New EB Cobalt Flats?

[bassfootballguy]

@campbems same here. Best strings I've ever used and have not had one breakage issue yet.
I just put these on my Xotic XP-1T and they brought that bass roaring to life. Winner for sure.

 

[jwilson67]

@campbems same here. Best strings I've ever used and have not had one breakage issue yet.
I just put these on my Xotic XP-1T and they brought that bass roaring to life. Winner for sure.

Cobalt Rounds are my all time favorite string to date so I think I'm going to take the plunge and give the Cobalt Flats a run. All of these issues people are having with rust etc. on the cobalt rounds is baffling to me. They do look a little grimey for some reason after a while but they still sound fantastic and IMO actually get better with time.

If dull, grimey looking strings are a pet peeve to a player then the Cobalts probably won't be for them. I personally couldn't care less what they look like as long as they give me the sound.

That being said, I'm really looking forward to giving the flats a workout!

 

[bassfootballguy]

Give them a shot. I've had no breakage issues, no issues with anything and I have used them on a wide variety of basses.

 

[Bassworship1]

Best strings by far that I've had using live in a full band setting are these Cobalt Flats and the TI Flats. Of course everyone knows the TI's are 3 times the cost so for me the Cobalt Flats are close IMO.

 

[jwilson67]

Best strings by far that I've had using live in a full band setting are these Cobalt Flats and the TI Flats. Of course everyone knows the TI's are 3 times the cost so for me the Cobalt Flats are close IMO.

The sound in a band setting is what I'm looking for. I'm kind of wanting to get away from the roundwound zing but still retain a good presence in the mix. I'm thinking the flats are going to be a good thing.

Give them a shot. I've had no breakage issues, no issues with anything and I have used them on a wide variety of basses.

The only time I have ever broken a string during installation was when I had my old Aria Pro SB-R60 and the bridge had a sharp knife-point style bridge so the string unwound. I'm pretty confident that I will be able to install them without incident.

 

[Dogbertday]

Just put these back on my vmp5 and freakin killed tone wise at my gig wednesday. Probably never going back.

 

[Marihino]

How do they compare feel-wise to Chromes? I'm asking about the surface (smoothness, grippyness etc) rather than tension etc.

 

[Bassworship1]

How do they compare feel-wise to Chromes? I'm asking about the surface (smoothness, grippyness etc) rather than tension etc.

They are not as smooth as Chromes but they are close. The tension is a little less. They have more brightness and growl than Chromes. To me the thing that separates these strings are how they set perfectly in a full band mix. I've played with several different bands and they really jump out in the mix.

 

[gidbass]

How do they compare feel-wise to Chromes? I'm asking about the surface (smoothness, grippyness etc) rather than tension etc.

more rough than chromes in my experience, but not what i would call "rough" at all.

Good Luck!

 

[bassfootballguy]

Not as smooth as Chromes for sure, but seem more flexible and to retain some upper mid content that Chromes lose, IMO. And I'm not bashing Chromes - before these things Chromes were my jam!

 

[bassplayer2014]

Cobalt Rounds are my all time favorite string to date so I think I'm going to take the plunge and give the Cobalt Flats a run. All of these issues people are having with rust etc. on the cobalt rounds is baffling to me. They do look a little grimey for some reason after a while but they still sound fantastic and IMO actually get better with time.

If dull, grimey looking strings are a pet peeve to a player then the Cobalts probably won't be for them. I personally couldn't care less what they look like as long as they give me the sound.

That being said, I'm really looking forward to giving the flats a workout!

My 2012 MIA P5 has EB Cobalt Flats on for about 10 months now. I agree, they seem to get better with time.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

They are not as smooth as Chromes but they are close. The tension is a little less. They have more brightness and growl than Chromes. To me the thing that separates these strings are how they set perfectly in a full band mix. I've played with several different bands and they really jump out in the mix.

How is the tension compared to TI flats?

 

[Bassworship1]

How is the tension compared to TI flats?

They have more tension than TI's.

 

[gidbass]

How is the tension compared to TI flats?

Yep, more tension than TI's. I find the tension comparable to RS 66's.

 

[Pantone 333]

Cobalt Rounds are my all time favorite string to date so I think I'm going to take the plunge and give the Cobalt Flats a run. All of these issues people are having with rust etc. on the cobalt rounds is baffling to me. They do look a little grimey for some reason after a while but they still sound fantastic and IMO actually get better with time.

If dull, grimey looking strings are a pet peeve to a player then the Cobalts probably won't be for them. I personally couldn't care less what they look like as long as they give me the sound.

That being said, I'm really looking forward to giving the flats a workout!

I totally agree. I've been using the cobalt rounds with huge success. Does not eat my fretboard, no grime, no rust. I've had the strings on since December 2015.

 

[Bassworship1]

I totally agree. I've been using the cobalt rounds with huge success. Does not eat my fretboard, no grime, no rust. I've had the strings on since December 2015.

I was a big Cobalt Round userto for a couple years but honestly the Cobalt Flats are even better IMO.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Yep, more tension than TI's. I find the tension comparable to RS 66's.

Which RS66 subvariant? I have an old set I can compare with if I measure them (can't remember the gauge) or get a set of Rotosound to test the tension with (cheaper than the Cobalts).

Thanks

 

[gidbass]

Which RS66 subvariant? I have an old set I can compare with if I measure them (can't remember the gauge) or get a set of Rotosound to test the tension with (cheaper than the Cobalts).

Thanks

Sorry, these ones.

I also use the 45 -105 cobalt flats.

 

[engedi1]

Well, I have joined the club and have my of 45-130 on order! I am getting these in particular for my Stingray 5 which is a beautiful and killer bass but a little too aggressive with my go to Dunlop Super Bright nickels. I was going to get chromes but the thought of lower tension and a little more snap on the E and A strings sold me. Flats always sounds great on bright aggressive basses like Rays or Rics so I have high hopes. I'll keep the Dunlops on my bass as I do a fair amount of studio work and its nice to have basses with completely different tones. Did a session with the Ray today and it was a bright and aggressive bass like my jazz. I'm hoping the cobalt give it more thump and punch but still with a nice high end shimmer.

 

[Malak the Mad]

How do they compare feel-wise to Chromes? I'm asking about the surface (smoothness, grippyness etc) rather than tension etc.

I have to concur with these folks.

They are not as smooth as Chromes but they are close.

more rough than chromes in my experience, but not what i would call "rough" at all.

Not as smooth as Chromes for sure, but seem more flexible and to retain some upper mid content that Chromes lose, IMO. And I'm not bashing Chromes - before these things Chromes were my jam!

There's a definite "texture" to them. That's not to say it's bad. It just takes a little getting used to.

Check out Exidor's super-close-up (macro lens?) of their wraps. My personal theory about the gap between wraps is it's to stay consistent with Ernie Ball's "Slinky" reputation. A super-stiff set of Slinkys wouldn't groove with their decades-long tradition.

OK so I put them on yesterday I first noticed the ribbon wrap is not as tight they have a small amount of grip and O man I do like these!
they have plenty of bite & have a nice meaty tone when you dig in & I could take the action pretty low.I'm not able to post sound clip cuz I am computer stupid but I can post pics.I really like them the big test will be this weakened. the silk is way more purple it was under florescent bulbs.