My experience with La Bella strings

[sam91]

Hey all,

I wanted to share with you some of my experiences with la bella strings...
Currently, I use the .110 Jamerson set on one of my 72 p and the 104. set on the other 73 p.

I freaking love them but unfortunately, la bella are the most inconsistent strings I have ever encountered...

First, when I ordered the .110 set the g string was malfunction, and when I'm saying malfunction I mean when you would play it you would hear a "sitarish" sound coming out (and no, it's 100% not setup issue). I've contact la bella about it and they DO have an amazing customer service but they had to ship to me 3 times different G strings till one was okay!! now it plays great

A week ago I installed the .104 set on my other p and you won't believe it, I had the same problem with this set as well! a sitarish sound coming out of the G string (really weird sounding string I'm telling you).

When you get the right set and all of the strings are working well you got yourself the best flatwounds strings you can get, but In my experience, It just can't happen, I've never got a la bella set that was working straight away and that very unfortunate...

So I have to change now the .104 set, any recommendations for a set similar to the 104.?

 

[michael_t]

So I have to change now the .104 set, any recommendations for a set similar to the 104.?

GHS Precision Flats CM3050, 45-60-80-105.

 

[uwrossl]

GHS Precision Flats CM3050, 45-60-80-105.

I have this exact set on the way to me along with the GHS BFs to try. Just tested the Precision Flats from a borrowed set and loved them. They have an attack and punch to them that's truly impressive and were surprisingly flexible. Can't wait to start breaking in my own set.

Have you tried the La Bella LTF's? I've found them to be more much more consistent than the DTF's as well as very well balanced right out of the package. The pulling weight is quite a bit lighter but flexibility and feel under the fingers is pretty similar(ie...not loose or floppy) and retains a lot of the traditional la bella sound.

When it comes to the 110 set I just ran I nice test on the Dunlop 50-110 set including two rehearsals and loved them. Thick and rich while maintaining excellent clarity. 50-110 set has a lot more of the traditional flatwound thump then the 40-100 & 45-105 sets and I love both of those. Tension and flexibility wise the Dunlop 50-110 set plays and feels a lot like standard 105 sets of flats. 1/4 turn on the truss and boom. Didn't have to file the nut any. Could easily play a 3hr set on them with no hand cramping issues etc.

 

[Mastermold]

GHS Precision Flats CM3050, 45-60-80-105.

Huh, I was just saying in another thread that I've not tried GHS flats yet, and I guess you've shown me the set I should try. Thanks! I've got a P-bass I'm looking to swap out strings to try something new.

 

[pipeman]

you are not alone in this defective G string saga. i bought 6 760flatwound sets of different gauges in the last 12 months with lousy G strings. labella is always gracious and replaces. out of the replacements 3 were still unusable and 3 worked. so that makes 9 defective all together. i have tried all the other flatwound strings and i feel that they are the best, so can deal with this inconvenience because labella is so consistently gracious when it comes to correcting the problem, and when the G string is working it works very well for a very long time...

 

[5aP]

Hi guys!

Sorry to hear about these problems.

My first La Bella strings came few days ago, so today, I've finally got them on my fretless. And I my say: my first impression is that I was blown away! It's a totally different instrument.
The intonation is much clearer and sound is simply roaring.
But I'll give it a few more days...

 

[jonday30]

I also have them on my 51 pbass reissue. I didn't get the sitar G string until after I removed them to swap out a pickup. Once reinstalled the sitar noise was there. Swapped them onto my jazz bass and the same thing. G string sitar. I didn't contact La bella, maybe I should have. I just ordered another set. I find with my pbass the G string always gets pulled really tight and starts to undo the winding. Is there any way to avoid this?

I must say these strings are worth the hassle because I've spent tons of cash on flats and these ones new or worn in just have a feel and tone that sets them apart from the other. Just the feel alone had me sold.

 

[Monkey]

I freaking love them but unfortunately, la bella are the most inconsistent strings I have ever encountered...

I agree. I've been reluctant to go back to LaBella after an experience I had many years ago. I had a Steinberger Spirit 5-string fretless that sounded pretty good, but double-ball flatwound string choices were limited. I bought a LaBella set and the G broke around the 2nd fret position. There was no problem with the bass. I contacted them and they quickly sent me another G string, which quickly broke in the same place. They sent me a third, which also broke quickly. I contacted them again and they stopped responding. I gave up and went with another brand and never had a problem.

The company was responsive at first, but then let me go. I had no problem before or after on that bass. I had used LaBella before and once after (low-tension flats) on other basses and the strings were fine, so I think my experience was not common. Still makes me a bit gun-shy to go back.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

Got two sets in a row with a defective impossible to intonate E string.
Never bought Labellas ever again.

 

[bassdude51]

Sorry for your negative experiences with LaBellas!

I think that the key to LaBellas sounding good is 5 years or more of chicken grease fingers, potato chips oil and salt, BBQ pork greasy hands, natural human oil, dirt and other "nasties". After that, they sound great!

Or, buy a set of TI Flats.

 

[sam91]

Sorry for your negative experiences with LaBellas!

