Double Bass LaBella developing new hybrid and gut offerings for Upright

[rickwolff]

That I can't say. If you de-tune a gut string down 2 steps when the bass is at rest it will last twice as long, and be more stable.

How long a time 'at rest' to make it worthwhile down tuning 2 steps? I can't imagine you'd want to do this unless you're not playing for a week. I certainly wouldn't think doing it every day makes sense - plus I imagine you'd lose the tuning stability that you've gained by having them under constant tension.

Any other opinions on this?

I've never heard this before.

 

[littlebun]

How long a time 'at rest' to make it worthwhile down tuning 2 steps? I can't imagine you'd want to do this unless you're not playing for a week. I certainly wouldn't think doing it every day makes sense - plus I imagine you'd lose the tuning stability that you've gained by having them under constant tension.

Any other opinions on this?

I've never heard this before.

Wound gut strings can rise as much as two steps when at rest, and then sometimes snap. Un-wound can rise as much as a step when at rest.

 

[lurk]

thanks, I love the Olivs, I am not sure how long they last but it seems that is getting harder (pickier) on intonation (besides the normal attention and care they need).
I've had the G for 2 years and 4 months. and the D For about a year. What is the normal expected lifespan under pizz work (played almost daily)
thanks.
A

Man, if I could get a year or more from Olivs D and G, I'd use them for sure. I absolutely love them, but I've never gotten even six months out of the G. I simply can't afford that. Someone please tell me that the detuning thing mentioned a post or two above is bull so I don't get tempted again.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Okay. Yes, Olivs are wonderful strings. To compare and contrast to plain gut:
1. Plain gut are lower in tension.
2. Plain gut are generally less expensive.
3. Plain gut are more durable (less susceptible to use and abuse).
4. Plain gut will sound less "damped" (on the same bass).

Sound and feel differences are more pronounced in arco playing.

I would add that nylon wound gut strings have a crisper sound, and in that respect a bit more presence. This from experience with Aquila gold springs, that is semi round wound guts

 

[AgostoMortal]

Man, if I could get a year or more from Olivs D and G, I'd use them for sure. I absolutely love them, but I've never gotten even six months out of the G. I simply can't afford that. Someone please tell me that the detuning thing mentioned a post or two above is bull so I don't get tempted again.

When you said this, what are the issues after that time? are you bowing? intonation got increasingly unstable. I would never ever detune de bass every day...It already does it on its own why helping him ? ha. Now seriously. The Oliv's can get a bit low or high after playing 30 minutes..but I can't pin point why or what makes them go a bit up or down. bridge and nut were set up accordingly to accommodate these strings (by a pro luthier) I am starting to thing that the G is already getting ready for retirement.
Thanks for all the feedback on the gut strings guys!

 

[rickwolff]

Wound gut strings can rise as much as two steps when at rest, and then sometimes snap. Un-wound can rise as much as a step when at rest.

I've got a Gamut Lyon G which settled in after about 2 days and is always within a couple cents when I come back to it the next day (or after several days).

 

[AGCurry]

That I can't say. If you de-tune a gut string down 2 steps when the bass is at rest it will last twice as long, and be more stable.

I disagree. Even if this were true in regards to stability of intonation (and I would need to see some proof), the friction at the bridge from doing so is likely to injure the string prematurely. This goes double for wrapped gut and triple for Oliv/Eudoxa.

 

[AGCurry]

Man, if I could get a year or more from Olivs D and G, I'd use them for sure. I absolutely love them, but I've never gotten even six months out of the G. I simply can't afford that. Someone please tell me that the detuning thing mentioned a post or two above is bull so I don't get tempted again.

First, I certainly don't agree with the detuning advice, but I'm willing to listen to facts.

Second, how have Olivs failed for you? Have they simply degraded, or is there some kind of breakage? In my experience, Olivs last a long time, as long as their wrappings remain intact.

 

[littlebun]

De-tuning your wire-wound gut, particularly, will indeed help the string last -much- longer, and tuning down your raw gut will help it from contracting up and down and stretching out sooner. Long time pro gut users gave me this advice as a young player when I started having problems with longevity on the wound gut. Many years later I'm now a long time gut user. Wire wound gut E and A strings will rise in tuning as the temperature goes up---the opposite of what happens with raw gut, which will rise with colder temps. I tune down my E and A wire wounds, lowering them to D and G respectively, and then my G and D raw guts down a half-step at the end of every job or practice. You're getting advice from a 50 year pro here in my posts. If you take my advice, you will have a better experience with gut strings. Message me privately if you need any more info or advice about this thread.

 

[lurk]

First, I certainly don't agree with the detuning advice, but I'm willing to listen to facts.

