Ernie Ball 2818 Regular Slinky Flatwound Short Scale 45-105 Bass Guitar Strings

Some years ago I started using stainless steel flat wound strings on my Rickenbacker 4001 to try to tame it's treblyness a bit, which worked a treat. I of course then discovered how much I liked the feel of flat wound strings, very comfortable and much reduced finger noise, so I fitted them to all my other basses. Sadly the stainless strings cut too much treble from my short scale Jazz (P/J) which left me with a problem. Having read many articles on the subject I decided to give these Ernie Ball Slinky "Cobalt" flats a go and I am very impressed.

Though they are not quite as bright as rounds they are pretty close and are certainly bright enough, they also seem to keep their brightness after being used for a while. The tension is good, not too sloppy on the short scale. They are not quite as smooth as the stainless (Thomastik Infeld) strings I had been using when first fitted but that improves with playing and the application of a little string lubricant, (Ernie Ball Wonder Wipes or Music Nomad String Fuel) If you are fitting these to a short scale make sure you measure carefully, I do not think they will be long enough on string through designs but on my top mounted Jazz and Stingray they are perfect with the end wrap starting just beyond the nut on both.

I now have these strings on all my basses with the exception of the Ricky and I am very happy with them.