First Impressions of Labella FL760's...meh

RicPlaya · #1 07-09-2009, 11:13 PM

Well I pulled the trigger on these after much debate. I was playing Fender 9050's I believe mediums (.105 E string). Anyway the tension was killing my hands, tone was there. I also tried GHS flats the lights (.100 E string), too floppy good tone. So I was hoping after reading the rave about the 760 FL's this would be the string. So far I have to be honest I am underwhealmed. They feel great, they feel more lke rounds but are still stiff enough to play. The tone is "OK", the E string sounds thin IMO. I have messed around with my pick up height and it seems to help a little. The high's are actually very good for flats, and I hope as they break in I will get some of the flatwound thump I hear these strings are known for. Granted I understand I have only 2 hours of playing on these strings, but I have to be honest I sure hope they get better with time and as they break in. So far they don't sound as good as the Fenders or GHS strings IMHO. I am playing an American 62 reissue jazz, with S1 switch just for reference. I heard these strings take forever to break in, hopefully like a fine wine.

bassist4dalord · #2 07-10-2009, 01:06 AM

Try D'Addario Chromes next time around.

markjazzbassist · #3 07-10-2009, 08:38 AM

the labella's need to be broken in. give them time, they'll grow on you.

RicPlaya · #4 07-10-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

the labella's need to be broken in. give them time, they'll grow on you.

I hope so, so they sound better as they break in I hope?

So when broken in, are they thumpy..oldschoolish in tone? Right now they are zingy, and my E string sounds a little thin, maybe because the other strings are less broke in? I will give them a couple months.

markjazzbassist · #5 07-10-2009, 10:55 AM

yes. flats sound better with age and playing. not like a day or 10 hours. like 2 months and couple hours each day.

all strings have the zing at the beginning.

RicPlaya · #6 07-10-2009, 01:03 PM

So they sounded kinda poopy but sound great as they age IYHO? I wouldn't say poopy, but the GHS and Fenders sounded much better out of the package. I can see these strings really mellowing though, they are quite roundwoundish right now if that makes any sense.

Drifta · #7 07-10-2009, 06:07 PM

I've tried dean markleys, chromes, ti's, fenders ,rotosounds and some other brand i cant' remember but i liked the chromes alot but now am settled on TI's, one of my jazz's still has the fenders on em and i dont like them at all really. Ti's are so relax'd and nice sounding.

RicPlaya · #8 07-13-2009, 10:52 AM

These strings are the easiest to play of any flats I have tried. The feel is great. The tone in the mix was good too, they still have zing, but they can get low and sit very well in the mix. The thump is not there yet because I think they are so new, I have maybe 6 hours of playing on them. But I must say they are growing on me. My hands never felt so good playing flats. Can't wait till they break in! I think I will really dig these

bluesblaster · #9 07-13-2009, 03:04 PM

FWIW, I have the same strings on the same bass as you, my first impression was bout the same too, but I played the crap out of 'em and they started comin around,

Nashrakh · #10 07-13-2009, 05:23 PM

Had the same thing going with TO flats... didn't like the tone at first, but they really... "matured", to say the least. After half a year of playing, they start to sound better each day IMO

Mastermold · #11 07-13-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

yes. flats sound better with age and playing. not like a day or 10 hours. like 2 months and couple hours each day.

all strings have the zing at the beginning.

+1

I took my La Bella 760FLs nearly three months before I liked them.

GeneralElectric · #12 07-13-2009, 05:44 PM

Do you have a 62 RI Jazz or an American Series with an S1?

Anyways, I always tell people to reserve judgement until they hear themselves in the mix.

RicPlaya · #13 07-14-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

Do you have a 62 RI Jazz or an American Series with an S1?

Anyways, I always tell people to reserve judgement until they hear themselves in the mix.

I believe American Series? It's a 60th anniversary jazz, made in 06. Basically from what I understand it's a 62 reissue MIA with S1 switch. It's really a sweet bass, great tone!

Mastermold · #14 07-14-2009, 11:56 AM

I've got TI flats on my AV 62 Jazz reissue but think I'm going to put the La Bella FL set on.

I think I may prefer TI flats on P-basses and La Bellas on Jazzes.

thobbinghotrod · #15 07-14-2009, 12:01 PM

I took mine off after a month because they were all thump, no sustain. I liked them the first few days though.

RicPlaya · #16 07-14-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thobbinghotrod

I took mine off after a month because they were all thump, no sustain. I liked them the first few days though.

The FL's? I hope they thump like crazy! I'm playing in a motown, funk, R&B, classic rock thing now.

hesham8 · #17 07-14-2009, 01:06 PM

I'm a fan of chromes.
They start strong, and get stronger.

One Drop · #18 07-14-2009, 01:09 PM

Hi gain, light touch, they sustain for ever.

Craig_S · #19 07-14-2009, 02:07 PM

Chromes are nice--this is coming from a nickel round fan. I'm trying GHS precision flats next.