Now here's a slightly outrageous question for folks playing E-C tuned fivers: has anyone ever paired La Bella 760FLs (or 760FSs, for that matter) with a D'Addario Chromes CB032 high C ?!
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**The LaBella 760FL Deep-Talkin' Flats LOVE Thread**
- Thread starter tallboybass
- Start date
Your journey is pretty close to what I did. I played rounds for a bazillion years but did a recording project a few years back and just wasn't happy with the sound of any of my basses. I figured it was the rounds and the fact that I don't play or feel things in the same way now. I swapped in Chromes (point #2 below) and was much happier with the results but figured there had to be something better out there. I think all of the string tests I did were on an EBMM SRS 5H, though there might have been a Jazz Bass and Muck involved at some point. And a EBMM Sterling 5H fretless that I wish I had back...
1. Chromes (with .045 G string). Too stiff though I left a set on my 1962 Jazz Bass, which I never touch, in a Nigel Tufnel sort of way. Might put a set of 760FL's on whenever I take it out of the case again...
2. Chromes (with a .040 string). Had to McGuyver a B-string and used a .110, which wasn't bad. Less stiff and I didn't mind the brightness, though the "clank" would bug me from time to time. After every string test below I'd put these back on.
3. TI Flats. Tried to like them but didn't really care for the sound or feel. Still have 2 sets in a bag somewhere that might wind up in the emporium.
4. EB Group 4 Flats. Meh...
5. EB Cobalt Flats. Weird feel and sound. Limited gauge options, at least at the time.
6. LTFs--close, but no cigar. Sound was a bit "dinky" (for lack of a better term) and the strings tended to roll under my fingers.
7. The 760FL's. Nice high end but not abrasive like the Chromes. Just about Goldilocks tension. Going to stick with these to see how they break in. Next gig in a few weeks--looking forward to see how they sound in a band context.
Every now and then I'd put a set of rounds on, just to compare. Just not my thing anymore...
3 months later and still loving them. Maybe a little more mellow, but they didn't need much break in.
Quick follow up. I bought an extra light set (.039) and like the sound, feel, and tension. LaBella doesn't offer a 5-string set in that gauge so I left the .128 B on, which seems a bit too large in comparison. But it works well enough. Looking forward to hear what it sounds like in a band context.
So, I got to the point that I had 760FL's on almost all of my axes: The #1 P-bass, the Lakland Hollowbody, the Dart Sterling. (I keep rounds on the #2 P-bass for when my band does the full Weezer Blue album - that's got to be rounds + pick.)
But I thought I oughta have something else on the Lakland Jazz. Had Ken Smith slickrounds on there for about year 'cause I wanted to try Mike Gordon's string of choice.... But I just never enjoyed playing that bass very much. It wouldn't punch.
Last month I broke down and put 760FL's on the Jazz. And y'know what? Now I'm picking up that bass all the damn time.
They're just right for these hands, and to these ears.
But I thought I oughta have something else on the Lakland Jazz. Had Ken Smith slickrounds on there for about year 'cause I wanted to try Mike Gordon's string of choice.... But I just never enjoyed playing that bass very much. It wouldn't punch.
Last month I broke down and put 760FL's on the Jazz. And y'know what? Now I'm picking up that bass all the damn time.
They're just right for these hands, and to these ears.
Had them on this Jazz since 2008
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I found that as well. Amazon’s mistake? …or Labella’s? Second bullet down says “not suitable” for it.
I tried using FL’s through body once long ago. It popped the end off the E-string. I know others here have had better luck.
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Oh well, it’s not the end of the world. Other than suffering the critics on TB who will know my Fender American Pro Jazz bass is doing the deed with strings that are top loaded.
I have an American Pro Jazz Bass and I've tried running the strings both through the bridge and through the body. I don't find that it makes a difference at all.
- Steve
I was joking. I am also looking forward to playing and hearing the La Bellas -- top mounted, of course!
Look forward to hearing how you like them...they have always been a favorite of mine.
Amazon seems pretty loose in terms of their product descriptions on many things. Who knew that Thomastik made “accordion” strings, lol. AI may be responsible for some of this kind of stuff…or it may simply be the lack of editing, which seems to plague almost all “professional” writing, news articles, etc nowadays. The confusing reply from Labella seems to flow along the same trend as Amazon…no time to understand, clarify, or correct. Or it could be the new hire assigned to the customer service department, well versed in chat systems and timeliness of responses, but unarmed with the necessary training, product knowledge and corporate history, and uninspired to get it right due to other job priorities.
I agree, the answer is short of an apology for stupid or anything else, except that at least it’s accurate. I guess that’s something. And yes, top loading works fine IME.
Yesterday I received the 760FLs for my 4-string Jazz bass. These are the fifth or sixth set of strings I've tried on this bass, including TI Jazz flats, a year on TI Jazz rounds, and most recently Ernie Ball cobalt slinky flats. Installation was a breeze with minimal setup of truss rod, string heights, intonations, and pickup heights. Forget about "growing into" a new set. After playing many basses and strings over the years, I've come to recognize -- usually within five or ten seconds of playing a new set -- if they are the "right" ones. With satisfaction, the La Bella's instantly brought pleasure to my ears and playability. I particularly noticed the balanced, smooth "glassy" sound several players have mentioned. Tuning is nice and solid with no slippage. Started with pizz and then pick, and both sounded and felt perfect. I think I had a set of La Bella's on a Steinberger bass years ago; otherwise this is the first trial on a standard bass. I shoulda' checked these out sooner! Even though they are top-loaded.
P.S. the packaging says these strings are not appropriate for through-hole setups, so the Amazon ad implication was wrong-o as AI-usual.
P.S. the packaging says these strings are not appropriate for through-hole setups, so the Amazon ad implication was wrong-o as AI-usual.
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FL’s have been my go-to Fender bass string forever. I too like them right out of the box. I also like them as they mellow and they keep a certain mid-forward clarity just about forever. They’re not just “thump” as so often claimed, though I suppose you could obtain that quality if you’re into rolling back the tone control a whole lot.
Years ago, La Bella’s catalog stated that all of their DTB gauged sets were available in ‘thru-body’, but now they only list the 760FS set as available in thru-body (labeled as 760FS-TB). It’s apparent that the Amazon listing was wrong, and maybe because they used to be available.
