La Bella 760FM (Jamerson) vs. Deep Talkin’ Flats

[morebass!]

Has anyone compared these two versions of La Bella flats? The 760FM set is .049 - .109 and the Jamerson set is .052 - .110 so it seems like there’s only a small difference in gauge, yet the cost difference is significant. Is there some hidden mojo in the Jamerson set?

[Pilgrim]

Yes, I've used both. I love the 760FS .045-.105 Deep Talkin' flats and have them on more than one bass.

The Jamersons sound very good, BUT they feel like tugboat hawsers to me.. Much too heavy and stiff for my taste. I tried them removed them.

No hidden mojo there. I have a spare set of un-opened .052-.110 Jamersons - want 'em? $25 plus shipping will take them. PM me.

(EDIT: strings are spoken for...please do not email. Thanks.)

[One Drop]

PM'ed you, Pilgrim.

I'm waiting on a Tele bass and I'm after the thump!

I've been curious as to the difference between the similarly gauged FM760 set and the 760 Originals (Jamerson set) myself. I assume the FMs are a more modern voicing more in line with the lighter gauges than the Originals, but i'm only guessing here as i've never heard of anyone with experience of them.

I am a huge fan of the .105 FL760s; besides the perfect tension and feel, they are a lot subtler and less dark sounding than the Jamersons, and react way better to changes in attack. on the other hand, nothing sounds like the Originals, and if you like those very old school (Jamerson, Stax era Duck, for example) tone they kill. I've had great results pickstyle with the Jamersons, closer to upright tones, counter-intuitively, than fingerstyle, especially with foam mute and clean mids (fingerstyle I boost the bass and get a lot of OD with a tube amp or a VT pedal).

I use the the Jamersons as a strengthening tool, too- after an hour a day on them for a week you will feel like a deity on lighter strings.

[Mojo-Man]

Love the tone of the Jamerson set.
Tension is high for me, they work best on a P-bass.
Not good on a Jazz bass. (Neck is just to thin)
Bottom line.
Great tone.
But, still prefer TI flats, for all around playing.

[zombywoof5050]

Originally Posted by One Drop

I am a huge fan of the .105 FL760s

The 760FL set is .104, the 760FS set is .105.

[racket]

I started with the Deep Talkin Flats and went to the Jamersons... I loved the DTF's they sound exactly like their name (after switching from Roto Flats). The Jamerson's took some getting used to... they felt a lot stiffer, but I got used to them in about a week and now I love em. Soundwise they are thumpier then the DTF's. To my ears the DTF's were more articulate, and more sensitive to dynamics etc. The Jamerson's have a bigger sound to them, and tend to even out my finger style attack (which is good for me). I have em on a Lakland Skyline DD with foam under the bridge...it's old school heaven

[basslinejam]

Well, I'm one of the folks that use the FM set (on my SX P) and they are a nice compromise between the FL and FS sets on the light side and the Jamerson set on the heavy side. For me, the FMs have the thump and presence on the bottom that is lacking in the lighter sets, but also have more of the flexibility I miss in the Jamersons. I know a lot of guys like the FLs, but I've tried them and they're just not gutsy enough for the sound I want (which is in the Duck, Larry Taylor, Jamerson universe). The FL's in particular just didn't have the mass necessary on the D and G strings to get the thick midrange of the heavier sets. Of course, YMMV, IMHO

PS: high(-er,-ish) action is a part of the whole equation too, but, you know, one step at a time...

Hope that helps

[morebass!]

Originally Posted by racket

...The Jamerson's have a bigger sound to them, and tend to even out my finger style attack (which is good for me).

I think I know what you mean. I've noticed that after switching to Chromes from rounds the higher tension forces me to really dig in and keeps thing more even. I'm buying Pilgrim's set of Jamersons and plan to put them on a MIA Precision. They are NIB so it will likely take a while for me to know if I like them. If I'm not man enough for them I'll likely try the dtf or fenders. I usually tune to e flat to accomadate our aging singer so I'll get a little break from the tension.

[One Drop]

Originally Posted by basslinejam

Well, I'm one of the folks that use the FM set (on my SX P) and they are a nice compromise between the FL and FS sets on the light side and the Jamerson set on the heavy side. For me, the FMs have the thump and presence on the bottom that is lacking in the lighter sets, but also have more of the flexibility I miss in the Jamersons. I know a lot of guys like the FLs, but I've tried them and they're just not gutsy enough for the sound I want (which is in the Duck, Larry Taylor, Jamerson universe). The FL's in particular just didn't have the mass necessary on the D and G strings to get the thick midrange of the heavier sets. Of course, YMMV, IMHO

PS: high(-er,-ish) action is a part of the whole equation too, but, you know, one step at a time...

Hope that helps

Very useful post, thanks! Answers a question that has had me wondering for a while.

Zombywoof5050, thanks for the correction on the FL gauges.

[morebass!]

My Jamerson set came and I have them on my Jazz Deluxe. I like the E, A and D but I think the G string is a dud. It has a pronounced buzz to it on frets 2 through about 9. Looks a little different and seems a little light compared to the others. I'm thinking of sending it to La Bella to see if I can get it replaced. Anyone else ever get one like this?

I like the tension of the E A and D strings (or in my case E flat, A flat and D flat).

[Mastermold]

I've found the 760FL set works best for me. The zing of the D and G string eventually dies and they end up really nice and mellow sounding yet more articulate than the heavier guages. And I can still get plenty of thump by adjusting my right hand technique.