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**The LaBella 760FL Deep-Talkin' Flats LOVE Thread**

#401
Does anyone know what the actual tangible differences between the normal 760FLs and the ones for string-thru-body? I know the string-thru are about an inch longer than the regular - anything else?

I play 31" scale length basses that I string thru-body (one string break of a much-abused D'Addario Chrome E-string back in 2007 - otherwise no problems). If the only difference between the regular and STB strings is the length of the strings, then I'm hoping the shorter bass is enough to mitigate the risks. If not, I guess I'll learn that the hard way.
 
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#404
deepestend said:
Has anyone else found anything worth trying? I'm always on the lookout for anything better... but haven't really found anything.
Click to expand...

I'm trying Ernie Ball Group flats on my P-bass right now. Won't say they're better than DTF's, but they're great in their own way. Nice evenness of tone between strings, responsive to adjustments with the tone knob, and intonate nicely. I'm not great at hearing mid-range content, but I don't hear the slight scoop that DTF's have. Group flats have a 'dry' tone that sometimes I love and sometimes has me adding some light reverb via my HX Stomp.

Using the 2.5 set gauged 105-85-65-45. It's on the higher side of tension, but I was able to lower my action and they feel pretty nice. They definitely 'fight' me more than my favorite La Bella's. The 760FL's are probably the best-feeling set of strings I've ever played - they absolutely nailed the tension with that set.
 
#405
Kyle_S said:
I'm trying Ernie Ball Group flats on my P-bass right now. Won't say they're better than DTF's, but they're great in their own way. Nice evenness of tone between strings, responsive to adjustments with the tone knob, and intonate nicely. I'm not great at hearing mid-range content, but I don't hear the slight scoop that DTF's have. Group flats have a 'dry' tone that sometimes I love and sometimes has me adding some light reverb via my HX Stomp.

Using the 2.5 set gauged 105-85-65-45. It's on the higher side of tension, but I was able to lower my action and they feel pretty nice. They definitely 'fight' me more than my favorite La Bella's. The 760FL's are probably the best-feeling set of strings I've ever played - they absolutely nailed the tension with that set.
Click to expand...
It really is the tension on the 760FLs that does it for me. That along with the hex core. I just haven't found that combination elsewhere. Plenty of other good flats, but the labellas speak to me.
 
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#407
Kyle_S said:
I'm trying Ernie Ball Group flats on my P-bass right now. Won't say they're better than DTF's, but they're great in their own way. Nice evenness of tone between strings, responsive to adjustments with the tone knob, and intonate nicely. I'm not great at hearing mid-range content, but I don't hear the slight scoop that DTF's have. Group flats have a 'dry' tone that sometimes I love and sometimes has me adding some light reverb via my HX Stomp.

Using the 2.5 set gauged 105-85-65-45. It's on the higher side of tension, but I was able to lower my action and they feel pretty nice. They definitely 'fight' me more than my favorite La Bella's. The 760FL's are probably the best-feeling set of strings I've ever played - they absolutely nailed the tension with that set.
Click to expand...
Agree, once break in , Group flat sound dry. I love this dry tone on Ray than P.
 
#408
I just went through and tried a few flats on my lakland hollowbody... had some 760FS on it and always felt like it was a little stiff. Went through my stash of flats and landed back on a set of 760FLs. The feel and tone really keep winning. I have that urge to want to try something different, but keep landing back in the same place. I now have them on my Jazz, Hollowbody, and will soon have them back on my P (took the ones I had off of there to try on the hollowbody).
 
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#409
Hello everyone, I’m a longtime string junkie. I’ve got a Peavey Fury IV (active HH 4-string, wearing EB Hybrid Slinky), a Schecter Raiden Special-4 (passive HH 4-string wearing D’Addario ProSteels BEAD) and an Ibanez AEB5E acoustic bass (wearing Rotosound 77 Jazz Flat 45-105). The Peavey is my #1 and the Ibanez my #2.

I was able to help “Santa” pick out my Christmas gifts- D’Addario NYXL 45-105, La Bella 760FL and Elixir Acoustic Bass strings.

