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LaBella LTF-4A Low Tension Flat love thread

I want to try these on my P Bass, which is strictly top-loading with a BBOT bridge. Do I need the medium or long set?


If I need to go with the long set will I need extend the string length behind the bridge with a couple of spacers?

If it’s a long (34”) scale bass, get the long scale set (LTF-4A).

You may be confusing it with the extra long scale set (LTF-4A-XL).
 
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I did not have the "G" problem on my LTF set - but I play short scale basses.

But as it goes, for my other shorty I found a set of LaBella standard flats in 30" and looked on their site and they say low tension for these also.

And to me they sound even across the board and to me sound great also.
 
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Replace the LTF4A with TI flat yesterday, without truss rod tweak, the Ti flat has zero neck relief. Need counter clock 1/4 turn on truss rod to get the .010 reading back.

Even tension chart list LTF4A has lower tension than Ti flat, but she has more tense on this experience.

Yeah, tension according to my notes:

Pyramids > GHS 45-95 = LTF > Dunlop 40-100 > TI

…..Of the more flexible and lower tension flatwounds.
 
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I do have a question. I just ordered the LaBella LTF strings on a whim from Sweetwater. I have read most of the posts that are very positive about the sound and feel of the LTFs regarding the traditional LaBella tone and the smoothness of playing. I take it that they run to the dark end of the tone spectrum. Do you think that they will be articulate enough note to note and string to string? I know that this is subjective but let me know what you think. Thanks-------NH
 
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I do have a question. I just ordered the LaBella LTF strings on a whim from Sweetwater. I have read most of the posts that are very positive about the sound and feel of the LTFs regarding the traditional LaBella tone and the smoothness of playing. I take it that they run to the dark end of the tone spectrum. Do you think that they will be articulate enough note to note and string to string? I know that this is subjective but let me know what you think. Thanks-------NH

That will be difficult to tell until you try them. On a naturally dark sounding bass, I could see them being too muddy. The amp also makes a difference as does the EQ settings. Where you pluck the string/whether or not you play with a pick can also change the tone.
 
I do have a question. I just ordered the LaBella LTF strings on a whim from Sweetwater. I have read most of the posts that are very positive about the sound and feel of the LTFs regarding the traditional LaBella tone and the smoothness of playing. I take it that they run to the dark end of the tone spectrum. Do you think that they will be articulate enough note to note and string to string? I know that this is subjective but let me know what you think. Thanks-------NH


21 moths old LTF4A on used indo CV50P.

 
Thanks. I guess that I’ll find out soon. American P-Bass Pro II.
I have them on a P-bass and find they work well, at least on that bass. They sound more like traditional flats than TI Flats, which I also use a lot. Like most strings, you'll need to see what works on your bass. You can take 10 Fender P-basses and string them up with the same strings and some with take to them better than others. It's the individuality of the instrument, how it resonates. Like Leo Fender (supposedly) once said, "Don't ask me why they sound different, ask God, he made the trees."
 
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Thanks. Time will tell. BTW, Can the LTFs be strung through the body behind the bridge???—-NH
The regular La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass Flats do carry a warning against through-body installation.
[This includes their Gold Flats (760FGS).]

There are a handful of exceptions, to wit:

- those that are made to be through-body friendly, and marked so in the product code (-TB). They've all been discontinued except for the 760FS-TB

- the 760F-MUS, made for the traditional, through-body only Fender Mustang models

- the 760-FD, made for Danelectro short-scale models (hard to say whether the lack of a warning is due to their being stoopid light at .042 .056 .065 .083; or because they don't expect users to use them on anything other than Dano shorties, which are invariably top-loaders; or, finally, because at 32" winding length they'd only fit 28.5" sub-shorties like the Fender Precision Jr. if string-thru'd).
__

Now, the Low Tension Flats (LTF) do NOT come with said warning.
Neither do the new Olinto Signature Flats (OSF).
Ditto for their nylon tapewounds, black or otherwise.
__

All of the above carry a warning for correct headstock-end length fitment (the strings should taper before the tuning post).
 
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