LaBella LTF's v GHS Brite Flats

[biguglyman]

I have a G&L L2500 tribute purchased about 9 months ago. It had some neck issues and while working them out I installed a set of LTF's. I immediately fell in love with the feel of them. Low tension, not stiff at all, and smooth as a baby's butt. (I take care of my grandkids, so I know...lol) The only thing I found lacking was that *snap* to the sound. Even after experimenting with the preamp and eq, I just couldn't get the sound I wanted. Decided to try a set of Brite Flats. I used to use them years ago on one of my other basses and remembered they were pretty snappy and had a smooth feel. Installed them today and here's what I found:

Brite Flats ARE somewhat *snappier* and nowhere near as smooth feeling. Tension/stiffness is noticeably higher.

Jury is still out on whether the change is good enough to keep. I did hold onto the LTF's. Time will tell if I need to tweak the neck and if the better sound is worth the trade-off in feel. I'll update this when I know more.

 

[michael_t]

Brite Flats ARE somewhat *snappier* and nowhere near as smooth feeling. Tension/stiffness is noticeably higher.

This is exactly my experience with the BFs. I didn't mind the stiffness of the light set (45-98) but it was the sticky feel of the half-rounds I couldn't get over.

If you like the smooth feel and the comfortable tension/stiffness of the LB LTFs, you might want to try the Dunlop Flats for that extra "snap" you're looking for.

 

[biguglyman]

If you like the smooth feel and the comfortable tension/stiffness of the LB LTFs, you might want to try the Dunlop Flats for that extra "snap" you're looking for.

The last time I tried Dunlop flats, they felt tacky. The finish was smooth enough it just seemed like there was a sticky coating or something. Maybe I'll try them again.

 

[michael_t]

The last time I tried Dunlop flats, they felt tacky. The finish was smooth enough it just seemed like there was a sticky coating or something. Maybe I'll try them again.

I would suggest you clean them with an isopropyl alcohol wipe BEFORE INSTALLATION to get rid of the initial tackiness. Some flats can be tacky when new.

I'm in the habit of doing that with all new strings.

 

[biguglyman]

The new strings got a work out at rehearsal today. While the BF's were a bit rougher on the fingers than the LTF's, the sound change was nothing short of miraculous. They really opened up the sonic palette available from the G&L electronics. It was truly mind-blowing. The LTF's, while they gave a very good thump, seem one dimensional when compared to the BF's...at least in the context of this particular bass/amp combo. (GK MB212-ii) I still have to tweak the truss rod a little to get it "perfect" but I'm not going back. Anybody need a set of LaBella LTF's cut for an L2500 3+2 headstock? lol

 

[Cracker7]

I have the LTFs on my American Pro II with a Curtis Novak PB-90 pickup. That bass is so good and the strings are amazing. But I'm also looking for the thump that they give. Different strokes right

 

[GwenOnBass]

By some chance I swapped out Brite Flats for EB Group IV flats on 16 December, about the same time @biguglyman swapped out his LTFs for Brite Flats.

I, too, love the tone of Brite Flats, but don't find the stiffness to my taste. Uncertain if Low Tension Flats get on well with string-through bodies, roll the dice with EB Group IVs. My 'Ray still sounds like a 'Ray, and feels great to play.