Vintage LaBella Flats; will they still work?

[dirtbeard]

I have found a set of labella flats that have never been used. The paper package they came in lead me to believe they are from the late 60’s. My question is, metallurgically, are these still useable? Or do strings corrode over a few decades? I dont change strings unless they break and i always use flats on a fender p for info on my setup. Thanks!

 

[Nighttrain1127]

Open them up and see. Some strings corrode and some not so much depending on where and how they were stored they could be fine

 

[Root 5]

I have found a set of labella flats that have never been used. The paper package they came in lead me to believe they are from the late 60’s. My question is, metallurgically, are these still useable? Or do strings corrode over a few decades? I dont change strings unless they break and i always use flats on a fender p for info on my setup. Thanks!

I probably wouldn't use them just because they're very old & seriously cool. If they were used, I'm sure they'd be fine.

 

[928cat]

Cool vintage find. You may consider holding on to them to preserve history or perhaps as an investment. At least check what they are worth on the collector market before using them.

 

[GIBrat51]

If they were stored properly (in a cool, dry place); don't look funky; and feel like they'd straighten out without coming apart? Then, yeah, they'd be OK. But, as Root5 and 928cat said, unless you desperately need a set of strings right now, it might be better to stash those cool, vintage strings away - safely, in a cool dry place...

 

[dirtbeard]

Thanks for the info, guys. I found them at a goodwill near me for $5 per string. I will try to post some pics later, the paper wrapper is kind of interesting. It has ‘High Fidelity’ on it, you know, so you dont get these mixed up with low fidelity strings.

 

[MCF]

If it were me, I’d put them in a shadow box kinda display and hang them on my practice room wall.

 

[Rambazamba]

I'd like to see some pics.

 

[Dean N]

TALKBASS DEMANDETH PICS

 

[Thuddy Waters]

I would love to see some pictures of the packaging.

 

[jd56hawk]

I have found a set of labella flats that have never been used. The paper package they came in lead me to believe they are from the late 60’s. My question is, metallurgically, are these still useable? Or do strings corrode over a few decades? I dont change strings unless they break and i always use flats on a fender p for info on my setup. Thanks!

I have “new" 35-year-old flatwounds on two of my basses, they sound great!

Are you reluctant to try yours for any particular reason?

 

[dirtbeard]

Ok, here’s pics of the strings. If anyone has a better guess at the age of said strings, please chime in. The packages are fairly clean of evidence of corrosion, no big rust spots, ect. Thanks for any info.

 

[dirtbeard]

And honestly (and selfishly) i will probably use them, i just wanted to make sure these aren’t worth stupid money. Like, buy a new car, money. Lol.

 

[Thuddy Waters]

View attachment 3124341 View attachment 3124342 View attachment 3124343 View attachment 3124341 Ok, here’s pics of the strings. If anyone has a better guess at the age of said strings, please chime in. The packages are fairly clean of evidence of corrosion, no big rust spots, ect. Thanks for any info.

That's cool. I would guess those were made in the late 60s. I like how each envelope has a check list of different basses to tell you what type of bass the string is for. Is there an outer package that the envelopes came in?

 

[HankHillWaluigi]

Looks like they were made in the 60's, and IIRC there was only one gauge back then which is known as the "1954 Original" today - massive, tense strings that are some of the best strings ever made IMO. If I am right, be careful putting these on your bass as it'll put a lot of tension on the neck.

 

[nerkoids]

Joe Osborn might be looking for those strings...

 

[quickfix]

Keep the packaging. Play the strings.