Less Thumpy Flats For A New Bass

[Rich Fiscus]

Be patient with them..... I really was disappointed with them at first. It took a lot of play time to break them in. At first, it sounded like their was a big hole in the mids.... Boomy down low.... Zingy as hell up high.... But the mids really start to sing as they tamed down.

It took the better part of a week, but I can hear the highs and lows mellowing out. Interestingly, for all the highs in the A, E, and B strings, the D and G don't have the slightest bit of zing to them. Even P Flats (the darkest strings I've ever played) have some zing on the G when they're new.

I'm still getting used to their flexibility. I even had to lower the neck pickup because it was pulling too hard on the strings. I thought it was my imagination at first, but I verified it with my tuner. Every note drifted sharp if I let it ring for a few seconds. I lowered the pickup about a quarter of an inch and it stopped.

 

[jacoby75]

I hear these Cobalts mentioned from time to time, but I'm seeing some conflicting information. I've seen Slinkys, which aren't necessarily labeled as Cobalt strings, though it does say that in the description. But then I've heard of Cobalt hybrid strings. Are they one in the same? Is this the one that folks like?

 

[uwrossl]

I hear these Cobalts mentioned from time to time, but I'm seeing some conflicting information. I've seen Slinkys, which aren't necessarily labeled as Cobalt strings, though it does say that in the description. But then I've heard of Cobalt hybrid strings. Are they one in the same? Is this the one that folks like?
View attachment 3928033

That's them. Says Cobalt Flat on the bottom of the package. They do make Cobalt rounds as well and their other more traditional flats are called group flats.

 

[ljazz]

It took the better part of a week, but I can hear the highs and lows mellowing out. Interestingly, for all the highs in the A, E, and B strings, the D and G don't have the slightest bit of zing to them. Even P Flats (the darkest strings I've ever played) have some zing on the G when they're new.

I'm still getting used to their flexibility. I even had to lower the neck pickup because it was pulling too hard on the strings. I thought it was my imagination at first, but I verified it with my tuner. Every note drifted sharp if I let it ring for a few seconds. I lowered the pickup about a quarter of an inch and it stopped.

The flexibility / pliability is really kind of a trip..... The tension is actually kind of high, but does not translate into poor flexibility. I swore they were a round core when first strung them up..... But Roger says they are hex. Drape the E over your finger.... They hang like TIJF's. I guess the only thing that keeps them from being as floppy as TIJF's once strung up is the pull weight. Super comfy to play, and you can still dig in!

I will note that if you like that feel, but want something that gets a bit more traditional tone, Dunlop Flats are probably a good choice.... Especially as they wear in. I'm contemplating throwing a set back on one of my other basses.