How do Labella Flats compare to Thomastik Infeld Flats

basssoundbass · #1 12-05-2011, 05:25 PM

How does the tone of Labella Flatwound Strings compare to Thomastik Infeld Flats. I use TI flats on my Precision which I am happy with but am looking at trying Labella's.

Do the Labella's resonate as much as the TI's ?
Playability, how different are they?
Where is the most noticeable difference in tone?

Thanks

RCCollins · #2 12-05-2011, 05:32 PM

They are much higher tension. and have much less midrange emphasis.

basssoundbass · #3 12-05-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

They are much higher tension. and have much less midrange emphasis.

Thanks, are the tension of the Labella's similar to Chromes which I have tried and get a fast string response but I find that the Chromes do not resonate as much as my TI's ?

tjh · #4 12-05-2011, 06:57 PM

so far, the generalizations are accurate, but keep in mind that you have several different types of Labella flats, probably 4-5 different guage sets, and then some people mix and match on top of that ... there is an XL gauge that I have never seen, but I cant imagine that they are as high of tension and as fat sounding as the heavier gauges .. the FL's and the FM's are also different in both tension,playability and punch ... this week, I am loving the FM's probably better than anything else I have, I have them set quite low on a Jazz as I find I dont need near the attack with their punch ... next week though, it might be the Chromes, as thats the way I seem to waiver with flats and EQ'ing ... I have found its really tough to judge flats on outside recommendations exclusively, as sounds are quite subjective, and the feel can be very different to each's preference as well ... I have actually bought similar inexpensive basses, just to try different sets of strings in an A/B/C/D type direct comparison ...

.. then, you add in that I have found flats sound different with some amps, and even whether a cab is sealed or ported can make a difference ...

bottom line, I think you will like Labella's, no reason I have found not to, its just a matter of finding the gauge that suites you best ... but only you can decide if you like them 'better' than the next brand ...

BTW, Jason from bassstringsonline.com is a regular here, and he is probably the one I would check with when it comes down to verbally comparing characteristics of one brand/type to another ... he also sells to forum members at a discount

markjazzbassist · #5 12-06-2011, 12:36 AM

Labella - the definition of dead sounding thumpy flats. Tons of bass and low mid, not so much hi mid and treble. These get thumper with age. Super high tension and can get very large in size.

TI - okay bass, tons of mids both low and hi, little more treble bite. These are very middy, also low tension and smaller sizing.

Marty Forrer · #6 12-06-2011, 12:52 AM

My results are quite different from the above posts. I have had TI Jazz Flats for 12 years. They had been on and off so many basses that the windings were starting to unravel. I decided to try some LaBellas just for grins.
I dont know what Labellas the above posters are using, because I dont find them high tension at all. They are a little tighter than the TIs, but not much, not even enough to warrant a truss rod tweak.
They are fatter in the bass, and less pronounced in the mids than the TIs. Guys I play with who know my sound (vintage) have commented that they like the Labellas better than the TIs. Now that suprised me, because for all these years I have been a dyed-in-the-wool TI fan.
I'm loving these LaBellas, I wonder if they'll last 12 years?

JimmyM · #7 12-06-2011, 02:08 AM

Labellas sound like flats. TI's, at least to me, sound like roundwounds with a flat wrap.

SLaPiNFuNK · #8 12-06-2011, 06:13 AM

If you want a lighter feeling LaBella flatwound, go for their Extra Light flatwounds. If you want a heavier feeling flatwound, go for their heavier gauges.

onestring · #9 12-06-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

They are much higher tension. and have much less midrange emphasis.

That pretty much sums it up for me. They are both great, quality strings, with a completely different sound and feel.

I wish there was a button on my bass that would instantly switch between the two.

**Coolhandjjl** · #10 12-06-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

Labella - the definition of dead sounding thumpy flats. Tons of bass and low mid, not so much hi mid and treble......

I tried LaBella DTB 760FS. The above pretty much sums it up. Not for me. I have a set of Fender 9050CLs on one of my Rics, luv 'em. One of my Hamers' has Chromes, but they seem a bit too chimey and the highs are a bit brittle. Don't know if I can go the TI route just yet, so I'm going to try some GHS Precision Flats on that one.

gmarcus · #11 12-06-2011, 03:44 PM

I have a 4 string P bass with Labella FL's and a 5 string P-bass with TI jazz flats. The drummer in my band likes the TI's better. He says they have a meatier sound. I think that means prominent harmonically rich mid frequencies.

The Labella's have a stronger attack, they sound more like a bass drum. The Labella's are also a lot stiffer and actually have a decent slap sound, the TI's sound like wet noodles when you slap them and the A string gets a very weak slap sound, I've experienced this on both basses (the 4 string used to have TI's on it)

I like the TI's better for most of my playing. I can get a more expressive sound out of them. I can vary the tone with my fingers more than with the Labella's which pretty much just thump to varying degrees. With a Pick they are about even, Slap is better on the Labellas, but I only slap at guitar center when I want to be a douche

57pbass · #12 12-06-2011, 03:47 PM

You should try the Sadowsky flats...pretty nice strings.....

REDLAWMAN · #13 12-07-2011, 08:22 AM

I re-strung my P yesterday, first with the Jamerson '54 set then with the 760 Mediums.

I had the 760 FS (Standards) on for a year prior to this (and the TI Jazz ones before that).

The increase in tension between the different La Bellas is palpable, as is the sound: the FM's have, to my ear at least, considerably more bass and 'thump 'n' thud' than the FS's.

The TI jazz flats- although a lovely, silky soft string to the touch and very bright and melodic, I found to be far too light in tension for my tastes.

My favourite is the 760 FS: to my mind, just a great overall combination of sound, tension and playability for my finger-plucking oldies!

One caveat though: I do, with limited experience, find the D & G strings a little thin on the FS and much prefer the heavier gauges of those two strings in the heavier sets!

RFMac · #14 12-10-2011, 12:50 AM

The statements above are sound. I would like to add that the TIs, because of their emphasised midrange/roundwound sounding sounding characteristics, are a pretty versitile flat wound. I can get away - if that is the right notion - with playing them across a wide variety genres. I can usually sneak them into a gig where rounds would be expected ie modern bar band rock and not get lost in a mix with loud guitars. Whereas in my experience the labellas are not aggressive enough, although they certainly work. They are mellow enough to play electric jazz and R&B at the same time. That is why they sit on my go bass and have for the last 2 years. Cheers.