Defective E on Labella "1954 set.

[ugly_bassplayer]

Got them brand new in a trade & no store in my area carry them.

What are my options?

[jasper383]

I think La Bella is one of those companies where a phone call works better than email. Call them, probably on Monday.

[Surly]

If you cut a Labella string without bending it first, you can break the core. Happens more commonly on the E.

[ugly_bassplayer]

Originally Posted by Surly

If you cut a Labella string without bending it first, you can break the core. Happens more commonly on the E.

I think that's what happened, IMO they should say it on the pack not to cut the strings.

[Surly]

Yes they should! I believe they advise against mounting through the body because of this reason. Call them up and see if they will send you a replacement E. With the new string, make a good bend and "kink" it if you need to cut it. Keep the bend while cutting, and cut about half an inch or so in front of it. I know the E is too long on my P-bass without cutting it. A little bit of a hassle but whatever they do to the core it's worth it for the tone! I've been wanting to try the 1954 set, but it gets expensive to try different flats. I went from the 760FL's which are really light to the FM's and, the FM's feel nice.

[ugly_bassplayer]

I plan to call on monday, I already sent an e-mail.

Called the 800 number on friday, no service, maybe I can't call from Quebec?

[Surly]

I'm sure you can call from Quebec, maybe they were out to lunch.

[ugly_bassplayer]

when I call the 800 number on the website it says "no service at this number"

[Surly]

I spoke to them before at 1-800-750-3034

[DTF]

phone call did the trick foir me ,got a new string in the mail within a week

[ugly_bassplayer]

Originally Posted by Surly

I spoke to them before at 1-800-750-3034

yep, that's the number, no service.

[ugly_bassplayer]

Any ideas, they seem to ignore e-mails.....

[The Mouse]

I was just about to post something similar.. Bought a couple of sets of Labellas. Put the first set on my MM. No problems so far. Put the other set on my Pbass. There was very little tension on the E string when it popped. It snapped down at the bridge too. And wasn't strung through the body. I'm fairly pissed cos they ain't cheap, and I have to buy 'em in Germany cos you can't get 'em in Ireland.. Pain in the ass.. What to do...

[m0ntels]

Semi-related, I just strung up my guitar with some LaBellas and when I was stretching them, the high E just snapped at the ball end. I've never snapped a string before. The other 5 sound nice. I'd like to try a full set, but I don't know if it's worth the hassle and wait to get a spare E instead of trying one of the other brands I ordered. I got a pack of SIT and Sfarzo strings too so I could try some less common brands. I'm starting to see why LaBella isn't so popular The SIT and Sfarzos together were less than the cost of the LaBellas on juststrings.

[ugly_bassplayer]

I'm just peeved that they don't answer e-mails.
Plus the fact they don't mention on the packs that IF YOU CUT THE E STRING YOU BREAK THE CORE.

[ugly_bassplayer]

I decided to give them a call, they are going to send me a string.

[ugly_bassplayer]

Now that I have the string it has a werid metallic overtone rattle. Great.

[One Drop]

Make sure it's not twisted, and try pushing down hard on the string on both sides of the nut and of the saddle.

[Mojo-Man]

I bought a set a year ago.
Had a bad G-string.
Call them, Dino took care of me. sent a new G-string right away.
They paid for shipping.
Great customer service.

[One Drop]

BTW, ALL strings should be crimped a half inch before the place you cut them, to avoid unraveling. With flats this is even more vital. This is a basic thing that should be common knowledge but maybe isn't.