Will LaBella Jamerson's hurt my bass?

rufus mangler · #1 02-15-2008, 07:31 AM

I just bought two sets and THEN (of course), started reading all these threads about tension, unplayable high action, truss rod adjustments, suspension bridge cables, etc.

They're going on a Classic 50's P. Is it going to break in half, or what? Or, should I just put them back on eBay?

Thanks.

kherber · #2 02-15-2008, 08:03 AM

I've been using them on a 73 P for the last couple years. I think they're wonderful.

Doc

BassLand · #3 02-15-2008, 10:31 AM

IMO, the heavy gauge LaBella Jamerson set is more suited to an upright player who wants to play electric (which was the case with Jamerson)

I would suggest the 760FL set for primarily electric players who want to convert to flatwound strings. It is not as heavy gauge as the aforementioned Jamerson set. I use them on my everyday bass (an MTD) and I love them. I recently switched to the tapewound (plastic wrapped) LaBella strings for fretless which gives more of the upright vibe.

I do have the Jamerson set on my spector bass. All that was required was a truss rod adjustment (If you change back to other strings with less tension you will have to readjust again)

BassLand · #4 02-15-2008, 10:35 AM

Oh, Almost forgot to add... If you bass is in good working condition it should not hurt it to have the Jamerson set on it (save the adjustment I mentioned in the last post). However, if you have a bass with a real skinny neck you may not be able to get the required amount of adjustment out of it's Truss Rod. If that were the case then I would go for the 760FL set which has lighter tension. Sorry for the second post.

The reason for Jamerson's bass being unplayable with very high action (I believe) was his lack of maintenance. Remember that he never cleaned his bass and probably did not adjust it either. When He took the stock Fender strings off the bass and replaced them with the Labella's without readjusting the neck... Viola high action etc, which probably suited him just fine...

rufus mangler · #5 02-16-2008, 05:26 AM

Thanks for the replies. I'm thinking I'll try one set.

I got a pretty good deal on them so if they don't work out, I won't be out much. (Except the time for set-ups, which I almost like.)

Nighttrain1127 · #6 02-16-2008, 05:51 AM

If you find the tension to be too high and want to try some nice low tension strings The Thomastik Jazz Flats are great. But the labella 760's are very good too and not too bad tension wise.