La Bella vs D'Addario

Flatwound Funk · #1 03-07-2011, 01:53 PM

I current have D'Addario Chromes 50-105 on my bass and was wonder what gauge of La Bella would give me similar tension?

The La Bella's say that they are perfectly balanced so if the whole set has the same tension I would perfer the set to match the higher tensions of the D and G strings of the Chromes then the E or A string.

makkE · #2 03-07-2011, 04:36 PM

I recently changed from a 45-100 chrome set to a 49-109 labella set. Quite some increase in tension, but less than I expected. Chromes in that gauge should have more tension.

From feel I would _guess_ that the tension of your current set would be quite similar to the tension of a 49-109 set.

Mind you, it's a highly subjective guess of mine, I'm not an expert on flats

Flatwound Funk · #3 03-07-2011, 04:50 PM

thanks for the info before i played the 50-105 chromes i used the 45-100 set so your answer helps alot

shawshank72 · #4 03-07-2011, 05:00 PM

Be warned, the labellas are some of the highest tension strings out there. Switching between the two will be VERY different in tension.

Flatwound Funk · #5 03-07-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawshank72

Be warned, the labellas are some of the highest tension strings out there. Switching between the two will be VERY different in tension.

Will the tension between strings be more even and if so would all the strings of the 760FM feel like the d string of the d'addario chromes?

jallenbass · #6 03-07-2011, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawshank72

Be warned, the labellas are some of the highest tension strings out there. Switching between the two will be VERY different in tension.

The light guage LaBellas feel like a walk in the park to me. Very easy on the hands.

azureblue · #7 03-07-2011, 10:17 PM

My D'aD Chrome 050 set E string just went dead as a door nail, and I don't mean good type dead- I mean sounds weak and toneless dead. So I guess it's time to replace, so I am also comparing the circa 050 5 string sets (you have to make one up, if it's a D'aD). I would like to more about the tone of the two sets - comparing the 4 string sets is good enough, and the friction of the two, under the plucking hand. I found the Chromes got a little too slick for fast right work, so I had to dig in a bit harder to spit out the sixteenth notes. Also break in time.. BTW this is for a PJ type bass, but I may try it on a JJ type, too

FretlessMainly · #8 03-07-2011, 11:03 PM

There's really no such thing as a "perfectly balanced" set of bass strings. I tend to use heavier gauges and I've found D'A chromes to be a fair bit more flexible than similarly-gauged LaBella DTB's.

Krucial · #9 03-08-2011, 12:20 AM

The Labella's are 'perfectly balanced' soundwise, not balanced tension wise. I use the 50-105 chromes set and the 45-105 Labellas set and they compare tension wise very well.
I would say the E of the chromes is a litlle more loose and the D and G are a little more tight, but not that much.
They sound and feel quite different though. The surface of the Labella's is way smoother, this could be an advantage for sliding but I think it's easier to play with expresion on the chromes. A well known fact of the sound of the chromes is that they have a relative pronounced high end (for flatwounds), but what I like most of the chromes is the punch they can diliver, you really have a good control over the amount of attack you want to hear in the notes. On the other hand the Labella's sound smooth allways, which can be very desirable too.

shawshank72 · #10 03-11-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flatwound Funk

Will the tension between strings be more even and if so would all the strings of the 760FM feel like the d string of the d'addario chromes?

Have to agree with Krucial on this as well, balanced sound wise, but not tension wise. As far as your question goes, theres no way labellas will have same tension all around as a D string.

Surly · #11 03-11-2011, 12:30 PM

My two favorite flats. I only think there's a slight difference in tension. I've heard people say that the Labella's are "weird guages" and this may be due to feel. I prefer the feel of the Chromes. The Chromes G string sounds a little weak through my Hartke amp, but with a louder tube amp I can hear all of the strings clearly. Botht he light Chromes and 760FL's are low tension. The medium Chromes have more tone IMO.