Double Bass LaBella developing new hybrid and gut offerings for Upright

[littlebun]

I have been in contact with Richard Cocco at LaBella. Richard shared that LaBella is now developing hybrid string set offerings that will include light gauge gut D & G strings. Also, a new version 980 set utilizing an old world construction method will be offered. Richard is aware of the custom LaBella set that I use (7720M E, 7720L A, Goldentone D & G) and says he will be offering mixed/hybrid sets. Quote from Richard: "I'm going to have new hybrid sets like you are using available on our website including a new 980 set with old world construction of gut strings plus hybrid sets with plain gut G and D ‘s with different combinations of A and E’s". This is really exciting. I've been using LaBella for many years for live and recording work. Richard asked me how the Goldentone windings are holding up and I told him that they are doing great--my bass is properly set up, and it's crucial that the slots are cut properly when using Goldentone. I hope Goldentones are brought back, as they are my favorite gut string. I don't think the winding on Goldentone are made to handle slap bass, but they work great for Jazz and Bluegrass.

 

[littlebun]

I have been in contact with Richard Cocco at LaBella. Richard shared that LaBella is now developing hybrid string set offerings that will include light gauge gut D & G strings. Also, a new version 980 set utilizing an old world construction method will be offered. Richard is aware of the custom LaBella set that I use (7720M E, 7720L A, Goldentone D & G) and says he will be offering mixed/hybrid sets. Quote from Richard: "I'm going to have new hybrid sets like you are using available on our website including a new 980 set with old world construction of gut strings plus hybrid sets with plain gut G and D ‘s with different combinations of A and E’s". This is really exciting. I've been using LaBella for many years for live and recording work. Richard asked me how the Goldentone windings are holding up and I told him that they are doing great--my bass is properly set up, and it's crucial that the slots are cut properly when using Goldentone. I hope Goldentones are brought back, as they are my favorite gut string. I don't think the winding on Goldentone are made to handle slap bass, but they work great for Jazz and Bluegrass.

Richard just contacted and will send me samples to evaluate when available. I'll keep TB posted about this.

 

[littlebun]

Richard just contacted and will send me samples to evaluate when available. I'll keep TB posted about this.

La Bella is now sending me the new test strings from their new line. There will be two new metal E and A string pairs with different construction for each pair, a pair of gut D and G strings made with their new gut construction method, and a pair of D and G strings with their new construction method of the Goldentone. Will keep you all posted.

 

[LouisF]

Sounds like they are meant to compete with the Evah Golden Slaps, maybe??

 

[littlebun]

Sounds like they are meant to compete with the Evah Golden Slaps, maybe??

I don't think La Bella is developing them for that reason; they are just revisiting some of their established line with newer construction methods of gut, and adding some new metal E and A string offerings. I'm glad to see this because La Bella gut strings are a studio standard, and they sound fantastic. Having Goldentone nylon over gut back and available is great news as they are very fine strings, and used to be very popular for many years.

 

[LouisF]

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that or that LaBella was being reactive somehow. It's just there seems to be a revival of these gut/synthetic sets of this vein -- and I think it's a good thing.

 

[littlebun]

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that or that LaBella was being reactive somehow. It's just there seems to be a revival of these gut/synthetic sets of this vein -- and I think it's a good thing.

Louis, I talked with Richard a while back when they discontinued their gut line for bass. Richard said they were having trouble sourcing good quality gut, and getting it made to their standard. So the hiatus was a good thing as he is excited about his new offerings. Honestly, to have a full set of Goldentone available again is fantastic. I have a broken in set of Goldentone an it's great to play on and record with. The metal Goldentone E and A play well with the gut and get darker as you play them. Consider Goldentone a 'finesse' gut set.

 

[Don Hergert]

What kind of metal winding do the E and A have?

 

[littlebun]

What kind of metal winding do the E and A have?

Rope core metal with nickel wrap. Same as their 7720L (light) set they offer now.

 

[Don Hergert]

Thank you, I'll be interested in how they feel and sound.

 

[littlebun]

I mis-read the email about what I will be testing: I will be testing two new versions of 'metal-wound' gut E and A strings, and new D and G string versions of Goldentone nylon over gut and plain gut. No new all-metal strings being tested.

 

[Don Hergert]

Still interested... Maybe even a little more.

Any idea what metal the " 'metal-wound' gut E and A strings" will be wound with?

 

[Jeff Kissell]

Just a guess… silver plated copper wire. Traditional, done well.

 

[littlebun]

Still interested... Maybe even a little more.

Any idea what metal the " 'metal-wound' gut E and A strings" will be wound with?

No telling. Silver is always a winner. I'll post here as soon as they arrive.

 

[Don Hergert]

@littlebun, have they told you if they are flat wound or round wound?

 

[littlebun]

@littlebun, have they told you if they are flat wound or round wound?

Didn't say. I assume round wire as usual.

 

[bassically_eli]

Does "hybrid" mean bow-able in this case, or are you referring to the gut-nylon-metal hybrid construction?

 

[lurk]

Well let's get a guinea pig to try a set and review it. Sounds interesting. Keep us posted!

 

[littlebun]

Does "hybrid" mean bow-able in this case, or are you referring to the gut-nylon-metal hybrid construction?

Hybrid meaning metal E and A's and metal wound gut E and A's paired with various gut D and G's.

 

[littlebun]

The test strings just arrived. I received two pairs of all-metal E & A strings. Also, two pairs of gut D & G; plain gut and Goldentone Nylon wrap. The metal E & A's are rope core nickel to my eyes. I have installed the first pair of metal E & A on my bass with the existing broken in Goldentone. I'll leave these on for a week and then install the other metal E & A strings.
Right off, the first E & A pair play like a medium gauge string. Not too tight but surely medium. Flexible, and, like every other new rope core string, there is the initial twang that seems to always occur and needs breaking in. The A string is naturally more twangy, with the E having slightly less twang. After an hour the E is already sounding pretty close to right. My intuition says that this is a crossover string made for pizz -and- arco. I don't use the bow anymore, so I can't test that response, but this pair makes me think of a pit player who's next gig is at a Jazz club. Articulate, with good power and sustain. These are different than the broken in 7720L that were on the bass; these test strings are not quite as open sounding yet. They are quick responding, to the point, and not much overtone clutter. In a few days they will be broken in and more personality will show up. I'll check back.