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Unravelling Flatwound String

E_strat

E_strat

Jan 11, 2012
138
198
Columbus, OH
#1
Hi folks!

Today my set of La Bella 760FL's came in the mail, and I have been super excited to try these. However, to my dismay, as I began turning the tuning peg, the E string became unravelled at the bridge. There was definitely no saving it.

I am very disappointed, especially with how expensive these were (for a college kid anyway), and for how excited I was to get my hands on them. I sent La Bella an email, and hopefully I hear back soon, considering I have a gig this weekend and don't really want to buy a whole new set. I really don't want to waste the other three strings in the set either, although now I am slightly paranoid. I followed proper stringing procedures/technique.

I really don't want to knock La Bella either. I've heard nothing but good things about them and genuinely want to try their product. Hopefully this will just be a one-time thing

Is this a common occurrence with flatwounds though?

Thanks!
 
#4
E_strat said:
Yes, I did string thru-body. I have a USA jazz bass with one of the thru-body and back-load bridges. Too much of an angle with the thru-body perhaps? I'm not a frequent flatwound user but have strung flats through the body before.
Click to expand...

La Bella flats do come with explicit instructions against thru-body installation, unless they're the specific "thru-body" version. In your case, you should have the "760FL-TB" (TB for thru-body).
 
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#8
Just curious why you strung (strang, stringed...) through body? Are you convinced that you get some benefit? I've played bass since 1965 and have never heard a cogent argument that through-body offers a real benefit.
 
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#9
Luckydog said:
I've played bass since 1965 and have never heard a cogent argument that through-body offers a real benefit.
Click to expand...

Two benefits of thru-body stringing:
  1. Reduces the stress on the screws holding the bridge in place by having the pulling weight of the strings on the body itself.
  2. Keeps the ferrules from falling out. (I almost lost two of them on my Am Std P. ;))
Otherwise, it does NOT make your bass sound better or help you play better. :D
 
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#10
I string tru-bridge all my Am Std Bass instead of going through the body as I also use LaBella flats. On my 1996 PBass I had to change the bent plate as there was no holes to string through the bridge. I actually feel it has less sustain but more attack which is what I expect from a vintage sounding bass anyway.
 
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#12
E_strat said:
Interesting, I checked the packaging and there were no instructions stating that they could not be strung through the body.
Click to expand...

It's on their website: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

"This particular set is NOT suitable for basses with bridges that require strings to pass through the body of the instrument. Please refer to our “Thru-Body” Flat Wound sets (e.g. 760FX-TB) for through-body instruments"​
 
#14
JGbassman said:
Interesting to know. I've got DiAddario chromes on a few body throughs with out any issues. I thought about trying Labellas at one point. I'm glad I didn't until I heard about this. I would have probably had the same issue
Click to expand...

Are d'Addario chromes the same exact construction as la bella deep talking? No... They are very different and more flexible...

La Bella have no problem going thru body if you order the correct set. They make sets specifically for thru body stringing and they are available through select resellers.
 
#15
SLaPiNFuNK said:
Are d'Addario chromes the same exact construction as la bella deep talking? No... They are very different and more flexible...

La Bella have no problem going thru body if you order the correct set. They make sets specifically for thru body stringing and they are available through select resellers.
Click to expand...

I wasn't dissing Labellas, they are still on my try them list, it was more like, "whew, I'm glad I heard this before I got a set so I will string them through the back instead of through the body." If I try them on my '55 p replica with the string through body, I will make sure I order the righ ones.

Another brand I'd like to try are TI. Are they the same way? Just curious. I'm a novice to the world of flats.
 
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#16
JGbassman said:
I wasn't dissing Labellas, they are still on my try them list, it was more like, "whew, I'm glad I heard this before I got a set so I will string them through the back instead of through the body." If I try them on my '55 p replica with the string through body, I will make sure I order the righ ones.

Another brand I'd like to try are TI. Are they the same way? Just curious. I'm a novice to the world of flats.
Click to expand...

Only ones are Sadowsky. They do not make a thru body version.

Any other flats besides la Bella as long as they are the correct length are fine stringing thru body.
 
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#19
Reading this thread makes me worried about La Bella Schecter Hellcat VI Flatwould string set that I ordered and currently on its way from @SLaPiNFuNK, cause I intended to use these strings on my Ibanez SRC6 which has thru body stringing only.
 
#20
Different String Constitution...

I think the Ibanez night require the longer fender bass VI version. Really will need to measure I don't remember the specific model.

If you can, hold the removed String up to the new to make sure the full Winding on the lowest String won't wrap around the post.
 
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