New La Bella Golden Alloy Flatwounds

[hieronymous]

I bought a set for my Fender Donald Duck Dunn Signature P-Bass. Visually, I thought they might make an interesting complement to the gold anodized pickguard. I used to have GHS precision flats on the bass and had no qualms other than the silks (plus the fact that part of the fully wound portion of the string was wrapped partly around the low E peg - not a big deal but enough to want to try something else), then tried DR Legend flats (definitely lower tension, required adjustment that I didn't want to commit to doing).

The gold flats seem much closer to the GHS flats, tension-wise, which is what I wanted. I did notice the grabbiness a bit - I thought it was because I haven't been playing much (hurt my back) so my calluses are out of shape, but maybe it's the strings. Not sure if that's a deal-breaker, need to play with them more. No complaints for now! Will try and record with them a little bit at some point, but for now here are a couple of pics:

 

[Owen Bacon]

I bought a set for my Fender Donald Duck Dunn Signature P-Bass. Visually, I thought they might make an interesting complement to the gold anodized pickguard. I used to have GHS precision flats on the bass and had no qualms other than the silks (plus the fact that part of the fully wound portion of the string was wrapped partly around the low E peg - not a big deal but enough to want to try something else), then tried DR Legend flats (definitely lower tension, required adjustment that I didn't want to commit to doing).

The gold flats seem much closer to the GHS flats, tension-wise, which is what I wanted. I did notice the grabbiness a bit - I thought it was because I haven't been playing much (hurt my back) so my calluses are out of shape, but maybe it's the strings. Not sure if that's a deal-breaker, need to play with them more. No complaints for now! Will try and record with them a little bit at some point, but for now here are a couple of pics:

Schweet! looking forward to hearing the clips

 

[Pbassmanca]

I bought a set for my Fender Donald Duck Dunn Signature P-Bass. Visually, I thought they might make an interesting complement to the gold anodized pickguard. I used to have GHS precision flats on the bass and had no qualms other than the silks (plus the fact that part of the fully wound portion of the string was wrapped partly around the low E peg - not a big deal but enough to want to try something else), then tried DR Legend flats (definitely lower tension, required adjustment that I didn't want to commit to doing).

The gold flats seem much closer to the GHS flats, tension-wise, which is what I wanted. I did notice the grabbiness a bit - I thought it was because I haven't been playing much (hurt my back) so my calluses are out of shape, but maybe it's the strings. Not sure if that's a deal-breaker, need to play with them more. No complaints for now! Will try and record with them a little bit at some point, but for now here are a couple of pics:

Fender needs to reissue that Duck Dunn Precision with a custom wound pickup. Long live the Duck!

 

[quickfix]

I bought a set for my Fender Donald Duck Dunn Signature P-Bass. Visually, I thought they might make an interesting complement to the gold anodized pickguard. I used to have GHS precision flats on the bass and had no qualms other than the silks (plus the fact that part of the fully wound portion of the string was wrapped partly around the low E peg - not a big deal but enough to want to try something else), then tried DR Legend flats (definitely lower tension, required adjustment that I didn't want to commit to doing).

The gold flats seem much closer to the GHS flats, tension-wise, which is what I wanted. I did notice the grabbiness a bit - I thought it was because I haven't been playing much (hurt my back) so my calluses are out of shape, but maybe it's the strings. Not sure if that's a deal-breaker, need to play with them more. No complaints for now! Will try and record with them a little bit at some point, but for now here are a couple of pics:

Mmmm! Nice bass.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Just installed mine on my 35" Jazz. They fit very well, even with this enormous headstock and longer scale length!

The only thing I've noticed right now is that the A-string is a lot more "growly" than the other strings. The A sounds like a roundwound, while the others sound like traditional flats. Hopefully that will change after a setup.

 

[carolonbass]

I apologize if this has been asked but how do these compare tension wise to the FS 45/105 set?
Do these come in any other gauges?

 

[michael_t]

I apologize if this has been asked but how do these compare tension wise to the FS 45/105 set?
Do these come in any other gauges?

Regarding the tension/stiffness, refer back to posts #97 and #98.
As far as I know, 45-105 is the only set available so far. Hopefully more options in the future.

 

[JohnnyPustular]

I have had a set of these on my fretless Jazz for a couple months now. I really wanted to like them because the traditional La Bella flats sound so good. As soon as the weather turned here in Michigan and I found myself playing gigs in warmer rooms, I could no longer play my bass due to extreme 'grabbiness'. Not only is glissando out of the question, but my trailing fingers put on so much drag that I typically can't get to the next note in time. At the last gig, I dipped into a bag of talcum powder after every song, leaving my black bass gray and giving it a very slippery back of the neck! Weird-- I've never had this problem in 40 years. Two choices: change from Simandl fingerboard technique or find different strings. Different strings it is.

