La Bella quality control???

Mastermold · #1 06-11-2008, 01:57 PM

My G string on my first set of 760FLs broke off at the bridge within an hour of first putting them on. Last night I swapped out the D string with one from another set because it was way too "twangy" like a roundwound string and not getting any better, and looking at the two I noticed the replacement had flatter ribbon. The replacement string was newer and yet much more mellow.

I've never had so much variance between strings like this,and coupled with the breakage, I'm not sure I'm sold on La Bella right now.

walruswaspaul · #2 06-11-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastermold

My G string on my first set of 760FLs broke off at the bridge within an hour of first putting them on. Last night I swapped out the D string with one from another set because it was way too "twangy" like a roundwound string and not getting any better, and looking at the two I noticed the replacement had flatter ribbon. The replacement string was newer and yet much more mellow.

I've never had so much variance between strings like this,and coupled with the breakage, I'm not sure I'm sold on La Bella right now.

You've probably just been unlucky , a lot of people use Labellas and hold them in very high esteem , you didn't use them on a strign through body bass did you?

Mastermold · #3 06-11-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walruswaspaul

You've probably just been unlucky , a lot of people use Labellas and hold them in very high esteem , you didn't use them on a strign through body bass did you?

No, these are on my CS '59 reissue Fender P-bass with the old-school vintage bridge.

And I really hope this isn't indicative of La Bella's current quality control because they are supposed to be one of the high-end string manufacturers and I'd like to be able to count on their product for future string purchases.

Parabolic Box · #4 06-11-2008, 06:57 PM

Did you contact La Bella about the problem?

pickles · #5 06-11-2008, 09:00 PM

I've never had a problem, and have used lots of labella strings.

Are you sure you're not twisting your cores on install?

If you really did get defective strings, labella will replace them.

Mastermold · #6 06-12-2008, 12:05 AM

I installed them like I've been doing for the past 25+ years, so don't know that would be the reason. The difference between D strings is definitely a factory issue. I've never seen two strings of the same make and guage from the same company sound so different. But the cost to replace is cheap enough ($12) that calling La Bella to complain just didn't seem right. I'm continuing to use them and am assuming this was just an unlucky set.

wateroftyne · #7 06-12-2008, 02:43 AM

No recent problems with FLs here. In fact, I've just installed a couple of brand new sets, fresh from the factory.

GeneralElectric · #8 06-12-2008, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickles

If you really did get defective strings, labella will replace them.

No they won't.

I had bought a set of the nylon flatwounds for about $45 or so after tax. I strung them through a CIJ Fender Jazz bass through the bridge. I have used these same strings before, on the same bass, to great effect.

The A string was terrible. I don't know how tapewound strings are made but mine had rough patches and in some places the tape was so thin I'd see metal (not where the fretwire is either!) This was an uncomfortable string to play since it didn't feel like any of the others in the set by a longshot.

Since I couldn't return the strings to the store I bought them from, or get an exchange (it was the last set) I called LaBella and never had anyone pick up when I called. This was 6-7 calls with the number I got on their website on different times during business days. Eventually shot them an email and got a response about a week later (I guess they're too busy to answer phones) and was promised a replacement string.

A month passes now, no word from LaBella, no replacement string. Send them another email, no response for two weeks and no answered phone calls either (I believe in calling first always, if you can get through its a lot more prompt)

This is now a month and a half with a broken string. Since LaBella obviously doesn't value status as a customer, I'm sure I know of other companies who do and deserve my dollar more. I sent them another email telling them they had crappy CS and I was moving my business elsewhere.

I got a NOS set from a friend who bought them awhile back and never installed them on a bass, so I put them on my Jazz. From now on, when I need flats I get GHS.

BobaMosfett · #9 06-12-2008, 06:22 AM

Sorry to add to all this, but from the three sets I used, two had problems. The first had really weird overtones on the G, but since that was my first taste of flatwounds, I thought it might be normal. The third had a really thin sounding G, plus a very loud and overly bright D; bad combination... The second set I tried was nice, but the E-string broke during transport, probably due to it being strung through the body.

Now I've discovered the bliss of Fender 9050's... No more LaBella's for me!

One Drop · #10 06-12-2008, 02:07 PM

Just for some balance, I have two sets of FL760s and one Jamerson set that were perfect new and sound awesome now they've broken in.

pointbass · #11 06-12-2008, 02:39 PM

Interesting .......

