Help with strings, LABELLA 1954 flats or LABELLA OLINTO FLATS

[kungfujeko]

I'm planning to buy new flats for this christmas, i use a Fender 1995 MIM Precision bass with Rotosound jazz 77s and i play mostly motown-ish, soul or funk music. The Rotosounds feel really good on my fingers but i want an ´´upgrade´´, can anyone help me with an advice on wich one should i choose? pros and cons of both strings? please.

 

[michael_t]

The 1954 Originals are one of the stiffest flats available, while the Olinto Flats are more flexible and brighter in tone. Your choice.

Which gauges of the Roto 77's have you been playing?

 

[kungfujeko]

The 1954 Originals are one of the stiffest flats available, while the Olinto Flats are more flexible and brighter in tone. Your choice.

Which gauges of the Roto 77's have you been playing?

I'm not really sure, i've had these for 3 years i guess, i think they are the ´´regular/standard´´ ones, i'm not sure, i don't mind using super high gauge tho

 

[michael_t]

i don't mind using super high gauge tho

Then go with the 1954 for the Motown vibe. That's what Jamerson played. And once they're on, make sure never to clean them because, according the Jamerson, "it's the gunk that keeps the funk".

 

[kungfujeko]

Then go with the 1954 for the Motown vibe. That's what Jamerson played. And once they're on, make sure never to clean them because, according the Jamerson, "it's the gunk that keeps the funk".

Do yo think i will need to adjust the truss rod after i installed them?

 

[Kevin Hailey]

While the OG flats do sound great E string intonation can sometimes be problematic and the tension is reall, it can get pretty tiring. I’ve had the Olinto flats on my p bass for about a year and a half (also my old 6 string) Standard kind of tension, easy to play, a bit brighter than the OG but still warm. Great strings

 

[TomB]

Do yo think i will need to adjust the truss rod after i installed them?

Most likely.

 

[cymbop]

I wouldn't do the 54s as your first flats unless you've tried that kind of tension before and you know you like it. They're really, really, really stiff.

For me, Labella 760FL is the winner. Perfect, goldilocks level of tension and thump.

A friend liked my 760FLs, decided to himself a set, but mistakenly ordered the 1954s. After a couple of days he just stopped playing that particular bass. Just didn't want to pick it up any more.

 

[OlyWhite]

Ian at SBL included the Olinto Flats in this year’s Christmas gift idea list. He discusses and demos them starting at 14:45:

 

[michael_t]

Do yo think i will need to adjust the truss rod after i installed them?

Every string change should include the 3-step setup process.

After you install the new strings and bring them up to pitch...

1. Check the amount of the neck relief to see if truss rod tweak may be needed. The chances are you will need to make some adjustment.
2. Check the action to see if the saddle height needs to be adjusted. Stiff strings like the LaBella 1954 can be set with a very low action with no buzzing issue.
3. Check the intonation and adjust the saddle positioning as needed.

 

[Brian Patterson]

I wouldn't do the 54s as your first flats unless you've tried that kind of tension before and you know you like it. They're really, really, really stiff.

For me, Labella 760FL is the winner. Perfect, goldilocks level of tension and thump.

A friend liked my 760FLs, decided to himself a set, but mistakenly ordered the 1954s. After a couple of days he just stopped playing that particular bass. Just didn't want to pick it up any more.

I put 760FS on my bass and love 'em - not sure what the diff is between them and the 760FL.

However, I am very interested in trying the Thomastik-Infeld flatwounds someday...

 

[michael_t]

I put 760FS on my bass and love 'em - not sure what the diff is between them and the 760FL.

However, I am very interested in trying the Thomastik-Infeld flatwounds someday...

The main difference between 760FS (45-65-85-105) and 760FL (43-60-82-104) is the gauges and the silk color (black vs. orange-red).

 

[bassdude51]

BB......."buyer beware". Not always and depending on a bass' neck, high tension strings can sometimes max out a truss rod. Those 1954s are stout!

I'm not trying to change your mind but just mentioning, I'm a "flats freak" and TI Flats are my #1 string! Low tension. Lower than most rounds. With TI's, I usually have to relax my truss rod.

Down side with TIs, a bit floppy because of the low tension thus depending on how strongly a bassist plucks, higher string height usually needed. TIs, GREAT SOUND! Can last many years. Stories of 10 years string life.

 

[DJ Bebop]

While the OG flats do sound great E string intonation can sometimes be problematic and the tension is reall, it can get pretty tiring. I’ve had the Olinto flats on my p bass for about a year and a half (also my old 6 string) Standard kind of tension, easy to play, a bit brighter than the OG but still warm. Great strings

I would add to that. Maybe a washer on the E string at the ball end to drag back the finish windings to miss the bridge for better intonation. Like the old brass washers Rotosounds used to pack in with their strings.

 

[butterfingers1]

I have the 1954s, FS, FL, Olintos. I would go FL or Olinto.

 

[LowendG]

I too have used the 54's and while they sound super cool, man, they can be pretty tiring to play. Plus, they are a bit more of a one trick pony than the slightly lighter Labellas. I use the 45-105's and to me I still can get that classic sound but they're just a bit more versatile, and absolutely less of a workout. I'm not a super low action, bendy string, noodly player--I like a fairly stiff thumpy feel--and the 45-105 are stiff enough for me. If I really want an exaggerated fast decay thud, I just use a foam mute or palm mute.

 

[Bassman_1988]

My last 2 sets of 54 Original have had Bad E strings. Took about 6 months to get the first set replaced. The new set had a bad E as well…. And still haven’t heard anything from labella. Pretty frustrating. Just a warning… if you have a good set they are so good. They sound different than a normal deep talking set. They have more pounding mid range.

I’m back on my old fender flats. Nothing will ever beat those….

Good luck!

 

[Killing Floor]

You said "upgrade" so that's TI Jazz Flats.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

I’ve found Olinto’s to sound good on a jazz. I have the 45-105 set of DTF’s on my jazz.

 

[bherman]

I would recommend. the Olintos. The 54s as others have said are very high tension. The Olintos to my hear are a more versatile string than other flats, nice treble attack if you turn up the tone control.