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LaBella Low Tension Flats & the sitar effect.

59jazz

59jazz

Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma
Supporting Member
Feb 27, 2003
2,645
2,265
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From Aptos CA to North Liberty IA
#1
I wanted something different for my latest find, a '63 P bass. After viewing several youtube vids, I determined that the LTF's are the strings for me. I removed the GHS Lite gauge P flats, installed the LTF's and reset the action, I like the board nearly flat and the string height low. Much to my surprise I experienced a very noticeable string/fret buzz on the "D" & "G" strings; kind of sitar sounding. I then set the neck with a touch more relief and raised the action a hair, same thing. Swapped the vintage saddle with a modern single slot saddle, no change. Then I set the bass up to Fender factory specs, which are much higher than I prefer......still the same. I'm not even digging in on the string, my attack is less than moderate, sometimes lite. The frets are near perfect, yet I'm getting this horrible fret buzz on 2 of the strings. I threw on a set of old EB lite gauge flats and lowered the action.......noise is gone.
Thankfully the good people at LaBella are sending me 2 new strings, hope that fixes it.
Has anyone ever experienced this with the Low Tension Flats?
 
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#3
First, GHS flat has higher string tension compare to Labella LTF4A.
Swap string without setup could cause unwanted problem.

Check neck relief , suggest .012 or .014 on 7th fret for vintage 7.25 radius fretboard.
On my previous pbass + LTF4A, i able set my action from 2.0mm E to 1.6mm G (measure on 17th fret) without single fret buzz. Fender setup guide suggest 2.4mm E to 2.0mm G.

If above setup dint resolve your problem..... i suspect your 63p neck are twist .

Hope help
 
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#5
Yahboy said:
First, GHS flat has higher string tension compare to Labella LTF4A.
Swap string without setup could cause unwanted problem.

Check neck relief , suggest .012 or .014 on 7th fret for vintage 7.25 radius fretboard.
On my previous pbass + LTF4A, i able set my action from 2.0mm E to 1.6mm G (measure on 17th fret) without single fret buzz. Fender setup guide suggest 2.4mm E to 2.0mm G.

If above setup dint resolve your problem..... i suspect your 63p neck are twist .

Hope help
Click to expand...

Yes sir.....My GHS & EB flats do indeed have more tension than the LTFs. That said, I setup the LTFs with .014 @ the 8th fret on my 7.25" board. I set the action @ 7/64" at the 17th fret for all the strings. The buzzing occurs from the 1st fret to the 19th fret...It's almost like the G string vibrates too much and is just kissing the frets. I've been building / repairing basses for almost 40 years, and I'm beginning to wonder if I'm loosing it LOL. It's been months since I've played a gig, I must be out of calibration. Thanks for the tip Yahboy.....but please don't scare me like that.....I ran down stairs to double check for a twist in the neck. It's all good!
 
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#7
JimmyM said:
Sounds like you had backbow in the neck to me. Did you loosen the truss rod a little when you put the LaBellas on? How much relief do you have in the neck with the EB's?
Click to expand...
That's what it sounded like to me Jimmy, but the buzz occurs from the 1st to 19th fret, I set the neck relief @ .014 at the 17th fret; no shim in the pocket too. When I installed the EB lites, I set the relief at .012 and the string height at 3/32" for the E&A and 5/32" for the D&G. No buzz. I just may leave the old EB's on there for now and install the new LTF D&G on my incoming Vintera P bass. LaBella is sending out 2 new strings, crossing my fingers.
 
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#8
Ruknrole said:
I put some LTFs on my P and no fret buzz for me, but I did check the neck relief to make sure it was set right. 0.13” @ 7th fret with ~ 7/64 action.

They feel sooooo good! Really happy with mine.
Click to expand...

Yeah I want these to work out for me. A young Chap by the name of Tyler on Youtube, demoed these strings on a Classic '50s P through an Avalon U5 (which I use) and I was really knocked out by the sound of the LTF's.
 
