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Strings for Hofner basses, 3 brands

Pimpernel Smith

Pimpernel Smith

May 25, 2012
1,551
1,984
In the Pond
#1
I don't know if I've ever seen this discussed as one topic, so I thought I'd try it.
I'd like Hofner bass players who actually use either Pyramid Gold flats (or Hofner branded German made ), Thomastik-Infeld Jazz flats, and LaBella flats for Hofner Beatle basses to share their thoughts comparing these strings with each other.

Share what you like most about the brand(s) you use.

Please don't derail this discussion by discussing other brands or round wounds, or tape wounds. We could save that for another discussion.
 
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#2
Sorry, but... not sure I can, really. I do use La Bella flats on a "Beatle Bass", but it's not a Hofner - and they are 760FL-S's, not the 760FHBB's. The short scale TI's are on a very different bass from a Hofner. And the strings on my German made, NOS '17 Hofner 500/2? I'm not sure they're the original factory Hofner flats. They appear to be identical to the spare set of Pyramid Gold Flats that I bought for it. In any case;
- Aside from having a slightly heavier G string and a slightly lighter E string than the 760FL-S's? The 760FHBB's only real difference is a smaller ball on the tail end (Hofner's don't like the normal, larger bass string balls), and a longer, smaller leader on the tuner end. The Chinese violin bass the 760FL's are on, has no problem with the larger balls, and it didn't have a problem with their leaders going through the holes in the tuners, either. But, that might not be the case with a Hofner... As for their tone? I'd imagine the two sets sound about the same. They're both La Bella short scale flats, and there's not a lot of difference between a 50-100 set of strings, and a set of 43-104's.. They feel pretty stiff, for short scale flats; but not too stiff. I use some short scale flats that are a lot stiffer...
- Pyramid Gold Flats. Honestly? they sound like I expected them to sound; low, woody, with not a lot of high end. Not as stiff as the La Bellas, but... not real flexible, either. IMO, they suit that bass very well, and I have no desire to replace them with something else. And, they fit my Club Bass with no problem whatsoever...
-TI Jazz Flats. TBH, I find them almost too flexible - although they're a little stiffer than the long scale TI's one of my other basses wears. I mostly play with a pick; the TI's are almost too flexible for me to do that. I'm too used to much stiffer flats, and the TI's require a lot of adjusting my technique. How do they sound? Personally, I don't think I'd put them on a Hofner, myself. They have too much midrange and way too much high end, to suit me. On a different shorty? Oh, yeah; absolutely. Whether or not they'd actually fit on a Hofner, though, is another matter. The leaders might give you trouble, but IIRC, they use small guitar-sized balls, too...
So; sorry, but that's the best I can give you... :whistle:
 
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#3
GIBrat51:
Yes, that's about the way I see them. I use a pick on the Hofner, neck pickup on, and Solo on the switch. Over the years, and today, I've favored the Hofner/ Pyramid Gold flats over the LaBella and Thomastik-Infeld jazz flats, though I think all three are quite good. I give full points to LaBella for the fit, finish and intonation of their strings for Hofner bass. The original German made Pyramid strings are the classic Liverpool sound and five me the deep woody bass sound I love. Of course, the Pyramid/Hofner strings fit perfectly too.
I've wondered how the LaBella flats sound after a year and on through 5 years or so. They do start off rather on the bright side but calm down after a month.
Does anyone have experience with using them on a Hofner for many years?
 
#4
Pimpernel Smith said:
I don't know if I've ever seen this discussed as one topic, so I thought I'd try it.
I'd like Hofner bass players who actually use either Pyramid Gold flats (or Hofner branded German made ), Thomastik-Infeld Jazz flats, and LaBella flats for Hofner Beatle basses to share their thoughts comparing these strings with each other.

Share what you like most about the brand(s) you use.