Second, how have Olivs failed for you? Have they simply degraded, or is there some kind of breakage? In my experience, Olivs last a long time, as long as their wrappings remain intact.

My Oliv G invariably starts unraveling, and not at the nut, tuning peg, or bridge. I've had this happen with 3, once at about B 1st position, once about the F above that, and again at the C above that in thumb. I live in NYC where we experience seasonal humidity change, but I have a room humidifier and am pretty nutty about using it. I don't have my strings real high, don't play any harder pizz or arco than the next guy, and don't go in for extended techniques. I've had others tell me similar stories, and know others who get decent life from Olivs. Maybe there's some inconstancy in the manufacturing. I think the last G was about $150. Too rich for my blood, but it was wonderful while it lasted.

 

[AGCurry]

My Oliv G invariably starts unraveling, and not at the nut, tuning peg, or bridge. I've had this happen with 3, once at about B 1st position, once about the F above that, and again at the C above that in thumb. I live in NYC where we experience seasonal humidity change, but I have a room humidifier and am pretty nutty about using it. I don't have my strings real high, don't play any harder pizz or arco than the next guy, and don't go in for extended techniques. I've had others tell me similar stories, and know others who get decent life from Olivs. Maybe there's some inconstancy in the manufacturing. I think the last G was about $150. Too rich for my blood, but it was wonderful while it lasted.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

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.

Do you have any idea regarding a release date for these to be available? I’m definitely interested in the plain D and G also the wire wound gut E and A.

 

[AgostoMortal]

My Oliv G invariably starts unraveling, and not at the nut, tuning peg, or bridge. I've had this happen with 3, once at about B 1st position, once about the F above that, and again at the C above that in thumb. I live in NYC where we experience seasonal humidity change, but I have a room humidifier and am pretty nutty about using it. I don't have my strings real high, don't play any harder pizz or arco than the next guy, and don't go in for extended techniques. I've had others tell me similar stories, and know others who get decent life from Olivs. Maybe there's some inconstancy in the manufacturing. I think the last G was about $150. Too rich for my blood, but it was wonderful while it lasted.

Sorry to hear man. I am going 2+ years on the Oliv G ( and 1+on the D) with no issues..fingers crossed.

 

[Earl]

Sorry to hear man. I am going 2+ years on the Oliv G ( and 1+on the D) with no issues..fingers crossed.

Florida

 

[AgostoMortal]

yeap

Florida

there is gotta be something good about it.

 

[rickwolff]

These new Labella guts have me thinking about going All-Gut on my 3/4 bass. I have Obligatos on my 7/8 Shen which I'm really enjoying, but the gut G on my 3/4 bass really has a big POP to the attack (which is probably no surprise to those of you who play gut). Also, the gut G seems LOUD and really seemed to project in a large room I played a week ago.

PS in the comments I say 'Gut vs Steel', but of course the Obligato is a steel wrap over a 'plastic'? core.

Here is a little video clip comparing the two. I'd love to hear any thoughts, suggestions, whatever.

 

[Eli Brockway]

These new Labella guts have me thinking about going All-Gut on my 3/4 bass. I have Obligatos on my 7/8 Shen which I'm really enjoying, but the gut G on my 3/4 bass really has a big POP to the attack (which is probably no surprise to those of you who play gut). Also, the gut G seems LOUD and really seemed to project in a large room I played a week ago.

PS in the comments I say 'Gut vs Steel', but of course the Obligato is a steel wrap over a 'plastic'? core.

Here is a little video clip comparing the two. I'd love to hear any thoughts, suggestions, whatever.

If you're going to experiment, I'd start with just a plain D to go with the G like talked about in your thread. Steel basses and gut trebles have been a winning combination for a long time, and between what both bring to the table and the lower tension on your smaller bass (which, if the G works so nicely on it, it might be that it just likes that lower tension), you might decide not to change after that.

 

[Jeff Kissell]

Any updates on the string sets?
Availability?

 

[littlebun]

Any updates on the string sets?
Availability?

I'm assuming in 2023. No idea. When they ship I'll post.

 

[littlebun]

I just received word that the 4 sets La Bella has been working on are nearing completion: An original 1920's Classic version of 980 metal wound gut with plain gut D & G that sound and feel amazing. A 980 hybrid Classic metal wound gut set with blonde nylon D & G. A hybrid rope core metal E & A set with blonde nylon gut D & G strings. A hybrid rope core metal E & A set with black nylon gut D & G. Arco compatability will be noted on each offering package. Look for these sets later in 2023 hopefully. Every set sounds and feels great. The hybrid sets metal E & A's lose their initial twang after a few sessions and pair beautifully with the nylon gut; which is the same string used in the Classic re-issue 980 sets. Very excited, and congrats to La Bella strings. I'll post here when they send me the intial run for final evaluation.