My bass is with my tech, having its new pickup fitted: I've decided to pair the Low Tension Flats with a Fralin Split Jazz neck pickup.
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LaBella LTF-4A Low Tension Flat love thread
- Thread starter Mike Vee
- Start date
Please let us know how that sounds.Im considering that combination on my G+L Fullerton Deluxe JB.I have TI Jazz flats now but would like more of a P bass vibe out of my JB.plus I have some noise with the stock pups.
I've been a long time fan of the LaBella 760FL set (as documented here) but when I tried them on my Fender American Professional Jazz Bass they just didn't work as well. No matter how I tweaked the setup they just felt too tense for that bass, even though I use the 760FL set on my other Jazz Bass (a '62 AVRI that I bought new in 1988).
A friend gave me a used set of Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats to try on this bass, but once again I found these strings too loose and I didn't care for the mid-heavy/bottom-shy sound. I think I may have found the right strings for this bass with the LaBella Low Tension Flats. I did have to make some setup changes including loosening the truss rod 1/8 of a turn, but overall I am pleased so far. The sound is similar to the 760FL set with maybe a bit more evenness and clarity and slightly less of an "old school" sound. They don't have the inherent brightness of a new set of 760FL's, sounding more like a set that is already been broken in after a few months of playing. The D & G are a bit brighter than the lower strings, but to me that's just the character of LaBella flats regardless of the gauge. Even the three-year old 760FL set on my P-Bass retains this aspect. I'll reserve final judgment until I use this bass on a few gigs and I'll report back here once I do.
Now five of my six electric basses are wearing LaBella flats, the sole holdout being my Music Man Stingray which was voted "Bass Most Likely To Be Slapped" in the high school yearbook
- Steve
A friend gave me a used set of Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats to try on this bass, but once again I found these strings too loose and I didn't care for the mid-heavy/bottom-shy sound. I think I may have found the right strings for this bass with the LaBella Low Tension Flats. I did have to make some setup changes including loosening the truss rod 1/8 of a turn, but overall I am pleased so far. The sound is similar to the 760FL set with maybe a bit more evenness and clarity and slightly less of an "old school" sound. They don't have the inherent brightness of a new set of 760FL's, sounding more like a set that is already been broken in after a few months of playing. The D & G are a bit brighter than the lower strings, but to me that's just the character of LaBella flats regardless of the gauge. Even the three-year old 760FL set on my P-Bass retains this aspect. I'll reserve final judgment until I use this bass on a few gigs and I'll report back here once I do.
Now five of my six electric basses are wearing LaBella flats, the sole holdout being my Music Man Stingray which was voted "Bass Most Likely To Be Slapped" in the high school yearbook
- Steve
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Low TFs finally came back in stock over here, so now I have a set. Very first impression is simply me being happily confused how they in some ways remind me of the 760FL & 760FM and in other ways don't. I can see and feel and hear that they're LaBella flats, but I can also understand why they've not got the same name or code as the others.
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I've been a long time fan of the LaBella 760FL set (as documented here) but when I tried them on my Fender American Professional Jazz Bass they just didn't work as well. No matter how I tweaked the setup they just felt too tense for that bass, even though I use the 760FL set on my other Jazz Bass (a '62 AVRI that I bought new in 1988).
A friend gave me a used set of Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats to try on this bass, but once again I found these strings too loose and I didn't care for the mid-heavy/bottom-shy sound. I think I may have found the right strings for this bass with the LaBella Low Tension Flats. I did have to make some setup changes including loosening the truss rod 1/8 of a turn, but overall I am pleased so far. The sound is similar to the 760FL set with maybe a bit more evenness and clarity and slightly less of an "old school" sound. They don't have the inherent brightness of a new set of 760FL's, sounding more like a set that is already been broken in after a few months of playing. The D & G are a bit brighter than the lower strings, but to me that's just the character of LaBella flats regardless of the gauge. Even the three-year old 760FL set on my P-Bass retains this aspect. I'll reserve final judgment until I use this bass on a few gigs and I'll report back here once I do.