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#9
59jazz said:
Yes sir.....My GHS & EB flats do indeed have more tension than the LTFs. That said, I setup the LTFs with .014 @ the 8th fret on my 7.25" board. I set the action @ 7/64" at the 17th fret for all the strings. The buzzing occurs from the 1st fret to the 19th fret...It's almost like the G string vibrates too much and is just kissing the frets. I've been building / repairing basses for almost 40 years, and I'm beginning to wonder if I'm loosing it LOL. It's been months since I've played a gig, I must be out of calibration.
Click to expand...

Is it 7/64 = 2.79mm ? If yes, that is truly high action .
1st fret buzzzzzz to 19th fret !!! That is really really weird with 2.79mm action for both D and G string.
I only meet sitar G string on FL set and problem solve after i get a replacement from Labella.
I hope you can find out the problem since you are experience building / repairing basses guru.

Good Luck.
 
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#10
Yahboy said:
Is it 7/64 = 2.79mm ? If yes, that is truly high action .
1st fret buzzzzzz to 19th fret !!! That is really really weird with 2.79mm action for both D and G string.
I only meet sitar G string on FL set and problem solve after i get a replacement from Labella.
I hope you can find out the problem since you are experience building / repairing basses guru.

Good Luck.
Click to expand...
Yahboy, I'm no Guru, just your average schlep who can't resist taking things apart and tinkering. Yes I'm hoping the new string will be the cure, evidently it's happened before to a few other guys. Right now I'm just hoping I'm not crazy & losing it.
 
#11
man, it is really a thing. I’ve had it with several sets of labella flats. it seems that they bring out the buzz that’s there but ordinarily not noticeable, due to their construction. it seems to go away somewhat with time. they work best with light touch and medium-ish action, like with TI flats.. I’m currently waiting on replacement LTF D & G strings from them for my P bass. I’ll let ya know if they make a difference!
 
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#12
LushPuppy said:
man, it is really a thing. I’ve had it with several sets of labella flats. it seems that they bring out the buzz that’s there but ordinarily not noticeable, due to their construction. it seems to go away somewhat with time. they work best with light touch and medium-ish action, like with TI flats.. I’m currently waiting on replacement LTF D & G strings from them for my P bass. I’ll let ya know if they make a difference!
Click to expand...

Sounds like we're in the same boat. Funny thing......I chose to go with something different (LaBella LTFs) because my my GHS P flats Lite Gauge "E" string went dead. I mean dead, where the pitch is difficult to distinguish. That's 2 sets in 3 months! So I called LaBella and GHS last Monday for some help, both companies are sending me strings; they have excellent customer service. Tuesday I installed a new set of TI JF344's on my Ric, and the "G" string is dead. GAHHHH!!!!
 
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#14
59jazz said:
Sounds like we're in the same boat. Funny thing......I chose to go with something different (LaBella LTFs) because my my GHS P flats Lite Gauge "E" string went dead. I mean dead, where the pitch is difficult to distinguish. That's 2 sets in 3 months! So I called LaBella and GHS last Monday for some help, both companies are sending me strings; they have excellent customer service. Tuesday I installed a new set of TI JF344's on my Ric, and the "G" string is dead. GAHHHH!!!!
Click to expand...

It seems like bad luck keeps happening to you....... GBY
 
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#15
In all my years of playing I have yet to come across this sitar effect or a dead string out of the pack. Apparently I now know where they are all going. :roflmao:
 
#18
59jazz said:
That's what it sounded like to me Jimmy, but the buzz occurs from the 1st to 19th fret, I set the neck relief @ .014 at the 17th fret; no shim in the pocket too. When I installed the EB lites, I set the relief at .012 and the string height at 3/32" for the E&A and 5/32" for the D&G. No buzz. I just may leave the old EB's on there for now and install the new LTF D&G on my incoming Vintera P bass. LaBella is sending out 2 new strings, crossing my fingers.
Click to expand...

17th fret?

Riis
 
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#20
flatwound62p said:
Have you checked for string twist? I had that kind of sound with Labella 1954 flats, turned out I had a bit of twist going on.
Click to expand...

At first I thought either string twist or a back bow in the neck. No to both. I have an incoming '50s Vintera P, I'll install the suspected strings on that bass.
 
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