Please don't derail this discussion by discussing other brands or round wounds, or tape wounds. We could save that for another discussion.
Click to expand...
Here's a list of active TB users who I believe have experience with at least two of the flatwounds mentioned in the OP, on their respective Beatle basses:
@shoulderpet @FranF @jasper383 @DavyR @ICM @root5 @KLINCOLNS @Pier_ @nattiep @Man about Tyne @S.F.Sorrow @MaccaMan1964 @markjazzbassist @bassfiddlesteve @droberts444 @V63 @WannaBeatle @Nordic Groover @Johnny Alien


(Should I bump into more of them I will page them too.)

Here are some relevant past threads:
Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group Part 2
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/which-flatwounds-for-my-beatle-bass.876857/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/best-strings-for-hofner-violin-bass.459208/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/how-to-restring-a-höfner-violin-bass.1058275/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/labella-hofner-strings-not-so-bella.1542705/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/yet-another-question-about-hofner-bass-strings.1515548/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wh...as-mccartneys-hofner-and-rickenbacker.725528/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/labella-hofner-beatle-flats.945961/

By the way, you could post a link to this thread on
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/new-option-in-labella-hofner-beatle-bass-strings.832263/
so as to attract those members' interest as well.
 
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#6
I’ve used all 3, with pick and neck pickup.

The TIs were mid-forward as you’d expect, and sounded great with some overdrive, but had less of the classic thud I wanted. If I played that style of modern rock that sounds retro, with effects, I might have stuck with these longer.

The Pyramids are classics for a reason. They worked great.

That said, actually liked the LaBella 760FHB2 the best of the 3. I found them to have a little less mid content than the Pyramids, so I adjusted my amp to compensate. They also seemed to take a bit longer to settle to where I liked them, maybe 3 months. The string to string tonal balance just worked. If you want the classic E string thud, maybe stick with Pyramids. I just liked the articulation better with Labella. I used the same set for 3 years and then regrettably traded my Hofner.

I should note Pyramids are my favorite flats for a Fender bass. They were a close second for my Hofner.
 
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#8
@HaphAsSard @Pimpernel Smith

TI Jazz Flats - the signature midrange rich tone works well. It’s inherently woodiness and upper registry singing sounds excellent on the hofner. It sounds more like a broken in round wound than a flat with polite bottom end and the emphasis on the mids and highs. Also these have more sustain like a round. For me if you love the woody sound of a hollow body this helps accentuate that and complement it.

Pyramid Gold - the inverse of TI. Lots of thick thumpy bottom with quick decay (more thump!) and thick midrange with a polite top end. These accentuate the thump and big bottom of the hofner and hollowbody sound.

Labella - more similar to pyramid than TI. A flat wound for sure so emphasis on the lows. It’s stainless steel though whereas the other 2 are nickel. I’ve always found labella have more of a low mid emphasis, like on jazz basses they are burpy. The hofner isn’t like a jazz but some of that inherent low mid sound is there mixed with the fat bottom. For me this is a looser sounding string as the pyramid quick decay make its sound tight, here it’s big and loose.
 
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#10
HaphAsSard said:
Here's a list of active TB users who I believe have experience with at least two of the flatwounds mentioned in the OP, on their respective Beatle basses:
@shoulderpet @FranF @jasper383 @DavyR @ICM @root5 @KLINCOLNS @Pier_ @nattiep @Man about Tyne @S.F.Sorrow @MaccaMan1964 @markjazzbassist @bassfiddlesteve @droberts444 @V63 @WannaBeatle @Nordic Groover @Johnny Alien


(Should I bump into more of them I will page them too.)

Here are some relevant past threads:
Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group Part 2
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/which-flatwounds-for-my-beatle-bass.876857/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/best-strings-for-hofner-violin-bass.459208/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/how-to-restring-a-höfner-violin-bass.1058275/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/labella-hofner-strings-not-so-bella.1542705/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/yet-another-question-about-hofner-bass-strings.1515548/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wh...as-mccartneys-hofner-and-rickenbacker.725528/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/labella-hofner-beatle-flats.945961/

By the way, you could post a link to this thread on
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/new-option-in-labella-hofner-beatle-bass-strings.832263/
so as to attract those members' interest as well.
Click to expand...
Thanks for getting things going. It's much appreciated.
 