I think that the key to LaBellas sounding good is 5 years or more of chicken grease fingers, potato chips oil and salt, BBQ pork greasy hands, natural human oil, dirt and other "nasties". After that, they sound great!

Or, buy a set of TI Flats.

Completely agree with you! Now that I have a fully functioning set they sound amazing...but it was not easy getting there
If I'll want flats on any of my other basses I'll probably try out the Dunlops or DRs. Cheers!

 

[Mike Vee]

Nothing beats LaBellas, especially LTF-4A. Just got a new PJ, tried about 10 different flats on it today (i have a massive stash). NOTHING comes close to LaBella, nothing. The next best thing is well worn Chromes, but they are only about 70% as good. LaBella has a thhhhhick and rich mid tone that no other string has, and the feel is also the best. Very bouncy and lively. I have tried so many other flats on SO many basses, and I am only truly happy when the bass wears LaBella. But I like a very dead but growly sound and especially ZERO decay when muted. LaBella always delivers this perfectly.

A lot of people say GHS is close to LaBella but I must disagree. Precision flats are so dead and bland sounding. They don't come close to that rich LaBella mid. This string would be close to last on my list of good flats, honestly.

I've had the bad "sitar" G many times though, and they deny any problem at labella which i find very off-putting. Even if they do provide free replacements (why would they if there was no problem????) youre still waiting a week or more, so I do agree with you there. However, I think there is hope. I just got a fresh set of LTF and the D seemed different. A little thicker, and a slightly different texture. Hopefully they fixed it for good.

 

[GIBrat51]

Hey all,

I wanted to share with you some of my experiences with la bella strings...
Currently, I use the .110 Jamerson set on one of my 72 p and the 104. set on the other 73 p.

I freaking love them but unfortunately, la bella are the most inconsistent strings I have ever encountered...

First, when I ordered the .110 set the g string was malfunction, and when I'm saying malfunction I mean when you would play it you would hear a "sitarish" sound coming out (and no, it's 100% not setup issue). I've contact la bella about it and they DO have an amazing customer service but they had to ship to me 3 times different G strings till one was okay!! now it plays great

A week ago I installed the .104 set on my other p and you won't believe it, I had the same problem with this set as well! a sitarish sound coming out of the G string (really weird sounding string I'm telling you).

When you get the right set and all of the strings are working well you got yourself the best flatwounds strings you can get, but In my experience, It just can't happen, I've never got a la bella set that was working straight away and that very unfortunate...

So I have to change now the .104 set, any recommendations for a set similar to the 104.?

Well... Very sorry to hear that. Personally, I've used La Bella Flats - of many scales and gauges - for decades, and with the exception of a set of 760 FGS Gold Flats on my Jack Casady Bass? Not a single problem whatsoever. And, the only problem with the Gold Flats, is that the brass outer wrap is - or was - pretty "grabby". But, for whatever reason, that seems to be going away - finally...
I currently have La Bella DTF's on 7 of my 27 basses, and I've had them on a couple that - purely for tone reasons - now wear something else; and, on a couple of basses that I no longer own. Might just be that I'm... lucky?
As for GHS Precision Flats? Well, we'll just have to disagree about their tone. I currently have them on 4 of my basses - including my '78 Fender P-Bass. And I'm very, very happy with their tone - and feel. My P-Bass, with the foam mute in the bridge cover, on top of the #3050 P-Flats, sounds just exactly like I want it to sound; a brand new, fresh from the factory, late '60s P-Bass. Pretty much clones of the original, Squier-made Fender factory flats, those P-Flats have low mids and mids - and a top end - that La Bella DTFs can only dream of...

 

[moproducer]

Two things to say about La Bella: I've been using their strings for 58 years, on upright bass, electrics and guitars. My current combination is Low Tensions on the G and D strings and Deep Talkin' on the A and E strings for my go-to stage bass. All my other instruments have Deep Talkin' mediums.

My interactions with La Bella, however, have not been pleasant. Their customer service reps have been curt and shown an unmistakeable disinterest in providing any help. I've been looking at other string providers and may switch as soon as I find one that I like. I don't give money to people who won't provide service.

That said, are there any former La Bella players who have found a better option?

 

[Hillbilly Sam]

Two things to say about La Bella: I've been using their strings for 58 years, on upright bass, electrics and guitars. My current combination is Low Tensions on the G and D strings and Deep Talkin' on the A and E strings for my go-to stage bass. All my other instruments have Deep Talkin' mediums.

My interactions with La Bella, however, have not been pleasant. Their customer service reps have been curt and shown an unmistakeable disinterest in providing any help. I've been looking at other string providers and may switch as soon as I find one that I like. I don't give money to people who won't provide service.

That said, are there any former La Bella players who have found a better option?

I guess I'm lucky because I've only encountered 1 bad string in all the sets I've purchased along the years.
The (G) string was completely playable and functional, sounded and tuned just fine. it was the texture that was off: the windings were coarser and more separated. It almost felt like a roundwound.

I emailed La Bella customer service and asked about that. They shipped another string to me without asking any questions. I'm based in Europe.
Their attitude was always kind and helpful and they apologized for the inconvenience.
So I couldn't ask any more from them.

