Cobalts vs. Flatwounds

[backagain1]

I have a gig coming up in which I want my SR5 to sound GREAT! I currently have a set of regular Slinkys on , but they're quite old and I need to put new strings on my bass for the gig. I have a new set of EB Flatwounds and a new set of Cobalt Slinkys in my basement to choose from. I love the flatwounds and have never tried the Cobalts.

Any input?

Thanks,

backagain1

 

[KevinM]

Kind of depends on what kind of music you play but you gotta try the cobalts. I think you'll like the liveliness.

 

[T28]

For a classic rock band it is hard to beat flats but Cobalts rock pretty darn good too.
Alot of it would also depend on what type of rig you are playing through and if you need to darken or lighten the sound.

 

[backagain1]

For a classic rock band it is hard to beat flats but Cobalts rock pretty darn good too.
Alot of it would also depend on what type of rig you are playing through and if you need to darken or lighten the sound.

Are the Cobalts "trebley"?

 

[stu42]

I wouldn't say they're especially trebly - because the extra bass response they have gives them a deeper sound that sort of compensates for the extra brightness of the round wound. However, they do have a fairly distinctive "ping" or "twang" kind of sound on the top end when they're new. Kind of like a regular round wound but more exaggerated. I think it would be great for funk or slap bass or even rock. That pinging sound does go away over time though as they do mellow out some but they definitely keep their life much longer than regular round wounds.

 

[backagain1]

I wouldn't say they're especially trebly - because the extra bass response they have gives them a deeper sound that sort of compensates for the extra brightness of the round wound. However, they do have a fairly distinctive "ping" or "twang" kind of sound on the top end when they're new. Kind of like a regular round wound but more exaggerated. I think it would be great for funk or slap bass or even rock. That pinging sound does go away over time though as they do mellow out some but they definitely keep their life much longer than regular round wounds.

How would you compare the low end thump of the Cobalts to flatwounds?

Also, how is the volume of the low end strings (B and E) compared to the upper strings (A, D, and G), i.e., is there a good balance?

Thanks for your input!

 

[stu42]

I found that the Cobalts have a similar thump on the bottom end as the flatwounds I was using - which is part of what I really love about them. I would say they have as much bottom end but it's maybe slightly tighter and seems even a bit deeper but they also have the top end zing of roundwounds. So, for me, they combine the best of what I like about flats and rounds. You may find the ping sound on the top to be a little excessive at first (not sure about your taste in this regard) but it does go away over time.

As for volume, they seem pretty even between the B, E, A & D strings. I find the G string to be a little weaker though. So, I lifted that side of my pickup to be closer to the strings to compensate. Of course, different notes will resonate more than others depending on your speaker cabinet or the room where you're playing.

EDIT/CORRECTION: After receiving my new compressor (FEA DE-CL, which is an awesome compressor/limiter btw) I started to realize that the G string of my cobalt string set is NOT actually weaker than the rest of the strings. With fairly consistent plucking effort on each string I see now that the G string is setting off the compressor and limiter as much as any of the other strings in the set - which tells me it's putting out just as much volume as the other strings.

So, based on that, what I'd say now is that the G string *seems* quieter because, I suppose, it's at a higher frequency than the other strings and therefore is not creating as big a resonance as the lower strings. This is to be expected for any set of strings but for some reason, maybe due to the increased midrange content, was tricking me into thinking that it was quieter than the rest.

 

[backagain1]

I found that the Cobalts have a similar thump on the bottom end as the flatwounds I was using - which is part of what I really love about them. I would say they have as much bottom end but it's maybe slightly tighter and seems even a bit deeper but they also have the top end zing of roundwounds. So, for me, they combine the best of what I like about flats and rounds. You may find the ping sound on the top to be a little excessive at first (not sure about your taste in this regard) but it does go away over time.

As for volume, they seem pretty even between the B, E, A & D strings. I find the G string to be a little weaker though. So, I lifted that side of my pickup to be closer to the strings to compensate. Of course, different notes will resonate more than others depending on your speaker cabinet or the room where you're playing.

EDIT/CORRECTION: After receiving my new compressor (FEA DE-CL, which is an awesome compressor/limiter btw) I started to realize that the G string of my cobalt string set is NOT actually weaker than the rest of the strings. With fairly consistent plucking effort on each string I see now that the G string is setting off the compressor and limiter as much as any of the other strings in the set - which tells me it's putting out just as much volume as the other strings.

So, based on that, what I'd say now is that the G string *seems* quieter because, I suppose, it's at a higher frequency than the other strings and therefore is not creating as big a resonance as the lower strings. This is to be expected for any set of strings but for some reason, maybe due to the increased midrange content, was tricking me into thinking that it was quieter than the rest.

Very helpful, thanks!! I think I'll try the Cobalts for my "big event." I'll probably put the new strings on the day before or the morning of the gig.

Your note about the G string setting off the compressor is interesting. I think I'll try the experiment with my Markbass Compressore. I very rarely play the G string anyway, because I don't slap/snap very much and I tend to play higher up the neck to get higher notes.

 

[stu42]

Very helpful, thanks!! I think I'll try the Cobalts for my "big event." I'll probably put the new strings on the day before or the morning of the gig.

Your note about the G string setting off the compressor is interesting. I think I'll try the experiment with my Markbass Compressore. I very rarely play the G string anyway, because I don't slap/snap very much and I tend to play higher up the neck to get higher notes.

Yeah, exactly....I don't really play the G string that much either. If I do it's usually up around the 10th fret or higher as I often like to play further up the neck to get a fatter sound for higher notes.

One thing I'll echo from other people...the Cobalts do tend to last longer and will keep their brightness longer than other round wounds.

I'm not sure what you're doing on the days leading up to the gig but, if I were you, I'd probably put the Cobalts on at least a couple of days before the gig in case you need to adjust the truss rod and to generally get acclimated to them before the gig so there are no surprises on the day. Just my nature I guess.

 

[backagain1]

Yeah, exactly....I don't really play the G string that much either. If I do it's usually up around the 10th fret or higher as I often like to play further up the neck to get a fatter sound for higher notes.

One thing I'll echo from other people...the Cobalts do tend to last longer and will keep their brightness longer than other round wounds.

I'm not sure what you're doing on the days leading up to the gig but, if I were you, I'd probably put the Cobalts on at least a couple of days before the gig in case you need to adjust the truss rod and to generally get acclimated to them before the gig so there are no surprises on the day. Just my nature I guess.

I like to play further up the neck to get a fatter sound for higher notes too.

Convinced me. I'll put them on a couple of days early. I won't be practicing anyway to wear out the newness, since I sprained my middle finger on my fretting hand last night.