Olinto flats

[dfp]

How about the 5 string Olinto set, in particular how is the low B? I am thinking of trying that set, with a view to eventually using just the Olinto B with a set of 45-105 Deep Talkin Bass flats on a 5 string P bass…

 

[pipeman]

i swapped a Labella 128 non tapered flatwound B string for the Olinto 125 B string recently and it was a bit looser and clearly darker. it's a nice string but i really dislike the wax.

 

[dfp]

How about the 5 string Olinto set, in particular how is the low B? I am thinking of trying that set, with a view to eventually using just the Olinto B with a set of 45-105 Deep Talkin Bass flats on a 5 string P bass…

Answering my own question, I just installed a fresh set of DTB flat EADG 105-45 and an Olinto flat low B (.125) on a Fender P5 bass. The Olinto flat low B sounds great and very consistent with the DTB low strings so far. I had read the .128 DTB low B was a bit thuddy and I wanted to avoid that. The Olinto low B is a winner for me. I would imagine it would also do great within its matching Olinto flat set, but I’m not crazy about the other gauges of that set, the D seems too heavy and the A too light…. So I will probably try to sell those Olinto EADG here in the classifieds.

 

[dfp]

i swapped a Labella 128 non tapered flatwound B string for the Olinto 125 B string recently and it was a bit looser and clearly darker. it's a nice string but i really dislike the wax.

Which string was looser and darker, the Olinto or the DTB? I thought the consensus was that Olinto were looser but less dark than DTB?

The Olinto B I just installed has a lot of clarity. It sounds like a continuation of the low E string next to it (DTB flat) which is what I was looking for.

 

[pipeman]

the Olinto B was darker.

 

[pipeman]

the Olinto B was looser and darker. the idea behind the design was to create a string that is similar to the 760M with less tension and more clarity. the 760M is a dark string. i use the 760FL most of the time and find them to be brighter than the Olinto.

 

[dfp]

My Olinto set were brighter than the 760FS set, which is probably the closest set to compare by gauges. Consistent with that comparison, the Olinto low B is bright and clear and goes well with the 760FS set, provided you want that extra brightness and clarity from the Olinto in the low B. The Olinto feel more flexible than the 760FS set, too. Maybe thinner core wire?

 

[Yahboy]

Thank you all, I'll definitely order a set to try out.
After 8 years of playing GHS P flats straight, I've put the FL last year and realised it was what i was looking for...that short decay!
I loooove La Bella flats!!

GHS flat sound pretty dry like expired chocolates spread......

 

[aah63]

I just changed to Olinto from the 760FL and they are not quite as stiff. They are still fairly high tension though.

They aren't quite as glassy smooth as the 760FL but are still smooth and not grabby at all. I really like them so far.

How about the tone, which ones have more low mid content? Tks

 

[NorthTexasBass]

How about the tone, which ones have more low mid content? Tks

I would probably say the 760FL, but it may just be that the Olintos aren't as scooped in the hi mids, and sound a little more even. They still sound really close to the LaBellas.

 

[ljazz]

They have much more clarity than the FX, FL or FS. They actually sound closer to the 760M than the lighter gauges do. I'm digging them so far..... but have only had them on since April. They are replacing an old set of Sadowsky Black Label Flats and have done great.

 

[Selim]

I think the FL set on my jazz bass with Alleva Coppolo pickups present the La Bella DTF tone with great clarity. The Olintos on a different bass, a ‘66 P bass converted to P/J, sound more overtly old school, but that may be because of the bass they’re on.

The Olintos may feel more supple because (I’m pretty sure) they use a smalller core wire than the DTFs. Like Dunlops.

 

[ljazz]

I think the FL set on my jazz bass with Alleva Coppolo pickups present the La Bella DTF tone with great clarity. The Olintos on a different bass, a ‘66 P bass converted to P/J, sound more overtly old school, but that may be because of the bass they’re on.

The Olintos may feel more supple because (I’m pretty sure) they use a smalller core wire than the DTFs. Like Dunlops.

It's got to be the Alleva Coppolo pups....... I've searched for replacements for the Sadowsky Blue Label flats (back when Roger went to V2's) and Black Label Flats for a while, including going back to both FL's and FS's. In fact, the FS's are still here.... each set stayed on for about 5 weeks..... my vocalist begged for me to try something else, because he keys off the bass, and was having trouble when the mix was dense and I'd get low on the E string.... just not enough clarity. No such issue with the Olintos. They are breaking in beautifully, and the mids are staying intact. I wouldn't be surprised if Labella is making them the same way they made the black labels for sadowsky..... just a bit larger gauge.