I love their Low Tension flats. I have them on a few different basses.
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La Bella Olinto Club
- Thread starter taylor16
- Start date
For my P5, I ended up going back to my mainstay: D'Addario Chromes.
It's a trade-off though:
1) LaBella Low Tensions - the feel of the Low Tension Flats is the big 'thing' for me. They have a pliability that the TI set has, but with more authority to each note, and … again IMO … the B-string on that low-tension set is the best B-string that LaBella makes.
I'm a 5-with-flats guy, through and through, and the tapered B on most LaBella sets doesn't mix well with the EADG strings. I really tried too, and have to add that when I was a 4-string slinger, the 1954 Jamerson set was my absolute fave. All of LaBella's flat-sets have a special something to them IMO, but the B-string just puts the wrong kinda chili on my hotdog.
Not so on that low-tension set. KILLER B-string that mixes perfectly with the set
2) D'Addario Chromes:
I loose that pliable, special feel, and have to adjust the neck of my Olinto more often because of the extra tension, but IME, each note just has more OOMPH to it, in a mix.
IME.
Let's keep this thread going. If our Canadian Wunderkind up above me keeps posting HIS clips, I'll be forced to practice more so as not to embarass myself.
Seriously sir … seen your Alleva Coppolo clips for a while now … you are killing it out there.
Party On!
Elmon, . Thank you for that!
Your clips sound good, no embarrassment at all…. great tone in that PJ5 too.
I liked your Low Tension Flats analysis, I basically concur. I've adjusted pup heights when needed on whichever side of the pups to make sure the other strings pop out as much as the B and create a more balanced output overall. They adjusted the gauges accross the set to maintain that feel you talk about- part of the reason I love them, but again to my ear I needed to adjust pup heights to match. Another reason I prefer the LTFs is because I have very small hands and tendons and at this stage lower tension feels better …and keeps the tendonitis at bay.
I'll have to see if I can try some DAddario chromes.
Glad whenever new posts come up here , I've done it a few times too. It's a great brand with a small bunch of really nice, talented people behind it. They have treated me so well and not because I'm an artist, they do this with everyone.
Your clips sound good, no embarrassment at all…. great tone in that PJ5 too.
I liked your Low Tension Flats analysis, I basically concur. I've adjusted pup heights when needed on whichever side of the pups to make sure the other strings pop out as much as the B and create a more balanced output overall. They adjusted the gauges accross the set to maintain that feel you talk about- part of the reason I love them, but again to my ear I needed to adjust pup heights to match. Another reason I prefer the LTFs is because I have very small hands and tendons and at this stage lower tension feels better …and keeps the tendonitis at bay.
I'll have to see if I can try some DAddario chromes.
Glad whenever new posts come up here , I've done it a few times too. It's a great brand with a small bunch of really nice, talented people behind it. They have treated me so well and not because I'm an artist, they do this with everyone.
I nabbed this a few months ago. It is amazing. I can attest to everything good everyone has said about Olintos. The feel and craftsmanship is as good or better than anything I've put my hands on. I've also never played anything that is so even and consistent all the way up and down the neck, and across the strings.
Then the sound is, well, just great. 3-D is a great description. It grinds like nobody's business but can also get smooth and thumpy. For the past 20+ years I've tended to run jazz basses with the tone wide open but this one works so well to smooth things out but still retain clarity that I actually turn it from time to time. I have other jazz basses and none can sound as "3-D" or alive as this one.
This is my growly, grindmachine so it wears rounds and probably always will.
On top of how great the bass itself is, buying it was as good of an experience as it could be. I was somewhat surprised that Eric and Lorenza Cocco were the ones communicating with me. They are truly a small custom shop. I was looking for a vintage type look so I asked them if they knew where to find an appropriate black pickguard. Their solution was to hand cut one for me. I can't say enough good things. Really just a top notch bass and company all around. Worth every penny.
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Gorgeous J4…congrats! Curious, the weight on your's?
I have a "Carbonetti" gold over black relic P5 (pj ~Alder/Brazilian Rosewood) being built..hopefully completed end of summer!
Same awesome experience, working with Eric and Lorenza!
I'm debating P4 or P5. I've never had good luck with P5s before. I've had Fender, Lull, and Alleva Coppolo. I currently have a Sandberg VM5 but didn't get it with the intension of it being vintage so it works for what it is. Will I regret…hmmmmm.
I'm certainly interested in a P5 too. Quick question: what about the Alleva didn't work for you? I'm kinda tied between an Olinto and an Alleva!
Thanks. I don't have an exact weight but it's around 9 lbs. Maybe a bit less, maybe a bit more. Not a featherweight and not a boat anchor, just solid...and well balanced.
The gold is dope. It's super thin so the grain shows through but it also wears pretty easy. You can see the black where my arm has been on the second photo vs the photo from the shop. I'm not really into the pre-relic'd thing so this is more like pre-disposed to relic'ing. That might turn some people off but I think it's pretty cool.
One other thing that's not really noticeable in those pics is that the board is kind of quilted. Not over the top, just nice.
How exciting! What woods and color did you go for?
Shoreline Gold, alder body, maple neck, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard!
At long last I hope I can finally be a member of the Olinto Club.
Here she is - Lightly Relic'd Sherwood Green w/matching headstock. I've only had her 24 hours but I got to play her in church this morning and had compliments on both sound and looks...looking forward to playing her with my rock band...all I can say is that it's a wonderful instrument and well worth the wait!
Here she is - Lightly Relic'd Sherwood Green w/matching headstock. I've only had her 24 hours but I got to play her in church this morning and had compliments on both sound and looks...looking forward to playing her with my rock band...all I can say is that it's a wonderful instrument and well worth the wait!
any Pbass Olinto owners in Toronto ok with letting me try theirs out? will bring beer!
