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New EB Cobalt Flats?

How do they feel?
Flexible/smooth?

Not as smooth as chromes and they feel a bit grabby when first installed. I wipe my strings down to clean them with alcohol wipes and use bass bites so the grabby feeling didn't last long for me. After a couple of practices i didn't notice at all anymore. Not sure if i just naturally adjusted or not, but I don't notice it at all now.

Sliding isn't as easy as compared to traditional flats, however it certainly isn't difficult with these guys. More flexible than chromes for sure. I think their flexibility is comparable to RS 66's.

Hope that helps.
 
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I've primarily used Dean Markely Blue Steels medium-light gauge on my Jack bass for the better part of 18 years. They are what Jack, himself, uses. Shall we say it's an excellent match?
The blue steels sound great and last a long time. Right now I have elixirs on mine and they sound great but not quite as bright as the blue steels. So many use flats on their JC but it doesn't do it for me!
 
My Cobalts came today, but I was leaving for work so I didn't have a chance to try them out. I did open the package and look at the string and feel it a bit and it does seem a tad rougher than the usual flats i've played.
I get home at 2:30 AM, so if i'm feeling awake enough I may toss them on the new Rick. I was reading the instructions for installation, and it seems kind of strange to me! What is the purpose of putting it in the tuner hole, going half way around the post and then passing it through the tuner slot again? Has anyone done this, and if so whats the advantage? Or did you just install them like any other string? Only bass I have ever done anything like this was on a Ubass that has rubber strings and its kind of a a necessity to keep the string from slipping and to produce a knot that's required with those strings. What gives? Maybe I misread the instructions because I was in a hurry?
 
My D string didn't break at the bend, it broke just as it left the peg. When I strung up the replacement I wrapped it in the time honoured way. The 2nd set I didn't cut at all and ignored the instructions that came with the packet.
All good now.
 
Here's how mine wrapped without cutting.

ebcobalts.jpg
 
I agree.... Just installed the set with my 4003. I bent the ends and cut them short, allowing up to 3 wraps around the tuner post...... I did not use the instructions, because of the Ricks small tuner posts. Took my time stringing them up..... No problems. After 15 minutes of playing they're still in tune
 
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I agree.... Just installed the set with my 4003. I bent the ends and cut them short, allowing up to 3 wraps around the tuner post...... I did not use the instructions, because of the Ricks small tuner posts. Took my time stringing them up..... No problems. After 15 minutes of playing they're still in tune
I'm glad yours worked out. When I was putting the g string on it went smooth and noise free, but the d string was making a weird sound like a popping or snapping sound as I was winding it on, but I wasn't even close to being in tune. It wasn't binding in the nut because I had to file that a bit to get the string to seat. I tuned the g string and was comparing the tuning of the d to it, I was at least a couple steps away. Very strange. I may contact EB directly about this issue and see what they have to say. Sounds like its been an issue that hopefully is corrected but some of the bad sets are still floating around out there.
 
My set of cobalt flats should be in my mailbox when I get home tonight. Quick question: Should I go ahead and install them the usual way (bend, trim, wind), or should I use the enclosed instructions? I’m planning on using these with a standard MIM Fender Jazz.
 
just received my second set of string Cobalts to replace a 1 month old set of chromes. I have installed them using both techniques and haven't had any issues. But i have taken my time when tuning them up for the first time. Letting them stretch properly and using precaution. These strings are amazing and I'm looking forward to using them this weekend. I have 4 gigs this week and they should get a good breaking in on my new Ibanez Prestige bass.
 
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