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Your cart is empty.4.5 out of 5 stars
- #16,910 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
- #111 in Bass Guitar Strings
Ernie Ball Flatwound Bass String sets are now available for short scale basses. These sets are wound with a patented cobalt alloy ribbon for a round sound with a flat feel. This unique design delivers an ultra-smooth playing experience with low finger noise featuring a flexible construction that provides a remarkably vibrant tone and easier playability. Gauges .045, .065, .085, and .105.
S. Domer
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2025
I have a short-scale vintage modified Jaguar base and wanted an E string that was less floppy. I love the short-scale bass, but tension on the roundwound strings are too low to drop tune. I was looking at flatwound strings, because they flop less and last forever. I was worried about losing too much edge on the tone, because I like to play rock music.I settled on the cobalt flatwound strings, because they have a brighter tone than most flats. I was a bit nervous because I have read accounts of strings breaking and the bit of sticky feel. I dislike a set of round slinkies on one of my other basses because of the rough feel compared to fender rounds. I tuned up slowly the first time on these strings, which caution is learned from the high E on guitars. They tuned up fine without breaking and are stretching as expected. I did have to file out the E string spot on the nut with an old 105 round I had around, because the nut was cut for 100s.The feel of the strings is pretty good. The cobalt alloy does grip your skin a little, but is less than a smooth round. Overall they do feel pretty smooth. The E string is now reasonably stiff. The cobalt flats are surprising floppy out of the package. They flop around like rubber. Tuned up, they have sufficient stiffness. Drop D feels fine. My first set of flats, and really like the feel after a quick buffing with a dry cloth. In case you haven't read it elsewhere yet, cobalt alloy can rust. You need to dry them off after each playing session.The tone is a great fit for the PJ pickups on the short Jaguar. This is an aggressive little rock bass now. I am getting more tone out of the weak J pickup. This is not going to do a vintage sound without EQ on the amp. The tone knob on the bass does not make much of a change on the P pickup against these strings.I am really happy with the strings. Both the tone and feel are good. I look forward to seeing how the tone changes after the break-in period. The green silk is my favorite color, but red would have matched the bass.
setois
Reviewed in France on January 15, 2025
Très bonne qualité.
Relle
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2025
Got heavy gauge in hopes of drop tuning for my pj mustang bass, but intonation was not good. Also had to open the nut slots for the strings quite a bit. As far as quality of strings they are a brite “flatwound” leaning more to groundwound. Brite but not like roundwounds. More finger noise than normal flats but nothing like roundwounds. I am not sure if i will try another brand heavy gauge for drop tuning again. If I still with normal tuning, I have had labella low tension on for regular scale bass might buy the short scale version for my short scale bass next. This string is good for some. You may want to get the slightly lighter gauge.
Audie Long
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2024
These strings are very similar to a GHS Brite Flats or D'daddario Half Rounds. They appear to be ground roundwounds with roundwound finger noise. For me it's a misrepresentation to advertise them as flatwounds. I just ordered a set of real T-I flatwounds to replace them after 5 days of use.
Simon
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2024
Good quality strings which hold their tuning well. Sound quality is a cross between a flat and a round. Quite expensive really but then it is a special string which is quite bright with reasonable tension. Time will tell as far as longevity is concerned but so far I like them on what otherwise can be a muddy sounding SG bass.
Jerry
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2024
The flatwound give a really smooth feel and cuts down on the noise when sliding up or down a string. It's a nice bass tone and works well with my Gibson SG.
Customer
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2024
Nice flats, quite bright at the moment. Not as smooth to the touch as I expected, but I think that would change with time.
Master of Taste
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024
I am officially a flat wound player now.
Humbuzz
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2024
I’ve been flats curious for a while, so I put a set on my Fender Mustang PJ. Has most of the mids & highs of nickel rounds, but the flats feel. Still unsure what sound I ultimately want on this bass, but this is a good start.
Pamela M.
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024
Comfortable and great feel
Javier Caparrós Illescas
Reviewed in Spain on September 2, 2023
Llevaba mucho tiempo buscando unas cuerdas para mi Fender Musicmaster con el tacto suave de una cuerda de entorchado plano pero con la pegada de las roundwound. Estas son exactamente lo que estaba buscando. Una maravilla.
jfk
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2023
Nice set of flats for the Ibanez Mikro bass
Customer
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 13, 2023
Been waiting for these slinky flatwounds to come to the shortscalers since they announced them earlier in the year. Great roundwound grind with smooth feel as advertised. The grind will mellow, leaving a good modern flat mid presence with plenty of thump. More flexible then some flatwounds.Only note, be aware of corrosion/rust with colbalt strings. Not happened with these ones, but have had these type on my long scales and they do taint and leave a metallic smell on fingers if left in humid environment. Keep them clean and dry and should be good for years!
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