Also, if you want that sound and feel, I don't think you're going to get it elsewhere. It is what it is. And their flatwounds last for decades: I haven't found any that last and endure as much.

 

[moproducer]

I guess I'm lucky because I've only encountered 1 bad string in all the sets I've purchased along the years.
The (G) string was completely playable and functional, sounded and tuned just fine. it was the texture that was off: the windings were coarser and more separated. It almost felt like a roundwound.

I emailed La Bella customer service and asked about that. They shipped another string to me without asking any questions. I'm based in Europe.
Their attitude was always kind and helpful and they apologized for the inconvenience.
So I couldn't ask any more from them.

Also, if you want that sound and feel, I don't think you're going to get it elsewhere. It is what it is. And they flatwounds last for decades: I haven't found any that last and endure as much.

As far as flatwounds lasting forever, you're right; a lot of players want them to deaden down and mellow. I'm like that with Fender and D'Addario flats, but when La Bellas start to age, for me it's not a happy thing.

I've been replacing La Bellas about once a year for a long time, they just feel and sound better when they are more lively. Especially the low tension varieties, like Deep Talkin' and Low Tension. It's a personal preference thing.

The customer service issue...I'm open to the suggestion that I've gotten the wrong person on a bad day. But it's been bad enough to put me off their brand.

Hope your bubble never bursts.

 

[Hillbilly Sam]

As far as flatwounds lasting forever, you're right; a lot of players want them to deaden down and mellow. I'm like that with Fender and D'Addario flats, but when La Bellas start to age, for me it's not a happy thing.

I've been replacing La Bellas about once a year for a long time, they just feel and sound better when they are more lively. Especially the low tension varieties, like Deep Talkin' and Low Tension. It's a personal preference thing.

The customer service issue...I'm open to the suggestion that I've gotten the wrong person on a bad day. But it's been bad enough to put me off their brand.

Hope your bubble never bursts.

Haha I hope so too
But I feel you: having a real bad customer experience might put me completely off as well.

Regarding you don't liking dead La Bella flats but liking dead Fender and D'Addario flats... I'd say that might be because you like a brighter tone. So you enjoy Fenders and D'Addarios when they're dead because they're quite bright to begin with. But don't enjoy the same with La Bellas because when they're seasoned they're probably too dull for you.
Then you're lucky: don't play La Bella flats at all. Specially if you enjoy them only during the first year. And even more if you can't stand how they treated you. As easy as that

If for some reason you still want to give them a chance, my suggestion would be:
- Try the Olinto flats.
Or, not flatwounds, but probably in the tone ballpark you like:
- Try the Superpolished sets (one regular, one signature; slight differences between them).
- Try their nickel rounds.

 

[moproducer]

Well, in a word, no. I prefer a thumpy sound with not much brilliance, only a bit on the edge. Your logic is impeccable but it doesn't apply to little old me.

As you know, there's quite a difference between Fender or D'Addario flats and La Bella flats. For me, it's not so much the sound, but the bounce and rebound effect (for lack of a better description) that I get from fresh La Bella low tension varieties.

Since it ain't in the Fenders and D'Addarios to begin with, nothing is lost with age. They just get more mellow and bounce the same.

I attribute this quality to the Fender and D'Addario brands being of higher tension. So what I'd like to know is if anyone else makes a low-tension flatwound. I don't intend to go to polished or roundwounds for the simple reason that they are fret-and-fingerboard-eating monsters, and I have vintage instruments.

I've never tried Olinto's but I'm sure, from what I've heard about them, that they would work, aside from them being long-scale and I need medium for my main ax. My only problem is that we're back to La Bella again.

 

[Hillbilly Sam]

Well, in a word, no. I prefer a thumpy sound with not much brilliance, only a bit on the edge. Your logic is impeccable but it doesn't apply to little old me.

As you know, there's quite a difference between Fender or D'Addario flats and La Bella flats. For me, it's not so much the sound, but the bounce and rebound effect (for lack of a better description) that I get from fresh La Bella low tension varieties.

Since it ain't in the Fenders and D'Addarios to begin with, nothing is lost with age. They just get more mellow and bounce the same.

I attribute this quality to the Fender and D'Addario brands being of higher tension. So what I'd like to know is if anyone else makes a low-tension flatwound. I don't intend to go to polished or roundwounds for the simple reason that they are fret-and-fingerboard-eating monsters, and I have vintage instruments.

I've never tried Olinto's but I'm sure, from what I've heard about them, that they would work, aside from them being long-scale and I need medium for my main ax. My only problem is that we're back to La Bella again.

Oh, I see!
The only option that I've tried that could check all those boxes would be the GHS Precision Flatwounds.
The Light set (which is the one that comes in the medium and short scale options) could have that bound effect you describe while being lower in tension.
Once broken in, they certainly thump. Although when really dead, not much highs left. So I don't know if you'd really like them.

Nothing else comes to my mind right now. But I'm sure someone else will chime in.
Good luck with your search

 

[moproducer]

Thanks. I've used GHS on a guitar but never on bass. Anyone else here have any experience with these?

Not to be rude, but please respond only if you have had personal experience playing them, thanks.