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

[534N]

Easiest way to fix any twist is this: once you've mounted the string and taken it to tension once, tune it down and keep tuning it down until the string is very slack. Keeping it on the tuner, pull the string down until the ball at the end is projecting well out of the bridge. Keep some tension up at the nut end by pulling down gently up there, but let the bridge end protrude loosely out. Any residual twist should now be released. Keeping some tension up at the nut end, re-tighten the tuner and take the string up to pitch. Bend the string downward at the nut and at each saddle (witness bends) and you should be good to go. Sometimes I have to do this a couple of times to get the string to really ring clearly.

Interesting.. I want to try this. It’s making me wonder if the problem is my Mustang’s string-through body design. It’s already kind of a pain in the ass for getting the right set of strings because of the extra length and the extreme bend through the bridge.

 

[cyberprimate]

Interesting.. I want to try this. It’s making me wonder if the problem is my Mustang’s string-through body design.

So, did you try it?

 

[Phaidrus]

DR Legend have a similar tone profile to LaBella DTFs, while the E is not dead sounding.

 

[MCJS]

I had the same issue with the Labella MUS, unbalanced thumpy low E, which was especially noticeable when using overdrive as the A, D and G strings would ring out nicely, but nothing on the low E.

I switched to GHS boomer round wounds because of this, which did sound very nice, and balanced, however I really wanted the flatwound thing on my Mustang. Eventually I upgraded my Vintera stock pickup to the Nordstrand NM4, and thought I would try a new set of Labella's.

This time the strings all sound nicely balanced, and overall tone has also improved. Others have commented that they get more volume from the NM4, I didn't get that, but the tone hits!

 

[534N]

So, did you try it?

Wow, I haven't logged on here in a long time! I didn't see any responses so I'll catch up, although I know I'm really late.

I am JUST NOW (more than a year later) trying my third attempt at installing the La Bella E string.. I have 2 of them now. One is my original string and I asked La Bella for a replacement after having problems but I had the same luck the second time. It sounded thumpy and dead with a super short sustain. Some people in other postings said that they had this problem so I assumed I had a problem with either 2 bad strings or my bass just didn't like that particular string for some reason. I switched to an Ernie Ball Group 3 flatwound E string (full scale) and I felt like I found a good match, but because the windings went around the post, the string's sound quality got worse over time. After a year, I realized I was back at square one with the dead thump without any note clarity.

Finally, I got tired of the thumpy dead string again so I decided to dig up my old La Bella E strings for one LAST attempt.. and magically, the string sounds amazing and balanced after my first try at installation. It's slightly zingy compared to my other worn in strings since I never used it, but it's very obviously matched and it's going to work for sure.

I suspect that I did, in fact, twist the string when I first installed it.. BOTH TIMES with TWO SEPARATE STRINGS! I realize now that this should be an extra careful process with flatwounds and a Mustang through-body especially. There's a high potential for getting a twist as the string gets extra bending points as it goes through the body. I am posting now so others who come across this problem in the future can see my experience and just try again before assuming it's a bad string or the bass. I will post again later if it doesn't sound so good anymore. My other La Bella strings (A, D and G) still all sing beautifully since I first installed them 2+ years ago.

I had the same issue with the Labella MUS, unbalanced thumpy low E, which was especially noticeable when using overdrive as the A, D and G strings would ring out nicely, but nothing on the low E.

I bet those NM4 pickups are nice! But I think you probably twisted the string while installing, just like I did my first two times. I didn't change anything else, but now everything sounds great! I'm still using the stock pickup in my Vintage Modified Squier (the one produced from 2011-2013) .. I'm SO glad I fixed this. I was about to buy a set of Thomastik flats (which some people say have a weird loose and unbalanced feel) or Chromes (which I liked for awhile, but they have kind of a metallic hollow sound) but now I'm going to leave these La Bellas on as long as I possibly can and try as hard as I can to never change anything. I feel super nerdy right now but I'm extremely happy that this finally worked out because this bass has a super special feel.

 

[Geogio]

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.

I bought a used bass recently, a hollow body, and it had Labella 760 FL-S on it (short scale) and the E and the A on and around the 10th to 12th fret sounds almost like there's a chorus on them.

A Thunky E is not unheard of. The Beatle bass is thunky but a chorus... who knows.
Of course it could be the nut because there's an indications that the nut was filed to accommodate the .105 E, and being short scale my choices are limited somewhat. The search has begun and I think the bass is going to visit my expert technician for his "professional setup" after the New Year.

BTW, there is a market for your used flatwounds. Go up on reverb and check it out people are getting bucks for used flat wounds. People want that used broken in sound right out of the package.

 

[michael_t]

I bought a used bass recently, a hollow body, and it had Labella 760 FL-S on it (short scale) and the E and the A on and around the 10th to 12th fret sounds almost like there's a chorus on them.

If the chorus effect only happens when playing higher up the neck, you might want to adjust the pickup height and see what happens, keeping in mind the strings get closer to the pickups when fretted up the neck.

 

[Geogio]

If the chorus effect only happens when playing higher up the neck, you might want to adjust the pickup height and see what happens, keeping in mind the strings get closer to the pickups when fretted up the neck.

The pick up height is at 2 nickles, I will try that.
Thanks

 

[Geogio]

I never had a problem with D'Addaio chromes, either on a 4 or 5 string bass. They always sounded great and my fingers loved them.

A nice feature with the D'addario flats is the hex core which mitigates the possibility of twisting the core. Twisted the core on flats is an issue, and is usually addressed by bending the tip 90° prior to cutting YouTube has some visual info on this.

I'm not sure but I don't think bending the tip really applies if as the construction has the core coming out of the wrap and is silked on the winding end.

 

[Geogio]

If the chorus effect only happens when playing higher up the neck, you might want to adjust the pickup height and see what happens, keeping in mind the strings get closer to the pickups when fretted up the neck.

You ARE the man!
Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you? The pick ups were heightened to the Double Nickel but... without depressing the strings. I readjusted to a double nickel with the string pressed down and no more chorus. Did I say thank you... thank you very very much I greatly appreciate your advice.

Why do I use the Double Nickel? Because I can't read all them little teeny lines on the measurement card that I have and the Double Nickel is close enough. When I checked it a couple weeks ago I was not pressing down.