Bad batch of LaBella Deep Talkin Flats???

dagrev · #1 02-17-2010, 09:49 AM

I bought two sets of LaBellas extra lights and the A is very weak sounding (so much so it won't work on PUs that can't be adjusted individually for each string), and the D is rough and has a round wound ring to it, not the typical flat sound. One string failed (an E) in a string through situation and I was given a new set and it has the same problems. Surely I'm not the only one that got the only three sets like this and I can't imagine this being normal. I've email LaBella but haven't gotten a response. The dealer said the other set they checked had a rougher D as well.

Has anyone else run into this lately?

countrybassist · #2 02-17-2010, 09:52 AM

Don't email them. Call them directly. I had a dead B string from a set of Rockin' Steel and I forget the guys name, but he sent me 2 free sets of strings plus a new B string. Great company to deal with, IMO.

squashedOpossum · #3 02-17-2010, 10:00 AM

I had similar issues with a 5 string set of DT Flats -- the A was weak and the E had a tiny bump in it that caused buzzing on my fretless. Called the company and got two replacement strings sent to me, not 2 complete sets like countrybassist, but they did replace the strings.

mez0729 · #4 02-18-2010, 07:12 AM

I had the same problem with my La Bella lights as well - the A and D. I actually ordered another A string to be sure and it was the same deal. I play flats and this was my first experience with La Bellas and I was disappointed.

BlackEdition · #5 02-18-2010, 09:08 AM

La Bella flats aren't supposed to be used in "through-body stringing situations" according to juststrings.com.

Maybe try a different brand if you require through-body stringing?

I've heard good things about D'Addario Chromes, GHS Precision flats, and Thomastik Flats. All are supposedly much lower tension than the La Bellas...

king_biscuit · #6 02-18-2010, 09:40 AM

I've had problems with strings from the last few DTB flat sets I've bought. La Bella eventually sent replacements after several phone calls. I think I'm going to stick with GHS Precision flats for a while.

dagrev · #7 02-18-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackEdition

La Bella flats aren't supposed to be used in "through-body stringing situations" according to juststrings.com.

Maybe try a different brand if you require through-body stringing?

I've heard good things about D'Addario Chromes, GHS Precision flats, and Thomastik Flats. All are supposedly much lower tension than the La Bellas...

Yes. Oddly enough their catalog at the time said it was OK, but when I called and talked to man (after the E broke) there he said never to do that. I don't any more as I can't tell any difference in doing so--despite what some claim. So that problem is resolved.

I've used Chromes through the body with no problems and TIs. On my 55 Pbass I have no choice. They are nice and affordable, but the TIs sound simply amazing on Precisions.

FatCity · #8 02-21-2010, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

I've had problems with strings from the last few DTB flat sets I've bought. La Bella eventually sent replacements after several phone calls. I think I'm going to stick with GHS Precision flats for a while.

I had a very similar experience last fall...it took a number of phone calls and about a month to get a replacement for a bad A string.

denton57 · #9 02-21-2010, 07:48 AM

I had a weak A with my last set too. Interesting. My current set is fine, but I am worried about my next set for a bass build I am doing

I just love this current set of 760FS's though. My favorite string.

dagrev · #10 03-12-2010, 11:48 AM

One phone call and bad sets are being replaced/sent! Hopefully not with more bad sets!

Good people at LaBella.

GeneralElectric · #11 03-12-2010, 11:53 AM

I guess you had a good experience. I don't like LaBella and I now refuse to buy their products. The last time I purchased LaBella strings it was a tapewound set. The A string was poorly made and featured rough spots and some parts where you could see the metal. The E string also couldn't stay in tune.

I emailed LaBella and they asked me for my shipping address which I gave them. They never sent the string after repeated phone calls and emails. So much for a $45 set of strings right?

Last bass I had strung with LaBellas were the James Jamersons that I got free with a bass (previous owner bought them but never installed them) After a few months of playing the core of the A string broke mid set.

Jim Nazium · #12 03-12-2010, 12:02 PM

I just bought a set of Deep Talkin' flats to try, and had pretty much the same experience. The A string was much, much weaker than the others. It was ridiculous. I took them right off and put the TIs back on.

dagrev · #13 03-12-2010, 05:07 PM

GeneralElectric- Maybe I spoke too soon. Time will tell. They at least seemed helpful on the phone. What I call NY friendly--just tell me your problem and let's get it over with. (No offense to you NYers with a little more pleasant personality!)

