Labella Goldentone Red Label

RevJPBass · #1 02-21-2007, 01:53 PM

I've tried to find these strings in the TB string forum, to no avail. In Jonas Lohse's gear guide, he lists them as having been popular in the 40's for big band and orchestra playing. Does anyone have any experience with these strings? Since I play in a big band ( www.swingcitybb.com )( hey, we're on Youtube, too ) and also sometimes in a community orchestra, I am curious about them. I think for that classic, old school thump, it's probably guts or whatever (dominant, Kolstein Heritage, Obligato) is closest to that.... but hey, no harm in asking- is there?

**Francois Blais** · #2 02-21-2007, 03:09 PM

http://www.quinnviolins.com/qv_label...abelbass.shtml

reedo35 · #3 02-21-2007, 06:16 PM

Wow, I didn't think they made these anymore! They sure went up in price, though...

M Ramsey · #4 02-22-2007, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reedo35

Wow, I didn't think they made these anymore! They sure went up in price, though...

Here's another source for the same strings:

http://tinyurl.com/25pfvq

Quite a bit cheaper and I've had really good service from Lemur several times.

RevJPBass · #5 02-25-2007, 07:52 AM

Alas, I fear that I have not made myself clear- when I said I couldn't find these strings in the Forum, I meant I couldn't find anyone who has been using them- I'm curious as to how they work- I know that I can get them at Quinn Violin and elsewhere. The question is, are they worth buying?
Thanks all!

M Ramsey · #6 02-26-2007, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevJPBass

Alas, I fear that I have not made myself clear- when I said I couldn't find these strings in the Forum, I meant I couldn't find anyone who has been using them- I'm curious as to how they work- I know that I can get them at Quinn Violin and elsewhere. The question is, are they worth buying?
Thanks all!

I love them. I only have them installed on one of my basses and I only use that bass on indoor, controlled environment gigs. That's what I record with as well. Once they finish stretching (maybe a week or two) they are reasonably stable.

I took this bass out yesterday afternoon. From the house to the Honda Element (in a good bag) in the pouring rain. Went to a local get together spot (20 minute drive) pulled the bass out of the bag inside the building and allowed it to sit for about 1.5 hours before I began to play. Now, mind you, there was another bassman friend who was already playing so that's why the long wait.

When I did check the tuning, the E was a bit flat as was the D. But, after aclimating to the room temp for that length of time I had no other major tuning problems as I played for about 1.5 hours. Now, thinking about the state of initial tuning, i realize I hadn't had the bass out of the bag since the Sunday before, about 3:30 AM.

That's fairly stable for gut strings (all the way across) and a week away from checking the tuning.

Yeah, I like them.

**Francois Blais** · #7 02-26-2007, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Ramsey

When I did check the tuning, the E was a bit flat as was the D.

The E is steel rope-core, no?
Only the D & G are actually using a gut core in this set if I'm not mistaken.

Regards,
François

M Ramsey · #8 02-26-2007, 08:02 AM

Francois,

Nope. I have a Red O Ray E & A (silver wrapped gut) and the Goldentone Labella G & D which are gut core wound with tynex/nylon.

You can here it here. Now, be careful, this is bluegrass.

The song is Rockwell's Gold and Aaron (my son) is playing the bass and mandolin.

My son has used this bass on a few bluegrass recordings he's working on in Nashville and the engineer can't get over the even and balanced sound. This same engineer has worked with Dennis Crouch and several others there in town who also play guts in the studio (and some of them on the road).

BTW, Dennis Crouch is currently working on a recording in NYC with some cat named Elvis Costello. Been touring with Costello some, too.

**Jeremy Allen** · #9 02-26-2007, 11:00 AM

Are the Goldentones wrapped in Tynex like Kaplan Golden Spirals? I have fallen head over heels in love with the Golden Spirals, but I have a small dilemma considering that they are not manufactured anymore...

M Ramsey · #10 02-26-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy Allen

Are the Goldentones wrapped in Tynex like Kaplan Golden Spirals? I have fallen head over heels in love with the Golden Spirals, but I have a small dilemma considering that they are not manufactured anymore...

I've been told that they are very similar to the Golden Spirals. I haven't ever used or played the Golden Spirals so I can't really say.

I really like them, though. With the winding, there's no "hair" to trim on these strings.

