Want to try La Bella flats - LTF vs. DTF

[skycruiser]

I know there are probably a few dozen threads on this but hey, this is TB - it's more fun to start a new one.

I'm looking to try out some new flats. I'm playing big band jazz on a Squier Telecaster (wide-area humbucker) using Fender 9050L's. I like the Fender strings but wondering if one of these La Bella sets might be a better fit. I'd like to get my frets leveled and set up and thought I might as well try some new strings at the same time.

Between these two, does one have less overtones than the other? I'm looking for a more simple thuddy bass sound (closer to upright). I know muting can help with that but don't really want to go that direction yet.

Does the lower tension in the LTF set basically make it easier to change the dynamics (which I think of as equivalent to the amplitude of the string vibration)? Does it mean with less finger effort you can play louder? Our music has a wide range of dynamics so I need to be able to control the volume with my fingers.

Besides the tension, do the DTF and LTF strings sound similar? How do they compare to the Fender strings?

 

[Rocket Queen]

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[Moving Pictures]

I know there are probably a few dozen threads on this but hey, this is TB - it's more fun to start a new one.

I'm looking to try out some new flats. I'm playing big band jazz on a Squier Telecaster (wide-area humbucker) using Fender 9050L's. I like the Fender strings but wondering if one of these La Bella sets might be a better fit. I'd like to get my frets leveled and set up and thought I might as well try some new strings at the same time.

Between these two, does one have less overtones than the other? I'm looking for a more simple thuddy bass sound (closer to upright). I know muting can help with that but don't really want to go that direction yet.

Does the lower tension in the LTF set basically make it easier to change the dynamics (which I think of as equivalent to the amplitude of the string vibration)? Does it mean with less finger effort you can play louder? Our music has a wide range of dynamics so I need to be able to control the volume with my fingers.

Besides the tension, do the DTF and LTF strings sound similar? How do they compare to the Fender strings?

I have used both and very much prefer the 760FL set over the LTFs. Better response and more depth imo. I’ve only ever used flats on a Precision FFIW.

The only way to tell is to try both.

 

[silky smoove]

Fender 9050s are my favorite flatwound string I've ever tried. By comparison, LaBella DTFs are easily my least favorite flatwound string I've ever tried. They're tubby and bloated with an excessive amount of lower midrange that keeps them from sounding balanced. I believe this kind of sound is the tone goal that LaBella was going for, and for some folks it works very well. For a Motown act they're probably wonderful. For me they were dreadful. I've not had a chance to try the LTFs, but I can't imagine them being worse for my taste than the DTFs.

 

[michael_t]

I'm playing big band jazz on a Squier Telecaster (wide-area humbucker) using Fender 9050L's. I like the Fender strings but wondering if one of these La Bella sets might be a better fit...

I would suggest the 760FL (43-104) for the big band jazz application. They feel fairly close to the 9050L, if ever so slightly stiffer in feel, and the hex core (DTF) would provide a stronger presence in a big band with more punch than the round core (LTF). If stiffness is a concern, you can always try the 760FX (39-96).

 

[iiipopes]

What @michael_t said. ^ I have a set of the 760FL permanently on one of my basses for everything from jazz to motown gigs. Yes, I am a great fan of Fender 9050L's, but not in the context of the repertoire the OP is anticipating. To my ears, the 9050L set has a little too much growl. As an analogy, when I played double bass in a big band some years ago, I mounted a set of TI Bel Cantos instead of the popular TI Spirocores because the Bel Cantos have a rounder sound compared to the Spiro growl. This is a similar contrast comparing the La Bella 760FL set to the Fender 9050L set.

 

[rayzak]

Fender 9050s are my favorite flatwound string I've ever tried. By comparison, LaBella DTFs are easily my least favorite flatwound string I've ever tried. They're tubby and bloated with an excessive amount of lower midrange that keeps them from sounding balanced. I believe this kind of sound is the tone goal that LaBella was going for, and for some folks it works very well. For a Motown act they're probably wonderful. For me they were dreadful. I've not had a chance to try the LTFs, but I can't imagine them being worse for my taste than the DTFs.

LOL!!! This is exactly why it's so hard to follow advice online. DTF's are my favorite flats. I do like Fender flats as well, but to me, strings are so personal. Sorry I can't answer your question, though.

 

[silky smoove]

LOL!!! This is exactly why it's so hard to follow advice online. DTF's are my favorite flats. I do like Fender flats as well, but to me, strings are so personal. Sorry I can't answer your question, though.

Agreed. It's impossible. In my mind flats exist somewhere on a tone spectrum from DTFs to Chromes with 9050s sitting squarely in the middle. How that correlates to individual user preference is entirely subjective.

 

[el murdoque]

If you're playing Fenders right now and you want a lower thump, then DTF's are what you're looking for.
As mentioned, they will feel slightly stiffer, and they are smoother to the touch. Dynamics is what you make of it,
I can play them very well and have nothing to wish for in that regard.
Apart from Motown they are great for reggae, because you can play them with a very light touch and turn up your amp.


I have Fenders on two basses and DTF's on one of my six strings.

 

[Bass Motifs]

LTFs are an "artistic" string in my view. Very warm, flexible, lovely to play. They lack the bite and articulation of DTFs IME. Would be great on fretless and smaller ensembles, but DTFs they ain't. I had an old set on a jazz bass I bought and switched them to 760FLs. I have Chromes on another (which i think would be a bit bright for what you're looking for).

