Want to try La Bella flats - LTF vs. DTF

[mikeswals]

I haven't been a fan of flats, but I tried so many-many sets looking for articulate and not stiff and also not noodly. The only ones I tolerated were Dunlops.

Most were too a stiff. The LTF sounded plastic-y on the D and especially G strings.
Fenders were way too stiff for me.
But I will say if dry thuddy is what you're looking for, then maybe DR Lenegends or GHS Precision flats might be your key.

The problem with string advice is, they'll respond differently to different players style. You - just like us, will have to spend money trying many sets to see what works for you.

 

[pipeman]

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.

i think Felder was using a Fender flatwound rather than the Labellas at that time. if the old Fenders were similar to today's GHS then that sounds to me what he was using. the GHS respond to the pickups very differently than the Labellas. GHS have higher mids and are more lively.

 

[REV]

The bass picks the strings. That said, several of my basses have LaBella LTFs on them. I would say that LTFs will work well on most any bass but if you are looking for a little something extra you'll have to try some other brands to see what you and your bass can agree on.

 

[deepestend]

LTF's are also round core while 760FL are hex core. I like the feel and sound of hex core a lot more with any flats that I use. IT took me a while to realize that.

 

[Old Geezer]

Throwing my $0.02 in the discussion. I like the sound of both DTF strings and LTF strings, however, my fingers prefer the LTFs.

 

[DCCat]

I'm surprised no one has talked about how well the strings might fit with your particular bass. I see you've decided on some DTFs and I hope they work out well for you. They might while still new, but I suspect that on the Squier Telecaster they'll sound pretty muddy once they're broken in. I have a Fender Modern Player Telecaster (basically, your bass with an extra bridge pickup that I never use), and it's actually too muddy for me with any strings, but strings with a nice mid presence like the TIJFs (which I use) or the Fender 9050Ls work best. The Ernie Ball Group Flats or the Chromes might also be worth considering. As you say, you can always go back to the Fenders.

Actually, I'd suggest that your bass might not be the best for your application, but you've got to do the best with what you've got. Best of luck!

 

[skycruiser]

I'm surprised no one has talked about how well the strings might fit with your particular bass. I see you've decided on some DTFs and I hope they work out well for you. They might while still new, but I suspect that on the Squier Telecaster they'll sound pretty muddy once they're broken in. I have a Fender Modern Player Telecaster (basically, your bass with an extra bridge pickup that I never use), and it's actually too muddy for me with any strings, but strings with a nice mid presence like the TIJFs (which I use) or the Fender 9050Ls work best. The Ernie Ball Group Flats or the Chromes might also be worth considering. As you say, you can always go back to the Fenders.

Actually, I'd suggest that your bass might not be the best for your application, but you've got to do the best with what you've got. Best of luck!

Thanks these are good point. I'm in the unfortunate situation of being in a group that provides little to no feedback, either positive or negative. So it's up to me to just try things and make my own judgement. I would love to have an experienced bassist drop by and give me some pointers on everything including my bass choice, EQ settings on my amp, playing technique etc. But I don't know anyone who could or would do that for me.

My other bass is a Squier P bass, currently also with Fender flats on it. But in another thread where I asked about what type of bass to use for this situation, the answers were all over the place, the conclusion being that pretty much anything can be made to work.

 

[Fender_Bender]

i think Felder was using a Fender flatwound rather than the Labellas at that time. if the old Fenders were similar to today's GHS then that sounds to me what he was using. the GHS respond to the pickups very differently than the Labellas. GHS have higher mids and are more lively.

That’s the problem. Over the course of decades the string manufacturing process, metallurgy etc changes. The best example of this to my personal experience is to do with how radically Fender strings have changed since they switched from making them themselves to having Di Addario make them for them. I was a big fan of the buttery smooth tone from the Fender pure nickel strings but only ever bought one set of the DA version because they were so different. I thought there might be a very slight difference but it was a huge difference.

 

[Makten]

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

I'm surprised every time I hear this, because IMO they are very different. I have Legends on one bass and DTF's on one bass, and they are not even remotely similar. In fact, the Legends are among the brightest flats I've played, ever. I've played them a couple of months but they are still brighter than the DTF's were right out of the package.

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I prefer the DTF's by a mile and I also think they will be perfect for the OP's needs.

 

[pbass2]

I'm surprised every time I hear this, because IMO they are very different. I have Legends on one bass and DTF's on one bass, and they are not even remotely similar. In fact, the Legends are among the brightest flats I've played, ever. I've played them a couple of months but they are still brighter than the DTF's were right out of the package.

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I prefer the DTF's by a mile and I also think they will be perfect for the OP's needs.

