• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

La Bella - Change thumpy dead E string to a different brand?

534N

534N

Mar 1, 2019
113
159
Chiang Mai, Thailand
#1
I got myself a set of La Bella strings for my Mustang string-thru bass (the set made for Mustangs) a few months ago after reading glowing reviews of them. But I quickly realized that the E wasn’t the same as the other 3 strings. It just sounded like a clumsy thud next to the other 3 which sang beautifully. I emailed La Bella and asked if they could send a replacement. Sent them a recording showing the difference between the strings. They said it would probably even out over time, but still agreed to send me a replacement.

I installed the replacement E and I’ve been playing it for months and it’s all still the same. Dead thumpy E and singing A D and G strings. I guess that’s just how it is. I tried pressing down in the bridge and nut to reinforce the “witness points” that I’ve read about but it hasn’t helped at all. Also tried adjusting my pickup height. No fix.

I’ve read a lot about how La Bella strings are loved by many but with the acceptance of its thumpy dead E string. I wish I could be happy with it and move on, but a lot of my songs use the E string and it awkwardly changes the tonal character and doesn’t sustain well at all. I’ve had to set aside my favorite bass for this reason, but I’m determined to find a solution since I love the A D and G strings. Does anyone have a recommendation for replacing just the E so that everything will blend well? Or do I just have to take another $40+ roll of the dice with a different brand (plus extra shipping because I’m in Thailand and no one sells medium scale strings)?

Really bummed that one string can ruin an otherwise perfect set.. :/

Thanks in advance for any tips or ideas.
 
Last edited:
#5
Yahboy said:
How about this ??

Click to expand...


Ahh.. I saw this video awhile ago and gave Ernie Ball flatwounds some consideration. But are these made in medium scale for the string-through? When I searched for medium scale Ernie Ball flatwound strings, I couldn't find anything. And I've read that it's bad to cut longer scale strings down to size. Not trying to take any risks with the cost of these things. The Thomastik strings seem to get good reviews except that they are extra expensive and some people say the tension is a little too floppy for a good tight feel, which is something I've been enjoying with the La Bellas. It seems to compensate a bit for the short scale slack (or that could just be in my head).
 
#6
534N said:
Ahh.. I saw this video awhile ago and gave Ernie Ball flatwounds some consideration. But are these made in medium scale for the string-through? When I searched for medium scale Ernie Ball flatwound strings, I couldn't find anything. And I've read that it's bad to cut longer scale strings down to size. Not trying to take any risks with the cost of these things. The Thomastik strings seem to get good reviews except that they are extra expensive and some people say the tension is a little too floppy for a good tight feel, which is something I've been enjoying with the La Bellas. It seems to compensate a bit for the short scale slack (or that could just be in my head).
Click to expand...

Both EB cobalt flat and Ti jf344 are standard long scale using on his mustang. Sound great and work well.
 
#8
I would personally buy a Sadowsky E string. I haven't played them since they consolidated the Black and Blue Label into one type, but they are made by Labella and I imagine they still have some of that "slightly less old school" tone.

EDIT: Whoops just realized it's for a Mustang. I don't think Sadowsky has medium scale offerings, so my next choice would be a medium scale Rotosound E string. They are a bit more tense than Labella, so while the .90 E string will feel lighter than the Labella E it should be useable. The initial tone will not match the rest of the set, but it mellows out quickly and goes from being a modern flatwound to a "woody" sounding one.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 534N
#11
Same problem with the B-string in a 5-string set of DTFs on a 34” scale G&L JB-5. Replaced it with a B from D’Addario Chromes and all’s well with a great match in tone.

Meantime, for the OP, be absolutely sure your E string has zero twist in it—that’ll give exactly the effect you describe in La Bella or GHS flats—and give good witness bends at the saddle and nut.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassface69, Xavierbass and 534N
#13
Perhaps it’s a string gauge problem. Many sets have an E that is thinner than what you’d need for balanced tension with the rest of the set. The lower tension leads to a more thumpy sound for the notes on that string vs how the other strings sound. I imagine that’s more pronounced on a short-scale bass. The perception that it evens out over time might be a matter of the other strings mellowing out as they go from new-to-broken in, and then there seems to be less of a difference. An option is to order an E single string in a larger gauge.
 