My initial thought was to put the DTFs on my Schecter; it hardly sees any action as it is, and I figured making it a flatwound bass might bring it back into rotation. But, the reality is that the Peavey is the only bass that has left the house for my regularly scheduled church gig since I bought it in March. I’m absolutely smitten with this bass. It sounds and feels incredible and I don’t see it leaving the #1 spot at all.

All that to be said, I love the Peavey with rounds. I think they bring out the best of the electronics. And yet I can’t shake the feeling that I should put the DTFs on it. I’m almost inclined to install them on my Peavey (4-in-line tuners) and, if I don’t love them on it, move them to my Schecter.

I have 28 days to think it over. Feel free to offer any insight!
 
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#410
IME, 760FL/FX are great with basses that have a lot going on in the midrange and possibly a brittle top end. I have a G&L SB-1 with a super-duper hot "Magnetic Field Design" ceramic magnet pickup. It has tons of output, mids, and highs, which accentuates the more strident tones of more modern flatwounds like Dunlop or the newer Fenders, unless tone is rolled way down. But the scoop in the Deep Talking Flats works around all of that.

One of the first things I do when getting a bass is switching to a quick-release bridge (if it doesn't have one) to make string changing a lot easier, otherwise it's easy to wear off the silk and possibly put unwanted twists/crimps in the string as you swap it out.

bassist4dalord said:
Hello everyone, I’m a longtime string junkie. I’ve got a Peavey Fury IV (active HH 4-string, wearing EB Hybrid Slinky), a Schecter Raiden Special-4 (passive HH 4-string wearing D’Addario ProSteels BEAD) and an Ibanez AEB5E acoustic bass (wearing Rotosound 77 Jazz Flat 45-105). The Peavey is my #1 and the Ibanez my #2.

I was able to help “Santa” pick out my Christmas gifts- D’Addario NYXL 45-105, La Bella 760FL and Elixir Acoustic Bass strings.

My initial thought was to put the DTFs on my Schecter; it hardly sees any action as it is, and I figured making it a flatwound bass might bring it back into rotation. But, the reality is that the Peavey is the only bass that has left the house for my regularly scheduled church gig since I bought it in March. I’m absolutely smitten with this bass. It sounds and feels incredible and I don’t see it leaving the #1 spot at all.

All that to be said, I love the Peavey with rounds. I think they bring out the best of the electronics. And yet I can’t shake the feeling that I should put the DTFs on it. I’m almost inclined to install them on my Peavey (4-in-line tuners) and, if I don’t love them on it, move them to my Schecter.

I have 28 days to think it over. Feel free to offer any insight!
Click to expand...
 
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#411
Chadwick123 said:
I thought people checking out this thread would like from this video.

Click to expand...

This video helped convince me to give the 760FL a try on my new Vintera II Road Worn 60s P. And man, they sound good. And feel good. My past experience with LaBellas was the 760FS and I took them off right away. Too much tension and a dull, lifeless E string. I know it's only a minor difference in string gauge, but these feel and sound better than the 760FS.
 
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#412
I'm finally coming around to these strings (the FLs).

I started life with La Bella flats (the 105 and 109 gauges), and more recently (last 10-15 years) did a fair amount of exploring (and liking) flats from other companies (and also from La Bella - Olintos, LTFs). But there is something about the DTF La Bella tone that is well.. classic.

The FL 104 set seems to be a sort of "goldilocks" set, both for La Bella as well as the others. And they are most balanced/even of all the La Bellas strings I've used thus far. That and the amazing clarity combined with that creamy LB tone.

Because of this, I think it's La Bella's most versatile string. Feels great to be back with La Bellas.
 
Last edited:
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#413
Selim said:
I'm finally coming around to these strings (the FLs).

I started life with La Bella flats (the 105 and 109 gauges), and more recently (last 10-15 years) did a fair amount of exploring (and liking) flats from other companies (and also from La Bella - Olintos, LTFs). But there is something about the DTF La Bella tone that is well.. classic.

The FL 104 set seems to be a sort of "goldilocks" set, both for La Bella as well as the others. And they are most balanced/even of all the La Bellas strings I've used thus far. That and the amazing clarity combined with that creamy LB tone.

