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Is this a typo? Labella Flats question...

lidl e

lidl e

Nov 4, 2022
763
1,664
Dublin City, Ireland
#1
I bought these labella flats and they say specifically:

Note: Not suitable for neck through basses

https://www.thomann.de/ie/la_bella_760fm_flatwound.htm

Every other set says :


Not suitable for string-through body basses

or

Note: Not suitable for basses with string-through body.


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Does that mean the first set is suitable for string through or is it not suitable for neck thru or string through? Is it because they are medium tension?



Also, would medium tension be more or less tension than standard tension? I see light, medium and heavy tension, but also standard tension.
 
#2
It has nothing to do with tension.

La Bella warns against thru-body installation of their regular Flats (= DTF) due to the rigid structure of the string (= tightly wound flat ribbon wire) that can snap at the sharp break angles created by the thru-body method. That's why they do offer the "thru-body" version of some of their flats, which adds pliable portion (about an inch) at the ball end to be put through the body without breaking.
 
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#3
The one with the blue extension (= more pliable) is the "thru-body" version.

La Bella TB Flats.JPG
 
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#5
lidl e said:
So even though the set i have specifically says not for neck thru and doesnt say "not for string thru" if it doesnt have the blue bottom, it isnt for string through?

Cheers!
Click to expand...

In this case, the word "neck thru" is very misleading and confusing as the term refers to something other than the method of stringing.

The correct terms should be "thru-body" vs. "top-load". If the set of La Bella flats don't have the "TB" designation (eg 760FS-TB), they should only be top-loaded.
 
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#6
michael_t said:
In this case, the word "neck thru" is very misleading and confusing as the term refers to something other than the method of stringing.

The correct terms should be "thru-body" vs. "top-load". If the set of La Bella flats don't have the "TB" designation (eg 760FS-TB), they should only be top-loaded.
Click to expand...
Aye, its confusing and it is the only one that says it!

I bet i could get a refund if i pushed it...
 
#8
Last edited:
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#10
swink said:
Typo: Read the note on their picture.
View attachment 5059104

Send an email, point out the error to them and explain your case. I think they will come up with a proposal themselves.
I haven't had any bad experiences with Thomann yet.
Click to expand...

I have a rather different experience with Thomann. They have LOTS of mistakes in their product descriptions and whenever I have pointed this out they haven't bothered fixing it. Most of it is just minor details but some of it is rather more serious.

Then there's also all the problems I've had with Thomann sending me USED gear at full price on at least 5-6 occasions. A couple of examples: A filthy fretless bass with VERY a worn fingerboard, other filthy equipment full of greasy fingerprints and chips in the finish/chassis (this has happened on several occasions), re-packaged gear with broken seals on the inner packaging. They even used Thomann branded tape to re-package the no-longer-sealed plastic bags around the product itself, INSIDE the inner packaging! They had also replaced the power supply with some aftermarket brand (at least it seemed to be the correct type but I returned it without even bothering to test it). How stupid do they think I am? At one point I even got a rack unit with a repair note from the manufacturer plus the name of the previous owner attached to the chassis!

The filthy/worn fretless bass I returned was even re-listed as brand new. I knew it was the same bass because it was a discontinued model, I got the last one in stock and it was re-listed the day after they received my return shipment. The bass was clearly either a customer return or judging by the amount of wear, probably a much used demo instrument. I would probably have returned it even if it was new as the fingerboard was a completely different material than the specs listed in their product description (synthetic rather than wood).

To be fair, I've placed LOTS of orders with Thomann (for my studio) and they get it right most of the time. They've always sorted out their mistakes, paid for return shipping and in some cases even given me a fair compensation but it's just too much hassle. I'm done with Thomann. If something like this happens once it's an honest mistake. If it happens twice it's starting to look a bit suspicious. 5-6 times and it's starting to look like either VERY poor routines for handling demo units/customer returns or a deliberate attempt to dump used gear on their customers at full price.
 
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#11
Deleted member 271037 said:
I have a rather different experience with Thomann. They have LOTS of mistakes in their product descriptions and whenever I have pointed this out they haven't bothered fixing it. Most of it is just minor details but some of it is rather more serious.

