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LaBella LTF vs. 760fx - the winner is clear

Mike Vee

Mike Vee

Inactive
Oct 8, 2012
3,718
8,234
Los Angeles
#1
I have been a huge fan of LaBella LTFs on my P bass for many years. However, I could never settle on them or leave them on for more than 3-4 months. Played lightly, they sound and feel amazing, but when you start to dig in things get ugly quick, IMO. Sort of a "plastic" sound. Plus, the G just sucks on the LTF set. It's different than the other strings and sounds thin and plucky, and often rattles in some sets. I had always wished they were just a TAD more stiff, like 10-15% or so, and this always leads me to searching for something more perfect for my "60s" bass. (760FL is way too stiff for me.)

Enter the 760FX. Only negative compared to LTF is that they feel just a little bit thinner (40-100 would have been perfect) but I am sure I can get used to it.

Besides that, they beat out LTF in every category. They are just a wee bit stiffer BUT it's the hex core that makes them behave differently (better). They can go lower and still feel more stable than the LTF without introducing buzz or other unwanted artifacts. Digging in doesn't bottom them out. The E sounds better (deeper, better attack with more thump) and the G is very stable and sounds the same as the other strings. And this is only after maybe 30 minutes of play!

Anyway if you ever felt just a little dissatisfied with LTF, try the 760FX. Genuine deep talkin' flats!!

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#2
Are you saying they're even better than the D'A Chromes ECB80?

Mike Vee

Thread 'Chromes ECB80 Super Light are the best flats for P bass'

I've been on a flats journey since around 2018, which has ramped up more and more over the last 5 years. I have tried at least 15-20 different flat brands and gauges on everything from a P bass (many), J bass (many), L-1000, Stingray (many), Classic Sabre, Joe Dart Sterling, G&L Fallout short scale, etc. I have purchased at least 100 pair of flats in that time, trying everything I possibly can to get different basses 100% perfect.

LaBella, TI, Ernie Ball, Dunlop, GHS, Fender, Optima, Chromes, Dogal, Maxima, etc. I've tried all pretty much these strings in combination with all of the...
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#3
michael_t said:
Are you saying they're even better than the D'A Chromes ECB80?

Mike Vee

Thread 'Chromes ECB80 Super Light are the best flats for P bass'

I've been on a flats journey since around 2018, which has ramped up more and more over the last 5 years. I have tried at least 15-20 different flat brands and gauges on everything from a P bass (many), J bass (many), L-1000, Stingray (many), Classic Sabre, Joe Dart Sterling, G&L Fallout short scale, etc. I have purchased at least 100 pair of flats in that time, trying everything I possibly can to get different basses 100% perfect.

LaBella, TI, Ernie Ball, Dunlop, GHS, Fender, Optima, Chromes, Dogal, Maxima, etc. I've tried all pretty much these strings in combination with all of the...
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Click to expand...
For me "60s" LaBella bass, yea. You think I only have one bass? LOL
 
#5
Mike Vee said:
I have been a huge fan of LaBella LTFs on my P bass for many years. However, I could never settle on them or leave them on for more than 3-4 months. Played lightly, they sound and feel amazing, but when you start to dig in things get ugly quick, IMO. Sort of a "plastic" sound. Plus, the G just sucks on the LTF set. It's different than the other strings and sounds thin and plucky, and often rattles in some sets. I had always wished they were just a TAD more stiff, like 10-15% or so, and this always leads me to searching for something more perfect for my "60s" bass. (760FL is way too stiff for me.)
Click to expand...
Thanks for your perspective on the LTF. I was toying with the idea of trying a set at some point as a good friend of mine has a slightly used set available. Based on what you just posted, however, I don't think I'm going to bother with that.

Just curious... Have you ever tried the Ernie Ball Group IV (40-95) stainless flats on any of your many basses? I ask because that's the last set of flats I had on my P bass.
 
#6
michael_t said:
Thanks for your perspective on the LTF. I was toying with the idea of trying a set at some point as a good friend of mine has a slightly used set available. Based on what you just posted, however, I don't think I'm going to bother with that.

