Calling all La Bella 760FL users!

[Ryan Mohr]

I just put a set on my Fender '60s Jazz Bass, and I think this is gonna THE set for this bass. Coupled with a set of NJ4s, fresh wiring, and a series/parallel switch, this is a GREAT vintage-sounding bass. Of course they are very zingy because they are only a day old but I am expecting that to subside in a month or so.

But that's not the reason I posted this thread. I noticed that the G string looks different than the E, A, and D strings. The G string looks like a stainless steel round in color and the other three look like nickel rounds in color. Is this how they are made or did I get a bum set?

[markjazzbassist]

after going back and forth on a bunch of sets i'm back to my old FL's as well. they are it for me as well

yeah the string color may be a little different on some (some sets it seems like the E and D are the same and A and G are the same). don't worry about the look, it's that sweet low mid tone.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

after going back and forth on a bunch of sets i'm back to my old FL's as well. they are it for me as well

yeah the string color may be a little different on some (some sets it seems like the E and D are the same and A and G are the same). don't worry about the look, it's that sweet low mid tone.

Ah alright, thanks for chiming in. I wonder why the color would be different though...

Cool to hear you are back, but I thought you were digging the pyramid golds?

I definitely love the tone, thick and fat lows and low mids, not too much in the upper mids, and a clear treble which I hope tames down a bit. How long did it take for yours to settle in?

[Jayhawk]

Love mine! Not sure about the color variation, mine all look the same. Could just be an oddity with a few string from a particular run.

[57pbass]

Been using this set for many years, great tone, not too much tension on the neck..

[bluesblaster]

didnt notice any color variation in mine, FL,s on a jazz in series mode is pure heaven. Just play the crap out of those strings, the more you do the better they sound.

[wateroftyne]

All my sets have a different G.

[willyrep]

These strings are killer, last forever too! I think the color variance is normal( looking over at my natural jazz bass). I always loved Thomastik Jazz flats as well but they are never available locally and they're usually really expensive. I've had a bad experience in the past with the Pyramid flats-very inconsistent string to string volume and quality. Enjoy-once they break in you'll never use anything else!

[Groover]

Hello, Ryan, I think you have replied to some of my posts, and if I recall correctly, we have similar taste in strings!

How do you like them compared to fender 7250 strings?

I've used a few sets of Labella 760FM, but never the FL set. I've had some variations on the strings too. The first set was the best, super shiny and all strings the same color. The second set was a not so shiny, and the A string has like a slight indentation that just follows the entire spiral winding.

I contacted Labella to hopefully get a replacement, but they never replied - so not too happy about that.

Other than the esthetic factor, the string is fine - which is why I don't feel I can fuss too much about the visual imperfection.

[open hijack]

Anyway, I'm |this| close to ordering a set of 760FS - what I'm trying to get is a little more fatness than the fender 7250M roundwound set, keeping similar midrange tone, and adding the Labella flats character.

What do you think? FS, or FL for a P-bass? I've used the FM set, very nice, but I want something a tad more articulate.

[/end Hijack].. lol

[Mastermold]

Yes these strings are great.

And yes I've had color variation with mine too. The last set I just installed had a dark G string as well. No biggie.

[bassforce]

The tone of G string is the same, just have to look from different angle.
I don't know why, but G string seems to look different than others in some wieving angles

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by Groover

[open hijack]

Anyway, I'm |this| close to ordering a set of 760FS - what I'm trying to get is a little more fatness than the fender 7250M roundwound set, keeping similar midrange tone, and adding the Labella flats character.

What do you think? FS, or FL for a P-bass? I've used the FM set, very nice, but I want something a tad more articulate.

[/end Hijack].. lol

I tried the FS set on a P-bass last year, but have gone back to the FL set.

Why? Three reasons: (1) I could get the same percussive effect from the FL set, it just takes a little longer for the zing to wear off than the FS set. (2) I missed the articulation of the FL set. The FS set is good, but the FL set has more. (3) The tension of the FS set was a bit much for my neck. I had to max the truss rod and the relief was still not low enough for me. When I went back to the FL set it laid down again, nice and low.

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by Ryan Mohr

Cool to hear you are back, but I thought you were digging the pyramid golds?

i was till i had to do some session work. they just sounded SO dead and lifeless. the labella's have a little more character to them that even after being broken in and old and played on a lot, they still have some zing to them so it's not just thump city.

labella FL's are it man. i love em, it just took me blowing a bunch of cash trying other flats to find out how good i had it

[billoetjen]

Don't worry about the appearance of the strings. I've noticed the same thing on some sets. What matters is the sound.
Does each string sound right to your ears?
Only once did I get a bad string in a set of Labella's. It was a single string and it was DEAD. Unusual in that it felt and sounded okay unplugged, but plugged in the pickups couldn't "hear" it. It was as if it was made of brass.... I called LaBella and they immediately shipped an exact replacement that worked perfectly.

And by the way, the treble will roll off as they get played-in. I use the mediums and they are the most musical strings across the board.

[WoodyG3]

I've been wanting to try the LaBellas for ever and just haven't gotten to it. With my Sadowsky flats set, the A and G strings are a little dull in appearance compared to the shiny E and D stings. Not sure why, but they all sound fine.

