Olinto flats - worth a punt?

[facetsquared]

Hi everyone. I am mulling over a new set of flats for my P. My other basses wear TI flats (which I love) and LaBella Low Tension flats (which are just as good). I once bought a bass with bridge cable Deep Talkin Flats (.110 E!) that I did not like so much - so they are off the table, I think.

I could just choose another set of my tried and tested strings but I would like to try something new, and I am eyeing the Olinto flats. I wonder if any of you have any feedback? The gauges are .47, .68, .80, .107 - which looks a little unusual. Any thoughts on how balanced the set is? Thanks.

 

[Kyle_S]

The balance isn't bad, per say, but the A string could stand to be a little more substantive. It's oddly light compared to the rest of the set. Probably won't bother you if you're used to TI flats, which obviously have an even floppier A string.

 

[facetsquared]

The balance isn't bad, per se, but the A string could stand to be a little more substantive. It's oddly light compared to the rest of the set. Probably won't bother you if you're used to TI flats, which obviously have an even floppier A string.

That was my main concern. The A seems bizarrely light.

 

[Kyle_S]

That was my main concern. The A seems bizarrely light.

Yep. My favorite La Bella set is the 760FL's, which are lighter than the Olinto's, and even they have an .082 A string. Just weird.

Sound-wise, I have no complaint about the Olinto's. A smidge more modern and focused than DTF's, but still in the old-school thump category for me.

 

[butterfingers1]

I have the 1954s, 760FS, 760FL, and Olintos.

The Olintos feel lighter than their thick gauge, and they sound smoother than the Deep Talkin’ Bass sets.

 

[bassboysam]

Olintos will give you the thump of the 1954 without the stiffness/tension. They are comfortable to play and have a bit more mids than the 760 sets.

 

[Low Main]

I don't care for flatwound E strings bigger than 104, which is on the LaBella 760FL set.

105 and up, regardless of how skillfully the string is installed (which is a thing with flats), the sound is too dead and muddy and the sound in the upper register of the string tends to get a bit choked with wonky intonation.

 

[bassboysam]

I don't care for flatwound E strings bigger than 104, which is on the LaBella 760FL set.

105 and up, regardless of how skillfully the string is installed (which is a thing with flats), the sound is too dead and muddy and the sound in the upper register of the string tends to get a bit choked with wonky intonation.

not the Olintos. the E is quite even with the rest of the strings.

 

[bassike]

I own the 5 string set, and they are fantastic strings

 

[GreyBeard]

I use LaBella Low Tension flats on my G&L LB100 tribute. I think they are really pretty hard to beat.

 

[winston]

not the Olintos. the E is quite even with the rest of the strings.

My experience with one set of Olintos is the exact opposite, E is dead as a doornail while the ADG are detailed and zingy. The 3 sets of LaBella flats I tried in 2023-24 (Olinto, LTF, and 760FL) all had quality control issues so I find it hard to recommend them.

 

[Killing Floor]

What is the difference between these strings and the other LaBella strings?

 

[SheaNC]

I tried the Olinto flats and I didn't like them. I finally got fed up with the G string being way brighter than the others -- too unbalanced, and a pain to compensate. So I went back to my good old TI flats.

 

[Tommy Szell]

I use Labella flats on all seven of my Precision basses. The Low Tension flats are my favorites and the 45-105 are great too. I’ve been a Labella user for over 20 years and never had any issues with dead strings out of the box. Their customer service is exceptional. I’m obviously a big fan.

 

[FullumMusic]

Hi everyone. I am mulling over a new set of flats for my P. My other basses wear TI flats (which I love) and LaBella Low Tension flats (which are just as good). I once bought a bass with bridge cable Deep Talkin Flats (.110 E!) that I did not like so much - so they are off the table, I think.

I could just choose another set of my tried and tested strings but I would like to try something new, and I am eyeing the Olinto flats. I wonder if any of you have any feedback? The gauges are .47, .68, .80, .107 - which looks a little unusual. Any thoughts on how balanced the set is? Thanks.

The Olinto Flats fall somewhere in between the Deep Talking Flats and Low Tension Flats as far as their "Tension"/Stiffness goes. Definitely more bendable than the Deep Talkin, but not quiet the Low Tension.

They also have a little more pronounced "speaking" tone than the Deep Talking Flats. (What the hell does that mean?) I want to say they're brighter, but not in the crisp/twangy way that rounds are brighter than flats. It's a very silky smooth sounding brightness while still maintaining that flatwound low-end.

I personally love the Deep Talking Flats. I have them on my Olinto P.
But, i have a 5 string Olinto P on order and that one is getting Olinto Flats.
I also had a set of Olinto Flats on a Squier J with Nordstrand Big J Blades for a while and the thing sounded huge.

As far as the gauges go, if i remember correctly (could be wrong), the outer diameters are slightly thicker than the standard Deep Talkin Flats, but their cores are slightly thinner. The added diameter of windings is a way to balance out the thinner core. I think it's pretty balanced feeling.

 

[facetsquared]

The Olinto Flats fall somewhere in between the Deep Talking Flats and Low Tension Flats as far as their "Tension"/Stiffness goes. Definitely more bendable than the Deep Talkin, but not quiet the Low Tension.

They also have a little more pronounced "speaking" tone than the Deep Talking Flats. (What the hell does that mean?) I want to say they're brighter, but not in the crisp/twangy way that rounds are brighter than flats. It's a very silky smooth sounding brightness while still maintaining that flatwound low-end.

I personally love the Deep Talking Flats. I have them on my Olinto P.
But, i have a 5 string Olinto P on order and that one is getting Olinto Flats.
I also had a set of Olinto Flats on a Squier J with Nordstrand Big J Blades for a while and the thing sounded huge.

As far as the gauges go, if i remember correctly (could be wrong), the outer diameters are slightly thicker than the standard Deep Talkin Flats, but their cores are slightly thinner. The added diameter of windings is a way to balance out the thinner core. I think it's pretty balanced feeling.

So much to think about! I may even go for a set of DTFs at this point, but the 45-105 gauge set rather than the 110 set that I swiftly removed from a Precision 58 AV I picked up. Thanks all.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

I can’t comment on the Olinto flats having never tried them… but have you considered GHS Precision Flats? I really like the 3025 light gauge set (45-95). They sound great on a P bass.

 

[facetsquared]

So much to think about! I may even go for a set of DTFs at this point, but the 45-105 gauge set rather than the 110 set that I swiftly removed from a Precision 58 AV I picked up. Thanks all.

I’ve ordered a set of DTFs 45-105. A second chance for these strings after being turned off by the 110 set.

 

[banoonoo]

Just put a set of these on a Fender AO 60's Precision, coming from a set of Labella Low Tension Flats.

They're great, and a nice step up in tension from the LTFs. The LTFs were good, but lacking the "booty" of a traditional flatwound string. I never found them too floppy either when playing fingerstyle or picking. I think the Olinto flats, despite sounding like they might be high-tension, aren't hard to play at all.

And considering the big change in gauge and tension, I haven't found the transition too difficult. They have the DTFs' depth but the flexibility of a lighter gauge flatwound. They aren't supple like TI's, but it still feels good under the fingers. Not too much tension, and not too floppy. They respond well to the amount of pressure you apply and to nuanced playing as well.

 

[thepapercut]

I also put a set of these on my American Original 60s P. Just wanted to try something new and am very happy with them.

Not sure if I prefer them over DTF, which came off the bass. Really happy overall. Just wish the wrap end had a more subtle color. But that’s a very minor complaint.