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La Bella LTF-5A Low Tension Opinions?
- Thread starter Stranger Danger
- Start date
No matter the tilt of the headstock, a witness point still needs to be set over the nut and over the bridge saddle for each string. The fatter the string, the more critical it is to set the witness points at the nut and bridge saddle. Plenty of vids on YouTube showing how it's done.
Properly set (easy and quick) usually cures the mushy feeling fatter strings, removes harmonic wonkiness, and feels hella lot better. I say "usually" because if the witness points don't cure your ills, then it's possible you have a bad string or it may be twisted.
I've been using the LTF's on my standby bass for years (occasional swap with rounds) and would recommend them. Especially love the thinner B string (.118) because all the notes up to the 24th fret stay in tune. My 34in scale standby bass did not like fatter B's (flat or round) and wouldn't stay in tune in higher frets. It's a known thing that some 34in scale basses don't like fatter B's. My regular bass is also 34in scale, but the .130 B string (flat or round) is fine all the way up. A 35in scale should handle the LTF's, or any size B, like a champ.
Anyway, go thru and set the witness points on all strings, per the vid of your choice. First, tune to pitch, set a point. You can tell the string needed it because after setting the witness points, the pitch will have flattened. Retune and repeat as required.
You’re talking about pushing it down at the bridge and nut? Yes I do that with all string changes
Cool. That's what I was talking about.
After intonating, do the notes stay in tune all the way up the neck? Is the string experiencing any audible wonkiness as you play notes up the neck on that string?
That seems to rule out twisted string or being too close to pickups.
My B is less stiff than the other strings, but I expect that. Maybe that's the mushiness you feel?
Not sure about it sounding dead, though. Maybe La Bella would be cool enough to send a replacement.
Others passing thru might have better ideas.
I’m wondering if anyone on this thread has looked for or found LTF strings in a short or medium scale 5-string set? When I looked a while ago I couldn’t find any, but the popularity of both shorter scales and this string set both seem to be growing.
Choose the "string count" 4 and then "scale" you'll see there are short (LTF-4A-S and medium scale sets LTF-4A-M) along with standard long scale LTF-4A and Extra along LTF-4A-XL
If you select string count 5 and then "scale" you'll see there is a short scale set LTF-5A-S, but no medium scale 5 string set
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Damn! But that’s very helpful info. I have to wonder now if the 5A-S B would fit my 30.5” scale? …might be worth a check. I’m curious how it would compare with the Dunlop 120, which is pretty soft with its round core. …sounds great, though.
Choose the "string count" 4 and then "scale" you'll see there are short (LTF-4A-S and medium scale sets LTF-4A-M) along with standard long scale LTF-4A and Extra along LTF-4A-XL
If you select string count 5 and then "scale" you'll see there is a short scale set LTF-5A-S, but no medium scale 5 string set
First, Dunlop flats are NOT round core; they're relatively flexible due to the small diameter of the hex core. The La Bella LTF are round core (except for the G) and the short-scale set is 32.25" in winding length (ball end to taper/silk). You just need to measure the distance from where the ball end is seated to where the string clears the nut, and also from the ball end to the B tuner post, to make sure 32.25" is the right winding length for that particular bass.
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How about that! …Proof that round vs hex core isn’t the whole flexibility story. The Dunlop 40 flat is super-flexible IMO.