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#11
My opinion is close to markjazzbassist. But, never tried TI’s on the Hofner. They are my go-to on Pbasses.
Pyramid is great thump, less articulate. And yes, the E drops off quickly. Too much for me.
Labella seems to be the best combo and also agree, the string-to-string tone is very even.
While these are all things I hear playing alone, they tend to vanish quickly when you “strike up the band”! So, my advice, pick what feels best to your fingers and let the amp and pickups do their thing!
 
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#12
I've tried four sets on my CT Club. The Pyramid set was rough feeling and dead out of the package. I was not fond of them. TI's were wonderful but my bass hated how light the tension was on the E and it kept buzzing even after neck adjustments. La Bella is where I'm at but the heavier 760FHBB 50-100 set with the black silks. Absolutely amazing. Tension is higher than the TI's but that's what my instrument needed.
 
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#13
Pimpernel Smith said:
Pyramid Gold flats (or Hofner branded German made ),
Click to expand...


first of all, as I pointed out in a topic about string gauges, Pyramid and Hofner are NOT the same strings, they are quite a bit different in feel and tension, other than gauge.

Hofner strings are smoother on the texture, with a slightly thinner gauge and sound "woodier" and "deader".

Pyramid are a little bit rougher, less flexible (even when the gauge is the same) and have a livelier sound with more pronounced basses and mids.

I could compare them well on two Hofners I bought a couple of years ago, a Reissue 62 and Reissue 61; both came with stock Hofner strings, and both felt really different from the strings (Pyramid) I had on my now gone Ignition.

the first I bought was the Reissue 62, and changing from Hofner to Pyramid meant different setup (truss rod to be tightened, action to be lowered, intonation to be set) and a different feeling on touch and sound.
I thought it was only related to the fact that those strings were really old, but when I bought an year later the 61, almost new, found the same feelings, and measured the strings with a caliber :P

changed them to Pyramid, and the sound came out better.

concerning La Bella's, I tried for a while the light gauge Beatle Bass set: the strings felt completely different from the Pyramids: La Bella are lighter in gauge, but less flexible and a lot stiffer/firmer.
the sound is also different, they are extremely precise on the mids, dry on the basses, with more sustain and they shift a lot the typical sound of the Hofner as we are used to hear.
they don't "bounce", don't know if this therm can be understood :D

the intonation on the La Bella is way better than with Pyramids, but the difference in sound and feeling led me to keep the Pyramids.
 
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#15
Pier:
I found very similar results as you have. We know that Pyramid makes the Hofner branded strings for them. However, that's not to say that the Hofner branded strings are made to the exact same specifications as the Pyramid Gold strings. The diameters are slightly different. I have also put my digital calipers on them. Oddly, the Hofner branded flats do seem smoother than the Pyramid Gold flats.
I also agree completely about the LaBella strings. Their intonation is better, but the sound isn't quite what I have come to expect on a Hofner bass. But, they are very good strings and they fit perfectly.
 
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#16
I've moved to Labellas as they were more readily available than Pyramids here in Sydney (I could buy them off the rack at a physical store - I have to order in Pyramids and TIs or buy on-line). The Pyramids had been on the bass for (at least) a decade or so, and thus the first impression was the contrast between old string thump and new string zing. The Labellas also felt a little more flexible - the feel was definitely a little different but not night-and-day.

Weirdly, intonation was spot on after installation, which was a massive relief. As the Labellas have settled in I have found they are producing that familiar warm tone that the old Pyramids generated. Given they're easier to get and a little cheaper, they're my string of choice.

