LaBella vs LaBella vs All Others

Ole Rumblekat · #1 03-14-2008, 09:28 AM

I have decided to replace the stock roundwounds (.045 - .105) on my semi hollow bass with flatwounds, looking for a much less bright sound. I play fingerstyle, close to the neck. Options. TI makes a nice flatwound I hear. LaBella makes 2 different sets, 760FM medium guage (.049 - .109) and 760FL lighter guage (.043 - .104). And of course there's the DA Chromes. But the TI website has me wondering. In the FAQs they say that higher tension makes for a crisper sound. Now I know that thicker guage strings need higher tension. So - will a thicker string produce a crisper sound?? Doesn't sound quite right to me. And my bass is short scale which narrows the choices. I also don't want to stray TOO far from the standard issue .045 - .105. And Finally, TIs Jazz Flats are listed as 32" scale. My bass is 30", semi-hollow. Advice needed. Thanks.

anesthetist · #2 03-14-2008, 09:50 AM

i don't think a thicker string produce a crisper sound, whatever that means? but as it is a shortscale bass and you like to play close to the neck, high tension is a good thing.

the DA chromes i think only go up to 100 on the E string, but might be a good option, and somewhat cheaper maybe.

TI flats are quite low tension which from my experience doesn't suit every bass, but they are really great on the basses they do suit (this is of course very individual from person to person)

i haven't tried the labella flats but have only heard good things about them.

Quatschmacher · #3 03-14-2008, 02:18 PM

DA Chromes go up to 50-105.

GlennW · #4 03-14-2008, 02:28 PM

They also have a set called 760FS, .045"-.105".

WARNING:
You should contact LaBella directly and see which scale length strings will fit your bass. Short scale will probably be too short. They'll want measurements, so have your bass and a tape handy.

anesthetist · #5 03-15-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quatschmacher

DA Chromes go up to 50-105.

not for shortscale basses they don't, at least according to the d'addario website!

**mr sprocket** · #6 03-15-2008, 06:19 PM

I am using Labellas now and they sound pretty good. GlennW gives good advice. Some of the shorter scales still need longer strings due to the tailpieces.

lmfreeman9 · #7 03-15-2008, 09:34 PM

I'm just started using the Labella FM and FS and love both. I'm also using the TI's on an L-2000 and they are perfect. All of them feel and sound different.

Rob Mancini · #8 03-16-2008, 12:10 AM

A little advice on short scale strings...even on basses that have a 30" scale, I think it's a good idea to get 32" strings because a lot of short-scale basses have a 2-piece tailpiece with a couple inches of string behind the bridge, especially hollowbodies.

Quatschmacher · #9 03-16-2008, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anesthetist

not for shortscale basses they don't, at least according to the d'addario website!

Sorry, I had overlooked the 30 inch measurement that the OP gave.

Quatschmacher · #10 03-16-2008, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole Rumblekat

In the FAQs they say that higher tension makes for a crisper sound. Now I know that thicker guage strings need higher tension. So - will a thicker string produce a crisper sound?? Doesn't sound quite right to me.

This is what I heard from bass builder Jon Shuker a couple of weeks ago. The higher tension strings accentuate the higher frequencies which results in a brighter sound.