Kevinlee · #11 02-26-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Are the Goldentones wrapped in Tynex like Kaplan Golden Spirals? I have fallen head over heels in love with the Golden Spirals, but I have a small dilemma considering that they are not manufactured anymore...

I've played both Golden Spirals and Goldentone in the past and to me they are pretty much the same strings. Same feel, same sound, same construction.

Kevinlee

abaguer · #12 02-27-2007, 01:34 AM

I agree. I've had Goldentones on my bass for the last year and a half and have been very happy with them. I recently replaced g and d with Olivs just because I'm going to be doing some more arco work but that would be the only reason to take them off. I liked the Goldentones equally for both jazz and bluegrass/country.

RevJPBass · #13 02-27-2007, 01:03 PM

Thanks to all who have given their opinions on these very old school strings. I grew up with guts- had a Red-O-Ray G string for a lot of years, and would love to have a full set of THOSE. I'm thinking I might try a set (instead of something like Lenzner guts) when ( I guess it's not IF ) my Obligatos die....

RevJPBass · #14 02-27-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Ramsey

I love them. I only have them installed on one of my basses and I only use that bass on indoor, controlled environment gigs. That's what I record with as well. Once they finish stretching (maybe a week or two) they are reasonably stable.

I took this bass out yesterday afternoon. From the house to the Honda Element (in a good bag) in the pouring rain. Went to a local get together spot (20 minute drive) pulled the bass out of the bag inside the building and allowed it to sit for about 1.5 hours before I began to play. Now, mind you, there was another bassman friend who was already playing so that's why the long wait.

When I did check the tuning, the E was a bit flat as was the D. But, after aclimating to the room temp for that length of time I had no other major tuning problems as I played for about 1.5 hours. Now, thinking about the state of initial tuning, i realize I hadn't had the bass out of the bag since the Sunday before, about 3:30 AM.

That's fairly stable for gut strings (all the way across) and a week away from checking the tuning.

Yeah, I like them.

By the way, what is this checking the tuning business? I thought my bass was tuned at the factory, and I always make sure those silver knobs at the top are all parallel with each other.

M Ramsey · #15 02-27-2007, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevJPBass

By the way, what is this checking the tuning business? I thought my bass was tuned at the factory, and I always make sure those silver knobs at the top are all parallel with each other.

I don't really know why we worry over such unecessary things. These basses don't have limiters such as frets. If it's a bit sharp, slide back. If it's a bit flat, slide up.

Glad to be of help,

Aaron Cohn · #16 02-28-2007, 02:07 PM

I think I got to play on the Goldentone D and G on someone else's bass a few days ago--at least, they were strings that seemed like Golden Spirals but with red silk at the tailpiece end. They were very nice pizz, but I didn't get to try them arco.

d-sciple · #17 09-26-2011, 04:16 PM

I have had the goldentone g&d on my bass for about a 2 months now and I am completely happy with them. I bought them after years of loving charlie haden's sound and wishing to pursue more of that sound on my bass. I also was listening to the waltz for debby bill evan's trio album with scott lafaro one day and realized that a really fat, full, but focused sound is very achievable with gut strings. The goldentones definitely have the gut sound with a clarity and focus to the notes. They have a fat tone all the way up in thumb position. The tuning issues with guts are also stabilizing the longer they remain on my bass. I have used the velvet garbo and anime strings also for the past 8 or so years, but something was missing with them and my bass just ended up sounding dead. Maybe the tension was too tight. Thomastik spirocores are just too whiny on my bass. The Spirocores were the string I grew up with and was the string I seemed too always come back too after trying various other strings (d'addario, velvet, innovation & pirastro), but after now playing a month with an all gut set with gamut e&a coppers on the bottom I think I can say I will never go back to steel core strings. The gamut e&a continue to amaze me every gig. It has only taken me 20 years to find some equipment that I'm happy with and the goldentones are definitely part of it. My bass has come back to life.

**Jeremy Allen** · #18 09-26-2011, 04:56 PM

Zombie thread! That's great to hear; Goldentones are nice strings. I'd be interested in trying some out again sometime. It's been awhile, and I recall that they were basically the same as Golden Spirals, and very satisfying indeed.

**Francois Blais** · #19 09-26-2011, 08:20 PM

Are they made by LaBella?

d-sciple · #20 09-26-2011, 11:16 PM

Yes, they are made by labella and I ordered them through
Quinn violins. They seemed to be the closest string to the kaplan golden spirals which I have wanted to try for a long time, but are no longer made.