 

[klyph]

I wanted a darker string than Chromes, which were my go to for many years. I tried the DTFs, but they were way too stiff (although I think there are different gauges and I might have gotten heavies). I liked the sound, very classic and smooth. I just dig in too hard to play them all night. I replaced them with LTFs and was much happier, although as others here have said, they don’t sound quite the same. A nice change from the splank of Chromes, without the price tag of Thomastiks.

 

[dfp]

I have tried DTF 760FL and Olinto sets recently, both had really great and pretty similar tones but for me the gauges weren’t well balanced within each set. There’s like one string in each set that’s just too light or too heavy, IMHO, and my hands don’t like that unbalanced feeling. I went back to DTF Standard 45-105 set and am pretty happy with that.

Now, vs LTF, the LTF feel and respond to me almost like tapewounds, which is to say, very little dynamic range, and plenty thumpy. If you dig that tapewounds sound and feel, LTF may suit you too. I think DTF offer more dynamic range.

 

[FullumMusic]

It sounds from your tonal description you want the DTFs over the LTFs, especially if you're looking to get more thud and upright-emulation. The DTFs are "the originals" from back in the day. Think Jamerson, Duck Dunn... I'm trying to find if Wilton Felder played with DTFs on his Fender Tele Bass, because that would be a great reference for you. (Although his was a single coil P, so it's not same-same pickup tone as your humbucker). So far i can't find anything about his strings. But from your description of wanting that deep thuddy bassy tone, DTFs over LTFs. (And roll off your tone knob to really get that tone you want.)

The LTFs are gonna have a slightly more "modern flatwound" sound, as far as "modern flatwound" is or isn't an oxymoron.

I think the dynamics comparison is kind of a non-issue. Regardless of what string you have, if you can get a nice range of dynamics by combination technique & amp volume. In other words, if you feel like you are playing at the max dynamic range of your bass/strings and always digging in, play lighter and turn up the amp to give yourself more room up & down, regardless of string type.

 

[pbass2]

I use DTFs 45-105 on a P and a J - to me it's the classic flatwound sound. FWIW I do like a stiffer feeling string as a rule (flats or rounds). I simply get a better sound for my purposes. As for dynamics? Never thought of that as string-dependent. I use my basses with DTFs for many genres - country, reggae, soul/funk, and pretty rowdy rock where I'm riffing quite a bit, bending strings, you-name-it. They can thud for sure but they're not bridge cables (that would be the Jamerson set).

 

[Aledal]

DTF give a big old thudump, LTF give a mid-sized blerm.

I'd say you're mostly correct in your assumption on the differences, the low tension is easier to play more intricate pieces but doesn't have the thump factor a DTF does. DTFs are a bit harder to get comfortable with and bring the dynamics you mention.

The Olinto (OSF) are a good middle ground, that can get plenty of thump and still has a ton of brightness available (for flats) when combined with the tone knob. I would try them with and without a bit of foam and see if they can cover the range you're looking for.

 

[Paul New]

I play a lot of electric bass in big bands and use LaBella DTF, TI jazz flats, and fender 9050Ls. Any can work. If you just have to, try some DTFs, but what you’re using can work just as well. The GHS precision flats have a nice dry thump too. Also the LaBella tapewounds. Ask me how I know?

Best advice I can give is to keep your money and play what you have. Wish I could follow my own advice.

 

[Aledal]

I play a lot of electric bass in big bands and use LaBella DTF, TI jazz flats, and fender 9050Ls. Any can work. If you just have to, try some DTFs, but what you’re using can work just as well. The GHS precision flats have a nice dry thump too. Also the LaBella tapewounds. Ask me how I know?

Best advice I can give is to keep your money and play what you have. Wish I could follow my own advice.

Makes me wonder if there's a specific Dry Thumping thread somewhere.

 

[skycruiser]

Thanks for all the advice everyone, including the advice to stick with the Fenders. Since I would like to get some work done on the bass anyway I thought it would be an opportunity to try something new since my tech likes to use new strings.

Decided to give the Light DTFs a try.

Worst case would be that I don't like them and I can just put the 9050Ls back on

 

[75Ric]

I prefer the DTFs, too. Tension, tone, articulation, sustain - all better (for me) with the 760FS compared to the LTFs and to the 760FLs. Dynamics are in your fingers, not inherent in the strings. For me, due to the stiffer tension, dynamics flow easily. I have them on a pbass for the past 4-5 years; still going strong. If you are looking for lighter tension strings that also thump, you might consider the Olintos. Similar tonal family, but less tension. I have these on my jazz bass where they work really well.

 

[pbass2]

DTF give a big old thudump, LTF give a mid-sized blerm.

I'd say you're mostly correct in your assumption on the differences, the low tension is easier to play more intricate pieces but doesn't have the thump factor a DTF does. DTFs are a bit harder to get comfortable with and bring the dynamics you mention.

The Olinto (OSF) are a good middle ground, that can get plenty of thump and still has a ton of brightness available (for flats) when combined with the tone knob. I would try them with and without a bit of foam and see if they can cover the range you're looking for.

Another good option that I've been digging for a middle ground are DR Legends. A little "softer" in feel, a little more pliable than the same gauge DTFs but sonically in the same ballpark. Not quite as thumpy but that's TBD as I've only had them on a bass for about 6 mos as opposed to years like my Labellas