Then there's also all the problems I've had with Thomann sending me USED gear at full price on at least 5-6 occasions. A couple of examples: A filthy fretless bass with VERY a worn fingerboard, other filthy equipment full of greasy fingerprints and chips in the finish/chassis (this has happened on several occasions), re-packaged gear with broken seals on the inner packaging. They even used Thomann branded tape to re-package the no-longer-sealed plastic bags around the product itself, INSIDE the inner packaging! They had also replaced the power supply with some aftermarket brand (at least it seemed to be the correct type but I returned it without even bothering to test it). How stupid do they think I am? At one point I even got a rack unit with a repair note from the manufacturer plus the name of the previous owner attached to the chassis!

The filthy/worn fretless bass I returned was even re-listed as brand new. I knew it was the same bass because it was a discontinued model, I got the last one in stock and it was re-listed the day after they received my return shipment. The bass was clearly either a customer return or judging by the amount of wear, probably a much used demo instrument. I would probably have returned it even if it was new as the fingerboard was a completely different material than the specs listed in their product description (synthetic rather than wood).

To be fair, I've placed LOTS of orders with Thomann (for my studio) and they get it right most of the time. They've always sorted out their mistakes, paid for return shipping and in some cases even given me a fair compensation but it's just too much hassle. I'm done with Thomann. If something like this happens once it's an honest mistake. If it happens twice it's starting to look a bit suspicious. 5-6 times and it's starting to look like either VERY poor routines for handling demo units/customer returns or a deliberate attempt to dump used gear on their customers at full price.
Click to expand...
I only buy paraphernalia on-line, the important things I do not buy without testing and from a regular store. If necessary I drive all over the country for it.

So I cannot comment on your experiences....
 
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#12
swink said:
I only buy paraphernalia on-line, the important things I do not buy without testing and from a regular store. If necessary I drive all over the country for it.

So I cannot comment on your experiences....
Click to expand...

That's always the best way to buy musical equipment, especially guitars/basses. Unfortunately there's some stuff I can't find locally (or within a reasonable distance). I always buy locally whenever possible, both for the reasons you mention and also to support my local dealers. Thomann was convenient for the rest because they have pretty much everything I need in one place, which meant I saved a lot of money on shipping costs. But all the hassle of returning used gear eventually made me go elsewhere, even though Thomann do have an excellent return policy.
 
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#13
Deleted member 271037 said:
I have a rather different experience with Thomann. They have LOTS of mistakes in their product descriptions and whenever I have pointed this out they haven't bothered fixing it. Most of it is just minor details but some of it is rather more serious.

Then there's also all the problems I've had with Thomann sending me USED gear at full price on at least 5-6 occasions. A couple of examples: A filthy fretless bass with VERY a worn fingerboard, other filthy equipment full of greasy fingerprints and chips in the finish/chassis (this has happened on several occasions), re-packaged gear with broken seals on the inner packaging. They even used Thomann branded tape to re-package the no-longer-sealed plastic bags around the product itself, INSIDE the inner packaging! They had also replaced the power supply with some aftermarket brand (at least it seemed to be the correct type but I returned it without even bothering to test it). How stupid do they think I am? At one point I even got a rack unit with a repair note from the manufacturer plus the name of the previous owner attached to the chassis!

The filthy/worn fretless bass I returned was even re-listed as brand new. I knew it was the same bass because it was a discontinued model, I got the last one in stock and it was re-listed the day after they received my return shipment. The bass was clearly either a customer return or judging by the amount of wear, probably a much used demo instrument. I would probably have returned it even if it was new as the fingerboard was a completely different material than the specs listed in their product description (synthetic rather than wood).

To be fair, I've placed LOTS of orders with Thomann (for my studio) and they get it right most of the time. They've always sorted out their mistakes, paid for return shipping and in some cases even given me a fair compensation but it's just too much hassle. I'm done with Thomann. If something like this happens once it's an honest mistake. If it happens twice it's starting to look a bit suspicious. 5-6 times and it's starting to look like either VERY poor routines for handling demo units/customer returns or a deliberate attempt to dump used gear on their customers at full price.
Click to expand...
Not doubting your troubles but I‘ve had nothing but good experience with Thomann.
 

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