Last edited:
#16
La Bella is the traditional electric bass string. You kinda have to approach them as if you’re playing an upright. In my opinion, you need a brighter, more modern flat or just need to use rounds and such. I mean, if you think it’s dead and thumpy now, just wait.

If I were forced to choose a single E flat to use with the La Bellas, I’d probably go with Fender or Jim Dunlop.
 
#17
I appreciate these suggestions everyone. Thank you. :)

I read about the possible twisted string situation, but I felt I was careful with installing it both times and I got the same results. I didn't wrap the strings around the posts by hand, I just wound the tuner with the string pinned and guided gently.

I'm wondering if the La Bellas are eventually going to get the same non-sustaining dead thump on the other 3 strings later on as some suggest. I really would like to have the option of adding that foam muted kind of sound if I want it rather than it be "always on" whether I want it or not. I've been playing them consistently for about 5 months now and haven't noticed any change though except just a bit of metallic edge that faded off after the first couple weeks.

I'm thinking if all the strings are going to become dull and thumpy, I need to give up on them altogether because it's not the sound I'm going for. I wanted to keep the sound of the 3 "good" strings in the set but I'm starting to think about the Chromes. Some people say they can be a bit hollow and clanky though. Not sure how many grains of salt to take that with since they are so popular.

The Ernie Ball Group III flatwounds seem fairly promising too, if I go by what I've heard from some YouTube videos. Just doesn't seem like they are made in medium scale for the Mustang string-through type. Anyone have experience with cutting longer strings down to size? I'm thinking this sound may be more of what I'm going for as I play mainly rock music.

Side note: I use flats mainly for the feel and to get rid of slide noise, but I also like that they don't bite into my frets. I like the idea of getting something that stays consistent for a long time too. I'm not one to replace strings every few months. Also, I split my signal to two amps and do an octave up pseudo guitar to a guitar amp so I kind of like how flatwounds trim off some of the unpleasant high-end zing and details that add to digital artefacts.
 
#18
I have experienced the "dead E string" in many, many sets of flats, as you may surmise from researching my posts on the relative tonal signatures of many of the popular sets of flats, of which I have tried them all. In my experience, now 45 years of playing bass, the Ernie Ball - EB - flatwound E strings, whether 95, 100, or 105, coordinate well with many of the different sets which retain their tone on the ADG strings when the E string dies to thump. I first found this out some years ago when after two years of gigging a set of Fender 9050CL (no longer available - the closest is the 9050L), the E string died and I couldn't get a 105 flat wound E string from Fender to replace it without purchasing a whole set. So I started experimenting with everything commercially available. The EB flat wounds (NOT cobalt) of the same gauge fit well in all circumstances, with round "flat" tone, good presence, and just enough growl to make sure the E string asserts itself on the instrument, but does not sound out of place or inconsistent with the ADG of any other set of flatwounds. And they are all available as singles.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: miljoneir, e-flat and 534N
#19
Fender JMJ Road Worn Mustang comes factory-equipped with the Fender 9050L flatwound (45-60-80-100), which only come in "long scale" with 37.1" winding length (ball end to silk). This means part of the main body of the E string wraps around the post. It doesn't seem to cause any issues as I haven't read anyone complain about it.

_IwwmtwA1QNnjlqtD_alzkNFjuDH5Q_4RA4qB_Xg5sVPDg-Otcze1nMaZgccR-lo8l7wDRCc824n5M9t5A=w1145-h644-no.jpg


Fender 9050L used to be my go-to flats for my Jazz bass. I liked them for the reason they're not quite as "old-school" as either the La Bella or the GHS flats. Nice full-bodied punch (once broken in) without being overly thuddy or muddy, including the E. Plenty of definition and sustain.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Phaidrus, 534N and hieronymous
#20
Plus one on the comment to double check for string twist and make sure your witness points are set everywhere including both sides of the saddle and both sides of the nut. I had trouble with my Labella E until I did all those things on my P bass.

There’s also the JimmyM method of treating strings with Eucerin cream. My strings were a year old already when I tried that trick and found that it absolutely helped with evening them out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JimmyM

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back