La Bella Slappers - comparable string?

[Bassometer]

Hey folks, I recently purchased a Brubaker Brute (5 string, 34" scale, MM/J config, maple FB). It came strung with a set of La Bella Slappers 40-60-75-95-118. My first inclination was to strip these strings off and toss them, I am not a big fan (or so I thought) of extra light strings ( I normally use 45-65-85-105-125 DR Low Rider Nickels)....but, I started to play them and wow - I was impressed.

I guess I never gave lighter gauge strings a chance or is it because these La Bella Sappers are awesome? They have an excellent mid range burpiness that really cuts through well, they also have a nice low mid thing going.

Here is my problem, I can't find these strings locally. If I switch to a common brand (probably D' Addario nickel plated) will I still get this tone? Any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[winegamd]

I tried that exact same set, only with an added high c, and thought they were the best ever. The only thing I have found close are Kalium/Circle K. The only reason o tried anything different is cost, availability, and I wanted more balanced tension and a more tight B.

 

[pickles]

Carvin or pedulla nickels

 

[armybass]

I bought a ton of those strings years ago. I was told that they were marketed in England to the Mark King fans as THE slap bass string.... unfortunately for LaBella they did not do their market research so they did not know that a "slapper" in England is a wife beater..... Hence I got a hell of a deal on a bunch of them at Chuck Levins in DC. As stated... I think they are the same string as the same guage nickel Carvin rounds... Ordered a bunch of those a few years later and they too were excellent.

 

[mmbongo]

Dunlop SuperBright Nickels.

As a side note...Carvin has dumped LaBella and is now using SuperBrights on all their basses

 

[Bassometer]

Thanks for all the info guys, that bit about the slapper in England was very funny.

The Carvin web site lists La Bella as their bass string supplier, but who knows which La Bella's they are plus they don't offer the light guage.

 

[Pilson_fan]

A slapper is not a wife beater, it is slang meaning a promiscious woman.

 

[JimmyM]

Thanks for all the info guys, that bit about the slapper in England was very funny.

The Carvin web site lists La Bella as their bass string supplier, but who knows which La Bella's they are plus they don't offer the light guage.

Then they haven't updated the website yet. The Carvin/Dunlop pairing was announced at NAMM. Anyway, I would agree with mmmbongo. Super Brights rule and they're not very much money.

 

[mmbongo]

Thanks for all the info guys, that bit about the slapper in England was very funny.

The Carvin web site lists La Bella as their bass string supplier, but who knows which La Bella's they are plus they don't offer the light guage.

They will list them for sale until they sell out of packaged sets but if you build a bass it will have SuperBrights.

 

[Bassometer]

What's the difference between Dunlop's regular nickel wound and the super brights?

 

[mmbongo]

What's the difference between Dunlop's regular nickel wound and the super brights?

SuperBrights are...well..brighter they are also have a much deeper punch and are very open and expressive sounding. And, lower tension. They sound nothing like regular Dunlops which are kinda dull sounding.

 

[winegamd]

Another viable option might be the Victor Wooten signatures from Fodera. They are extremely growly and punchy.

 

[Bassometer]

I am trying to stay with easy to find strings, something you can get at a local guitar store.

The Dunlop Super Brights might be the ticket. Can anybody comment on their mid range, is it a mid focused tone?

 

[mmbongo]

I am trying to stay with easy to find strings, something you can get at a local guitar store.

The Dunlop Super Brights might be the ticket. Can anybody comment on their mid range, is it a mid focused tone?

Definitely. The mids are very crisp with a hint of crunchiness.

 

[winegamd]

The super brights are what Janek Gwizgala uses, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Bassometer]

What would be a "mid-focused" nickel string?

 

[pickles]

I dont find superbrights to be mid forward. If that is what you want try dean markley blue steel nickels. Superbrights are very balanced sounding to me.

 

[mmbongo]

I dont find superbrights to be mid forward. If that is what you want try dean markley blue steel nickels. Superbrights are very balanced sounding to me.

You could always turn the bass and treble down to make SuperBrights sound like BlueSteels though....

 

[pickles]

Sure ... Just answering the question ...

 

[Bassometer]

I haven't used Blue Steel's in a few years but I don't remember them as mid focused at least not on my jazz bass. I might try them again and see how they sound.