Just to add another quick review of these distinctly different new strings for those who might still be curious. I have only one bass, a humble Squier Jazz, and in my band it has to cover a range of 60s/70s music, from early Elton John and Harry Chapin to Steely Dan and Traffic to Santana, Stones, and Tull. For the last few months I have been using Fender 45-100 flats, which I like a lot for their full, clearish (for flats), and meaty sound, but sometimes wished they had a little more bite on E and A strings, so was willing to give the 45-100 Cobalt flats a try. Here are first impressions.
Quirks: None. They string up like any other string, give off no funny smells, make no weird sounds, and do not make your fingers turn strange colours.
Feel: Definitely less smooth than Fenders and all other flats I have tried (most of them), but still easy to slide and shift on, and plucking fingers actually appreciate the extra touch of "grabbiness" they have.
Tension/stiffness: Slightly lower tension than the Fenders and very slightly more flexible, but still considerably tighter and stiffer than TIs.
Sound: Reasonably well balanced across the spectrum; distinctly brighter and a little more articulate than Fenders, esp. on E and A, and all other flats; a bit less "meat" and "heaviness" and bit more bite or "spankiness."
Overall, I like them. The jury is still out, but I will try them out at next rehearsal and maybe at next gig later this month.
