Help with strings, LABELLA 1954 flats or LABELLA OLINTO FLATS

[Low Main]

As others have said, the LaBella 760 FL set is wonderful.

I've used several different LaBella flatwound sets. I found that there's a noticeable difference between the .104 E string in the FL set and the .105 E string the next size up.

You wouldn't think the .001 gauge increase would be that big a deal - I was surprised at the difference. And I far preferred the .104 E string. It sings and sounds like it belongs with the other strings.

I've used Rotosound flats a number of times over the years. The tension and brightness is a bit much for me. I also don't care for the feel of the strings. Longtime Roto flat users (more then 25 years) say that the quality of the strings has gone down over time. I can't confirm that. I think the first time I used Rotos was around 2004, and they've been about the same since then.

I move string sets between basses a fair amount and I must say, the Rotos did not tolerate being removed and restrung well at all. The core and silk wrap at the headstock end of the the strings began separating and unraveling quickly - despite careful, proper string installation procedure.

With flats, part of me is "You found a set you like. Go with it and forget about checking out anything else". The other part of me readily gives in to curiosity about trying that next set of flats that I haven't tried yet.

 

[bassboysam]

La Bella has said that the idea behind the Olintos was to create the tone of the 54s without the tension. I would say they succeeded and the Olintos give you more versatility as well.

 

[Rayjay]

Personally, taking into account tension, stiffness, and flexibility, the 1954's are easier for me to play than a set of 45 gauge D'addario Chromes.

 

[TomB]

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).

Beyond the thread color, I find the FS definitely stiffer than FL’s, which are my favorite DTF’s as well.

 

[GreyBeard]

I like these Labella low tension flatwounds because they feel like the same tension as roundwounds. Other flatwounds I've played feel much higher tension to me than roundwounds . As far as tone is concerned, they sound fine to me.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-tension-flexible-flats-bass-strings-4-string

 

[HelpImaRock]

I'd get the DTF 43-104, Olinto, or LTF. The higher gauges are cool for downtuning, but they're not my thing in E.

 

[FullumMusic]

I have the Deep Talkin' Flats (DTFs) on my Olinto P bass.
I have the Olinto Flats (OFs) on my Squier Jazz bass.
I have a 5 string Olinto P bass being built that i ordered with the OFs.

- The OFs are noticeably less stiff than the DTFs. (Note: the La Bella Low Tension Flats are even less stiff than the OFs. The OFs are somewhere between the LTFs and DTFs.)

- Both the OFs and DTFs have the same smoothness under your finger.

- The tonal difference is subtle but definitely there. The OFs have a slightly more present voicing in the mids.

Honestly i love both their tones and feels. I know it's not helpful when trying to decide, but they're both great choices.

Here's a video of the OFs on a P bass.
Here's a video of the DTFs on a P Bass.
Another of the OFs on a P Bass.

Obviously they're different players with different signal chains. But they give you an idea of the slightly different voicing of them.

 

[wboyd68]

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.

Me too. I have 760s on my P and my Jazz. I think they are my favorite string.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

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

The 45-105 Rotosound has combined tension of 214lbf.
The 54's are likely up there in combined tension with the Rotosound 77's 50-110 set which has 253lbf total tension.

A custom set of Chromes I used at one point, gauges 50 75 95 110, had similar tension in my opinion, to the 1954's with a big TT of 241lbf, including a whopping 71lbf for the D2 ( the Rotosound 075 is a big 70lbf too).

Rotosound 77's
Gauges 45 65 85 105

E1/.105/44.70 lbf
A1/.085/53.58 lbf
D2/.065/58.67 lbf
G2/.045/57.46 lbf

TT = 214.41 lbf

Rotosound 77's
Gauges 50 75 95 110


E1/.110/50.78lbf
A1/.095/68.78lbf
D2/.075/70.92lbf
G2/.050/62.52lbf

TT = 253.00lbf

D'Addario Chromes XL
Gauges 50 75 95 110

E1/.110/ 47.00lbf
A1/.095/ 64.50lbf
D2/.075/71.80lbf
G2/.050/58.00lbf


TT = 241.30lbf

So if you do indeed have the 45-105 Rotosound on, you will have to tighten the rod probably for the 54's. If it is the 50-110 you have on, no adjustment would likely be needed

 

[nixdad]

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.

I can't speak about the Olinto's, but I'd recommend against the 1954 LaBella set unless you really want to struggle.

