks
EB Cobalt Flats are one of the more flexible flats that are pliable enough for thru-body. Based on my research and what I've read on TB, the only flats that can be a problem with the thru-body setup are the regular La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats. That's why La Bella offers "thru-body" version of their flats.
You just need to be careful with the initial installation and once installed, leave them be.
Thanks
Here is my situation - I have a p bass body with a Lowe Mid-scale neck. And I like the slinky flats, but it is a top load bridge, and the slinky strings wrap to much around the peg.
So, I was going to make it string thru and the Slinky flats should fit ok.
How "fat" are the tuner posts? Are they like Fender-style posts? I personally don't like the idea of putting any flats thru-body due the the sharp angle created at the saddle. If I had to choose between having them thru-body and having some of the full winding on the E string wrap around the post, I would take the latter, provided the tuner post is not too skinny.
How much of the full winding on the E would have to wrap around the post when top-loaded?
Hipshot tuners and there are 3 wraps around the post. 1-1/2 with silk and 1-1/2 without silk
As long as it's not causing any issues, I would leave it well enough alone if I were you... Trying to convert the whole thing to thru-body for the sake of a better fit might cause more issues.
No issues sofar - but you know how the string companies tell you the string will break is you wrap the string around the post outside the silk.
Again, the only explicit warning by a manufacturer I've ever across with regarding that concerns the La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats specifically.
Well like I said - they have been on there a couple weeks. So, I'll keep them on there and see.
Thanks for all your help and advice.
Lenny
Straight from Ernie Ball when asked about the risks of stringing-through their Cobalt Flats, also about cutting the tuning-end of the string:
I put them on the Sire U5 (string thru) with no issues.
labella I did have a failure on the E string at the tuning peg. (Regular and gold flats).
That’s disconcerting, as I was planning on putting them on a string through short scale mustang. Also wondering what kind of tension that would leave me with. I like strings to be on the lower tension side. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
As i write this, i’ve become aware that EB recently announced a short scale edition to this line of strings. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to be making them in my preferred gauge (45-100).
I started looking for the Ernie Ball short scales that you mention. I cannot find any info on them how did you find them on the web?
thanks
