New EB Cobalt Flats?

[redwood]

Just put a set on my Bongo Hsp 5. WOW! I hope they smooth out just a tad and then stay that way forever. The punch and clarity was exactly what I was looking for. My only other flat experience is with Chromes. And, to my ears, these beat them by a mile. Granted, besides solo tryout at home, the only band setting has been rehearsal with in-ears. I can't wait to crank these up!
And no issues with the D string.
Kudos to EB.

 

[bassfootballguy]

I am a documented fan of these - but do they work with 35 scale string thru body basses like a Lakland?

 

[thespoon]

I am a documented fan of these - but do they work with 35 scale string thru body basses like a Lakland?

They are plenty long. The silk on the tuner side might need to be peeled back a bit so that it does not contact the nut.

 

[michael_t]

do they work with 35 scale string thru body basses like a Lakland?

According the specs, they have a winding length (ball end to silk) of 37.25", which may not be quite long enough for thru-body stringing on a 35" scale.

You can always measure the physical distance on your bass from where the ball end sits to the nut just to make sure.

 

[1stnamebassist]

I don't think Cobalts should be used through body. Check with them before you attempt it. I don't remember if the literature that comes with the string said anything about it.

 

[thespoon]

I don't think Cobalts should be used through body. Check with them before you attempt it. I don't remember if the literature that comes with the string said anything about it.

EB said no problem with that. They just don't want you to trim them. I have a set in a LTD 34" string through for over a year with zero problems.

 

[icebox]

Maybe a crazy question but, if we're not supposed to cut these what are you guys doing with the excess wrap? Coiling up the ends like you see some guitar players doing? I ask because I have a set of these coming in the mail, and very excited about hearing them. Kinda apprehensive too.....

 

[1stnamebassist]

Maybe a crazy question but, if we're not supposed to cut these what are you guys doing with the excess wrap? Coiling up the ends like you see some guitar players doing? I ask because I have a set of these coming in the mail, and very excited about hearing them. Kinda apprehensive too.....

I cut them. You can't wrap that much string around a skinny Rickenbacker post. It worked fine.

 

[gidbass]

Maybe a crazy question but, if we're not supposed to cut these what are you guys doing with the excess wrap? Coiling up the ends like you see some guitar players doing? I ask because I have a set of these coming in the mail, and very excited about hearing them. Kinda apprehensive too.....

I cut mine as well. No issues.

Good Luck!

 

[rmosele]

I just put a set of these on my Fender 70s Jazz bass and as soon as I finished tuning the G string broke while the bass was sitting in a chair. I wasn't even touching it. And no, I did not tune it an octave too high. Has anyone else had this happen on these strings or any strings for that matter. This is the first bass string I have ever had break. I called GC where I bought them (wasn't patient enough to order them) and they said I can't return opened strings EVEN IF THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. So I guess I will be sending it back to Ernie Ball and hope they replace it.

 

[sas]

I cut mine as well. No issues.

Good Luck!

how about the ultimate cut, i.e. on a vintage Steinberger, anybody tried that?
having tried them on a fretless Bean bass, I am sold- but the radical crimp under/after the Steinberger headpiece adapter is the ultimate test i suppose. I have a fretless XL2A that I am positive will LOVE these strings, IF they survive the required surgery. I'll try it anyway, well worth the risk!

edit- to clarify for those unfamiliar, the Steinbergers accomodate regular (non double ball) strings via an adapter that blocks down the strings at the zero-fret point (before any silk winding would even begin) and basically kill the string at that point. Some strings have responded unfavorably to that pressure, coming undone in winding. Therein lies my upcoming suspense

 

[Doner Designs]

I have not tried them because they don't seem to come in the varying gauges like their regular flats do. I like the heavy Group I's.

 

[JustForSport]

I just put a set of these on my Fender 70s Jazz bass and as soon as I finished tuning the G string broke while the bass was sitting in a chair. I wasn't even touching it. And no, I did not tune it an octave too high. Has anyone else had this happen on these strings or any strings for that matter. This is the first bass string I have ever had break. I called GC where I bought them (wasn't patient enough to order them) and they said I can't return opened strings EVEN IF THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. So I guess I will be sending it back to Ernie Ball and hope they replace it.

