Defective string ?

[BooDoggie]

Hey all,

I just bought this set of La Bella stings a few days ago. When I first installed them on my 96 Ibanez SR400 fretless they seamed fine except that I noticed the windings had frayed at the point where the string breaks over the saddle on the upper E string. I tuned the bass to standard 440 and played on it for a bit, and there was a lot more string buzz against the fretboard than the strings I replaced.

I decided to go ahead and do a complete setup on the bass. I checked and readjusted the truss rod. I then loosened off the strings and reset the saddles to about the halfway point. When I tuned back up to proper pitch the E string ball end popped off.

I've always used La Bella strings on every bass that I have owned, but this my first experience with flat wounds on a fretless bass. And so far it is not a good one. Should I try to contact La Bella, or the seller? I'm not even totally convinced that these strings are legit or counterfeit. Photos attached:

 

[FunkHead]

Just let La Bella know and they'll take care of you.

 

[Real Soon]

It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. Once years ago I bought a set of flats, don't remember the brand though, where the E string had a big gap in the winding partway up the fretboard, with a sharp edge sticking out. It was a GC purchase so I exchanged the set, but all the serious makers want happy players. La Bella will hurry a new string to you, I bet.

 

[BooDoggie]

It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. Once years ago I bought a set of flats, don't remember the brand though, where the E string had a big gap in the winding partway up the fretboard, with a sharp edge sticking out. It was a GC purchase so I exchanged the set, but all the serious makers want happy players. La Bella will hurry a new string to you, I bet.

I sent La Bella an email with photos of the string and the packaging. They just asked me for my mailing address, so I must assume that they are sending me a new string...

 

[Yahboy]

I sent La Bella an email with photos of the string and the packaging. They just asked me for my mailing address, so I must assume that they are sending me a new string...

Sometimes they will send you an extra set or few E string along with replacement set.

 

[BooDoggie]

OK Now I'm totally confused and disappointed...

I was all excited when I opened my mailbox today and found a package from La Bella strings. When I opened the package there was one string, one sticker, and one small advertising card from The Guitar Shop NYC. The string package does not say what type or gauge the string is. It just says La Bella strings and has a big number 4 on the outside.

This string is not the same gauge as the one from the 760FS set. It seems bigger. The windings feels rougher and look wider than the string from the set. I'm at a loss as to what to do now other than buy another set. This set cost me more than $58 with shipping, but I can't afford this. I'm going to email them first, but I really want to get my fretless back to working order.

 

[michael_t]

This string is not the same gauge as the one from the 760FS set. It seems bigger. The windings feels rougher and look wider than the string from the set.

Does the new one have the same black silk as the old? What about the winding length (ball end to silk)?

 

[BooDoggie]

Does the new one have the same black silk as the old? What about the winding length (ball end to silk)?

Yep... the same black silk. The same winding length. The string itself however is very different. Which takes me back to my OP. Is it possible that I may have gotten a set of knock-offs as I did buy them from Amazon ???