Flatwound String Question

[Flatwoundround]

Hi there,

Currently I have an Ibanez sr500 soundgear with Labella Deep Talkin Flats. I am going to purchase a Fender Jazz Aerodyne but not sure if I will put on Labellas. I was hoping to get opinions here if I should go with something a little brighter, and not sure if that would be Fender Flats.

I love the low end thump noise but like it to be not quite as dark as Labellas. But maybe Labellas would sound great on the Aerodyne?

Thanks.

 

[michael_t]

I was hoping to get opinions here if I should go with something a little brighter, and not sure if that would be Fender Flats.

I love the low end thump noise but like it to be not quite as dark as Labellas.

Fender 9050s would definitely be brighter than the La Bella DTFs. I do like the way they (Fender) match up with my Fender Jazz, even better than the D'A Chromes.

 

[Klonk]

They are not "thumpy" but I have owned 4 Aerodynes, and I have loved my TI flats on all 4. However, if you like LaBella and thump, try out DR Legends, GHS Precision Flats, Sadowsky Black Label Flats, or Pyramid Gold, all good alternatives, IMO.

 

[shrimpflea]

I would go with either the Fenders or Chromes. Not only are both a little brighter than La Bella flats but they have more upper mid-range which tends to make them sound more aggressive.
Although I prefer the mellower/darker tone of La Bella flats.

Flatwound String Reviews

 

[Flatwoundround]

They are not "thumpy" but I have owned 4 Aerodynes, and I have loved my TI flats on all 4. However, if you like LaBella and thump, try out DR Legends, GHS Precision Flats, Sadowsky Black Label Flats, or Pyramid Gold, all good alternatives, IMO.

Thanks much. One more question.

Of the 4 strings you listed above which ones are just slightly more brighter than the Labellas? For example Chromes to my ear are too bright and thin sounding but Labella Deep Talkin Bass are too dark sounding. Any of the 4 you listed above somewhere in the middle of these two extremes but closer to the Labellas? Thanks again.

 

[iiipopes]

Fender 9050s would definitely be brighter than the La Bella DTFs. I do like the way they (Fender) match up with my Fender Jazz, even better than the D'A Chromes.

I don't know about "brighter," having played both over time. But the Fender flats will definitely have more growl over time. Chromes start off brighter, almost zingy, then over the next three to six months fade to thump. A good thump, yes, but thump all the same. EB are a cross between Chromes and Fenders. They start off a little bright, fade to a more subdued growl than the Fenders, and stay in that steady state for a long, long time.

 

[michael_t]

But the Fender flats will definitely have more growl over time.

Yeah... I think it's the "growl factor", not necessarily the brightness as such, that I like about them on my Jazz.

I already have a brand new set of La Bella 760FL I just got from BSO that's waiting to be put on a P bass (my future acquisition) for the "thump factor".

 

[PaperbackRyder]

+1 for the Fender 9050's

 

[Luckydog]

One issue with leaving the labellas is you will also be leaving a lot of the gut kicking punch behind. There is no flatwound that has the "best" attributes of all flats

 

[Klonk]

Thanks much. One more question.

Of the 4 strings you listed above which ones are just slightly more brighter than the Labellas? For example Chromes to my ear are too bright and thin sounding but Labella Deep Talkin Bass are too dark sounding. Any of the 4 you listed above somewhere in the middle of these two extremes but closer to the Labellas? Thanks again.

I would say Sadowsky (for a more modern twist on the LaBella sound) or Pyramid (for more mellow tone - they are nickel flats).