Switched out La Bella 760FLs for the FS set ...

Mastermold · #1 10-13-2008, 11:19 AM

The FL set was nicely broken in and I was enjoying them (finally) but out of curiosity I decided to swap them out this weekend, wondering if the FS would give me more thump and low end response that I felt the FL set wasn't quite giving.

Initial response --

--The bad -- I missed the feel and responsiveness of the FLs right away. Granted they're nicely broken in and the FS set isn't, but the FS set is not as subtle in its response and I don't think that will change. I also had to adjust my truss rod which on my '59 CS reissue requires removing the neck, just a wee bit of a pain, no biggie. (BTW -- damn that neck pocket was tight! This was the first time I've had to adjust the truss on this bass and I was impressed with the precise fit. Even with all four bolts removed the neck didn't want to leave the pocket, and the pickguard scraped the finish a bit as it likewise leaves zero gap.)

--The good -- But the FS set does give me that added percussive thump that the FL set never quite could to my satisfaction, and the notes are a little fatter which I was also hoping would be the case. As the FS set breaks in over the next few weeks I'll follow up with whether my impression changes and whether I'd recommend them over the FLs, but for now I think these will work for what I need. I've got a band rehearsal tomorrow night so that will give me a chance to test them in the mix.

markjazzbassist · #2 10-13-2008, 11:28 AM

i just threw my first set of FS on my 69 jazz. it's taking getting used to them, but i think i'm starting to dig them. i'll report back after they've worn in as well.

Fender32 · #3 10-14-2008, 12:40 AM

Interesting topic fellas

. I'm currently trying to get hold of a set of 760FS/FMs for my new CS '59 P Bass and was even thinking about going for the "1954" (James Jamerson) set! They would give my truss rod something to think about

.

I had a set of 760FM (XLs) on my CS '55 P Bass (which I just sold yesterday) and although the tension was pretty high, they did have a lot more "thump" than the Fender flats I was using before them. I'm hoping that the heavier gauge LaBellas will be even more powerful sounding when I put them on my '59, as the pickup has more punch than the '55 did.

So, I'll be keen to hear how you guys get on

.

Mastermold · #4 10-14-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fender32

Interesting topic fellas

. I'm currently trying to get hold of a set of 760FS/FMs for my new CS '59 P Bass and was even thinking about going for the "1954" (James Jamerson) set! They would give my truss rod something to think about

.

I had a set of 760FM (XLs) on my CS '55 P Bass (which I just sold yesterday) and although the tension was pretty high, they did have a lot more "thump" than the Fender flats I was using before them. I'm hoping that the heavier gauge LaBellas will be even more powerful sounding when I put them on my '59, as the pickup has more punch than the '55 did.

So, I'll be keen to hear how you guys get on

.

Well, truss rod on my CS 59 appears to be maxed out so there's no way I'd be able to go with the FM set. Your bass' truss may react different but mine's maxed with the FS set. I was surprised too because I'd only adjusted it maybe 1/8 to 1/4 turn the first time, and when I went back to nudge it again I couldn't budge it.

One Drop · #5 10-14-2008, 12:18 PM

The FMs are awesome but need a decnt attack to get them singing. They are not a string to be finessed, that's for sure.

I have one set on a Fullerton P that I always use with a foam mute, and it nails the Motown sound extraordinarily well. When I play it pushed through my SVT the tone is to die for, big, fat fundamental, muscular and round, like big dollops of pure bass.

I have FL70s on one Jazz, and it's a more versatile sounding bass as I can vary my attack a lot more, and the mids are less obscured, lending it a more subtle less thumpy sound. It's my reggae machine extraordinaire.

::::BASSIST:::: · #6 10-14-2008, 12:28 PM

Those Jamersons are brutal... careful.

Fender32 · #7 10-14-2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Those Jamersons are brutal... careful.

It's OK, I'm rapidly going off the idea

. I know that the action on JJ's bass was sky high (maybe his truss rod couldn't handle them either

), but I also know that he had a lot more hand strength than me.