 

[stringtheory6]

Just installed mine on my 35" Jazz. They fit very well, even with this enormous headstock and longer scale length!

The only thing I've noticed right now is that the A-string is a lot more "growly" than the other strings. The A sounds like a roundwound, while the others sound like traditional flats. Hopefully that will change after a setup.

Hmm,
Now you've got me curious.
Do you remember doing a straight snip when cutting to length or did you bend the string first-then snip off the end?
According to some manufacturers, a snip w/out the bend is the cause of instantly dead strings.
As stated, just curious-not an expert.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Hmm,
Now you've got me curious.
Do you remember doing a straight snip when cutting to length or did you bend the string first-then snip off the end?
According to some manufacturers, a snip w/out the bend is the cause of instantly dead strings.
As stated, just curious-not an expert.

I always bend then snip. The other strings may have been twisted though

 

[quickfix]

I have had a set of these on my fretless Jazz for a couple months now. I really wanted to like them because the traditional La Bella flats sound so good. As soon as the weather turned here in Michigan and I found myself playing gigs in warmer rooms, I could no longer play my bass due to extreme 'grabbiness'. Not only is glissando out of the question, but my trailing fingers put on so much drag that I typically can't get to the next note in time. At the last gig, I dipped into a bag of talcum powder after every song, leaving my black bass gray and giving it a very slippery back of the neck! Weird-- I've never had this problem in 40 years. Two choices: change from Simandl fingerboard technique or find different strings. Different strings it is.

One of my findings also. Draggiest strings ever. Mine lasted less than a week before I went back to my Labella 760FS set.

 

[ColdEye]

Any recent updates on the users of this string? Thinking of putting this on a P. Was going to use TI jazz flats but ended up using it on a fretless jazz. For comparison, I really like the ghs flats and Ernie ball group 3.

 

[Member8675309]

I'll be throwing a set on my new Yamaha BB434 in a few days. Despite the reviews of stickiness, I have got to satisfy my curiosity in seeing how they age. Gonna sweet on that burst finish.

 

[Pbassmanca]

I'll be throwing a set on my new Yamaha BB434 in a few days. Despite the reviews of stickiness, I have got to satisfy my curiosity in seeing how they age. Gonna sweet on that burst finish.

View attachment 2750357

Oh man why did you have to post a picture of that bass in burst? It looks deadly. I really need a burst P Bass with a rosewood fretboard help round out my P bass collection. I've got a BB424X but I think I'd gladly trade it in for the one you posted man. I'm going to have to give those gold flatwounds a try.

 

[Pbassmanca]

I'll be throwing a set on my new Yamaha BB434 in a few days. Despite the reviews of stickiness, I have got to satisfy my curiosity in seeing how they age. Gonna sweet on that burst finish.

View attachment 2750357

My set of deep talking flatwound 760 FL strings felt sticky sometimes. I would just run my finger tips over my bald ass head to pick up a bit of skin oil on the tips of my fingers to solve the problem. Kind of gross , but effective.

 

[Member8675309]

My set of deep talking flatwound 760 FL strings felt sticky sometimes. I would just run my finger tips over my bald ass head to pick up a bit of skin oil on the tips of my fingers to solve the problem. Kind of gross , but effective.

Lol, whatever works. Probably a little less messy than the guy who used talcum powder. People would probably start thinking I had a serious problem with white powder all over me and my bass.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Lol, whatever works. Probably a little less messy than the guy who used talcum powder. People would probably start thinking I had a serious problem with white powder all over me and my bass.

Or think to themselves " well that explains it"




I'm

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Or think to themselves " well that explains it"




I'm

 

[Member8675309]

You just can't capture the beauty of these strings in photos. I went string through body.....carefully. The BB has a 45 degree body angle, but of course the saddle is still quite angled. Hoping they don't bust, but, having destroyed some LaBellas experimenting, seems like if you assist the bend, they can take quite an angle.

The sound is like LaBellas DTF's on a 70s coke binge. Gave my bass some zing not too dislike my Gibson SG or possibly a Thunderbird. I believe the increased midrange adds some beef to your bass. I dream about the tone I'd get from my Gibson with these. Please LaBella, make them in short scale.

 

[Johnny Mac]

I'm intrigued by the midrange presence, but I have a few questions:

-How balanced is the tension across strings? La Bella advertises all their sets as "perfectly balanced," but I have no clue what this actually means or whether they're referring to tension. Are these like Kalium sets where the tension is the same/close to it across strings, or more like regular sets?
-Related to the above: how do they feel when downtuned? I tune down a full step, and my low A occasionally goes down to G. How does the .128 low string in particular feel when tuned that low?
-Does the grabbiness go away over time?