Labella 7710 's Black Tape Deep Talkin' Bass

conte2music · #1 11-04-2008, 10:40 AM

I read through most all of the old posts...they haven't been discussed much in a few years. With the newer string choices...is anyone still using them? If so, has anyone tried them with a fullcircle? I had some a few years ago, and I remember them having a long sustain up in thumb position.

Does anyone have a used set they'd like to sell me? I'd like to try them on a warm little bass I have. Thanks for your thoughts.

philip sirois · #2 11-04-2008, 11:14 AM

Jason Hollar · #3 11-04-2008, 12:18 PM

Whaddup CC?!

I liked them on my BSX Allegro EUB as well as on my current Lemur Romanian bass for a little while.

They were fun to play and held up well -- but they had a strange "boing" to the note when amplified...not exactly the sound I was looking for.

Overall, a high-quality string. I'm just digging the Obli/Spiro combo for now.

AMJBASS · #4 11-04-2008, 12:27 PM

They have an interesting attack... Good strings all around if you aren't using the bow. They have a nice tension, and a similar sound/response to Spirocores. Worth a try at any rate.

conte2music · #5 11-04-2008, 03:08 PM

Mr. Hollar! Hey man...I think a little bit of that "boing" could help on my ax. I forgot to ask if you were using the fishman fullcircle when you last had 7710s on your bass? I'm amazed that your obligato d and g have been on for over 2 years!!! They sound good...but it's cause you're the one tuggin' on 'em

Thanks for the response Adrian. Do you remember how long you used them before they started to fail on you?

I listened to all the Ron Carter and Buster Williams I could get my hands on yesterday...I just have an odd hunch that this string would work well on my little bass. It's pretty warm sounding, and could use a little extra sustain up top. Philip sent me a pm and it looks like he has a set for me.

Anyone recall what pickup Ron Carter used before moving to the Realist?

Jason Hollar · #6 11-05-2008, 06:43 AM

Thanks Chris!

Hmmm...now that I think about it - I think my experience with amplifying these strings was with my Barbera.

The F/C might be a great pup with these strings - since it has a much warmer and more mic-like sound (IMHO).

However, I do remember that boingy sound acoustically.

Yeah - Buster Williams! I think he's the cat on Dr. Lonnie Smith's - The Turbinator! Check out that blues in G - I swear I can hear those Labella's talkin'!

Jason Hollar · #7 11-05-2008, 06:45 AM

PS -

As is expected, please report back with a, well, a report.

Anybody else currently using these?

thejumpcat · #8 11-05-2008, 10:13 AM

I had them on my old Kay, switched to Obligatos, and then put the Labellas back on when two of the Obligatos started to unravel on the bridge.

I like the Labellas, but the Obligatos sounded better on this bass (especially for jump blues). The Labellas make the Kay sound more midrangy. They're a bit stiffer than the Obligatos but they respond much quicker. They're more of a punch, whereas I'm wanting more of a thud. (if that makes sense).

I use a Realist p/u.

I'm considering Velvet Blues or Labella Red Label Goldentones, and if I get either of those and like them better, I'll probably try to off the Blacktapes.

AMJBASS · #9 11-05-2008, 11:09 AM

I didn't have the strings on long enough to find out how long they last. They appear to be durable however. I might order another set and keep them on for a while, but I am starting to get back into the bow, and they just aren't that happening for arco...

conte2music · #10 11-05-2008, 01:48 PM

Jason...I'll be sure to report back with a report...haha
I think the fullcircle is great, but as a former underwood user I'm really missing some of the clarity. However I love the extra low end and warmth the FC provides....what to do...what to do

The blues you're talking about...is it called "Night Song"? I couldn't find a full version of that track on the net. I enjoy Buster so I may just have to buy the whole album.
There's some cool stuff on Dr. Smith's website...
http://www.drlonniesmith.com/

Jumpcat...Thanks for your posts. Midrange, punch, quick...these are all good words to me. I also think that "boing" attack that Jason and Adrian are talking about will really help with clarity. Right now I want as much clarity from a string as possible to help battle how warm my bass and pickup (fc) are. I probably won't even let a bow look at this bass once I get the strings from Philip. I have some bowable strings on my other bass. Thanks for all your responses.

conte2music · #11 11-05-2008, 01:51 PM

jumpcat....I've been using belcatos for the d and g on my 7/8Willow and they have a nice beefy sound for pizz. May want to give those a look too!

thejumpcat · #12 11-05-2008, 05:26 PM

Cool. What about for the E and A? That always seems to be the hard part -- figuring out which to use with gut D and G.

Is anybody using just an all-gut setup? If so, what?

conte2music · #13 11-05-2008, 11:12 PM

Gut strings are so very pricey!!! I believe most people would just be using guts for the d and g with some superflexibles, permenants, or another sturdy steel string on the e and a. Most of the gut sound comes from the top two strings, and the e and a's can be blurry sounding and expensive...did I mention they aren't cheap!

Jason Hollar · #14 11-08-2008, 01:24 PM

I was checking out some Joe Henderson tunes yesterday -- and realized I have one of his recordings with Ron Carter. On some of the strictly duo performances you can really hear these strings at work -- if my ears aren't tricking me!

pdbass · #15 11-08-2008, 06:48 PM

Oh yeah, Jason. Check out Joe Henderson's State Of The Tenor: Live at the Village Vanguard. Trio recording with Ron and Al Foster. I think Ron had just started using them then. One of my favorite sounds. . .

Jason Hollar · #16 11-09-2008, 12:43 AM

Yup -- that's the one.

wineaux · #17 11-17-2008, 05:03 PM

I use 'em on my '42 Kay and love them for bluegrass but use Spiro Weichs on the bass I usually use for jazz. My teacher uses the 7710s on all three of his basses. He's primarily a jazzer but plays some bluegrass (with Frank Wakefield, among others). He even bows on these strings; I find I get a better sound bowing my cat than a bass with LaBella's!