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**The LaBella 760FL Deep-Talkin' Flats LOVE Thread**
- Thread starter tallboybass
- Start date
deepestend
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2003
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Thanks Steve! Trying these out now (messaged Steve privately as well).
I'm finding that the LTF's have more of a zingy sound to them as well. Has anyone else experienced this? Does it "tame" out the longer you use them, or is it just inherent to these strings?
deepestend
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2003
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So, the LTF's are not for me. I'm going back to my 760FL's on that particular bass.
These were given to me for the cost of shipping (thanks to @bassfiddlesteve). If anyone else in the US wants to pay shipping, I'd be glad to pass these set of Fender 4-cut LTF's to you. Send me a PM.
These were given to me for the cost of shipping (thanks to @bassfiddlesteve). If anyone else in the US wants to pay shipping, I'd be glad to pass these set of Fender 4-cut LTF's to you. Send me a PM.
I've been a long time fan of the LaBella 760FL set but when I tried them on my Fender American Professional Jazz Bass they just didn't work as well. No matter how I tweaked the setup they just felt too tense for that bass, even though I use the 760FL set on my other Jazz Bass (a '62 AVRI that I bought new in 1988).
A friend gave me a used set of Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats to try on this bass, but once again I found these strings too loose and I didn't care for the mid-heavy/bottom-shy sound. I think I may have found the right strings for this bass with the LaBella Low Tension Flats. I did have to make some setup changes including loosening the truss rod 1/8 of a turn, but overall I am pleased so far. The sound is similar to the 760FL set with maybe a bit more evenness and clarity and slightly less of an "old school" sound. They don't have the inherent brightness of a new set of 760FL's, sounding more like a set that is already been broken in after a few months of playing. The D & G are a bit brighter than the lower strings, but to me that's just the character of LaBella flats regardless of the gauge. Even the three-year old 760FL set on my P-Bass retains this aspect. I'll reserve final judgment until I use this bass on a few gigs and I'll report back here once I do.
Now five of my six electric basses are wearing LaBella flats, the sole holdout being my Music Man Stingray which was voted "Bass Most Likely To Be Slapped" in the high school yearbook
- Steve
I utlimately deceided that the LTF set isn't for me. I prefer the 760FL in general, although on this particular bass I haven't found a flatwound string that suits it. I'm going to keep roundwounds on this bass since I have another Jazz Bass where the 760Fl set is a good match.
- Steve
I really like the Olintos on my Jazz bass, more mids and definition than the 760 flats.
deepestend
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2003
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I'd like to try them. I tried the Low Tension Flats, but did not like the feel. I'm guessing that it's due to the round core. The 760FLs have a hex core. The Olintos also have a hex core, so I might really like them.
deepestend
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2003
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10 years old on a MIM p bass with SPB-1. FLs ended my string journey.
deepestend
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2003
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I recently got a killer 1972 Fender Jazz Bass (as documented here...with lots of pics) and since I already have a Jazz Bass with rounds, I decided to put a set 760FL flats it. I didn't need to touch the truss rod, but when I set the intonation all four saddles were lined up right at the front edge of the bridge plate which is pretty unusual. I think theses string sound and feel great on this bass which I used on my gig last Friday. I'll recorded some audio and soon and share it here.
- Steve
- Steve
Agreed—this one has had 760FLs since 2008:
Attachments
Looks like La Bella is no longer making a tapered B string. Any other brands make a flat with a tapered B, possibly E string also? Specifically flats.
I keep trying other flats and I keep coming back to the FL's. I liked the slightly beefier feeling of the FS's, but for some reason the D string in that set intonates weirdly on my P-bass, with the saddle way in front of the others. Which shouldn't matter much, but it does interfere when I'm trying to use a mute because I can't get the mute as far back as I want on the other strings.
The FL's intonate perfectly, feel great under the fingers, and sound excellent with fingers or pick. I've dinged La Bella's in the past for not being as 'versatile' as some other kinds of flats, but I'm increasingly leaning toward the idea that I don't need my flats to be versatile. When I play a bass with flats, I want that old-school darkness and thud. If I want a more 'modern' sound, I've got other basses strung with rounds. And sometimes the vintage sound in a modern context sounds amazing (Tim Lefebvre on Blackstar, Justin Meldal-Johnsen on Sea Change).
The FL's intonate perfectly, feel great under the fingers, and sound excellent with fingers or pick. I've dinged La Bella's in the past for not being as 'versatile' as some other kinds of flats, but I'm increasingly leaning toward the idea that I don't need my flats to be versatile. When I play a bass with flats, I want that old-school darkness and thud. If I want a more 'modern' sound, I've got other basses strung with rounds. And sometimes the vintage sound in a modern context sounds amazing (Tim Lefebvre on Blackstar, Justin Meldal-Johnsen on Sea Change).
Having tried and ultimately discarded the Jamerson set, I just ordered a set of the FL's for one of my P basses. I liked the way the Jamerson set sounded, but they were just exhausting to play for my relatively inexperienced hands.
I think you’ll be pleased with the 760FL set. For me the tension is just right. They are very playable without being too stiff or too loose.
- Steve
I have another precision that wears GHS flats and I expect these to feel similar but sound like the DTFs.
