EB Flatwound Cobalts / Bongo 5 HH

[Karl]

I am in a bit of a dilemma here, I have just recently acquired a new Bongo 5HH that came with the stock Roundwound Slinky's which I really like the sound of. But I am a Flatwound Guy and although I love the sound of the Slinky's on my Bongo I miss the feel of Flats. I have a set of Flatwound Cobalts and I am itching to put them on, but I don't want to lose that zing that I get with the Slinky's.
So if I put Cobalt Flats on my Bongo will it lose much of its characteristic tone.

 

[bovinehost]

The Cobalts will make your dreams come true.

Trust me, I'm a doctor.

(Disclaimer: not a doctor.)

 

[Karl]

The Cobalts will make your dreams come true.

Trust me, I'm a doctor.

(Disclaimer: not a doctor.)

I think I will take the Slinky's off tomorrow and put on the Cobalt Flats. I know that didn't take a lot of convincing my friend but I was already half way there!

 

[MrMusashi]

bongos have a way with flats that is very appealing

you can and should dooo it!

MrM

 

[Oldtoe]

I literally can’t stand to play my Bongo HH basses with anything but Cobalt flats now. Tonal match nirvana and perfect feel (for me anyway.)

 

[Karl]

The Cobalts are the same gauge as the stock strings, so would there be any truss rod adjustment needed

 

[Golem]

The Cobalts are the same gauge as the stock strings,
so would there be any truss rod adjustment needed

Guage is the outer build-up of mass via windings.
Cores can be different tensile strengths and thus
have different tension qualities. And acoarst the
two are interdependent ... if the windings weigh
more [more mass] &or are less stiffly wound then
it takes more tension to raise the pitch to a given
note. IOW, don't assume anything based on fact
of equal guage/diameter. Kinda like two cowbells
matching width, length, and depth ... but of two
different styles. Steel may be thicker or softer or
whatever yada yada ... no two alike

 

[nurnay]

I am in a bit of a dilemma here, I have just recently acquired a new Bongo 5HH that came with the stock Roundwound Slinky's which I really like the sound of. But I am a Flatwound Guy and although I love the sound of the Slinky's on my Bongo I miss the feel of Flats. I have a set of Flatwound Cobalts and I am itching to put them on, but I don't want to lose that zing that I get with the Slinky's.
So if I put Cobalt Flats on my Bongo will it lose much of its characteristic tone.

You can always go back.