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La Bella LTF-5A Low Tension Opinions?
- Thread starter Stranger Danger
- Start date
I use them on my 5 string fretless MTD and they sound awesome, B string is pretty solid if you use good touch. They aren't tapered and they sound good right away and just get mellower over time, I've had them on for about a year and am thinking about putting fresh on soon.
These are not bright at all but have clarity and classic labella oomph, and it's easy to hear the pitch down low
These are not bright at all but have clarity and classic labella oomph, and it's easy to hear the pitch down low
I’m thinking about putting them on my MTD 535-24. Does the standard long scale work with the MTD 35 inch scale?
The winding length on the "long scale" B and E is 36.75" (ball end to taper/silk), which may be long enough on a 35" scale as long as they're top-loaded (vs. thru-body). Just to make sure, go ahead and measure the distance on your bass from where the ball end is seated to the tuner side of the nut. If it's less than 36.75", you're good to go.
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I used the standard "long" ones and had no problem, as long as yours isn't string through (not sure if that's a thing on those)
Yes 35", mines a Kingston ZX so not as fancy as yours haha, I assume the bridges are similar enough
One more question: would you mind sharing a headstock pic so I can see how the strings fit? Thanks so much!
Thank you! Looks like plenty of room with the standard long scale set
I actually has LTF5A Super long in my list for Ibanez SRMS725 ( 34-35.5' ) , after use D'addario tension calculator for tension virtual on LTF5A SL , Ti365 , Chrome 40-95/132XL and GHS 3025/126XL , i give another change to GHS .
I skip the LTF5A-SL because the 118 B string@ 30.8lbs are fairly low tension on 35.5 scale length .
Matt from String by mail swap the FB60 to FB55 for me to make this set become better string to string tension balance on SRMS725.
FB45 40lbs , FB55 39.4lbs , FB75 40.2lbs, FB95 38.95lbs and FB126 37.3lbs.
I skip the LTF5A-SL because the 118 B string@ 30.8lbs are fairly low tension on 35.5 scale length .
Matt from String by mail swap the FB60 to FB55 for me to make this set become better string to string tension balance on SRMS725.
FB45 40lbs , FB55 39.4lbs , FB75 40.2lbs, FB95 38.95lbs and FB126 37.3lbs.
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If it's 37.1" from the ball end to the nut on the bass, the B and E on "long scale" (36.75") won't be long enough.
For anyone scoring at home, I emailed LaBella and gave them all the measurements and a headstock pic and they said XL
I just happened to try my first set on today.
I was disliking the Roto 77 flats on my FGN 5 string fretless J-type: both the sound, and the high tension was creating too much neck relief for my liking (there's about a 100lb difference between these 2 sets!).
Observations:
1. Sound is so much better! Deep and rich and pleasant. Liking these a lot for that.
2. The feel is different. These are very smooth by comparison. It's a little strange TBH. But not bad. Just need to adapt.
3. Possible problem (on not; let me know): The B-string distance (nut to ball) on my bass is ~35.5", top loaded. The Labella guide for Standard/Long is 36.75". For medium it's 34.25" which would be too short. But the start of the wound portion is right up against the tuning post. All the other strings are fine. Is this going to be a problem? Seems ok sound and tuning-wise so far, but it's early. I suppose I could put a spacer of some sort between the ball and bridge to back it up a bit.
I was disliking the Roto 77 flats on my FGN 5 string fretless J-type: both the sound, and the high tension was creating too much neck relief for my liking (there's about a 100lb difference between these 2 sets!).
Observations:
1. Sound is so much better! Deep and rich and pleasant. Liking these a lot for that.
2. The feel is different. These are very smooth by comparison. It's a little strange TBH. But not bad. Just need to adapt.
3. Possible problem (on not; let me know): The B-string distance (nut to ball) on my bass is ~35.5", top loaded. The Labella guide for Standard/Long is 36.75". For medium it's 34.25" which would be too short. But the start of the wound portion is right up against the tuning post. All the other strings are fine. Is this going to be a problem? Seems ok sound and tuning-wise so far, but it's early. I suppose I could put a spacer of some sort between the ball and bridge to back it up a bit.
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I did and they were.
Apparently this is normal and all is well. Like I said, no apparent problems but it seemed a little strange to me.
Now that I've had them installed a couple days, I can evaluate them better.
1. Louder than the Rotos I had before. Different alloys, density, or something.
2. There were hints of unpleasant overtones, but I lowered the pickups a bit and now they sound absolutely heavenly! Far, far better.
3. The feel was a little weird at first, but now that I'm used to them I like it. Much smoother. Slides are nicer, and I'm more inclined to use a lighter touch now.
I like them a lot.
