Replacing LaBella flat with D'Addario Chromes XL flat - sound OK?

[totalnoob]

I tried replacing one of the LaBella flatwound strings with a similar-sized unknown (came with one of my basses) flatwound string, and I have learned that LaBella has some secret mojo going on - the LaBella strings are so much more loud!!!!!!!!infinite!!!!

But I do not have access to a retailer that would sell me LaBella singles - the only ones that would, are all located across the pond, so shipping would make it cost more than buying a new set of LaBella strings. Crazy, eh?

But I found that Thomann is selling D'Addario flatwound Chromes singles, and am wondering how close, in terms of loudness, are these Chromes vs. the LaBellas?

 

[DavidEdenAria]

I tried replacing one of the LaBella flatwound strings with a similar-sized unknown (came with one of my basses) flatwound string, and I have learned that LaBella has some secret mojo going on - the LaBella strings are so much more loud!!!!!!!!infinite!!!!

But I do not have access to a retailer that would sell me LaBella singles - the only ones that would, are all located across the pond, so shipping would make it cost more than buying a new set of LaBella strings. Crazy, eh?

But I found that Thomann is selling D'Addario flatwound Chromes singles, and am wondering how close, in terms of loudness, are these Chromes vs. the LaBellas?

They sound nothing alike....can you get GHS Precision flats?

 

[totalnoob]

They sound nothing alike....can you get GHS Precision flats?

Not as singles.

 

[michael_t]

I tried replacing one of the LaBella flatwound strings with a similar-sized unknown (came with one of my basses) flatwound string, and I have learned that LaBella has some secret mojo going on - the LaBella strings are so much more loud!!!!!!!!infinite!!!!

But I do not have access to a retailer that would sell me LaBella singles - the only ones that would, are all located across the pond, so shipping would make it cost more than buying a new set of LaBella strings. Crazy, eh?

But I found that Thomann is selling D'Addario flatwound Chromes singles, and am wondering how close, in terms of loudness, are these Chromes vs. the LaBellas?

First, which specific set of the La Bella flats do you have? Secondly, which specific string are you trying to replace?

 

[totalnoob]

First, which specific set of the La Bella flats do you have? Secondly, which specific string are you trying to replace?

 

[michael_t]

View attachment 5040473

...and which one of the four are you trying to replace?

 

[bluesblaster]

They sound nothing alike, better off with a fresh set of laBella's. Or maybe Chromes as they are cheaper but are higher tension and twangy, never much cared for them.

 

[totalnoob]

maybe Chromes as they are cheaper but are higher tension and twan

Chromes are the ones I have my eyes on. When ypu say "they sound nothing alike", what string did you think I was going to pick?

 

[HaphAsSard]

I tried replacing one of the LaBella flatwound strings with a similar-sized unknown (came with one of my basses) flatwound string, and I have learned that LaBella has some secret mojo going on - the LaBella strings are so much more loud!!!!!!!!infinite!!!!

But I do not have access to a retailer that would sell me LaBella singles - the only ones that would, are all located across the pond, so shipping would make it cost more than buying a new set of LaBella strings. Crazy, eh?

But I found that Thomann is selling D'Addario flatwound Chromes singles, and am wondering how close, in terms of loudness, are these Chromes vs. the LaBellas?

You might be better served with getting a Pyramid single from Saitenmarkt or Schneider Musik:
Pyramid Flatwound Long Scale Single Strings, 8,70 €
Flatwound

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Chromes are the ones I have my eyes on. When ypu say "they sound nothing alike", what string did you think I was going to pick?

Chromes wont thump like La Bella.....about as different of flats as there are plus Chromes take a while to break in

 

[pbass2]

...and which one of the four are you trying to replace?

Yep--I have several sets of used Labellas here I think, will need to check. I might be able to send one....

 

[bobyoung53]

...and which one of the four are you trying to replace?

Probably the one he circled?

 

[bobyoung53]

I tried replacing one of the LaBella flatwound strings with a similar-sized unknown (came with one of my basses) flatwound string, and I have learned that LaBella has some secret mojo going on - the LaBella strings are so much more loud!!!!!!!!infinite!!!!

But I do not have access to a retailer that would sell me LaBella singles - the only ones that would, are all located across the pond, so shipping would make it cost more than buying a new set of LaBella strings. Crazy, eh?

But I found that Thomann is selling D'Addario flatwound Chromes singles, and am wondering how close, in terms of loudness, are these Chromes vs. the LaBellas?

If you like La bellas you probably won't like Chromes, they're like night and day. I've tried Chromes a few times and took them off every time, they've bright and don't have a lot of bottom, some people like them though, they never sound like normal flats.

 

[michael_t]

Probably the one he circled?

Aha! I didn't even notice the 65 is circled! I'm in desperate need for a new prescription for my progressives.

 

[bobyoung53]

Aha! I didn't even noticed the 65 is circled! I'm in desperate need for a new prescription for my progressives.

Yes I need new glasses too.

 

[matante]

La Bellas are not louder than other flats but there is one type that has noticeably less volume: Rotosound flats. They're made from a different alloy, not stainless steel. Great tone but you'll notice the loss of output.

 

[bikemusic]

I replaced a broken bottom E LaBella string on my Hofner with a Chrome. It sounded far too clangy at first. After two weeks I took it off and put on a Pyramid Gold. But that sounded dead in comparison so I put on the Chrome again. Two weeks later it's sounding more and more similar to the other LaBellas. I kind of like the way the lowest notes growl a little more than the others. But it probably wouldn't work for a middle string. I don't think it ever mellow as far as the LaBellas.

 

[Killing Floor]

I like Chromes after a short break in period. Nice thump. I don’t love the tension, that’s why I went a different direction. But they sound good. I find them similar to Roto 77 once broken in.

 

[Shoreline Gold]

For the first time in my life I actually broke a bass string yesterday, so interesting that this post came up. In fact, they were from exactly the same set as OP, and the same string! I've never had problems stringing basses and especially with LaBellas and this one just snapped as soon as I was tuning it up after installation. It wasn't even close to pitch and just *sproing*. OP, what's making you change that one? Did it break?

Is anyone having issues with LaBellas? The last set I got, the Low Tension Flats were just...off somehow. Hard to describe, but there was definitely something wrong with them. Now I'm questioning LaBellas overall. Over-reaction?

 

[bobyoung53]

For the first time in my life I actually broke a bass string yesterday, so interesting that this post came up. In fact, they were from exactly the same set as OP, and the same string! I've never had problems stringing basses and especially with LaBellas and this one just snapped as soon as I was tuning it up after installation. It wasn't even close to pitch and just *sproing*. OP, what's making you change that one? Did it break?

Is anyone having issues with LaBellas? The last set I got, the Low Tension Flats were just...off somehow. Hard to describe, but there was definitely something wrong with them. Now I'm questioning LaBellas overall. Over-reaction?

That happened to me once with La Bella DTB same thing, snapped while tuning it up, brand new, I contacted the company and they sent me a new one within a few days. No issues with them ever. Stuff happens once in a while.