It appears La Bella is having issues with bass strings. Last summer while putting a new set of La Bella Beatle Bass flat wounds on my German Hofner the G string broke where it was joined to the end bead while tuning. I was a bit shocked as I have never broken a bass string before and especially was surprised with the tiny machine heads a Hofner has that it could happen. This was the first bass string I ever broke in my life and I have been playing since 1968. About two months ago the exact same thing happened at the same place with the G string on a set of La Bella flat wound full scale strings. I was putting them on my 1972 precision at the time. I swore I would never buy a pair of your strings again, but broke down yesterday when I needed flat wounds and La Bella's were the only brand the store carried. I put a set of full scale flat wounds on my American Standard P bass last night. While playing today the E string broke where it goes over the bridge. I contacted customer service and got a snide reply from some guy named Eric who said send back the string and they would replace it. That is not the issue the issue is that their product has some serious quality control issues. Beware!
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
La Bella Sting issues
- Thread starter njbluesbassist
- Start date
The aren't alone... My favorite string brand for guitar and bass is Pyramid... I've experienced quite a few inconsistent sets for bass flats... None for guitar (flats or RWs).
The most consistent LaBellas I've had actually come from Carvin!
The most consistent LaBellas I've had actually come from Carvin!
Were the strings strung thru the body? If we're talking about a stock '72 then I know they aren't; I'm just not sure if we're talking about the '72.
Standard Labella strings are not recommended for string-thru applications; you have to ask for the STB versions.
The 72 is not through the body. And I strung the American Standard through the standard holes not the through the body. You can do it either way with the high density bridges. I have been using GHS flats since and they are working great.
I install Labellas on most of my basses and I have not ever had this problem. Sounds like you do need to contact them...and your first post reads like you copied it from an email to them.
I used them for years with no issues. Just seems all of a sudden there is a problem. Yes I did contact them and they blew off the point. I am not looking for a replacement string I want to make them aware of a problem and their reply was that they were not interested. I'm a union musician and play bass on Broadway in NYC several shows a week and really can't trust their strings at this point. I have been using GHS strings on my p-basses since and have had to spring for Hofner strings for my 500/1 and 500/2 basses It was nice that La Bella was a less costly alternative, but if there really seems to be an issue. Breaking an E sting on a P bass is unbelievable. Even in my punk days at CBGBs I couldn't break a 105 E if I tired.
I haven't had any problems lately. I use slappers on my 5 string and run them through the body. Hearing this does make me a little nervous though. 
If there is a quality control problem, I hope they get it figured out - I really like the slappers. Sounds like they could brush up on their customer service skills...
If there is a quality control problem, I hope they get it figured out - I really like the slappers. Sounds like they could brush up on their customer service skills...
If you put a set of LaBella flat's on correctly and find that the sound is dull or uneven across the strings or one string is deader to your ear, then you have not broke them in yet. These strings change tone by the hour until they settle into an amazing old school tone. Play the crap out of them for 5 or 6 hours time and the set's tone will get even, sweet and punchy. After a few weeks of daily play they are settled in and they stay that way for a very long time (years). Too many people play them for 10 minutes, think the tone is dull and immediately go back to rounds and say flats suck. Too bad for those folks. They never get to experience the amazing tone these strings have to offer. I have had sets where the E sounded totally dead and after 5 or 6 hours of playing time the E growled and the tone of the set was totally even. I also have had Labella sets where they sang right out of the package. THEY ARE HAND WOUND and the sets vary based on many human factors... but after break in they have all had that same amazing tone. I use the 760FL set now. Have not broke one in over 25 years of use.
Well Frank it took me 30 years of playing to break a string. And in the span of one year I broke three. All on different basses and all Labellas. I'm glad you have good luck with them and hope you continue too, but as someone that makes their living playing bass I can't risk my reputation on Labella strings where there are many other fine brands out there that won't let me down. Break a bass string on a union Broadway gig and you go from 1st call to last call overnight.