That is interesting. For me Legends got mellow really fast, like after 4-5 gigs, not bright at all. No idea how they'll be in the long run. I've got one bass with 10 year old DTFs and they ain't going anywhere!

 

[BassicJazzy]

LTFs are great on a P-bass, especially if you want a through body mounting, but I would prefer something different on a J-bass, or for jazz applications. They don't have enough brightness. I prefer chromes for that, even with the stiffness.

Pressurewounds might be worth considering?

 

[Makten]

That is interesting. For me Legends got mellow really fast, like after 4-5 gigs, not bright at all. No idea how they'll be in the long run. I've got one bass with 10 year old DTFs and they ain't going anywhere!

I suppose it depends on how hard you pluck the strings and how much your hands are sweating. I only play at home and got pretty dry hands. Maybe that's all it takes for them to never break in.

 

[pbass2]

I suppose it depends on how hard you pluck the strings and how much your hands are sweating. I only play at home and got pretty dry hands. Maybe that's all it takes for them to never break in.

Ha, yeah--I'm talking 4-5 gigs, 2-3 sets a piece, some of them outdoors in the summer!

 

[BassicJazzy]

I suppose it depends on how hard you pluck the strings and how much your hands are sweating. I only play at home and got pretty dry hands. Maybe that's all it takes for them to never break in.

I've had LTFs on my Sire P5R for about 7 months, and tone hasn't changed one bit. Most flats don't lose much over time. I remember some of Jim Stinnett's videos with him having same flats on basses for over 20 years.

 

[skycruiser]

Any idea what color silks I'll be getting on these La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats (Light) that are headed my way?

 

[michael_t]

Any idea what color silks I'll be getting on these La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats (Light) that are headed my way?

Orange-ish red for 760FL.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I've played LTFs on all of my basses and they've stayed on my Guild Starfire II. They come alive with the bright switch on my Mesa D350. I've been very happy with them.

That said, I just put Super Polished on my Mustang and they're a game changer. If LaBella ever comes out with medium scale SPs for the Starfire, I'll switch things up again.

 

[skycruiser]

I picked up my Squier Tele with the new Deep Talkin Flats yesterday after a fret level job and setup. Here's what I noticed initially:

1. The E string has a different timbre - obviously different voice compared to the other three. I'll keep an eye on this as they break in to see if they even out. I'd say the E is just a little more dead sounding than the others (not something I experienced with several sets of Fender 9050s and EB Cobalt Flats).

2. At rehearsal last night I noticed they are a bit sticky compared to the 9050s. I really hope this will change as they break in. I can probably adjust over time but it was an impediment to my playing last night.

I thought they sounded great on the Tele though - didn't notice the E string difference when playing with the big band group. Might need to tweak EQ a bit but there is definitely a nice full bottom end on this wide range humbucker. I ended up turning up the tone knob a bit higher than I did with the Fender 9050s to bring in a little more high end.

 

[BassicJazzy]

I picked up my Squier Tele with the new Deep Talkin Flats yesterday after a fret level job and setup. Here's what I noticed initially:

1. The E string has a different timbre - obviously different voice compared to the other three. I'll keep an eye on this as they break in to see if they even out. I'd say the E is just a little more dead sounding than the others (not something I experienced with several sets of Fender 9050s and EB Cobalt Flats).

2. At rehearsal last night I noticed they are a bit sticky compared to the 9050s. I really hope this will change as they break in. I can probably adjust over time but it was an impediment to my playing last night.

I thought they sounded great on the Tele though - didn't notice the E string difference when playing with the big band group. Might need to tweak EQ a bit but there is definitely a nice full bottom end on this wide range humbucker. I ended up turning up the tone knob a bit higher than I did with the Fender 9050s to bring in a little more high end.

I think that is fairly normal for the E string until they break in. Lots of people mention it for various flats. Regarding stickiness, I too noticed that with the LTFs but it went away after a couple months. Some people have suggested wiping the strings with rubbing alcohol to cut down on that sticky feeling. I didn't try that, perhaps it might help?

 

[bassboysam]

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?

my suggestion would be the La Bella Olinto flats. Despite the heavier gauge, the Olintos are softer and more flexible than the 9050s and the 760FL, with a less pronounced scoop in the mids as the DTFs. My favorite flats for pretty much any type of music except maybe metal.


My other suggestion would be the EB Group flats. Not as thumpy and dark as any of the la bellas but not as aggressive sounding as the 9050. To my ears and fingers, the EBs take the best qualities of both and the result is a great feeling, affordable flat, that can cover any musical situation. And the EBs come in a wide range of gauges too.