Because of this, I think it's La Bella's most versatile string. Feels great to be back with La Bellas.
Click to expand...
I haven't tried the Olinto flats but I did try the 760FS set as well as the Low Tension Flats and I agree that the 760FL set is more balanced.

I currently have this set on four of my basses (three Fenders and a Yamaha). I also have the 760N black nylon tape wounds on my Carvin AC40F fretless.

- Steve
 
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#414
Sad to report that they warnings on the string package are correct.

To paraphrase:
1.) "Don't string these thru-body or the string will break" (I strung long-scale thru the body of a short scale bass)
2.) "Only parts of the string end covered in silk should wrap around the tuner post - if you wrap non-silked parts around tthe post, the string will break."

Because of the reduced tension and scale length, #1 didn't get me. But because of that shorter bass length, the long E string had one full wrap around the post of the non-silk part of the string. It lasted...I want to say 4 months before #2 got me right before the 4th of 6 songs I was playing on Sunday. I made it through the rest of the set without an E string.

So credit to Labella for knowing their own product limitations. I absolutely love the feel AND the sound, but it looks like I'll have to keep looking.
 
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#415
acleex38 said:
Sad to report that they warnings on the string package are correct.

To paraphrase:
1.) "Don't string these thru-body or the string will break" (I strung long-scale thru the body of a short scale bass)
2.) "Only parts of the string end covered in silk should wrap around the tuner post - if you wrap non-silked parts around tthe post, the string will break."

Because of the reduced tension and scale length, #1 didn't get me. But because of that shorter bass length, the long E string had one full wrap around the post of the non-silk part of the string. It lasted...I want to say 4 months before #2 got me right before the 4th of 6 songs I was playing on Sunday. I made it through the rest of the set without an E string.

So credit to Labella for knowing their own product limitations. I absolutely love the feel AND the sound, but it looks like I'll have to keep looking.
Click to expand...
This is really good to know! I just got my first set of DTFs last night and they're on the way to my house. I got the medium gauge (49-109 / FM) set because I tune to D Standard and I need higher tension to compensate. I will try not to make these mistakes when I string my bass.

I have tried three of their La Bella tapes and their Gold Flats in the past. But I finally have an need for some of the darkest strings in the world of bass.
 
#416
acleex38 said:
Sad to report that they warnings on the string package are correct.

To paraphrase:
1.) "Don't string these thru-body or the string will break" (I strung long-scale thru the body of a short scale bass)
2.) "Only parts of the string end covered in silk should wrap around the tuner post - if you wrap non-silked parts around tthe post, the string will break."

Because of the reduced tension and scale length, #1 didn't get me. But because of that shorter bass length, the long E string had one full wrap around the post of the non-silk part of the string. It lasted...I want to say 4 months before #2 got me right before the 4th of 6 songs I was playing on Sunday. I made it through the rest of the set without an E string.

So credit to Labella for knowing their own product limitations. I absolutely love the feel AND the sound, but it looks like I'll have to keep looking.
Click to expand...
Not sure what you are putting them on, but look into the LaBella Mustang set. Basically a 760FL set made for a 30” string through body bass.
 
#418
acleex38 said:
I'll look into it. I'm using a Birdsong bass, which has a 31" scale length. I may also crowd-source advice from the Birdsong Guitars club thread in case anyone there has had success.
Click to expand...
I have a set on a Rascal bass, which uses a Mustang bridge with string through body. Scale is 30”. I have 1.5” past the nut before the silks start on the headstock end. The string measures 32.5” between the headstock silk and ball end silks. The ball end has a thin silk wrap before the meat of the string starts, to allow for the through body. I can’t tell you how long that part is. Maybe around 1.5” if I had to guess.

image.jpg
image.jpg
 
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#420
If you like 760FL, you'll LOVE the Olinto flats. Very similar to 760FL but a little better in every way. Slightly thicker, yet slightly more flexible. Slightly better texture. they feel like DTFs but somehow are so much easier to play. And they go LOW, holy crap. You can have them almost sitting on the fretboard and they still don't buzz.
 
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