[ABG] LaBella Olinto Flats ('Fat-wound' on thin core)

[Karl Kaminski]

I have a Martin B-40 bass that I have had for about 30 years. Back when they made them out of rosewood. I've had all sorts of strings in them, included the LaBella tapes. Right now I have the Thomastik Jazz Flats on it, with the action set very high. It's still easy to play, and sounds more like a real bass than anything I have tried to date. It sounds like small bass instead of a big guitar. Key is the high action. The strings are low tension, and with the high action, it really sings. While still not an upright, at least people can somewhat hear and feel it from across the room.

I like TIs too. They were my "go to" for everything (DB, EB, ABG) till prices started to go crazy... That started my Odyssey for 'other' brands to replace them. It's been a hard search , and now many of the best condensers are priced even higher than TIs.

Not sure if I mention in this thread yet... my sonic goal is not recreating a DB but finding a set for a ABG project of solo and chordal arrangements. So the string choice must be able to accomplish a few things that some of my favorite strings can't do; most importantly the set must have a low B and be able to intonate well in the highest register.

With that in mind, the Olintos are just too stiff/dampening to get what I need on my ABG. Thats not to say theyre a bad string, on the contrary, they have a solid feel and I actually like the A/D/G them most very punchy attack. I imagine (and from watching the EB demos) they would have a punchy aggressive sound on EB. In this category though, I still prefer TIJF for a string in this category.

 

[Karl Kaminski]

First of all, thanks for your informative posts. I’m always on the lookout for a good flatwound string set, and I was interested in the new Labellas.
I have a semi hollow body Tune wb4 fretless that has worn the CW Labella set for over a year. I had a USAB Lace pickup installed near the bridge, and really like the sound of it. I decided a few days ago to try a set of Optima RB flatwounds on it, initially just replacing the E and G strings. I didn’t much like the sound of them for fretless, though.
And I immediately missed the slicker feel of the tapes.
(The RB set sounded great on a fretted Rickenbacker.)
I had a set of the “plain” white tapewounds lying around, so I installed the full set. They are a bit more “forward” sounding, and brighter. Seems to work really well on that bass. I have another set of copper ones on a fretted Rick,
and really love that sound, very thumpy and with a nice top end zing. View attachment 5074366

thanks!
Last night I was playing-in the CW again, and the sounded and felt even better than that afternoon, so (like the Aquilastrings Coppers Set#3) theres something there in the copper that I really like. Nice attack and a pleasing top end—though the CW are not as muted as the Aquilastrings.

I havent tried Optimas (or Pyramid) flats yet—seem to remember from TB comments the Optimas are on the 'stiffer side' of the spectrum?? What didn't you like about them feel/tone? Decay/sustain has alot to do with helping me pinpointing a set.

PS> BTW what is the tape across your bridge? (something for a mute?)

 

[woodyng2]

thanks!
I havent tried Optimas (or Pyramid) flats yet—seem to remember from TB comments the Optimas are on the 'stiffer side' of the spectrum?? What didn't you like about them feel/tone? Decay/sustain has alot to do with helping me pinpointing a set.

PS> BTW what is the tape across your bridge? (something for a mute?)

Optima Rb flats are roundcore nickle and are pretty low tension and flexible feeling strings. Optima makes a different hex flatwound set, maybe those are the ones that are stiffer. I didn’t like the deadish sound of the E string on my fretless, but it was pretty perfect on a fretted bass when played with a pick.
The tape was just something I tried out to see if it would cut down overtones.
(It didn’t because it was too light-just a piece of scotch tape). I’d read that Carol Kaye used masking tape for this purpose.)

 

[Karl Kaminski]

Just a teaser... I just installed the LaB Copper-Whites, played over an hour. They're nice but the low B has similar negatives for me as the G-W and black tapes. And in general, I don’t like the plastic-y feel (and I know alot of ppl love them) just my personal preference. But of all the LaB tapes ive tried I like the C-W the most. I'll be posting a new thread for them soon

I post the String Demo here> [ABG] LaBella 750s Copper-White Tapes

 

[Karl Kaminski]

Eagerly waiting for you Dogal Hellborg review!

Hey @NordicBard I posted an [ABG] Dogal Hellborg Flats review over here