Medium tension LaBella Flats?

::::BASSIST:::: · #1 05-20-2006, 04:29 PM

I really like everything about the Labella 760FLs, except the tension. I generally use Chromes (the lights) because they have pretty good tension, sound and feel. It would be better if they had a little more tension.

Higher tension allows me to achieve lower action, but I dont want the tension to be excessive. Combfortable and low would be perfect.

Does LaBella make a set of flats that have *a little* more tension than the chromes ?

zombywoof5050 · #2 05-20-2006, 11:01 PM

The 760FL is the lightest set LaBella makes, so have you tried any of LaBella's heavier gauges?

760FL = 43-60-82-104
760FS = 45-65-85-105
760FM = 49-69-89-109
Jamerson set = 52-73-95-110

Also, what about the Fender flats, have you tried them? I heard that the Fender flats have a good amount of tension, as well as great tone.

seanm · #3 05-21-2006, 12:57 AM

I have a set of 760FL one one bass and 760FS on another. You do get more tension with the FS, about the same as the Chromes, but the sound changes a lot.

I am not good at describing sound but I would say the FS is deeper and more thumpy than the FL. The FL also has some twang to it that the FS dosen't.

I tried to record the difference once, but by the time I send it through a cheap mixer to a cheap sound card and downgrade it to mp3, you lose all the difference.

The only Fender flats I have tried are the 9050 mediums. Higher tension than the chromes. You want a sturdy neck for these.

::::BASSIST:::: · #4 05-21-2006, 12:31 PM

my bass is a fender geddy jazz so I am guessing that alot of tension may not be suitable to it.

as I said, I am not looking for Jamerson style tension. just something with a little more than the chromes.

The LaBella 760FS has piqued my interest. the thing is, I quite like the sound of the FLs so if the FS is vastly different sounding that may not be a good thing.

anyone tried the 760FMs ?

seanm · #5 05-21-2006, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VEGANBASS

The LaBella 760FS has piqued my interest. the thing is, I quite like the sound of the FLs so if the FS is vastly different sounding that may not be a good thing.

I was just A/Bing the two basses and I am not sure the sound is as different as I remembered. One big difference is that now both strings are broken in. So maybe some of the initial differences are gone.

Plus the two basses have different pickups, so the tests are not perfect.