LaBella LTF-4A Low Tension Flat love thread

[Mike Vee]

I have tried a lot of flats over the last 10 years, and MAN-oh-MAN, these
REALLY take the cake.

I have tried LaBella 760FS, 760FL, 760FX, GHS Precision Lights, even GHS pressurewounds, etc., and nothing comes close to the LTFs. They're so easy to play, they have exactly the proper amount of "growl" - they just feel and sound so good. They also seem to break-in in about 2-3 days. I even love how the dark purple silk matches tortoise pick-guards perfectly, hehe.

Who else is loving these strings?

 

[bolophonic]

I had a set of them and they were my favorite strings in years. I wound up giving that bass to a couple of my band mates as a wedding gift and I really miss those strings. I need to get another set!

 

[DirkP]

You get more admiration and love if you post this in the string-forum... I have them on 3 basses!

 

[Deleted member 346364]

I‘m currently playing 760FLs, tried the 760FX but got a bad set somehow... I‘m considering the 760FX again, the LTFs or TI Jazz Flats. Have you tried the JFs, too? How do they compare to those others mentioned?

 

[woodyng2]

I’ve had an older set on my GL JB2 for years.
A really great sonic match,and love the easy playability.
I bought another set recently to try on one of my Rickenbackers, (if i can just figure out which one to put them on).

 

[Hundred proof]

Long time TI flats user … but wasn’t happy with them on my modified EBMM Sterling, I was lucky to score a “pre production” set of the Labella LTFs, a bit broader frequency spread to my ear. They work well on that bass.

 

[wvbass]

LTF? I think it is actually LTFF. Or maybe that should be LLTFF. I guess I'm not sure. It is a terrible name for a set of strings: LaBella Low Tension Flexible Flats.

I love them. I have them on my '70 P bass, my '76 Guild, and my 'who-knows Gretsch short scale. When I want a thumpy-sounding set of flats, these are my top choice.

 

[FunkHead]

I really like them on my Jazz bass.

 

[Mike Vee]

Have you tried the JFs, too? How do they compare to those others mentioned?

I have not, but I couldn't really imagine liking a string more flexible than these. I have been curious though.

 

[HaphAsSard]

LTF? I think it is actually LTFF. Or maybe that should be LLTFF. I guess I'm not sure. It is a terrible name for a set of strings: LaBella Low Tension Flexible Flats.

IIRC they used to be called that. The "Flexible" part was lost at some point (on the package and in official literature - except they forgot to take it off the product webpage URL):
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[HaphAsSard]

@Mike Vee -
there is a distinct dearth of supply and peak in demand when it comes to comparisons between the LTF-4A and the 760FX, and it often only gets comments to the effect of "I've never tried one but I love the other":
(...I guess you'll wanna get paid now, but) could you chime in on that? Is the tone similar, and if not, how? are the FX noticeably stiffer?

 

[stretch80]

These strings turned a G&L L2500 into a slinky old school funk machine.
But you can't really pop them and they don't ring for the rock stuff I need to play, so I moved em to my 76 P bass and the are killer there too. Great strings! Really fun to play.

 

[Yahboy]

Congrats you found a great old school vibe flatwound bass string and almost 80% break in tone fresh from back.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I’m using them on my G&L Fallout. Sound and feel great

 

[Yahboy]

I‘m currently playing 760FLs, tried the 760FX but got a bad set somehow... I‘m considering the 760FX again, the LTFs or TI Jazz Flats. Have you tried the JFs, too? How do they compare to those others mentioned?

I don't have experience on FX set, but the break in period on both FL and LTF are in different way. You will notable the fresh FL tone pretty even string to string along with some "zing" .After few week, the E broke in first, following the A and D, but my couple years old FL still has brighter G string. Maybe I seldom play the G string......

Meanwhile, the LTF sound nothing like fresh set of FL, she has no FL "zing" . The break in tone E already prepare to serve fresh from pack. After few week both A and D has same vibe as E string, but the G string still has it bright tone but not FL bright. Play it more, you will found the LTF set settled very well .

The 1 plus year LTF sound little different than FL set, she more towards to my 4 years old Ti JF344 but a bit scoop and little shy on busy mix.

The broken in LTF has pretty close stiffness to my 10 months old EB Cobalt flat 45-100. But still comfort to play and ,no worry, still flexible enough than FL.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

I‘m currently playing 760FLs, tried the 760FX but got a bad set somehow... I‘m considering the 760FX again, the LTFs or TI Jazz Flats. Have you tried the JFs, too? How do they compare to those others mentioned?

TI Jazz Flats? Very low tension (mushy for an ol’ timer flats guy), lots of midrange, very expressive. On a 5, the B is a huge gauge. Had to file the nut slot.

Switched back to 760FLs, but that was years ago.

 

[wvbass]

25642438[/URL], member: 253901"]IIRC they used to be called that. The "Flexible" part was lost at some point (on the package and in official literature - except they forgot to take it off the product webpage URL):
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Hah! I guess that's the price of having three basses equipped with well-broken-in flatwounds; I haven't been flatwound shopping in a long time. I have the string package in my P bass case so that I know what to get if I ever need to replace them. You saved me from a little confusion, because I was unaware of any change to the name.

 

[drwv]

I've got La Bella's LTF-4A Low Tension Flats (in Medium length) on a cheap 32" Fender acoustic bass guitar, and it has unexpectedly become my most "comfortable" instrument. These strings have a beautiful dubby low tone when you play soft, and can really growl and bite when you dig in, and those dynamics really bring out the character in an acoustic bass guitar. I get "enough" acoustic volume on my ABG even with the lower tension. They're soooo easy on the left hand, and really allow you to be expressive with bending and sliding notes.

I've got their 760-FHBB Beatle Bass flats on my Hofner Verythin short scale, and find the discrepancy between the super-fat E string and the thin G string to be annoying. I've got their 760-FMUS on my Fender Mustang, and find the tension considerably higher than on the LTF's, under left hand and right hand. I'm considering replacing both of these instrument-specific strings with Low Tension Flats!

 

[Kenan]

I'm a believer! LTF's have become my favorite strings. I have them on a few basses and they're going on anything else that needs new strings.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

How’s their 5-string set(s)? Wondering how well that pesky B string does on a 34” Fender knock-off (Sire)?