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New EB Cobalt Flats?
- Thread starter king_biscuit
- Start date
I'd have to do some research but it would be at least 2 years, maybe 3. Still sound and feel great - wouldn't change a thing!
Nice. I am curious, I´ve read a lot and hear about how initially they sound very bright, like somwhere between flat and round. But how do they sound when they are old (1.5-3 years)?
I put a set of EB 2810 on my sub ray5 instead EB 2816.
2810 sound very nice on my previous sub ray4 and 2816 give the Cort DLX V lot of growl and punchy tone plus useful B tone before 7th fret. But I wanna try something different.
I can't compare the tone of 2810 vs 2816 since not use in same bass..... but 2810 are stiffer than 2816 on my hand. The Cobalt B string has bounce more a bit than Group B.
2810 still less stiff than chrome.
2810 sound very nice on my previous sub ray4 and 2816 give the Cort DLX V lot of growl and punchy tone plus useful B tone before 7th fret. But I wanna try something different.
I can't compare the tone of 2810 vs 2816 since not use in same bass..... but 2810 are stiffer than 2816 on my hand. The Cobalt B string has bounce more a bit than Group B.
2810 still less stiff than chrome.
I got the 45-100 set of the „cobalt flats“ and I would like to know, if they have the same tension/flexibility as the „nickel roundwound super slinkys“ in 45-100, that I used before on my Musicman Stingray Special.
Forgive me if this has already been discussed.
I've just purchased my first set of Slinky flat wounds. I've read several posts of people complaining about how "easily" they break. One person suggested me STRONGLY to install them on the bridge and not do a string-through. No word on the winding method, though.
Opinions on this?
I've just purchased my first set of Slinky flat wounds. I've read several posts of people complaining about how "easily" they break. One person suggested me STRONGLY to install them on the bridge and not do a string-through. No word on the winding method, though.
Opinions on this?
I’ve been using both Monel and Cobalt flats (45 - 105) on two active Yamaha BB1200S basses, one with original PU, the other modded with an active EMG P/J set. Played Monels for quite some time, less experience with Cobalts yet. Both sets sound bright but well balanced, very similar in fact. Some differences:
Monel:
- Stiffer tension
- Smoother and softer to the touch, very slick playing feel
- Slightly brighter
- Louder. More output and somewhat slightly dynamically limited/compressed feel
- More flexible, not in any means floppy though
- More sticky and grippy to the touch, stickiness goes away, grippyness stays. They feel almost roundwound-like, I started developing callouses when I switched to Cobalts
I don’t like roundwounds at all (playing feel, fret noise, too much hi-mid harmonics, indistinct lows, floppy feel unless ridiculously thick and so on). I like tonal flexibility, playing styles from post-punk to dub to doom metal, from experimental to traditional, from clean and clear to extremely fuzzed out.
Wow! Great information here, very much appreciated, very helpful.
I love roundwounds on fretted basses, for rock fingerstyle, but on fretless I only play flats, and mostly I prefer that for less aggressive styles, like Americana, accompaniment of singer/songwriter types, etc.
I'll probably stick with the Roto 77s, based on your comparison, but I might actually give the cobalts a try on a fretted bass, and see if they meet my tonal expectations.
I never realised the Rotos seem to be regarded by people as having higher tension than others, they seem to suit me just fine. My second choice in the past was D'Addario Chromes, and before that, I tried TI Jazz Flats, but that was so long ago in the past now (16-18 years ago), that I can't really remember much other than not disliking them, but preferring the Chromes and Rotos.
Cobalt flats my fav flat I have used, Chromes second perhaps. I used TI flats for a long time, and do love them in the right context. My backup bass has LaBella low tension flats which are also really great. Feel similar to TI, but with much more LaBella thud then TI sustain. Chromes are their own beast.
So far, 7 months of daily practice and weekly rehearsals (when we're not under lockdown, that is) and still kickin' a**es. Still pretty bright and responsive. No traces of rust/oxydation.
I’ve really been loving a set of Cobalt flats on a fretless (Godin A4 Ultra). I use the .045-.100 gauge tuned down a full step to D standard. Lots of mwah, growl, sustain and articulation but nice and thick when you lay back and thumpy with some muting. My favorite flats for a fretless at the moment, after years of using TIs. I love that I can dig in with the Cobalts without nastiness yet they remain super responsive unlike duller traditional flats (the low tension of the TIs is much more touchy, particularly downtuned).
I've had a set (45-100) for over a year on one of my P Basses, and they are still going strong. Still as bright and punchy as when I first put them on.
Meanwhile three years of use of the Cobalt flatwounds and no noticeable change; they remain bright and have kept their sustain.
Just for comparison, on another bass I have a set of Dunlop Flatwounds, which, over the course of one year, have taken a very different trajectory: They have gone from bright and articulate to smooth and chocolaty with a decent amount of thump. Not LaBella thump, mind you, but a nice balance of thump and open mids.
Just for comparison, on another bass I have a set of Dunlop Flatwounds, which, over the course of one year, have taken a very different trajectory: They have gone from bright and articulate to smooth and chocolaty with a decent amount of thump. Not LaBella thump, mind you, but a nice balance of thump and open mids.
Hey everyone - I have what might be a typical question....
My 2 main basses are a G&L L2000 with stainless rounds and Fender PJ (with EMG GZR pickups) with nickel rounds. Live I play with a touch of overdrive to add thickness and presence.
Lately I've been thinking about changing to a string with a little less high end\high mids than rounds (my rounds of choice are DR Sunbeams) - and that's with tone turned down about 50%.
I tried GHS Pressurewounds - they sounded good but essentially sounded like rounds!
Could Cobalt flats get me there? How do Cobalt flats behave with some mild to medium overdrive?
My 2 main basses are a G&L L2000 with stainless rounds and Fender PJ (with EMG GZR pickups) with nickel rounds. Live I play with a touch of overdrive to add thickness and presence.
Lately I've been thinking about changing to a string with a little less high end\high mids than rounds (my rounds of choice are DR Sunbeams) - and that's with tone turned down about 50%.
I tried GHS Pressurewounds - they sounded good but essentially sounded like rounds!
Could Cobalt flats get me there? How do Cobalt flats behave with some mild to medium overdrive?
All I can say is I love MFDs, I love Sunbeams and I love Cobalts. But I do not think the Cobalts sound like the Sunbeams. You should try a set but keep your old strings in case. Also, the Cobalts need a little time to break in.
