GHS P-Flat Lights vs. LaBella LTFs

[DCCat]

I currently have TIJFs on my P-Bass, but I'm looking to experiment more seriously than I have in the past with some strings that will give me a more old-school, vintage tone. I have tried LTFs on this bass and thought they sounded good, but wasn't ready at that time to leave the TIs behind. I could just put the LTFs back on, but would like to consider other options, preferably on the lower end of the stiffness spectrum like the TIs and LTFs. Which leads me to consider the P-Flat Lights. So some factors/questions regarding P-Flats vs. LTFs:

- I think I've read something about the P-Flat E string getting thuddy and lifeless pretty quickly (or maybe right out of the pack, I forget?), but that the light set is better in that regard. True?

- The LTFs seem like the epitome of balanced tension, and I remember them feeling good in that regard. I also remember the overall stiffness feeling good. In contrast, the P-Flats are definitely not balanced in tension, and the D & G tension numbers, in particular, are not low. So is P-Flat tension imbalance an issue, and how stiff are they in general relative to the LTFs?

- Finally, the question of tone. Both sets have the reputation of emphasizing old-school thump, but are there interesting tonal differences that might discriminate between the two?

Any other factors between these two that might be relevant?

 

[WG Plum]

Can't speak to the GHS, but I vastly prefer La Bella LTFs to TIs, both in feel and tone.

 

[BargeOn]

How low is the tension in the LTFs compared to the TIs?

 

[WG Plum]

How low is the tension in the LTFs compared to the TIs?

TIs are like wet noodles, the LTFs, for my hands, have just the right amount of give. They're not tiring to play, but you can dig in without them getting flappy.

 

[michael_t]

How low is the tension in the LTFs compared to the TIs?

Here are the actual tension numbers...

LB Low Tension Flats:

G 042 - 36.2 lbs.
D 056 - 34.0
A 075 - 30.5
E 100 - 34.2 (Total 134.9)

TI Jazz Flats (JF344):

G 043 - 37.03 lbs.
D 056 - 37.47
A 070 - 31.30
E 100 - 34.39 (Total 140.19)

One thing to keep in mind - La Bella LTF are lighter in tension (as in pulling weight) but they're actually stiffer in feel than the TIJF.

 

[WG Plum]

One thing to keep in mind - La Bella LTF are lighter in tension (as in pulling weight) but they're actually stiffer in feel than the TIJF.

This is a much better description than mine.

 

[michael_t]

the P-Flats are definitely not balanced in tension, and the D & G tension numbers, in particular, are not low. So is P-Flat tension imbalance an issue, and how stiff are they in general relative to the LTFs?

The P Flat Lights (45-95) are not the best balanced in tension on paper; however, in terms of the actual playing feel, they're not as unbalanced as the tension figures might suggest. More importantly, they're one of the best flatwound sets I've tried in terms of TONAL BALANCE (at least on my Am Std P). The 95E was punchy and focused with good clarity and definition without going all thuddy like some flatwould E's.

 

[Rocket Queen]

Here are the actual tension numbers...

LB Low Tension Flats:

G 042 - 36.2 lbs.
D 056 - 34.0
A 075 - 30.5
E 100 - 34.2 (Total 134.9)

TI Jazz Flats (JF344):

G 043 - 37.03 lbs.
D 056 - 37.47
A 070 - 31.30
E 100 - 34.39 (Total 140.19)

One thing to keep in mind - La Bella LTF are lighter in tension (as in pulling weight) but they're actually stiffer in feel than the TIJF.

To supplement Michael’s numbers, for the sake of comparison:

GHS P-Flat Lights (3025):

G 045 - 41.5 lbs.
D 060 - 46.5
A 075 - 38.5
E 095 - 36.7 (Total 163.2)

So, as Michael indicated, the 095 E is in fact comparatively slightly tighter.

 

[aproud1]

The P Flat Lights (45-95) are not the best balanced in tension on paper; however, in terms of the actual playing feel, they're not as unbalanced as the tension figures might suggest. More importantly, they're one of the best flatwound sets I've tried in terms of TONAL BALANCE (at least on my Am Std P). The 95E was punchy and focused with good clarity and definition without going all thuddy like some flatwould E's.

+1. This is exactly how I feel about them. I like Pyramid flats on a P bass, but there is something very right about the Labella 760FL's. I like the LTF's too but still prefer the feel of the 760FL's.

The last time I tried the TI's they didn't feel like I remembered them. Didn't love the tone either. And this is from a guy who's main 2 basses wear TI jazz rounds.

 

[michael_t]

there is something very right about the Labella 760FL's. I like the LTF's too but still prefer the feel of the 760FL's.