I'm an old guy that has been playing LaBella's for a very long time and I've never had any issues with either the product or customer service. Of course, anything can happen when things are manufactured and it's entirely feasible that some bad strings can appear in any given set.

From a customer service point of view, I've never had any issues at all with that, either. But there, too, anything can happen and a service issue could be mis-handled (or not handled at all) in any given circumstance.

I'd suggest that you give them a call (1-800-750-3034) if the email contacts haven't been effective. It's rare to hear of complaints about LaBella, either product or CS ....

GeneralElectric · #12 06-12-2008, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointbass

Interesting .......

I'm an old guy that has been playing LaBella's for a very long time and I've never had any issues with either the product or customer service. Of course, anything can happen when things are manufactured and it's entirely feasible that some bad strings can appear in any given set.

From a customer service point of view, I've never had any issues at all with that, either. But there, too, anything can happen and a service issue could be mis-handled (or not handled at all) in any given circumstance.

I'd suggest that you give them a call (1-800-750-3034) if the email contacts haven't been effective. It's rare to hear of complaints about LaBella, either product or CS ....

I called the number on their website which is the same number you provided and this was back in January. I doubt they'd honor my claim for a replacement string (all I asked for was a replacement A string) now that its the middle of June.

Mastermold · #13 06-12-2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I called the number on their website which is the same number you provided and this was back in January. I doubt they'd honor my claim for a replacement string (all I asked for was a replacement A string) now that its the middle of June.

For me, I just felt it wasn't worth the hassle to call, wait to talk to a live person, explain everything, hope they decide to send a new string, and then wait to see if they do. For $12.50 I bought another one from Juststrings.com and that was it.

But if I try La Bella again and have another problem, I may have to raise hell.

GeneralElectric · #14 06-13-2008, 12:43 AM

I ended up calling them over the course of a week and didn't get an answer. I got a response email where they asked for my shipping addy, then never sent me the string. I emailed them a month later about the missing string and still hadn't gotten a response to that for two weeks when I sent them another email saying I was switching brands.

It was sad since I like their Jamerson flats, but I don't want to support them anymore. My business has gone elsewhere.

pointbass · #15 06-13-2008, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

It was sad since I like their Jamerson flats, but I don't want to support them anymore. My business has gone elsewhere.

And truthfully, that's the way to do it .... there are a lot of string companies out there and if one isn't working hard enough to keep your business, move on ....

GeneralElectric · #16 06-13-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointbass

And truthfully, that's the way to do it .... there are a lot of string companies out there and if one isn't working hard enough to keep your business, move on ....

Indeed. These days I'm rocking GHS flats and I'm very happy!

fourstringdrums · #17 06-13-2008, 11:24 AM

I put on (and then took off) a set of 760FL's and noticed a difference between the D&G as well. The G also had flatter ribbon and a much more deadened sound (which I liked) though it was hardly in balance with the rest of the set.

Mastermold · #18 06-13-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringdrums

I put on (and then took off) a set of 760FL's and noticed a difference between the D&G as well. The G also had flatter ribbon and a much more deadened sound (which I liked) though it was hardly in balance with the rest of the set.

Well, I don't know how much time you gave the set. Flats take a few weeks of daily playing to break in properly. The problem I had was with a twangy D that wouldn't settle down after two weeks of playing, and that I replaced with a brand new D which was much more mellowed despite being new; that's when I noticed it was smoother too than the string it replaced.

As of right now the rest of the set sounds just fine. I've yet to play with the band so I don't yet know how they'll sound in the mix, but on my own I'm getting the nice tone I'd wanted in the first place.

pointbass · #19 06-13-2008, 01:15 PM

Reading through this thread again it seems like most of the issues are with the FL's, not the FM's ..... I use FM's exclusively and personally don't care for the FL's at all.

Has anyone had these types of problems with the FM's, or is it just the lighter strings ???

Mastermold · #20 06-13-2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointbass

Reading through this thread again it seems like most of the issues are with the FL's, not the FM's ..... I use FM's exclusively and personally don't care for the FL's at all.

Has anyone had these types of problems with the FM's, or is it just the lighter strings ???

My set was an FL.