It seems they have some serious problems that need to be resolved. Maybe the cat doing the QC was taking a nap.

I have to admit I've never had any problems with TIs. I'm glad to get some replacements as I think I might like the LaBellas better on one of my Jazzes. Nothing but TI's for Precisions. I did like the LaBellas on an G&L L2K. Don't know if I'll like them long term yet, but sure didn't like the bad sets the first go round. This will provide a better trial.

bassbenj · #14 03-13-2010, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I guess you had a good experience. I don't like LaBella and I now refuse to buy their products. The last time I purchased LaBella strings it was a tapewound set. The A string was poorly made and featured rough spots and some parts where you could see the metal. The E string also couldn't stay in tune.

I emailed LaBella and they asked me for my shipping address which I gave them. They never sent the string after repeated phone calls and emails. So much for a $45 set of strings right?

Last bass I had strung with LaBellas were the James Jamersons that I got free with a bass (previous owner bought them but never installed them) After a few months of playing the core of the A string broke mid set.

This goes for me too. I had quite a bit to do with LaBella when I was experimenting with my Carvin (Carvin strings are LaBella). They weren't especially nasty strings and dirt cheap Direct from Carvin. So I bought quite a few sets. But they were FAR from being the excellent strings everyone raves about. I still use the Carvin nylon tapewounds but that's about it.

At the time I wanted to get nylon tapes strung E to C. So I needed a C string to add to a 4 or 5 string set. Well I had some dealings with the company and they tried to be helpful. But in the end they supplied C strings WAY too small in diameter to match the other strings in the set. Somehow they never got it. I'll bet if you order one right now you'll still get the wrong size. Well, for a factory that MAKES strings you'd think they'd know what they are doing. Eventually I gave up and managed to find a different brand.

Sure cheapo Carvin strings are a great buy, but the super-priced same strings you buy online are just WAY over-priced. So eventually I've just migrated to other brands. I'm still amazed at all the folks influenced by Jamerson's choice of LaBella. He probably used them because some cat sold them down the street from motown.

For me GHS is the standard by which I judge all other strings. They are the Shure sm57 of strings: "Never the best but always good enough!"

CrimsonGhost · #15 03-13-2010, 09:22 AM

Hopefully a rep from Labella will respond to the concerns in this thread. I have been wanting to try the 760fm set but now, Im not so sure.

billoetjen · #16 03-13-2010, 09:32 AM

I thought it was just me...
The only bad string I ever had in a set was a DTB flat that was dead (almost no response in the pickup - very weird!). They replaced it immediately without a question. If you broke a DTB going string-through, it's your fault though. I ran 'em string-through on my fretless and just kept my fingers crossed.

I'm still pretty disgusted with them over the way they've treated Professor Jamerson's widow and family.

GeneralElectric · #17 03-13-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbenj

For me GHS is the standard by which I judge all other strings. They are the Shure sm57 of strings: "Never the best but always good enough!"

I actually really like the GHS Precision flats personally. Everything else always plays well enough, but they're not my sound. When I play rounds its usually DR LoRiders or Rotosound Swingbass (the 110s) When I play flats its either the Rotosound Jazz (110s) or the TI Flats. I had that last set of LaBella JJ sigs but the A broke at the saddle on a top loading bridge. I'm done with their crappy product and customer service.

newbassdude · #18 03-13-2010, 05:38 PM

i've had a set of labella flats for about a year now. they sounded good right out of the package for me, and got even smoother as i used them and stretched em out..

just my experience anyway...

Scutterflux · #19 03-14-2010, 02:13 PM

I've had good luck with them, and really enjoy the tone. I'll be getting ready to order a couple new sets in a month or so, so I guess I hope I don't have the same kinda bad luck as all you guys have been having. I've had the same set on my G&L for about 3 years now, and If my jazz didn't get stolen a few months ago it'd be about 2 years on those ones.

Maybe quality control will improve with enough complaints.

Good Luck

jasper383 · #20 03-14-2010, 06:18 PM

That D string has been trouble for me sometimes with flats, too, and not just with La Bellas. I had that roughness issue with the 40-100 set of Sadowskys (which I know are made by La Bella too). The D was clearly rougher than the other strings.

That seems to be, on sets of flats, where the strings, when new, go from thumpy to zingy. Over time, they almost all will even out.

I had a set of the 760FX strings on my '51 Reissue Precision, and I remember the A being really warm and the D kind of rough as well. They evened out over time until I couldn't really tell much difference.