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Flatwound tension question - Labella vs. Fender vs. Ernie Ball vs. ??

newbold

newbold

Sep 21, 2008
2,933
53
Toronto
#1
I have a set of ‘54 Labella flats on my bass and the tension tuned to D standard compared to E standard is *just* a little too loose (pretty close though) for what is probably my ideal.

I finally thought it might be a good idea to see what my bass would need to be tuned to on order to get what I want out of it instead of trying a setup or new strings. Far easier.

I love the thump and the response of these LaBellas, but tuned to E, they’re just a bit too snappy/tight.

My question(s):
Is there a chart that shows the string tension under a different load to help me find my ideal set?
How much less tension would you say other flats have than the classic LaBellas?
 
#2
newbold said:
I have a set of ‘54 Labella flats on my bass and the tension tuned to D standard compared to E standard is *just* a little too loose (pretty close though) for what is probably my ideal.

I finally thought it might be a good idea to see what my bass would need to be tuned to on order to get what I want out of it instead of trying a setup or new strings. Far easier.

I love the thump and the response of these LaBellas, but tuned to E, they’re just a bit too snappy/tight.

My question(s):
Is there a chart that shows the string tension under a different load to help me find my ideal set?
How much less tension would you say other flats have than the classic LaBellas?
Click to expand...
There is only tension data published by La Bella for their LTF flatwounds. As for the 0760M set, having used them and Chromes comparable guages, the tension seems similar, but the 0760M are stiffer due to the bigger core than the Chromes have. Member michael_t has posted some tension data for the Ernie Ball Cobalt flats somewhere, and maybe has some info about the EB Group fiatwounds as well. Far as I know, there's no tension info about Fender flats.
Tension data is published by D'addario for their Chromes. By GHS for their Precision Flats, Rotosound for their Jazz Flats Galli for their jazz flats, Thomastik-Infeld for their jazz flats. Pyramid will provide some tension data upon request.
 
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#5
This gives you an idea :

1775219308028.jpeg
 
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#7
newbold said:
I have a set of ‘54 Labella flats on my bass and the tension tuned to D standard compared to E standard is *just* a little too loose (pretty close though) for what is probably my ideal.

I finally thought it might be a good idea to see what my bass would need to be tuned to on order to get what I want out of it instead of trying a setup or new strings. Far easier.

I love the thump and the response of these LaBellas, but tuned to E, they’re just a bit too snappy/tight.

My question(s):
Is there a chart that shows the string tension under a different load to help me find my ideal set?
How much less tension would you say other flats have than the classic LaBellas?
Click to expand...
The only '54 LaBella strings I know of are the Jamerson ones, 760M, .052-.110. Are you referring to these bridge cables?
If you want higher tension than that, the only ones I could think of are the Rotosound Steve Harris flats. When I put these on my P-Bass, I had to max out the truss rod to get the neck straight for D standard tuning.
 
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#9
michael_t said:
Sounds like you're more concerned about the stiffness/flexibility (as in playing feel) than the actual tension numbers (as in pulling weight). Correct?
Click to expand...
Likely. The feel of the strings and their response are great when I tune down to D and my instrument feels less tense, which has me feeling less tense and more confident even though it’s perhaps just a touch too loose for my preference, and definitely too loose for the setup on the instrument at this time.
 
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#11
newbold said:
I have a set of ‘54 Labella flats on my bass and the tension tuned to D standard compared to E standard is *just* a little too loose (pretty close though) for what is probably my ideal.

I finally thought it might be a good idea to see what my bass would need to be tuned to on order to get what I want out of it instead of trying a setup or new strings. Far easier.

I love the thump and the response of these LaBellas, but tuned to E, they’re just a bit too snappy/tight.

My question(s):
Is there a chart that shows the string tension under a different load to help me find my ideal set?
How much less tension would you say other flats have than the classic LaBellas?
Click to expand...
If you want to stay at D standard tuning, you are at the largest gauge flats made by LaBella. 1954 / originals / 0760M are the strings you have which are .110”, .095”, .073”, .052”. The only thing larger they have are tape wounds, which are physically larger diameter, but the tape doesn’t add a lot of mass or tension. You could loosen the truss rod slightly / add some neck relief, and it will make the 54’s feel less floppy. There is no actual tension change from adding relief, but there’s definitely a change in feel to the hands.

If you’re ok tuning up to E standard, you can go down to a lighter gauge than the ‘54s and possibly end up at a good tension.

760FL are .105”, .085”, .065”, .045” which are less tension than the ‘54s for sure, but I don’t know how much less. If the 54s are just slightly too stiff tuned up to E, the 760FL might be perfect tuned to E. I doubt they will be too floppy…
 
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#12
el murdoque said:
The only '54 LaBella strings I know of are the Jamerson ones, 760M, .052-.110. Are you referring to these bridge cables?
If you want higher tension than that, the only ones I could think of are the Rotosound Steve Harris flats. When I put these on my P-Bass, I had to max out the truss rod to get the neck straight for D standard tuning.
Click to expand...
I’m looking for a step below, a normal set of Labellas are likely what I’m after but I like the thickness of the Labellas. The stiffness of the string has the thump I love but the instrument opens up a little more under less tension tuned down to D.
 
