Did Guitar Center stop carrying LaBella strings?

[Bassamatic]

I did a search, couldn't find anything. My buddy tried to get some 760s at 3 local GCs and they said they don't carry LaBella any longer!
A google search shows no links to GC or Musician's Friend for LaBella strings.

Is this possible?

 

[FrenchBassQC]

A buddy and google wouldn’t lie to you right. Now if I was your buddy, I would reconsider.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I don't ever remember seeing Labella in the Brick & Mortars, but then again I can't stand Labellas---so maybe I wasn't necessarily looking for them.

 

[Brian Patterson]

I'm using them and love them - you should find them online easily...or try Thomastik's. The best of breed I hear...

 

[tindrum]

I’ve NEVER seen LaBella’s at GC. In fact I’ve only seen them in a few shops ever.

 

[John Stephen]

I did a search, couldn't find anything. My buddy tried to get some 760s at 3 local GCs and they said they don't carry LaBella any longer!
A google search shows no links to GC or Musician's Friend for LaBella strings.

Is this possible?

LaBella's website lists Guitarcenter among its dealers, and when you click the link they give you to GC, it shows a bunch of LaBella strings. So perhaps GC sells LaBellas online only now.

 

[Bassamatic]

Yes - you are right - they are listed on the GC site, but in only 2 very distant stores have them and they didn't show up in an online search. I had always considered the LaBallas to be the premier bass string - thought everyone would have them.

 

[John Stephen]

I'm a big fan of their Deep Talkin' flatwound strings. Used them a lot, for years.

 

[tindrum]

Yes - you are right - they are listed on the GC site, but in only 2 very distant stores have them and they didn't show up in an online search. I had always considered the LaBallas to be the premier bass string - thought everyone would have them.

They are premier in the world of flats, but that is a minority. Labella rounds, while the have their fans, are a very small part of the market compared to the other brands.

 

[GIBrat51]

Honestly? I gave up trying to find anything but straps and miscellaneous do-dads in a GC, decades ago. The one near me, in Mishawaka, is really pretty nice (for a GC), but... not for anything but straps and do-dads. If I want to give a brick-and-mortar store my business? Well, Ft. Wayne and Sweetwater is about a 90 minute drive. Otherwise? I get things like strings on-line; usually from Stings By Mail... Sweetwater has a lot of strings in their HQ store, but... flat wound bass strings? Uh... not so much. And, TBH? I don't recall seeing La Bella DTF's there, either...

 

[John Stephen]

I still buy instruments in actual stores, but I've been buying my strings online for quite awhile now.

 

[pcake]

i'm pretty sure i bought la bellas in the hollywood GC in the mid-90s. haven't noticed them in stores since then, but i usually buy my strings online.

 

[Element Zero]

Worked at my local go from ‘04-‘14. We never carried them.

 

[Freekmagnet]

I've never ever seen LaBellas at GC. AFAIK, the only flats they carry are D'Addarrio Chromes.

 

[getBAK]

They aren’t the best thing for a B&M store to stock. They cost a lot, and last for a decade

 

[Gearhead17]

Labella Strings are not carried within stores, but they definitely have them online: Guitar Center

 

[FullumMusic]

Can also buy direct from La Bella.

 

[Dan_reeves]

I have only seen Chromes, Roto Jazz Flats, and Cobalt Flats in my local GC.

They have a very nice selection, as long as you play Daddario or Ernie Ball rounds.

I actually really like my local GC - the people in particular are really cool.

 

[smatanovic]

I did a search, couldn't find anything. My buddy tried to get some 760s at 3 local GCs and they said they don't carry LaBella any longer!
A google search shows no links to GC or Musician's Friend for LaBella strings.

Is this possible?

I haven't seen bass strings other than D'Addario and Ernie Ball at the GC near me for a couple of years.

ETA: I recently bought a set of 1954 DTFs at Amazon.

 

[ClassicJazz]

There are plenty of online stores that carry them including Amazon which are sold by LaBella (not a 3rd party seller).