LaBella LTF-4A Low Tension Flat love thread

[Mastermold]

I had the ltf set on my JB2 for a couple of years, and found the G string exactly how you mentioned.
It didn’t seem to change much over time. A real shame, as I really love the other 3 strings.
(My set was the earlier one with the lighter A string).

I've only tried one set of LTFs, the more recent set with the .075 A-string, and have had them on a P-bass for I think at least a year now. They've been great, no issues with any strings, and more bottom end than the TI flats they replaced. I've been thinking about adding LTFs to other basses I own since this first set was a good one.

 

[GwenOnBass]

The G on my medium scale set settled in nicely.

 

[AaronBass4]

They've been great, no issues with any strings, and more bottom end than the TI flats they replaced.

that exactly my experience . . . except the G. . . . funny, when I first tried TIs, one thing I really liked is how full the G was . . . maybe I should put a G from a TI set with this LTF set

 

[DCCat]

that exactly my experience . . . except the G. . . . funny, when I first tried TIs, one thing I really liked is how full the G was . . . maybe I should put a G from a TI set with this LTF set

I've done that in the past. Although there's a noticeable difference in overall tonal quality between the LTFs and the TI G that may be problematic for some, the fuller, non-tinny sound of the TI G (best on the market, IMO) may more than compensate for that.

 

[Doug4321]

The G on my medium scale set settled in nicely.

Yes, no problem on a Starfire for me, either. I didn’t notice even when new…. Although on most or all brands of strings, the same note on a different string sounds different.

Related, Pyramid Golds on the Starfire were noticeably unbalanced, bright D and G. People here complain about that too. The D and G took a while but eventually settled in for me. So maybe just wait and practice lots.

 

[Type-55]

Yeah, G string on my LTF’s sounds a little bright and thin compared to the other strings.
Almost sounds like it doesn’t belong in the same set. The strings are about 6 weeks old.
If it won’t settle down I might try a g string from a regular set of LaBella flats and see what happens.
The bass is a medium scale. My GHS P flats had perfect balance string to string but the LaBella’s just have the tone.

 

[Yahboy]

Yeah, G string on my LTF’s sounds a little bright and thin compared to the other strings.
Almost sounds like it doesn’t belong in the same set. The strings are about 6 weeks old.
If it won’t settle down I might try a g string from a regular set of LaBella flats and see what happens.
The bass is a medium scale. My GHS P flats had perfect balance string to string but the LaBella’s just have the tone.

The G string just sound full and we'll balanced to others on my pbass.
Funny that few GHS PF I been play has lifeless E and bright G, never get balance string to string tone to my ear even spend much time try to deal with it.
I love the balance string to string stiffness on LTF 4a too, great relax plucking and fretting........ except once my fretting finger get sweat ..

 

[AaronBass4]

Almost sounds like it doesn’t belong in the same set

. . . that's exactly what it seems like to me. I did reach out to Labella and they suggested that I make sure I have 10 hours on them, then make a recording. I'd say I have 5-6 hours on them . . . there is no way the G is going to come in to be anywhere close to being consistent with the others in another few hours of play . . . but I will give it a chance.

 

[Type-55]

I hope the G string settles in to blend with the other strings but I have never had this happen before with any set of strings.

 

[LennyJ]

I hope the G string settles in to blend with the other strings but I have never had this happen before with any set of strings.

I only now play at my church. But the G string on my low tension, settled down after about the third time I played and it now a better blend.

 

[Type-55]

So I called LaBella and they are sending me a g string from a non LTF set.
The gauge is .45 as opposed to .42 but I’m hoping it blends better. Expect an update. Great customer service.

 

[Type-55]

Got the new G string from LaBella and it sounds SOOOOOO much better than the LTF G string.
Much better balance and no PLINKY sounding tone.

 

[AaronBass4]

Got the new G string from LaBella and it sounds SOOOOOO much better than the LTF G string.
Much better balance and no PLINKY sounding tone.

That's great. Do you know exactly what they sent you @Type-55 ? I was just listening to SBL podcast and @IanAllison mentioned some sort of new, heavier gauge LTF . . . made me wonder if they sent you the G from that set. I couldn't find any info on the Labella site about the new set.

I have pretty much given up on my G settling down to be a good fit for the rest. I will probably do the recording that Labella requested and send it in.

 

[Type-55]

The string I requested was a g string was from the Deep Talking bass series.
The gauge was .045 medium scale string. Made a huge improvement.

 

[Yahboy]

18 months old LTF4a on Squier MFP wide open tone knob ( USD 14 Wilkinson WPB A5 pup loaded) through Ampeg RB112 (ultra Hi engage) , Zoom H1 direct Mic record .

 

[Type-55]

LaBella sent me a G string from the light gauge Deep Talking set.
A hair more tension but it sounds more balanced.

 

[AaronBass4]

UPDATE. My G still hasn't settled down. I did correspond (emails, sent recordings) with LaBella and they said they would send another G. I don't know what specifically they are sending and I didn't ask. I will report here once I have the new G and had some time with it. Customer service there is fantastic, I have to say.

 

[Type-55]

Clip sounds great.

 

[Yahboy]

UPDATE. My G still hasn't settled down. I did correspond (emails, sent recordings) with LaBella and they said they would send another G. I don't know what specifically they are sending and I didn't ask. I will report here once I have the new G and had some time with it. Customer service there is fantastic, I have to say.

Ok，i give you a secret tip here.

When you are free at home, especially watching TV or youtube , take the bass out then use a medium gauge pick, only play pick on the G open string lightly , pick on your sweet spot finger plucking position, no fretted need . This process a great for the string get settle in faster.

Once again ! NO FRETTED NEED and Play Lightly !

The result and time spend may vary, but you will notable the different .Hope help.

 

[AaronBass4]

UPDATE. My G still hasn't settled down. I did correspond (emails, sent recordings) with LaBella and they said they would send another G. I don't know what specifically they are sending and I didn't ask. I will report here once I have the new G and had some time with it. Customer service there is fantastic, I have to say.

LaBella sent another of the same string and its pretty much the same. To me, its just not a good match for the other strings in the set . . . at least for me and the way I play. I may still experiment with a G from a light DTF set I have that's on a bass not in the rotation ATM. Props to Labella for great support, though.