I'm looking to get a set of flats/something similar to flats for my P Bass to get that DB sound for jazz band. I also play DB so I realize that it won't be the exact sound but it will be closer. I'd be putting these on my MIM PBass with Lindy Fralin pickup.
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.
Labella Black Nylong Tapewound vs TI Flats
- Thread starter PRUNEFACE
- Start date
- Jan 7, 2008
- 2,196
- 224
- 39
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Olinto, La Bella, JuleAmps, Epifani
DUDE go with the TIs....I'm in the same boat as you and the TIs are the closest thing to upright strings I've ever played. Sure you could say that about lots of flats, but the TENSION!
I can afford both, by "the expensive ones" I was saying I wasn't referring to their "superalloy" strings (which I THOUGHT had flats as well)
I'm not quite so sure that TI flats, compared to other flatwounds, sound that much like a DB - more mid-focused, *much* less low-end thump... in fact, normal flatwounds don't remind me much of DB at all! By far the best way to get a decent DB impression on my fretless was using nylon tapewounds.
TI doesn't get the DB sound. I've managed to get it in spades with a set of the rotosound trubass88 tapewounds but the labella might be better not sure.
I use LaBella tape wounds (on my Carvin AC50 not a P-bass) and they produce the most DB-like sound I've ever heard on a bass guitar.
And not only that you can get them quite inexpensively from Carvin (Carvin strings are LaBella). I've also tried Fender Tapewounds and they didn't sound nearly as nice as the LaBellas to my ears. And I'd add that otherwise I hate Labella strings.
I haven't tried the TI Flats yet but do have LaBella Tape wounds on my Jazz 5 string and Rotosound 88 tape wounds on my stingray 5. Both come close to the sound of a DB if you use the right picking and muting technique with the neck pickup full on, bass and mid up and treb rolled off. Of the two strings I like the LaBellas best for feel and sound. The Rotosounds just feel too stiff until you get to the low B string which is full on floppy. Be aware that with either option you will likely have to file the grooves in your nut in order for the strings to sit correctly, they are a LOT larger in diameter than typical bass strings.
If you cant decide between the TI or the LaBella, I'd try the TI first. If you like it you dont need to go any further. If you don't like them you can always go on to the LaBella's. However if you try the LaBellas first and don't like them you will most likely have to replace your nut before you can try the TI's.
If you cant decide between the TI or the LaBella, I'd try the TI first. If you like it you dont need to go any further. If you don't like them you can always go on to the LaBella's. However if you try the LaBellas first and don't like them you will most likely have to replace your nut before you can try the TI's.
I have some LB Tapes on my fretless pbass. Wonderfully mellow low-end. I've also played the Roto 88s, and they had a distinctly more "woody" sound to them. Much higher tension, at least in my opinion, so I think the Rotos might be better for the DB sound, but I'd definitely take the La Bellas over the TIs for this application.
I've been using GHS tapewounds on my P and J. I can't tell you how much I like them. I can make them sound like anything. They're surprisingly bright, so they can actually sound pretty close to a steel round wound but feel like a flatwound- check out Bobby Vega on bassplayer.tv. Roll off the highs and they're all flatwound. They sound great with a pick too. I'm surprised more people don't use them. I've converted a few friends who've tried my setup. I have a set of TIs on my Hofner Club. They sound great too but the E string has always been a little dull compared to the rest. Could be the bass but I've heard others complain about the same problem.
I've run both the LaBella's and TI's on my Rob Allen Mouse (the Labella's are the stock strings for it). The TI's are my all time fave string, but I went back to the LaBella's strictly because, on the Mouse, the TI's didn't allow the upright-ish vibe to come through as much.
I had LaBellas on my Hondo Rick copy for like a decade before lending them out to someone for use on a Squire P-bass. I totally loved those strings.
I used the LaBella nylon tapewounds on my P bass for a while, not so much to emulate a DB (because I play that too, in the same band), but just to have a mellower sound. They are great strings and indeed mellow, but I came to feel that they are a little too much so for some songs and situations. I replaced them with D'Addario Chromes and am happy with the change. I like the greater tension on the Chromes as well. I felt I couldn't always get the punch I wanted out of the LB nylons. But that's not a knock on the LB nylons as they are terrific strings for certain styles, and very nice to play.
I use both TI Flats and GHS Nylon Tapewound and I love them both.
I current run the GHS on my Deluxe J-Bass and the sound is better than the TI's IMO.
I current run the GHS on my Deluxe J-Bass and the sound is better than the TI's IMO.
Yeah I'm with you on that one.
I've had all 3 on my Lakland hollowbody fretless. And I like them all for different reasons.
The Rotosounds have more of the woody thud of an upright. Less sustain and less mwah (a good thing, I think too many fl players overdo the mwah thing). They are also fairly high tension and a tad fatter than any of the others, so watch your nut slots.
The LaBellas have more top end, a more clear, ringing sound. More mwah, slightly lower tension. I prefer them for the more articulate and responsive sound.
The TIs are all-round great stings and, well, they sound like flats with mwah. Something of that mellow metalic ring and some of the Jaco burp when you want it.
The original poster didn't say fretted or fretless but I'm guessing fretted. TIs on a fretted P are some people's idea of heaven. Thumpy and warm, even if it is as "close to upright sound" how ever you define it.
I play Zons so no string is gonna sound that much like an upright, but I've always used TI flats because they are the best, IMO. Just recently I put on a set of LB tapes on the fretless and now I can quickly roll the balance (yes, modded the Zon) back towards the bridge and go to mwah city for solos. Plus it's easier on the fingers when gigging a lot and looks wicked with the all black hardware.