#13
newbold said:
Are the Fender flats somewhere between the Labellas and the Chromes?
Click to expand...
The Fender flats are by far my favorite because they punch a lot.

In terms of tension, they are very similar to the EB Cobalt but easier to play as they are not sticky. It also seems to me the Fender last forever.

The Labella low tension and the TI flats were WAY to flabby for me so they got off my basses quickly and the Fender won.

I never tried the Chrome because I know I don’t like the sound so can’t comment on that.
 
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#14
newbold said:
I have a set of ‘54 Labella flats on my bass and the tension tuned to D standard compared to E standard is *just* a little too loose (pretty close though) for what is probably my ideal.

I finally thought it might be a good idea to see what my bass would need to be tuned to on order to get what I want out of it instead of trying a setup or new strings. Far easier.

I love the thump and the response of these LaBellas, but tuned to E, they’re just a bit too snappy/tight.

My question(s):
Is there a chart that shows the string tension under a different load to help me find my ideal set?
How much less tension would you say other flats have than the classic LaBellas?
Click to expand...
If you've got the actual 54's, thats a 110 guage, I'm surprised its not enough tension in D standard?
I think they are one of the stiffest.
*You could try a labella 5 string set and just use the BEAD ones and tune up to D standard?
Then you could shoot arrows when your not jamming
 
#16
skier 913 said:
If you've got the actual 54's, thats a 110 guage, I'm surprised its not enough tension in D standard?
I think they are one of the stiffest.
*You could try a labella 5 string set and just use the BEAD ones and tune up to D standard?
Then you could shoot arrows when your not jamming
Click to expand...
It’s not that it’s enough tension in D, it’s more that it’s too much in E. Right now, somewhere just sharper than D would be perfect, except that it’s in D. I might just keep it tuned to D until I find a solution.

My bridge is slammed almost as low as it can go. I’d really like to have more of a break angle on my strings.

Love the gauge, love the thump, my bass is just under so much stress.
 
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#17
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#18
newbold said:
It’s not that it’s enough tension in D, it’s more that it’s too much in E. Right now, somewhere just sharper than D would be perfect, except that it’s in D. I might just keep it tuned to D until I find a solution.

My bridge is slammed almost as low as it can go. I’d really like to have more of a break angle on my strings.

Love the gauge, love the thump, my bass is just under so much stress.
Click to expand...
well as someone else mentioned above try the labella 760 FL they are much better for E standard.
Your current set is like barge cables
There is a 760 FM with 109- still too stiff, then the 760 FS with 105 stiff but better, Then 760FL 104 balanced tension set...apparently most popular but compared to my roundwounds flats are still stiffer in general
 
#19
Well can’t talk about Fender flats since I last used them ages ago; never bought any Ernie Ball flats set (it’s something that I’ll do in the future); however I just happened to find a set of GHS Precision Flats in a drawer; I didn’t even remember when I bought it.
I placed them in my AO ‘60s P-bass and I was very favourably impressed by the tone, which had got a lot of high-mids, growly basses and clear highs.
However, the strings tension was just too high did me so I went back to an old set of Labella flats (think it is the DTB 960FL set) which is characterised by a slightly lower tension and allowed me to achieve a very nice neck setup.
Well, they say Labella strings do represent the trademark vintage tone; somebody else says that the GHS flats are the direct offsprings of the Squier flats of the ‘60s, hence they’re the true vintage tone flats.
I don’t know; however the Labella flats are definitely PUNCHY as their vibration seems to be inherently dampened and I like this.
If punch is what you are after, then i wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this Labella set.
Regards 👍🏻
 
#20
Tim Skaggs said:
If you want to stay at D standard tuning, you are at the largest gauge flats made by LaBella. 1954 / originals / 0760M are the strings you have which are .110”, .095”, .073”, .052”. The only thing larger they have are tape wounds, which are physically larger diameter, but the tape doesn’t add a lot of mass or tension. You could loosen the truss rod slightly / add some neck relief, and it will make the 54’s feel less floppy. There is no actual tension change from adding relief, but there’s definitely a change in feel to the hands.

If you’re ok tuning up to E standard, you can go down to a lighter gauge than the ‘54s and possibly end up at a good tension.

760FL are .105”, .085”, .065”, .045” which are less tension than the ‘54s for sure, but I don’t know how much less. If the 54s are just slightly too stiff tuned up to E, the 760FL might be perfect tuned to E. I doubt they will be too floppy…
Click to expand...
I have a set of the medium gauge (49-109) La Bella DTFs on my fretless that's tuned to D Standard. It's a more balanced set than the 1954 Originals (52-110). I would not tune the medium gauge set higher than Eb Standard, but others will disagree.
 

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