I really liked the 760FL for their nicely balanced feel, but had a hard time with the 104E sounding a bit too muddy on my P bass. This particular bass seems to prefer lighter E's.

 

[uwrossl]

I've tried the sets you mentioned. GHS was actually my favorite of the bunch but I always end up missing what the TI's give me.

For the best of both worlds if I want to straddle the line between old school and modern... I really find the Dunlop 40-100 set to do the trick. Provide much of the clarity and sustain of the TI's but have more thump to them that leans toward the old school sound of GHS and LaBella. 40-100 set is more flexible than the LTFs even though the tension numbers are higher. The one thing no string I've tried can replicate is the mids of TI's.

I've got GHS Lights and Custom Medium, LaBella LTF, LaBella DTF FS & FL, Ernie Ball Cobalt & Group IV Flats, Fender 9050s, Rotosound Monel Flats, DR Legends, and Chromes Regular Light all in the drawer. All great strings in their own right and all have their place. But at the end of pretty extensive testing on multiple basses with multiple bands... TI's are my number 1 with the Dunlops a close second. Dunlops get the nod when I want something tilted toward old school but not be worlds apart from the TI's in terms of tone and tension.

 

[logdrum]

Short answer: GHS precision Flats

I use the GHS precision flats on my Hybrid 7 string guitar where I have the 3 strings of the bass (short scale) and because I playing contrapuntal all the time, I play bass with my thumb on this instrument. The best so far. I

tried the regular La Bella light flats short scale and before the E broke, it was not as great sounding as the GHS. I was gambling that the La Bella won't break but you really need their through body model. I think there is just something wrong with their design. They are the only flats that would break on through body bridges. 40 bucks gone in a couple days. The through body model La Bella flatwound bass string short scale is unobtanium.

 

[aproud1]

I really liked the 760FL for their nicely balanced feel, but had a hard time with the 104E sounding a bit too muddy on my P bass. This particular bass seems to prefer lighter E's.

I've experienced something similar with other strings. Pyramids take a while for the E string to sound right.

 

[Mastermold]

Anyone have the tension numbers for the LaBella 760FL set?

 

[michael_t]

Anyone have the tension numbers for the LaBella 760FL set?

Not available anywhere.

 

[Rocket Queen]

Anyone have the tension numbers for the LaBella 760FL set?

I sent an email to La Bella, politely requesting tension information for a certain set, and they flat out refused. But there may be product descriptions for a gauge or two where they let some numbers slip out.

 

[40Hz]

How low is the tension in the LTFs compared to the TIs?

TIs have lower tension. If you play with a light touch you may prefer them. If you play with a heavy hand, like to dig in, or play with super low action, you probably would prefer getting something else.

 

[40Hz]

I sent an email to La Bella, politely requesting tension information for a certain set, and they flat out refused.

I ran into the same thing with them.

They can be incredibly asinine about some things. Why they feel their string tensions are such a secret is beyond me. Any competitor who is interested can just buy a set and test the tension for themselves. So it's not like publishing their tension numbers is giving anything away.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I've tried the sets you mentioned. GHS was actually my favorite of the bunch but I always end up missing what the TI's give me.

For the best of both worlds if I want to straddle the line between old school and modern... I really find the Dunlop 40-100 set to do the trick. Provide much of the clarity and sustain of the TI's but have more thump to them that leans toward the old school sound of GHS and LaBella. 40-100 set is more flexible than the LTFs even though the tension numbers are higher. The one thing no string I've tried can replicate is the mids of TI's.

I've got GHS Lights and Custom Medium, LaBella LTF, LaBella DTF FS & FL, Ernie Ball Cobalt & Group IV Flats, Fender 9050s, Rotosound Monel Flats, DR Legends, and Chromes Regular Light all in the drawer. All great strings in their own right and all have their place. But at the end of pretty extensive testing on multiple basses with multiple bands... TI's are my number 1 with the Dunlops a close second. Dunlops get the nod when I want something tilted toward old school but not be worlds apart from the TI's in terms of tone and tension.

I said this some time ago .. Dunlop are much stiffer and way brighter than TI .. they do not sound vintage at all .. for the price one of the largest amount of wasted money I had to put on record since my flats investigation begun …
In my opinion, look elsewhere .. absolutely !!!

 

[uwrossl]

I said this some time ago .. Dunlop are much stiffer and way brighter than TI .. they do not sound vintage at all .. for the price one of the largest amount of wasted money I had to put on record since my flats investigation begun …
In my opinion, look elsewhere .. absolutely !!!

The only way any of that is remotely true is if Dunlop has significantly changed the formula recently. I haven't had to buy a set since the price hike. Like all flats you have to leave them on for more than a couple days.