I've had Chromes for years also Tl JF344s and Ernie Ball Group 4 flats and came across the deep talking low tension LaBella's and thought wow got to try them but read on their webpage they are round core and I'm just not a fan of round core from past experience that when you reinstall them on another or bass or have to take them off and reinstall for any reason sometimes they no longer intonate (play in tune) as the wrap can slip off the round core. I've had this happen twice with some DR round cores. So before I buy them I thought I'd hear from players that have used them and reinstalled them. Thanks
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Anyone here use Labella low tension flats?
- Thread starter MrRiff
- Start date
I have a set on my #1 now, but they’re going to come off. The construction of the G is different from the E-A-D, making it sound brighter than the rest of the set. I was hoping it would break in and even out, but no such luck after several months.
It’s a shame, because they feel great and I love the sound of the E-A-D. That twangy G just kills it, though. I’m going back to Fender 9050Ls as soon as my new set arrives in the mail.
It’s a shame, because they feel great and I love the sound of the E-A-D. That twangy G just kills it, though. I’m going back to Fender 9050Ls as soon as my new set arrives in the mail.
I e a range of flatwounds, including LTFs.
The LTFs were an experiment, replacing a worn out set of GHS Brite Flats on a Musicmaster (Brite Flats have become unavailable locally). I'm happy with them, but they're not radically better in terms of playability or tone when compared with broken-in Chromes (which I have on a P, a J, and a Longhorn), and they're about 10% more expensive here. The bright G issue is annoying when playing solo, but it is not noticeable in a full band context (I'm playing in a seven-piece with guitar, keys, and a horn section).
When the LTFs die, I'm going to replace them with Chromes, unless I can source Brite Flats at a reasonable price.
The LTFs were an experiment, replacing a worn out set of GHS Brite Flats on a Musicmaster (Brite Flats have become unavailable locally). I'm happy with them, but they're not radically better in terms of playability or tone when compared with broken-in Chromes (which I have on a P, a J, and a Longhorn), and they're about 10% more expensive here. The bright G issue is annoying when playing solo, but it is not noticeable in a full band context (I'm playing in a seven-piece with guitar, keys, and a horn section).
When the LTFs die, I'm going to replace them with Chromes, unless I can source Brite Flats at a reasonable price.
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If you're looking for a suitable alternative to the Brite Flats, Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Flats (aka Group Flats) would be a better choice than the Chromes.
So you don't think the Fenders are a little on the bright side? I've been thinking about trying Ernie Ball flats.
Love La Bella LTFs, very easy on the fingers and can play for hours with no fatigue. I’ve removed them to work on guitars and then reinstalled many times without issue. The g string is a little different, but not a deal breaker for how I play.
i think they're great. its a toss up between those and TIs for me. i think im starting to like the labellas more, plus theyre cheaper and made in USA for what that's worth.
Never had an issue with round-cores.
I always avoid cutting my stings; typically only trimming the E is necessary - and when I have to, I always bend the string before cutting - typically 180 degrees - leaving 1/2" after the bend;
That doubled-over end fits down the hole on a vintage post and others (not all).
Even so - if you just leave a little "stub" after the bend - it should fit down most posts.
It just takes a few seconds and can't hurt a thing.
Until just the last couple of years, I had been playing round core strings almost exclusively for over 30 years. I never had an issue with them, as described above, just put a bend in the string before the cut. I have a set of the Labella LTF’s that have been a few basses, don’t like them.
drumvsbass
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- Aug 20, 2011
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This is an interesting thread for me. I have NEVER, and will never reinstall strings on a bass. Once they are on, they stay on. If I take them off, it's because they're dead and they are going to goodwill.
What's with the recycling?
Maybe I have weird $$$ privilege bias playing Thomastik.
What's with the recycling?
Maybe I have weird $$$ privilege bias playing Thomastik.
There is actually a reason for this. The G is actually hex core and doesn't have the silk lining the other three have over their round cores.
I’ve been using the same set of La Bella LTFs for over two years, and I’ve also taken them on and off many times when temporarily switching to roundwound strings. However, unlike DR strings, they have never come unwound, and I’ve been able to use them without any problems.
My favorites after a long time using the LaBella LTFs are the EB Pino Palladino Smoothies (light gauge), also round core. Great feel and old-school tone right out of the pack. Other than ith the LTFs, the G string sounds like it belongs in the set,
LaBella LTF’s are my favorite strings. They sound great and are easy to play. I have a set on a jazz bass that are over 10 years old and they still sound really good.
I used to feel the same till I used a very very old set of TI flats while doing a complete setup up a new bass before installing a brand new set. But the old strings sounded & played so good I left them on. Since then I've repeatedly reused old TI sets without issue, and that's using sting thru bridges. I'm amazed by their resiliency.
The Fenders are a little bright for a flat, sure, but nothing I can’t tame with the tone knob. I like having some brightness in reserve when the situation calls for it.
Not sure if D'Addario makes these for Fender as they do the rounds, I hate the clank the Chromes have on the top end.
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Fender flats are in fact made by D'Addario, but to Fender's specs. They're not an identical twin to the Chromes. Very different tonal quality (once broken in). The day I discovered Fender 9050L was the day I left the Chromes for good. Two siblings with two different personalities.
This mostly tracks with my opinion, having used several sets of both. To me they are in the same "family" of modern-style flats with a bit more high end and full range tone compared to something like a classic Labella DTF, but they are still very distinct strings with their own flavor. Fender flats are also my overall favorite flat and I prefer them to Chromes on average, but I have nonetheless found Chromes to work very well on some specific basses and they also have the benefit of being easily the most durable flat I've ever found in terms of string changes (including being reliable for use or reuse in headless basses, which is rare for flats).
Edit: On the other point from OP, I use Labella LTFs and enjoy them, but I've never tried removing and reinstalling them to my memory. I also find them to have a unique tone that is a bit hard to compare to anything else... not much like Fender/Chromes, but not much like Labella DTFs either.