Just curious... Have you ever tried the Ernie Ball Group IV (40-95) stainless flats on any of your many basses? I ask because that's the last set of flats I had on my P bass.
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Everyone should try LTF and TIs at some point. MANY people go on to love them. I loved both at first, until the negatives of ulta-low tension strings became more apparent. (You can now file the light gauge Pinos into this category as well.)

However, I live very low action. Perhaps even a few 64ths higher and some of my issues with TIs/LTFs would not exist. I think I just prefer hex core in the end. It "gives back" more than round core, bounces more - even at smaller gauges and I really like that.

I have tried the Group IV on an EBMM Joe Dart "Sterling" and also a Stingray about 2 years ago, never a P bass but I have been curious. From what I remember they feel pretty similar to 760FX but more piano-like and less thumpy. I dislike the way EBMM does their silk ends though, super thin/ tapered for no reason. Not durable when changing to different basses.
 
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#7
Mike Vee said:
I have tried the Group IV on an EBMM Joe Dart "Sterling" and also a Stingray about 2 years ago, never a P bass but I have been curious. From what I remember they feel pretty similar to 760FX but more piano-like and less thumpy...
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I would probably put the EB's tonal character halfway between the Chromes and the La Bella. I actually like their "semi-modern" flavor. If I ever decide to go more old school, or even acquire a second P bass (!), I would definitely be trying the 760FX.
 
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#9
LTF are really their own thing, and not everyone’s everything… very much feel and respond like tapewounds to me, so I dig that about them and keep them on one bass for now… the advantage over tapes being metal they ground the bass where some basses hum a bit with tapes bc your hands aren’t grounding the strings… (all the science, I don’t understand, pardon me if I describe it wrongly)

Definitely curious about the 760FX now though! About to go the other direction first and try Olinto flats…
 
#12
I've had a set of LTF's sitting around for a while now. Guess it's time to try them.

My action usually starts at around 5/64ths. I may want to go a tad higher for LTF's.

I know what my benchmark for LTF's will be. I often practice unplugged, so if they are not usable in that mode, they may not pass muster when the bass is plugged in.

Some of my old 4 stringers have stiffer necks than others, so I think that will be a consideration when I decide which bass gets the LTF's.

I really should try the LTF's on a fretless, because that's where I mostly use the Thomastiks.

I even detuned a set of Thomastiks to DGCF on a fretless Ho Bo, and they played well, even though they felt more like rubber bands than bass strings.

I've only gone lighter than 760 FL one time with the LaBella Deep Talking sets and that didn't last long, as I found the open G to be a bit thin. So my comparison would be between the LTF's, the Thomastiks, and my usual 760 FL's.
 
#13
SteveFromBerlin said:
I‘m a fan too! You can hear the La Bella 760 FX in this short video:

Click to expand...

Yup I found your video in my search this week, and it's a big part of what made me decide to try them out. I go for the same type of tone on vintage styled PO basses and you nailed it.

The thinner feel but STIFFER than LTF feel takes some getting used to (feels maybe a bit "harder" on the finger tips?) but it's what I needed to perfect my string feel. Again, something in between FX and FL (maybe 40-100) would have been absolutely perfect, but these are close!!
 
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#14
Low Main said:
I've had a set of LTF's sitting around for a while now. Guess it's time to try them.

My action usually starts at around 5/64ths. I may want to go a tad higher for LTF's.

I know what my benchmark for LTF's will be. I often practice unplugged, so if they are not usable in that mode, they may not pass muster when the bass is plugged in.

Some of my old 4 stringers have stiffer necks than others, so I think that will be a consideration when I decide which bass gets the LTF's.

I really should try the LTF's on a fretless, because that's where I mostly use the Thomastiks.

I even detuned a set of Thomastiks to DGCF on a fretless Ho Bo, and they played well, even though they felt more like rubber bands than bass strings.

I've only gone lighter than 760 FL one time with the LaBella Deep Talking sets and that didn't last long, as I found the open G to be a bit thin. So my comparison would be between the LTF's, the Thomastiks, and my usual 760 FL's.
Click to expand...
Don't get me wrong. NOTHING wrong with LTF. They just move a little too much for me, I guess is how I'd put it. FXs take less effort to dig and get that great attack.
 
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