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New EB Cobalt Flats?
- Thread starter king_biscuit
- Start date
My Schecter Raiden's EB Cobalt flats are settling in after about 6 months on the instrument. Love these strings.
What I like about them is that they are not overly stiff and cut.
But I like rounds on my jass. I ditched the P I bought them for so someday I may try them on the jazz.
But I like rounds on my jass. I ditched the P I bought them for so someday I may try them on the jazz.
In reference to the "stickyness" of new flats: Take each string and hold it vertically in by the ball end.
1] Use a clean cloth with some isopropyl alcohol and run the cloth from the ball end to the silk end several times.
2] Then take a piece of 0000 steel wool and run it along the length of the string from the ball end to the winding several times.
3] Repeat step 1
4] Install string
If they get sticky after installation just run a cloth with some isopropyl up & down the strings. Works like a charm.
YMMV . . .
1] Use a clean cloth with some isopropyl alcohol and run the cloth from the ball end to the silk end several times.
2] Then take a piece of 0000 steel wool and run it along the length of the string from the ball end to the winding several times.
3] Repeat step 1
4] Install string
If they get sticky after installation just run a cloth with some isopropyl up & down the strings. Works like a charm.
YMMV . . .
Actually, the EB's don't feel sticky to me, but they do take some time to get used to that non-wound thing.
Plus another thing about the EB's, they are not the wire hangers that are some other brands (never tried La Bella, )
Plus another thing about the EB's, they are not the wire hangers that are some other brands (never tried La Bella, )
I consider myself a "rounds" guy, but I picked up a Fender P5 and slapped a set of these on for one last try at flats. They're perfect. Feel, tone, and play-ability. Actually wouldn't mind trying a set on my Sadowsky JJ, but doubtful that happens. 
They don't make these in short scale. But I really want to try these. Could I make a long scale set work on my shorty?
They are a very flexible flat, and I strung up my SG with them without issue. Just go slowly and uniformly. Make sure to cut the length carefully. Leave silk on if you can, or, at least, some of it.
Thanks. I'm gonna try a set. I've done it before but usually don't like to do it especially if they've got a silk and are especially made for different scales.
But looking at the Fender strings on my bass now...no silk...no taper. So I probably shouldn't be so anal.
It’s always a risk. They aren’t made for the shorter scale. I’m thinking of trying LaBella gold flats on the short scale when I’m ready to risk it.Thanks. I'm gonna try a set. I've done it before but usually don't like to do it especially if they've got a silk and are especially made for different scales.
But looking at the Fender strings on my bass now...no silk...no taper. So I probably shouldn't be so anal.
I usually like a light set. 95 on the E. So hopefully that will work out without busting them loose around the peg.
I just have to do it. 55 pages of a 2 year old thread and I grew up on EB roundwound slinkys and disdained them with the cobalt versions. But time and tone changes...
I’d say slippage of the string is going to be the biggest issue. Watching that big E bend to a near 90 degree angle makes me forget to breath for a few seconds. They sound sweet though. They have a clear, somewhat thin/smooth, highs heavy tone on the SG. They’re way too bright for me though, so I’ll probably switch back to LaBellas. I could easily see a bassist who loves to do chords easily convert them self to a rhythm guitarist on the fly with this setup.
Looks like it will work well if I cut the right amount. I usually do 4 finger widths apart from the peg which should be fine.
Lots of good reading in this thread... quick question for those who’ve had the strings on for longer periods of time: any thoughts on more/less fretwear with these strings? I’ve heard that cobalt is a harder metal, and perhaps more prone to chew up frets? But these are flatwound, so maybe less of any issue? I wonder how they compare to other flats and even rounds in the fret-wear department... any thoughts/experiences?