The other reason why a lighter string may benefit me, is that I play my P Basses with the covers on and pluck to the rear of the pickup cover (not to the front, as Jamerson did), this means that there's less flexibility in the strings and they can sound a little light and "clacky" when plucked there.

Think I'll skip the .052-.110 set and go for the .45-.105 instead, as soon as I can find some in stock in Europe

.

ibnzneksrul · #8 10-14-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastermold

The FL set was nicely broken in and I was enjoying them (finally) but out of curiosity I decided to swap them out this weekend, wondering if the FS would give me more thump and low end response that I felt the FL set wasn't quite giving.

Initial response --

--The bad -- I missed the feel and responsiveness of the FLs right away. Granted they're nicely broken in and the FS set isn't, but the FS set is not as subtle in its response and I don't think that will change. I also had to adjust my truss rod which on my '59 CS reissue requires removing the neck, just a wee bit of a pain, no biggie. (BTW -- damn that neck pocket was tight! This was the first time I've had to adjust the truss on this bass and I was impressed with the precise fit. Even with all four bolts removed the neck didn't want to leave the pocket, and the pickguard scraped the finish a bit as it likewise leaves zero gap.)

--The good -- But the FS set does give me that added percussive thump that the FL set never quite could to my satisfaction, and the notes are a little fatter which I was also hoping would be the case. As the FS set breaks in over the next few weeks I'll follow up with whether my impression changes and whether I'd recommend them over the FLs, but for now I think these will work for what I need. I've got a band rehearsal tomorrow night so that will give me a chance to test them in the mix.

Good report, and interesting timing, I'll also be replacing an FL set with the FS set tonight.

I had some pretty wild initial zinginess with the D and G strings of the FL set, did you experience anything similar with the FS set?

Mastermold · #9 10-15-2008, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibnzneksrul

Good report, and interesting timing, I'll also be replacing an FL set with the FS set tonight.

I had some pretty wild initial zinginess with the D and G strings of the FL set, did you experience anything similar with the FS set?

No zing with the FS set, but I'm still not sure about them. I just got back from rehearsal and spent three hours jammin them. The tone is great, but the responsiveness of the FL set I do miss. Time will tell ... stay tuned!

ibnzneksrul · #10 10-15-2008, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastermold

No zing with the FS set, but I'm still not sure about them. I just got back from rehearsal and spent three hours jammin them. The tone is great, but the responsiveness of the FL set I do miss. Time will tell ... stay tuned!

Same here - no zinginess at all. I have to say my first impression is I'm very happy with the FS set. The tone is more than I expected, deep and full, and output is very well balanced over all four strings. Definitely stiffer though, especially noticeable when playing at the first 3 frets, gonna need a slight trussrod adjustment. These are gonna sound awesome in a month or so.

Mastermold · #11 10-17-2008, 11:35 AM

Well, my bass is in the shop. The inability to adjust the truss may be a defect, but it's covered under Fender's warranty so I'll find out next week whether they're going to have to replace the neck.

Had I not changed strings I never would have known there was a potential problem. If it is defective, I'm glad they'll fix it. But now I'm without my favorite P-bass. Maybe I should have gone with TI flats instead!

Mastermold · #12 10-23-2008, 02:31 PM

Got my bass back from the luthier. He got a little more out of the truss so I'm keeping it for now, and will report back on whether I keep the FS set, put the FLs back on, or go with something else like TIs.

Mastermold · #13 11-02-2008, 09:51 PM

It's been a while -- the 59 P-bass with the FS set sounds okay but still too zingy. I'll wait a bit still before a verdict on these strings.

However, I've got TI flats on a 57 P-bass AV reissue and I'm more impressed so far. Much more bottom end and fatness of tone from the TIs, which I totally did not expect.

markjazzbassist · #14 11-02-2008, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastermold

It's been a while -- the 59 P-bass with the FS set sounds okay but still too zingy. I'll wait a bit still before a verdict on these strings.

However, I've got TI flats on a 57 P-bass AV reissue and I'm more impressed so far. Much more bottom end and fatness of tone from the TIs, which I totally did not expect.

+1

mine were also too zingy and i went back to my old d'addario chromes. they have a more "airy" top end, but less zing and more thump IMO.