Flatwound: Fender or La Bella?

[Phaidrus]

Just took the six months old LaBella 760FS set off the Pbass (PV63 pup) and put back a custom Dunlop flats set (50-70-85-105). I hesitated for a while but I'm happy I did it.

Reason: Besides a conspicuous difference in timbre (for lack of better word) between E/A and D/G, the LaBella just sounded like a one trick pony - full on Motown. As much as I like and respect Jamerson's work, it's not my cup of tea. Dunlop flats may not be perfect but they are versatile and are certainly more appropriate for what this Pbass is mostly for, namely reggae/dub. However I might just order a set of Fender 9050M to try them out whenever I got to remove the Dunlops.

I like how they sound here:

 

[68Goldfish]

Every time I try the Labella's I get frustrated at the lack of sustain on the E string. I know it's inherent to the sound but every now and again, when playing with the band the notes on the E string just die too quickly for me. Love the feel of flat wounds just not the dead thud. My vote (FWIW) goes to the Fender flats for a bit more sustain.

 

[BlueRock]

Every time I try the Labella's I get frustrated at the lack of sustain on the E string. I know it's inherent to the sound but every now and again, when playing with the band the notes on the E string just die too quickly for me. Love the feel of flat wounds just not the dead thud. My vote (FWIW) goes to the Fender flats for a bit more sustain.

And if you're going to go with Fenders there are others like GHS and Sadowsky to consider.

 

[Stan_da_man]

Was considering 9050s or DTFs. I feel that 9050s bridge the gap nicely between Chromes and DTFs. EB flats also do this really well too.

I ended up going for the 9050s - they growl. See below:

 

[andare]

Was considering 9050s or DTFs. I feel that 9050s bridge the gap nicely between Chromes and DTFs. EB flats also do this really well too.

I ended up going for the 9050s - they growl. See below:

PSA the video only works on YT for me.
Anyway tight playing and nice to hear the strings have mellowed out

 

[fommof]

Started with the Fender 9050M's, ended up with the La Bella 0760M's which I've been using for at least 10 years (yup, same set, lol).

 

[Stan_da_man]

When did 9050s switch from forest green silks to mint green silks? Any reason for this?

 

[michael_t]

When did 9050s switch from forest green silks to mint green silks? Any reason for this?

I would say within the last 5-6 years. Not sure about the exact reason, but I've heard about the supply shortages of certain silks during the pandemic, which forced some manufacturers to use alternative colors.