Now five of my six electric basses are wearing LaBella flats, the sole holdout being my Music Man Stingray which was voted "Bass Most Likely To Be Slapped" in the high school yearbook
- Steve
I utlimately deceided that the LTF set isn't for me. I prefer the 760FL in general, although on this particular bass I haven't found a flatwound string that suits it. I'm going to keep roundwounds on this bass since I have another Jazz Bass where the 760FL set is a good match.
- Steve
Just bought a set of long scales for an incoming 2020 American original 60s P. Will report once I get some time with them. I also have a set of chromes ready to go just in case these don’t work for me, but I suspect they may be just what I want. Warmer sounding flats typically match perfectly with the barky, pure vintage 63 pickup.
Ok I’ve logged 6 hours with these in medium gauge on an American original 60s p bass and I like them a lot. They are nice and smooth like I expect from labella. I was a little concerned they would be too flexy, but that is not the case at all. Nice sound, a little dull but I read they open up a bit. Honestly a good match for the pv63 pickup as is. I do keep the tone control wide open right now, which is pretty rare. With chromes I rolled it back a good amount. So I get the full open tone with these. Not sure if anyone else noticed the same.
So far great string. I may use these until they break. Last time I did that was with fender flats on an AV63 bass, which is extremely similar to this AO.
So far great string. I may use these until they break. Last time I did that was with fender flats on an AV63 bass, which is extremely similar to this AO.
Only just started the long process of breaking my set in, and am wondering about a couple of things:
Thanks to a terrible trussrod, the action is a little higher than I usually have. How long will it be before the strings physically loosen up a bit?
The E string has got quite a bloom to the tone. Presumably once the strings shed that little bit of metallic sheen to the tone and turn woody, that bloom on the E will go. Again, how long should I expect that to take?
Thanks to a terrible trussrod, the action is a little higher than I usually have. How long will it be before the strings physically loosen up a bit?
The E string has got quite a bloom to the tone. Presumably once the strings shed that little bit of metallic sheen to the tone and turn woody, that bloom on the E will go. Again, how long should I expect that to take?
Just ordered a set for my Mike Dirnt P bass. Trying to get a more “vintage” tone out of it.
You make the grindy tone Dirnt P bass transform to meow P. hahahha......
I love Mikes playing, but I’ve never really tried to sound like him. You might be wondering, why own one of his signature basses? I just think it is really well designed. The Tele style headstock and original P bass pickguard just look cool IMO. Love the split pickup (never really been a fan of the early 50’s single coils) and the BA bridge gives the best of both the vintage and modern versions of the Precision.
About 6-8 hours logged on these strings and damn if they didn’t get brighter. Never really seen anything like that before. I’m keeping them on and sending my chromes back, I think.
Chromes are still incredible and brighter, which may be a better match for the pv63, but after a while these labella’s have gotten that bark so I’m happy.
Chromes are still incredible and brighter, which may be a better match for the pv63, but after a while these labella’s have gotten that bark so I’m happy.
After a couple of months, the G is beginning to sound like the rest of the set.
The settings on my Amp + Cab sims etc were done when I was using regularly-replaced Chromes. The LTFs are already into a far more Flatsy tonal world, so it's now time for me to rethink all of that.
The settings on my Amp + Cab sims etc were done when I was using regularly-replaced Chromes. The LTFs are already into a far more Flatsy tonal world, so it's now time for me to rethink all of that.
Dunno if it's a flatwound or a LaBella thing but these feel like they have a plasticy/waxy coating to me.
I didn't notice this with these strings or any other La Bella flatwound sets.
- Steve
some flats more than others, have a factory non-corrosion type of coating that comes off with play. The La Bella LTFs have a very thin coating. Barely there. and usually gone after a couple hours of play. IME. Other brands, including Ernie Ball, have a thicker coating that is kinda sticky, but yes, it wears off eventually.
