LA BELLA 760FL FLATWOUND OR DADDARIO ECB 81CHROMES

[TD3691]

Need to get some good strings form my bass,
need to achive a deep dub/reggae sound with hardly any treble twang or finger noise just pure bass
what should I get:
LA BELLA 760FL FLATWOUND OR
DADDARIO ECB 81CHROMES

I hear good review on both so wich do you think suits my needs

[blowabs]

Bells if you want no treb....i got both.....

[eyecandy]

Chromes have some top end zing to them.. if you want a deep vintage tone go for LaBellas

[G00D+~VIBES]

The LaBellas are one of (if not the) darkest strings you can buy. But, I WOULDN'T recommend the JJ unless you're playing a P w/ his crazy attack fishhook technique. Rather, from what I've read, the Deep Talkin' flats are probably what you're looking for. When it comes to flatwounds typically a good rule of thumb is:

Bright= Roto, Chromes (I play both and I suppose this is what I like about them?) They sound really good for the "bark"/"growl" of a J bass. Also what I play.

Mid= TI (I'm not going to try and spell the name out I'm sure I'll butcher it.)

Deep/Low= Labella

FWIW, IMHO etc...

[Luckydog]

I would characterize the Labellas as more of a rich sound with an emphasis on lows and low mids, and with a thick but articulate character. Great on a P-bass.

IME, the Chromes and Rotos are different from each other. I've used both extensively and I find the Chromes to have a good mid character. I've used them on Js and Ps and I find that while they are not dark sounding, they have relatively even lows mids and highs. Not real mid heavy but clear enough. I dont find them as able to stand out in a mix as much as Labellas, but others feel different. I dont have the universal love for Chromes that many have, but they are OK IMO.

The Rotos to me when new have loads of sustain, and plenty of ringing highs. After they settle in they keep the sustain, but lose those highs (at least IMO). While nice overall, they lack throughout their life the heavy punch that some other flats have, those flats being Fender 9050's and Labellas (IMO).

If I were you I'd try the Fender flats (they are high tension, mind you), and roll of the highs to lose the initial brightness they have. To me they are the ultimate dub string. If you can't get on with the high tension, try the Labellas next.

The next closest string IMO to your needs are GHS Precision Flats, since they share much of the same tonal character as the Fenders and Labellas, but they are just a little more subdued than either of those so you might not like them as much.

Fenders are cheap too!

[kirkm24]

Everybody always says how La Bellas are dark but I got a set of 760FL's and they were very bright. I thought my Chromes were much deeper and warmer sounding so I put them back on and sold the La Bellas. I must have got a "bad" set I guess.

[billoetjen]

labellalabellalabella

[lmfreeman9]

Originally Posted by kirkm24

Everybody always says how La Bellas are dark but I got a set of 760FL's and they were very bright. I thought my Chromes were much deeper and warmer sounding so I put them back on and sold the La Bellas. I must have got a "bad" set I guess.

I agree the FL's do have some brightness. I would go with the LaBella FS or better yet the FM's which are kind of heavy but have little brightness.

[bassdaddyfive]

La Bellas are my choice. All I can say is thick and punchey, and they are good for the hands and fingers. Not so much tension.

[J. Crawford]

If you want treble, get Sadowsky flats.

[ljazz]

Listen to JMJ's tone here.... this is what chromes sound like after a good break-in period:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm_4M-nBpCE


Great tone on a P bass.... the tone is dark, and pretty versatile. I just put a new set on, and they are starting to loose the zing on top. Give them about 2 good months of solid playing, and you'll find similar tone.

[Luckydog]

Originally Posted by J. Crawford

If you want treble, get Sadowsky flats.

??? The man doesn't want treble, he wants dub.

[jasper383]

Originally Posted by Luckydog

I would characterize the Labellas as more of a rich sound with an emphasis on lows and low mids, and with a thick but articulate character. Great on a P-bass.

IME, the Chromes and Rotos are different from each other. I've used both extensively and I find the Chromes to have a good mid character. I've used them on Js and Ps and I find that while they are not dark sounding, they have relatively even lows mids and highs. Not real mid heavy but clear enough. I dont find them as able to stand out in a mix as much as Labellas, but others feel different. I dont have the universal love for Chromes that many have, but they are OK IMO.

The Rotos to me when new have loads of sustain, and plenty of ringing highs. After they settle in they keep the sustain, but lose those highs (at least IMO). While nice overall, they lack throughout their life the heavy punch that some other flats have, those flats being Fender 9050's and Labellas (IMO).

If I were you I'd try the Fender flats (they are high tension, mind you), and roll of the highs to lose the initial brightness they have. To me they are the ultimate dub string. If you can't get on with the high tension, try the Labellas next.

The next closest string IMO to your needs are GHS Precision Flats, since they share much of the same tonal character as the Fenders and Labellas, but they are just a little more subdued than either of those so you might not like them as much.

Fenders are cheap too!

This is a great post.

I would second Fender as the ultimate dub string. The only problem with them is they tale a long time to break in--several weeks in my experience. The tone control will have to be your companion until they do break in, then you won't have any more string needs for years.

I recommend the 9050ML or 9050M set for dub.

[ljazz]

I don't agree..... I have a set of Fenders here that are well over decade old, and they are still brighter than a new set of chromes. And the E string has got to be the most hallow sounding string I ever heard. I used to use them exclusively for a long time, because back in the eighties and nineties, they were easily found at Fender dealers. They just never feel "broke-in" to me.... certainly not like a set of JF's, chromes or Labellas.


I'm not sure why I haven't tossed these out yet.... sentimental value, I guess. The TIJF's I have on my SB1 are thumpier and dubbier than the Fenders they replaced..... and beyond that, they're even more "articulate" because of those beautiful mids. About the only good thing I can say about the Fenders is that they're cheap.

[GlennW]

You'd like a .1uF cap too, about $1 and the results are big.

[mongo2]

I use Labella 760N tapes for deeper tones.

Also, IME, GHS precision flats are very thuddy and non-twangy sounding.