Well I tried these on a different bass today and they sounded really, really good. It was a Regenerate Heritage Plus (pic included because it's hard to describe), and man it sounded good. They sounded good in every PU setting. Thus far about every string I've put on it does, but these likely are the best. These strings sound very similar to the GHS Pressure wounds that were on it and were my favorites thus far. After today, the Cobalts are staying on. I think I'll try to snag another used set and try them on something else.
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New EB Cobalt Flats?
- Thread starter king_biscuit
- Start date
Doner Designs
Steve Doner
- Jun 2, 2012
- 5,784
- 6,819
- Disclosures
- Doner Designs is an alias for Steve Doner
I finally got around to trying a set. If they were available in a heavier gauge I would put them on every bass. As it is, I can't decide between these and Ernie Ball Group I flats which are almost as bright and a lot thicker (which I prefer).
Doner Designs
Steve Doner
- Jun 2, 2012
- 5,784
- 6,819
- Disclosures
- Doner Designs is an alias for Steve Doner
Featured on this sound clip...
The bass has a solid koa body with wenge neck and features two custom hybrid Nordstand pickups. Each contains both a Big Split and a Split Jazz pickup inside. The bass also includes a four band Audere preamp which is set flat for the recording. Strings are Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. Recording signal chain is bass -- Noble Preamp/DI -- PreSonus USB Interface -- PC. Preamp is set relatively flat with the high pass filter engaged. Note that the Big Splits sound a little more aggressive/edgy whereas the J pickups have a smoother tone. When the pickups are paired (both Big Splits or both J's) the wild and wooly vs smooth character is still evident, and, in addition, note that the mid-scoop (which happens any time pickups are mixed) is at a lower frequency with the Big Split pair because they are further apart. The position of the J pickups is very close to standard while the Big Split spacing is wider. Video was done on an iphone and later merged with the DI audio track.
The bass has a solid koa body with wenge neck and features two custom hybrid Nordstand pickups. Each contains both a Big Split and a Split Jazz pickup inside. The bass also includes a four band Audere preamp which is set flat for the recording. Strings are Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. Recording signal chain is bass -- Noble Preamp/DI -- PreSonus USB Interface -- PC. Preamp is set relatively flat with the high pass filter engaged. Note that the Big Splits sound a little more aggressive/edgy whereas the J pickups have a smoother tone. When the pickups are paired (both Big Splits or both J's) the wild and wooly vs smooth character is still evident, and, in addition, note that the mid-scoop (which happens any time pickups are mixed) is at a lower frequency with the Big Split pair because they are further apart. The position of the J pickups is very close to standard while the Big Split spacing is wider. Video was done on an iphone and later merged with the DI audio track.
I picked up a G&L MJ4 with the Cobalts on it and maybe it's partly the bass but these string sing! I love the definition and punch they have. I'ma die-hard LaBella guy but these have got me wavering. About to take possession of a US P5 that I think is ripe for a set.
Finally got to use them at rehearsal. Great tone, but not the right fit for this project or the bass I used. Gonna keep trying basses. I really wish they made a lighter gauge of these!
After much anticipation and waiting my 5 string cobalt flats arrived. I put new tuners on, as they were desperately need, for proper enjoyment of new strings. I started with the smallest strings first, all was going well. When I got to the E started to notice a problem. By the time I put on the B, the problem was very evident. My bridge is of the smaller, stocky kind. The EB Cobalt Flats had giant amounts of purple silk at the ball end. It was interfering with the string sitting in the saddle probably. Removed a bunch of it, but it's still not quite right. Not very happy with them at the moment. And it's to bad because they seem like awesome strings.
It's a no name, though I suspect it's from the same overseas company that makes Schecters. Noticed very similar attributes. Enjoy the custom paint, not my doing.
- Jul 3, 2004
- 1,300
- 641
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball MusicMan Guitars
Funny, I found the opposite. Replaced a set of Chromes in the lighter gauge and really enjoyed the greater flexibility and lower tension. And I eased up off the truss rod.
Serious tension? The only flat's with less tension are TI flats. If that is what you had before I could understand how you feel lol.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,060
- 45,959
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
From what I've gathered they mostly seem to break during installation if they're going to break at all.
I have never had any EB strings (nickels, steel, Cobalts) break on me. In fact, I would say that they are some of the strongest strings around.
I got them used here and possibly they are heavier than indicated. I've all all kinds of strings on that bass and never had to think about adjusting. These feel nothing remotely like the TIs on other basses, so it's possible they are not anywhere near a light gauge at all. These are more stout than GHS Precision flats (med) and the lights are getting close to the TIs. (Realizing of course that stiffness and tension are different.)
Took a gamble on the 40-95 set. It's going to be big shoes to fill to replace my beloved TI jazz flats/jazz rounds, but I'm ready to try a little more tension to avoid fret noise.