If your G slot in the nut is too tight it can cause breakage at the tuner. Be sure the string slides easily at the bottom of the slot, and sharpen a pencil so you can pencil some graphite in the bottom and sides of the slot.

 

[gidbass]

how about the ultimate cut, i.e. on a vintage Steinberger, anybody tried that?
having tried them on a fretless Bean bass, I am sold- but the radical crimp under/after the Steinberger headpiece adapter is the ultimate test i suppose. I have a fretless XL2A that I am positive will LOVE these strings, IF they survive the required surgery. I'll try it anyway, well worth the risk!

edit- to clarify for those unfamiliar, the Steinbergers accomodate regular (non double ball) strings via an adapter that blocks down the strings at the zero-fret point (before any silk winding would even begin) and basically kill the string at that point. Some strings have responded unfavorably to that pressure, coming undone in winding. Therein lies my upcoming suspense

Yup. I have them on my spirit. No issues.

Good luck!

 

[sas]

Yup. I have them on my spirit. No issues.

Good luck!

good to hear, thanks!

 

[1stnamebassist]

I just put a set of these on my Fender 70s Jazz bass and as soon as I finished tuning the G string broke while the bass was sitting in a chair. I wasn't even touching it. And no, I did not tune it an octave too high. Has anyone else had this happen on these strings or any strings for that matter. This is the first bass string I have ever had break. I called GC where I bought them (wasn't patient enough to order them) and they said I can't return opened strings EVEN IF THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. So I guess I will be sending it back to Ernie Ball and hope they replace it.

I had put a set on my Jack Casady and they sounded great. I picked it up one day a week or two later and started playing and the A string started sounded strange and the all the sudden Thwap, the A breaks down at the bridge! As always EB and Jason helped me out and I got new strings or new sets whenever a string broke! I believe I broke a total of 3. The problem seems to be over with, but you may run into some sets now and then with bad strings. Just call Ernie Ball customer service and they shouls take care of you.

 

[JustForSport]

I was stringing a set and noticed the G string was not going up in pitch as the tuner turned, so I opened the nut slot a little and 'wrote' some pencil graphite in the bottom of the slot and all was good.

 

[bassbully]

Ok so I drank the EB Cobalt flats cool aide. I picked up a set today 100-45 same as my Chromes and installed them tonight.
I played them for a little while and altough it's too early to get a read on them they sound good. I noticed the wraps are kind of weird maybe almost bumpy and there is discoloration on the strings.
The finish it sticky, kind of rough, much more than even new chromes have. They are more flexable than chromes which is nice and have allot of zing and punch.
Being a longtime Chromes user I will see where this goes. I put them on my late 90's USA Peavey fury.

 

[JustForSport]

Ok so I drank the EB Cobalt flats cool aide. I picked up a set today 100-45 same as my Chromes and installed them tonight.
I played them for a little while and altough it's too early to get a read on them they sound good. I noticed the wraps are kind of weird maybe almost bumpy and there is discoloration on the strings.
The finish it sticky, kind of rough, much more than even new chromes have. They are more flexable than chromes which is nice and have allot of zing and punch.
Being a longtime Chromes user I will see where this goes. I put them on my late 90's USA Peavey fury.

I give them a good rub down with a Scotch Brite (red or green) pad, then a wipe with a rag with denatured alcohol to really tame the stickiness before installing.

 

[gidbass]

Ok so I drank the EB Cobalt flats cool aide. I picked up a set today 100-45 same as my Chromes and installed them tonight.
I played them for a little while and altough it's too early to get a read on them they sound good. I noticed the wraps are kind of weird maybe almost bumpy and there is discoloration on the strings.
The finish it sticky, kind of rough, much more than even new chromes have. They are more flexable than chromes which is nice and have allot of zing and punch.
Being a longtime Chromes user I will see where this goes. I put them on my late 90's USA Peavey fury.

I rub mine down with an alcohol wipe before installation. That seems to do the trick for the stickiness. The roughness smooths out pretty quick once you start playing.

Good Luck!