Not nearly as beefy, but the best investment you can make in flats is getting yourself a set of TI JF344's. Unmatched feel & tone, and they'll likely be the last set of flats you'll ever need or want. Countless bassists here on TB will attest to these last 10, 20 years or more. These are currently available for less than $67 on Amazon.

I have these on most of my basses - on two for 10+ years so far. Besides being an absolute pleasure to play, they sound killer played with fingers or a pick.

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.

Agreed - the 1954's are legendary, but not enjoyable to play at all for most bassists.

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.

View attachment 7102019

+1

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

+2

 

[GIBrat51]

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.

To tell the truth? I'd be inclined to stick with the Roto 77's. I imagine that you've got the "standard" RS77LD's on your P-Bass; I had them on my A-necked '78 P-Bass for... well, a long time. Had them on my '18 Gibson Thunderbird for a few years, too - they were on it when I sold the bass. Personally, I like the Roto 77's a whole lot; if they had given me the tone I really wanted from my P-Bass - the "fresh from the factory", with factory Squire Flats under the mute in the bridge cover tone? They'd still be on that bass. Other strings do give me that tone, so... that's what I use now. However...
The La Bella 1954 "Jamersons"? If you like the way the Roto's play, then the "Jamersons" shouldn't bother you much. Those La Bellas will not have quite the sonic range that the Roto's have, though. Mostly just "Old School, low end thump". Which you might think is an "upgrade"; personally? Not so much...
The Olintos? I've never used them, but from what I read and hear? They're a little more of a low-mid focused flat, but with a good low end. To me, they're in the Roto's tone territory. But, they might be different enough to please you...
Still... it's your bass; no one will fault you for trying something new - least of all me. With 27 basses - all but 3 of which wear flats - I have trouble remembering which bass wears what flats (I use a LOT of different ones). Try them both, and see which ones you really like...

 

[lidgttftatim]

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 have found Labella Low-Tension Flats very comfortable, affordable & and a set you might enjoy.

 

[DJ Bebop]

“I like the 1954s!”

 

[OlyWhite]

“I like the 1954s!”

View attachment 7102355

I’ve never tried using a cat as a mute. Let me go try it… I’ll report back…

 

[wolffire99]

Olintos

 

[Bruiser Stone]

The E on 54’s can be wonky/woofy and tough to intonate. But, if you can adjust the truss rod and bridge saddles to get LOW action, I find them to be among my favorite strings plucking with my right hand. They almost play themselves. My left fretting hand has built up the strength to handle them, but I find the 760FL/FS sets to give me enough resistance without losing much of the 54’s brute thump, and after a couple of hours, they are less fatiguing and intonate better. I dig in so I like La Bella’s tone, stiff tension and feel, but the FL/FS sets suit me more overall than the biggun’s.

TI’s sound amazing but feel like string cheese under my fingers. I’ve tried them 4 times, and I can’t make them work.

Never tried Olintos, but all other flats seem inferior to La Bella and TI’s. Fender flats are a distant 3rd.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I’ve never tried using a cat as a mute. Let me go try it… I’ll report back…

It really mellows the bass to the point of putting him to sleep…

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I’d go with Olintos or 760FL. I received a set of 760FM last Father’s Day. They are super stiff, but you can set the action low on stiff strings with no fret buzz. It’s a good thing or I doubt I could get them down to the frets….

 

[Super Bass]

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

Well that pretty much ruins it for me....

 

[Bassman_1988]

The E on 54’s can be wonky/woofy and tough to intonate. But, if you can adjust the truss rod and bridge saddles to get LOW action, I find them to be among my favorite strings plucking with my right hand. They almost play themselves. My left fretting hand has built up the strength to handle them, but I find the 760FL/FS sets to give me enough resistance without losing much of the 54’s brute thump, and after a couple of hours, they are less fatiguing and intonate better. I dig in so I like La Bella’s tone, stiff tension and feel, but the FL/FS sets suit me more overall than the biggun’s.

TI’s sound amazing but feel like string cheese under my fingers. I’ve tried them 4 times, and I can’t make them work.

Never tried Olintos, but all other flats seem inferior to La Bella and TI’s. Fender flats are a distant 3rd.

Man… what’s the deal with the E. It sounds like it’s twisted and plays Like it’s out of tune with itself. 2 packs have done it. Can you really intonate it back? I’ve had zero luck? Same with Jon at bluesman vintage. Decided we’re bad strings….