Labella Goldentone Red Label

[AndreasH]

The string description at Quinn says, "Golden Tone Red Label Gut core string with metal winding on all four strings."

This can't be right? I want to order the LaBella's, but I want to be sure that I get the string I'm looking for and not with metal winding...

[Jeremy Allen]

Originally Posted by AndreasH

The string description at Quinn says, "Golden Tone Red Label Gut core string with metal winding on all four strings."

This can't be right? I want to order the LaBella's, but I want to be sure that I get the string I'm looking for and not with metal winding...

I don't think that's right, but I can't find a straight answer at Lemur, Gollihur, Southwest Strings, or Upton.

The Golden Tone set was always the gut D and G with Tynex (plastic) wrapping and some kind of low tension non-gut (maybe synthetic, like Sensicores) on the E and A. In my experience, it was not a full gut set to begin with, so I always just bought the D and G and paired them with whatever I wanted on the bottom.

In any event, that description sounds wrong. I can't find mention of Golden Tones on the La Bella website, so maybe they aren't making them any more? If this is true, I would order that set from Quinn with confidence.

[d-sciple]

The g&d are wrapped in tynex. I just ordered those two strings two months ago and they are indeed gut core wrapped in tynex. The e&a have a steel rope core with metal winding. I remember also finding the website's description confusing and I think through searching the talkbass posts that I determined what the deal was with the strings.

[d-sciple]

I guess my spellcheck didn't think tynex was a real word

[rzakota]

I don't think it's discontinued. If you go to
Welcome to La Bella Strings!
and go to the bottom of the page. There you can download whole string catalog of Labella. Goldentone/Redlabel is still there!

[d-sciple]

No their not discontinued but the kaplan golden spirals which they are a similar string to are discontinued.

[d-sciple]

Well I hope their not discontinued. Maybe I should find out for sure and stockpile some if they are.

[gerry grable]

Originally Posted by reedo35

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

I always used Kaplan Golden Spirals (so did Scott LaFaro I think?), but that was a long time ago--and they were a hell of a lot cheaper.
I didn't know there was a shortage of gut, or are they using imported unicorn gut?

[samriley]

Wow I didn't know about these golden tones until now. I'm currently using an old golden spiral G (my plain gut Dlugolecki G broke). Dlugolecki plain D and kurschner wound gut A & E are the other strings. My fav setup. Big action, huge raw sound.
I might give the golden tone G a go.
I've also got a slightly played set of red o rays I might put on soon just for fun. Also have a set of brand new never played red o rays. But I'd like to keep them that way.

I'm glad I stumbled across this thread!

[AndreasH]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Allen

I don't think that's right, but I can't find a straight answer at Lemur, Gollihur, Southwest Strings, or Upton.

The Golden Tone set was always the gut D and G with Tynex (plastic) wrapping and some kind of low tension non-gut (maybe synthetic, like Sensicores) on the E and A. In my experience, it was not a full gut set to begin with, so I always just bought the D and G and paired them with whatever I wanted on the bottom.

In any event, that description sounds wrong. I can't find mention of Golden Tones on the La Bella website, so maybe they aren't making them any more? If this is true, I would order that set from Quinn with confidence.

I've ordered the Golden Tone D and G now. I also pointed out the incorrect info on their website so now the strings have the right description.

[samriley]

Let us know what u think of the golden tones. I've currently got red-o-ray G and D on and loving it. I've got a brand new red-o-ray A which is gut/red nylon too and really fat gauge but it's part of a brand new set in orig packaging so I don't wanna use them. But perhaps the golden tones could be a possible replacement. All depends on the tension.

[AndreasH]

Just got the strings today. Haven't put them on yet.

When I first had a look the strings, I actually thought it was plain LaBella gut! The tynex winding is so smooth and fine I couldn't feel under my fingers.

The gauge looks fine. It's maybe like a medium sized gut string. I compared them to Carlos Chorda D and G and these are a bit hinner than CC's.

I'm going to pair these with Spiro Mittels E and A, and as the Spiros, the LaBella's have red silk in both string ends!

[Jeremy Allen]

Originally Posted by AndreasH

I'm going to pair these with Spiro Mittels E and A, and as the Spiros, the LaBella's have red silk in both string ends!

You MAY find that to be a little awkward--I've found that the right height for guts on top is too high for mittels on the bottom, and the right height for mittels on the bottom is too low for guts on top. I like Spiro weichs on the bottom, or Evah Pirazzi weichs.

But hey, every bass is different, and you know what you're doing. Let us know how it turns out!

[Blaine]

Andreas, where did you order them from? were they in stock?

[AndreasH]

Blaine, I ordered from Quinn Violins and they were in stock.

Jeremy, I'm sure I will find it awkward in many ways, I have never used Spiros on my own bass before!
I will put them on today and do some rehersals and practicing.

I'll keep you posted!

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I may end up buying a slightly used Goldentone G and D. Is anyone aware of winding issues with these strings, especially where they cross the bridge? I had the winding on a Chorda A break in that spot and was able to save the string by unwinding it and using it as a G, which I would obviously not be able to do with a G or D.

[AndreasH]

So now I've played Goldentone D/G, Spiro Mittel E/A for three days.

I just loved the G-string from the start. It sounds great.
I don't know how to put it, but it really sings, have
a nice sustain (not too much!) and it still has that nice and fat
gut sound to it.

I find the D-string to be a bit floppy, especially next to the mittel A. I can't really get a nice tone out of it. It sounds a bit "unfocused". I think it would sound and feel alot better if it was a bit thicker. I've been thinking about replacing it for a Garbo Light or a Helicore Orch. Any suggestions?

I was also quite surprised of how well they bow! I was able to get a decent sound pretty far up the fingerboard.

[Jeremy Allen]

Originally Posted by AndreasH

I find the D-string to be a bit floppy, especially next to the mittel A. I can't really get a nice tone out of it. It sounds a bit "unfocused". I think it would sound and feel alot better if it was a bit thicker.

That's kind of what I meant--it would sound better if it was a bit thicker, or a bit higher. But if you put it up too high, the mittels would be unbearable.

I think a Garbo light would be fine for the D (although pretty bad for bowing). Or, heck, another spirocore.

[AndreasH]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Allen

That's kind of what I meant--it would sound better if it was a bit thicker, or a bit higher. But if you put it up too high, the mittels would be unbearable.

I think a Garbo light would be fine for the D (although pretty bad for bowing). Or, heck, another spirocore.

I'm not a huge fan if the Spiro D and G strings. Having said that I've only played it on other basses than my own. But I'm thinking that a Helicore Orchestra D would work just fine.

But on the other hand, I think I would be more comfortable with something more gut-like, like the Garbo light.

Anyhow, I'm going to give this set a month or so to settle, and then I'm maybe ready to make some changes.

[lecoreis]

Man just got one of these red label G's
but the knot comes out of that black ring when installed (tailpiece end), should I make another knot? how?
any Tips?