labella beatle bass strings

nikthastik · #1 03-07-2011, 09:45 AM

how long does it take for these to mellow out a bit? have these on my hofner icon, man are they bright. i originally had 100-50's on it but the neck was bowing pretty bad. got a pro set-up and a set of 96-39's and they seem to saound alot different. can anyone recommend a short scale flatwound string with not much tension with a slightly higher gauge that maybe wouldn't be so bright, or will the labellas mellow out?

SaucyJackBass · #2 05-05-2011, 08:37 AM

Bump. I'd like to know the answer as well. Looking for warm but full sounding short scale flats

Bassamatic · #3 05-05-2011, 08:46 AM

It is critical to put the right strings on the Hofner basses as you have found out. Heavy strings can warp the neck, as happened to my club bass before I knew better. Now I have the proper T.I. Flats on it. Low tension, good thumpy sound, straight neck.

stratovani · #4 05-05-2011, 09:57 AM

I have the La Bella Beatle Bass light gauge strings on my Icon, and they will mellow out in time. Like pretty much every set of flatwound strings, they need to be played quite a bit before they mellow out. Can't give you a definitive time frame, but a few weeks is probably what it'll take.

iamthebassman · #5 05-10-2011, 09:12 AM

I've been using the 100 LaBella Beatle set on my Hofner for several years now, with great results. I find by the third night they sound fine.

rickfan63 · #6 10-23-2011, 04:20 PM

The LaBellas are the best IMHO for a Hofner style bass. I've had the 50-100 guage set on my Brice copy for about a month and that bass has never sounded better, and it sounded pretty good to begin with. Now I'm gassing for a Hofner CT violin bass. A few years ago you would never have convinced me of that...lol.