[wateroftyne]

As a long-time FL user on my Js and Ps, I've recently started to discover that they sound even cooler with the bass's tone rolled off and the treble boosted on the amp.

What round, defined notes! Love it...

[Ryan Mohr]

First of all, thanks for all the opinions! It's cool to know that we all share a love for the same set of strings.

Originally Posted by Groover

Hello, Ryan, I think you have replied to some of my posts, and if I recall correctly, we have similar taste in strings!

How do you like them compared to fender 7250 strings?

I've used a few sets of Labella 760FM, but never the FL set. I've had some variations on the strings too. The first set was the best, super shiny and all strings the same color. The second set was a not so shiny, and the A string has like a slight indentation that just follows the entire spiral winding.

I contacted Labella to hopefully get a replacement, but they never replied - so not too happy about that.

Other than the esthetic factor, the string is fine - which is why I don't feel I can fuss too much about the visual imperfection.

[open hijack]

Anyway, I'm |this| close to ordering a set of 760FS - what I'm trying to get is a little more fatness than the fender 7250M roundwound set, keeping similar midrange tone, and adding the Labella flats character.

What do you think? FS, or FL for a P-bass? I've used the FM set, very nice, but I want something a tad more articulate.

[/end Hijack].. lol

The 7250s are BY FAR my favorite roundwound strings. They are super deep, fat, and thick, but have all the grind and zing associated with rounds. However, the top is very vintage sounding and mellows out quickly. I have had a set on my SX J bass for about three months and I don't think I will ever take them off... They just keep getting warmer everyday.

That being said, they are by no means a replacement for worn-in flats, which just have this sweet thump, fundamental, and low mid thickness that can't be matched by rounds IME.

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

i was till i had to do some session work. they just sounded SO dead and lifeless. the labella's have a little more character to them that even after being broken in and old and played on a lot, they still have some zing to them so it's not just thump city.

labella FL's are it man. i love em, it just took me blowing a bunch of cash trying other flats to find out how good i had it

Ah I see, how old are your strings? Nice to know that I won't ever have to change them. You really hit the nail on the head when you were talking about that sweet low mid tone, because that's really what it's about with these strings. The articulate highs are nice as well.

Originally Posted by billoetjen

Don't worry about the appearance of the strings. I've noticed the same thing on some sets. What matters is the sound.
Does each string sound right to your ears?
Only once did I get a bad string in a set of Labella's. It was a single string and it was DEAD. Unusual in that it felt and sounded okay unplugged, but plugged in the pickups couldn't "hear" it. It was as if it was made of brass.... I called LaBella and they immediately shipped an exact replacement that worked perfectly.

And by the way, the treble will roll off as they get played-in. I use the mediums and they are the most musical strings across the board.

Nope, no difference in sound. Thanks!

Originally Posted by wateroftyne

As a long-time FL user on my Js and Ps, I've recently started to discover that they sound even cooler with the bass's tone rolled off and the treble boosted on the amp.

What round, defined notes! Love it...

I've noticed this too. When you cut the tone and boost around 4 kHz, you get a reduction in the fingernoise or "gank" area of the upper mids, while still remaining articulate.

[pbass888]

hey ryan,
Day 1 of my la bella 760fl strings. for 2 basses the fender 91 jazz plus and 08 sterling hs... both mia. the fender sounds great and i love it... its an active bass so the active bright tone sounds like carol kaye with a pick (though i dont use one ) and the bass sound passive sounds great for reggae (think family man or sly an robbie) or walking line with standards (think sam jones with miles in autumn leaves). The sterling sounds weird and a bit muddy even though ive played with the setting the amp and the height of the strings. i think the sterling will get the dm blue steel rounds back and the fender will keep the 760fl's. i love the sound of the la bella's but its day one and ill let them settle... im sure they will sound even better as the months go on....

[kirkm24]

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

i was till i had to do some session work. they just sounded SO dead and lifeless. the labella's have a little more character to them that even after being broken in and old and played on a lot, they still have some zing to them so it's not just thump city.

labella FL's are it man. i love em, it just took me blowing a bunch of cash trying other flats to find out how good i had it

I'm having the same issue myself. I usually roll my tone knob back by about 75% with other flatwound strings and still have some bright cut but with the Pyramids, I have the tone knobs dimed (100% on) and it still sounds too dull. I'm probably going to go back to La Bellas or Thomastiks. I initially loved the Pyramids until I played with a full band.

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by pbass888

hey ryan,
Day 1 of my la bella 760fl strings. for 2 basses the fender 91 jazz plus and 08 sterling hs... both mia. the fender sounds great and i love it... its an active bass so the active bright tone sounds like carol kaye with a pick (though i dont use one ) and the bass sound passive sounds great for reggae (think family man or sly an robbie) or walking line with standards (think sam jones with miles in autumn leaves). The sterling sounds weird and a bit muddy even though ive played with the setting the amp and the height of the strings. i think the sterling will get the dm blue steel rounds back and the fender will keep the 760fl's. i love the sound of the la bella's but its day one and ill let them settle... im sure they will sound even better as the months go on....

Glad you're aware these need time (lots of it) to season.