Labella Deep Talkin Flats - FM vs FL - Big Difference in Tone?

Groover · #1 05-28-2008, 06:38 AM

I've been using the Medium set (760FM, .49-.69-.89-.109) of Labella flats for a while, and I'm considering going with a little lower tension.

Considering the light set (760FL, .43-.60-.82-.104), but I'm a little concerned that I'll lose that tone that I love with the FM set.

Has anyone been able to compare the two? Is the tone much different, or would I still be within that same tonal range?

How is the feel - Much lighter - Too floopy? (I don't like TI's for that reason).

Also, what color is the Silk - Black?

Thanks for the help.

sirbigguns · #2 05-28-2008, 06:42 AM

I love 'em. I wouldn't say they're "floppy", but I do tend to like a slightly lower tension. I've never used the mediums so I can't compare. Oh, the silk is red.

Muckaluck · #3 05-28-2008, 06:42 AM

I've been wondering the exact same thing last night.... subscribed.

pointbass · #4 05-28-2008, 06:46 AM

The light set feels very much like the TI's to me, which is why I don't use them at all. The FM's are quite a bit tighter, IMO, and sound slightly fuller to my ears, but the tonal difference isn't huge. Probably more of a personal preference in the feel than the tone ......

Not sure about the color of the silk, been a while since I had the FL's on any bass .....

wateroftyne · #5 05-28-2008, 06:52 AM

This will be of limited help as I have no experience of the FMs, but I've been using the FLs for a number of years now, and I love 'em dearly.

There's nothing 'light' or 'floppy' about them at all, to be honest. They feel substantial and lively, and very responsive when you dig in (it should be noted that I'm quite a hard fingerstyle player - floppiness would be a major no-no for me).

As for tone... hard to say! Here is a clip of my Precision direct into the board. It's as thumpy yet defined as hell IMO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvQLspVdZKQ&eurl

Great strings!

deepbluesuk · #6 05-28-2008, 06:01 PM

FMs give me a lot more thump on my P bass than the FLs did. Truss rod needed a good 1/2 turn though!

wateroftyne · #7 05-29-2008, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepbluesuk

FMs give me a lot more thump on my P bass than the FLs did. Truss rod needed a good 1/2 turn though!

Just goes to show... it's all relative!

Wow... given the thump I get from my FLs, it seems the thump I'd get from FMs is a frightening prospect...!

Mastermold · #8 05-29-2008, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wateroftyne

Just goes to show... it's all relative!

Wow... given the thump I get from my FLs, it seems the thump I'd get from FMs is a frightening prospect...!

How much more thump do the FLs give than D'Addario Chromes? I just ordered a set to replace my Chromes, which I really like by themselves but they get lost in the mix with the band, too much growl and not enough bark I guess.

nemo · #9 05-29-2008, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastermold

How much more thump do the FLs give than D'Addario Chromes?

About 15 years more back in time

nemo · #10 05-29-2008, 02:13 AM

You might like also Sadowsky flats, they are IMO in a middle of these two - the right balance of sustain, thump and growl.

What style you are going after? If you were going fine with Chromes, you might find LaBellas too traditional sounding, maybe too big leap for you towards more thump vs. growl. I had two E strings of the FLs (first one I get replaced) and both were deadier sounding than the rest right from the pack. Now, about half a year later the difference in lower sustain on E is still apparent. Otherwise I love their sweet sound.
The Sadowskys I have on other bass are balanced accross the set, more cuting through while still having the thump and not compromising the sustain.

nemo · #11 05-29-2008, 02:22 AM

Quote:

The light set feels very much like the TI's to me

Maybe your memory is a little veiled.. j/k
I have both TIs and 760FL and the TIs are much looser feeling than FLs. I would say even looser than .45 rounds. The FLs OTOH are to me feeling a bit mode stiff than .45 rounds.
Just IME

(and FL=red silk)

Groover · #12 05-29-2008, 05:55 AM

Thanks for all the great replies. Sounds overall to me that I can't go wrong with either, but there is indeed a difference in thump-factor between the two.... I really love the thump on the FM, so I may be sticking with them still for a while.

lmfreeman9 · #13 05-29-2008, 06:04 AM

You might also consider the FS (Standard-Black Silk) Labellas. I'm using these on a MIJ P-Bass and although they are not as full as the FM's on my L-1000, they still thump, have a little less tension and slightly better highs.

Groover · #14 05-29-2008, 06:49 AM

Good suggestion. I forgot about the FS set!

(760FS, .45, .65, .85, .105)

Definetely sounds like an option...

pointbass · #15 05-29-2008, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemo

Maybe your memory is a little veiled.. j/k
I have both TIs and 760FL and the TIs are much looser feeling than FLs. I would say even looser than .45 rounds. The FLs OTOH are to me feeling a bit mode stiff than .45 rounds.
Just IME

(and FL=red silk)

Shoot, when you get to my age everything is veiled ...

You might well be 100% correct, it's been quite a while since I've used anything other than the FM's on any bass I own. Even my 7 & 8 strings are basic 6 string FM sets with singles on the top and bottom. At any rate, the TI's were much too loose for me and the FL's didn't have the tension, either.

As I recall, though, there wasn't a huge tonal difference between the FM's & FL's ....

Ole Rumblekat · #16 05-29-2008, 07:26 AM

I'm using the 760FS (Standard Guage .045 .065 .085 .105) and they sound great. They're sometimes a little harder to find than the 760FL, and the silk is black.

Mastermold · #17 05-29-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemo

You might like also Sadowsky flats, they are IMO in a middle of these two - the right balance of sustain, thump and growl.

What style you are going after? If you were going fine with Chromes, you might find LaBellas too traditional sounding, maybe too big leap for you towards more thump vs. growl. I had two E strings of the FLs (first one I get replaced) and both were deadier sounding than the rest right from the pack. Now, about half a year later the difference in lower sustain on E is still apparent. Otherwise I love their sweet sound.
The Sadowskys I have on other bass are balanced accross the set, more cuting through while still having the thump and not compromising the sustain.

I'm playing blues and American music so thumpy/traditional is acually perfect. Never tried Sadowskys, however. Where's a good place to get them?

Mastermold · #18 05-29-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole Rumblekat

I'm using the 760FS (Standard Guage .045 .065 .085 .105) and they sound great. They're sometimes a little harder to find than the 760FL, and the silk is black.

I've heard the string tension on the FS set is a lot greater than the FL set, so I figured I'd start with the FL so as not to upset my neck too much. But maybe I'll try the FS on another bass (like the SX P I've got coming) and see how I like them.

cymbop · #19 05-29-2008, 11:06 AM

I currently play both the TIs and the 760FLs. The LaBellas feel vastly more massive and taught. My right hand prefers the LaBellas and my left hand prefers the TIs.

Mastermold · #20 05-29-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cymbop

I currently play both the TIs and the 760FLs. The LaBellas feel vastly more massive and taught. My right hand prefers the LaBellas and my left hand prefers the TIs.

Have you tried Chromes? I've been reading the La Bella 760FLs have a tad less tension than the Chromes (the La Bella's are lighter guage which may be why).