I use TIs on other basses and they are a very different beast - the contrast in tension compared to Pyramids is enormous. After a little adjustment, they are a joy to play. I have, however, found different batches to behave differently. The first strings I bought produced an old school thump from the get-go, which is exactly what I wanted. The next were much more mid-forward on the E and A but thumpy on the D and G. Both sets were on 4001s (a '73 and '74). The difference is accentuated when playing with a pick. This has made me a little less enthusiastic about TIs than I once was, particularly given the expense.
 
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#17
Dabndug said:
Weirdly, intonation was spot on after installation, which was a massive relief. As the Labellas have settled in I have found they are producing that familiar warm tone that the old Pyramids generated. Given they're easier to get and a little cheaper, they're my string of choice.
Click to expand...
Dabndug:
I found much the same regarding the LaBella flats for Hofner basses. The fit and finish are excellent and the intonation is the best of the three types, as far as I have experienced in over 50 years of playing Hofner basses.

I'd summarize my impressions like this:
Hofner branded or Pyramid branded flats for the deepest warm thump, with a quick decay. Classic McCartney sound. Made in Germany.
Thomastic-Infeld Jazz flats for a more musical sounding string, and lowest tension. Made in Austria.
LaBella flats for Hofner basses for beautiful fit, finish and intonation. A bit stiffer and brighter for the first month or two. Widely available and generally a lower price, depending on where you live. Made in the USA.
All three are great choices and will last many years making them cost effective over their lifetime.
 
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#18
Man about Tyne said:
I simply couldn’t get over the dead E string of the Pyramids. Yes, I know it’s the classic sound but three strings singing and one dull thud. Not for me. TI Jazz Flats not as thick a sound but balanced and musical.
Click to expand...

actually I've never encountered the "dead E string" on any Pyramid set I've used, on different basses. I've always thought that this is a myth related to some torsion or error while stringing.

Pimpernel Smith said:
I'd summarize my impressions like this:
Click to expand...

sorry for the late reply, but I red this topic only today :D

I can only speak about La Bella (light set) and Pyramid, because I've never used the Thomastik on any Hofner, hollow or semi-hollow bass.

La Bella:
the first thing about them is the look: they are smooth and shiny, but "glassy" to the touch. the second is the flexibility (not tension, IMHO).
La Bella are "tighter" and less flexible, they are firmer and this makes them sound more "precise", in some way I think of a "sterile" sound, compared to the Pyramid, and feel "smaller and harder to play".

more hi-mids and highs, the E string is too defined for my taste, and the Hofner loses it's "woody" character and becomes more like a standard electric bass with a mellow sound.

they intonate better (but I had to move the saddles like this: New item by Pierfrancesco Sanò . this was an Ignition model), but the overall feeling wasn't the best.

I kept them for some months, played in various gigs and a TV recording, but couldn't get used to them all the way around, so I switched back to Pyramid.

Pyramid Gold:
they are less shiny, but the feeling is "velvety", and they feel more flexible even if they are bigger and leave less space between the strings.
the sound is mellower and more prominent on the bass and mid bass frequencies (I've noticed the same thing with the long scale set), and feels "woodier", with more attack and a bit less sustain.
I didn't find the E string to be too different from the others, but D and G are brighter out of the pack, but after some playing they mellow out and they balance with the others.
the intonation is not perfect, and I couldn't find the "right spot" of the bridge, it's strange.
this is the bridge of my ex Jack Casady with Pyramid: New item by Pierfrancesco Sanò, perfect intonation.

this is the Hofner 62 reissue with Pyramid: New item by Pierfrancesco Sanò
like this, they are all "slightly sharp" after the 10th fret, but at the same amount. moving the bridge didn't change much, it's like I couldn't find the "right spot".

photos.app.goo.gl

New item by Pierfrancesco Sanò

photos.app.goo.gl photos.app.goo.gl

these two basses have the same strings, but the intonation on the 61 Caver is slightly better.

however, it's the kind of "sharpness" that is not much noticeable while playing, so I can live with it. for me it's more important that every string is "equally out" XD
 
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