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New La Bella flats
- Thread starter Greg Jones
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- flats
On the back of the package, one of the first things I read after opening the shipping package, it said not suitable for basses that require strings to pass through the body. Package didn't say why so I Googled it. The La Bella website said "Because they will break."
The ribbon can overlap the neighboring ribbon at the extreme break angle. It basically will slide up the side of the neighboring wind and slip over. At that point the string is ruined. I tried it out of curiosity once, and now I know.
In my experience, the more stiff the flat, the more likely this will occur. Cobalts, Fender Flats, and Chromes seem relatively safe. I’ve definitely had success with Fender Flats through body, and I’ve even put LaBellas through body without issue before.
No need to stretch them. They’ll have plenty of time to stretch over the next ten years.
I too love the La Bella flat wounds. As for through-the-body stringing, I've only had problems with the light (FL) versions -- the E string will break. The FS versions seem to work fine, though they recommend against it. Unfortunately, the -TB versions are not available from many vendors, including Amazon.
I found 54s that are through body. They pop up every now and then. Couldn’t tell you what the real difference is in the string itself.
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I have La Bella flats through the body on my P-Bass. I knew they recommended against it, but I wanted the La Bellas, and I like the strings through, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Its been 3 months and no issue so far. Anyone with experience having issues with this ... does it occur right away, or is it a long term issue? In other words, if they've lasted 3 months are they likely to keep working or do I need to be concerned about them breaking on me.
I put LaBella Gold Flats non-tb’s in many basses. I’ve taken them off, put them back on....repeat....then, put them on a Fender Jazz top load, then to a P Bass through body...They started originally on a Yamaha BB434. I wanted to see how they sounded on each bass. No issues at all. Just wind slowly.
Aside from Labella recommending against it because it increases the risk of snapping a string (at the most inoportune time for you, of course 
), why do you *need* to string through? Not trying to hijack but I’ve always wondered why some have this focus given that the tension on the string at tune is no different when strung through the body (vs. anchored at the bridge) and that the sound of that string is defined by it being “connected” at the nut and the bridge saddle? Has anyone ever recorded string through vs not, and can tell the difference?
), why do you *need* to string through? Not trying to hijack but I’ve always wondered why some have this focus given that the tension on the string at tune is no different when strung through the body (vs. anchored at the bridge) and that the sound of that string is defined by it being “connected” at the nut and the bridge saddle? Has anyone ever recorded string through vs not, and can tell the difference?
I haven't, but one thing I did do was to string the E & A through the bridge and the D & G through the body. I could tell no difference in tone or sustain. I concluded that I did not like the sharp break over angle of body through and the resultant deformation of the string wrap. Bridge through only for me from here on out to eternity.
Pbassmanca
In the pocket n' thumpy. So woody, so greasy...
Here's a great video comparison I found a while back showing the difference between TB and top load...Aside from Labella recommending against it because it increases the risk of snapping a string (at the most inoportune time for you, of course
It' a flat thing...
TI does not recommend it either. I think the break angle would be detrimental to the flatwounds...
I’ve had another brand of flats break on me on a through body bass. Don’t remember which ones, but it was in my pre-LaBella days. The break angle over the bridge was too steep. Outer ribbons don’t curve as well as rounds, and it stretches the core more (super not technical, but that's the gist of it).
For what it is worth, LaBella has sets specifically for through body basses. They scale back the windings on the bridge side, just like on the headstock side. I got mine right here on the Talkbass store! TalkBass.com > Bass Guitar Strings > La Bella 760FX-TB Deep Talkin' Bass Stainless Steel Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings - Thru-Body Design - Extra Light Best of both worlds.
For what it is worth, LaBella has sets specifically for through body basses. They scale back the windings on the bridge side, just like on the headstock side. I got mine right here on the Talkbass store! TalkBass.com > Bass Guitar Strings > La Bella 760FX-TB Deep Talkin' Bass Stainless Steel Flatwound Bass Guitar Strings - Thru-Body Design - Extra Light Best of both worlds.
On the back of the package, one of the first things I read after opening the shipping package, it said not suitable for basses that require strings to pass through the body. Package didn't say why so I Googled it. The La Bella website said "Because they will break."
Oh, they do...managed to break the E string going through-body on my T-40. Not a nice sound. Got a set of the La Bella through-body flats and they worked a charm on that bass. Then I got a replacement E from Jason at BassStringsOnline and they live on one of my Furies.
I’ve string TIs successfully through-body up to the E string. On my G&L M2500, I’ve got E-to-G through and then the B top-mounted. I wouldn’t want to try that thick B through unless it was maybe a Yamaha 45 degree through.
Here's a great video comparison I found a while back showing the difference between TB and top load...
Thanks. I guess my ears aren’t sensitive enough to detect a noticeable effect on string through the body. Certainly not something that would be detected in a band mix. And especially for someone of my skill set.
Thanks. I guess my ears aren’t sensitive enough to detect a noticeable effect on string through the body. Certainly not something that would be detected in a band mix. And especially for someone of my skill set.
I could hear a difference, but I couldn't tell which one was which ... I was actually confused because my guesses were opposite one example to the next. I did watch it all the way through ...
You're correct, wouldn't be able to hear it in a mix and listeners wouldn't have a clue. I prefer through body just from a mechanical/physics stand point, but will roll with through the bridge for now.I am SUPER happy with these flats though. I am now looking at a piece of memory foam I have to make a mute. I tried my 3M cloth, and actually found it muted the D/G strings TOO much ... so off to start hacking on some foam.
I've had my P bass strung TB with Labela's for the last 4 years. It's my primary bass, and has been played a ton during this time, with no issues. I'm not recommending this by any means...it works for me....YMMV.
Stretching strings is one of those myths that just won't die. When it comes to stretching strings, DON'T.
I agree. Winding them onto the tuner properly is all the stretching any bass or guitar string needs. After about 5 minutes or so they'll be ready for play.
Anyone stretching their strings is half lifing them straight away. I do like to index them though.
There are people who find they need to tune their new strings constantly for the first day. They didn't take appropriate care during the initial installation ensuring the wraps were properly wound around the tuner.
