For Fender VI players who are considering flat-wounds...

MIJ-VI · #1 01-10-2010, 05:24 AM

I've had LaBella flats on my Curtis Novak pickup-equipped MIJ Fender VI for about 12 hours now.

Single & multiple note articulation in the mid & upper portions of the register sounds like a big, sweet jazz guitar, and low register notes sound like those heard on a short-scale electric bass.

Aside from also making my 'VI sound tie-dyed 'vintage', there's no longer any fingernails-on-a-chalkboard round-wound string squeaks when glissing about all over the neck. Smooth, man. Smooooth...

Also the LaBella flats have a very even (but not perfect) tension across all six strings.

As well, the E 1st can be bent to produce a semi-tone pitch increase before the string jumps off the Mustang guitar string saddles which the MIJ (and '70's I believe) Fender VI's are equipped with.

Selective saddle-shimming or the use of saddles which are individually height-adjustable could be used to combat this well-known tendency.

I will be buying more LaBella flat-wounds for the Fender VI from Elderly Instruments due to their low ($40 per set) prices: http://www.elderly.com/accessories/n...set--7676F.htm

Hellcat VI players may wish to check Elderly's site once LaBella flats for the 'Cat are shipping.

davelowell2 · #2 01-10-2010, 07:14 AM

When I had my VI copy, the LaBella flats sounded very cool.

MIJ-VI · #3 01-10-2010, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davelowell2

When I had my VI copy, the LaBella flats sounded very cool.

What kind of copy?

Have you posted details & pics here?:

The Short-Scale Six-String Club Part 2- for the original six-string basses!

davelowell2 · #4 01-11-2010, 06:48 AM

I don't think I ever contributed to that one. I had my copy for about two years but never got along that well with it.

It's now http://kebosbassworks.com/here.

UsaCustomGuitars neck, body, guard. Mish mash of parts, some Fender, some French and the finish was awesome! Michael Dolan is unbeatable, IMO. Case from Al Molinari.

MIJ-VI · #5 01-13-2010, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davelowell2

I don't think I ever contributed to that one. I had my copy for about two years but never got along that well with it.

It's now http://kebosbassworks.com/here.

UsaCustomGuitars neck, body, guard. Mish mash of parts, some Fender, some French and the finish was awesome! Michael Dolan is unbeatable, IMO. Case from Al Molinari.

Nice!

davelowell2 · #6 01-13-2010, 05:34 AM

Thanks, it's an amazing instrument, just not for me. I REALLY wish it was cause I dig the color.