Sound Comparison: Labella LT Flats vs TI Jazz Flats - Which do you prefer?

[fourstringdrums]

Both are recorded with my Musicman Caprice with the neck pickup only and the tone on full. In both cases, the strings are only a few days old. I'm trying to decide if I like the TI's or if I want to go back to the Labellas. Honestly it's a tough choice.

Labella LT Flats



TI Jazz Flats (week old)



TI Jazz Flats (broken in with wax/lotion)

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I say TI Flats . The Labellas sound too muddy and less defined to my ears.

 

[Jaco who?]

In your clips, I preferred the Labellas, but that's because the TI mids accentuate the "basketball bouncing on concrete" sound of a neck pickup soloed. On my fretless 5501 with both supposedly crappy Bart MK1 pickups on full with an aguilar obp3, the TIs sound great.

 

[Tony In Philly]

I have used both and the TI's sound more complex to my ears - just like your examples nicely point out.

That said, for the right bass the LaBella's will do an excellent job. I just haven't found that bass yet - at least in not my collection anyway.

 

[Yahboy]

Both is nice flatwound, just depand how you like it.

 

[shoulderpet]

Will give the clips a listen in a bit, I am a TI's guy but it is more the low tension than the tone that has sold me on them, i like a thumpier flat but the TI's are so easy on the hands

 

[bassboysam]

you should not reveal which clip is which string. this will eliminate bias opinions based on preconceptions

 

[ZenG]

I'll take the La Bella LTF's based on sound alone.

Was thinking about trying Thomastik Infeld though...

 

[aaronious]

I've done this same comparison. I liked the Labellas. The bonus is they cost half as much.

 

[Gizmot]

I've written the praises of T-I's numerous times and every word that I've written is STILL true!

Jazz Flats are a fantastic product and they feel great and maintain their performance for a long time.

I know of nothing finer or a more satisfying product than Jazz Flats

 

[Maxfenderbass]

I play Labella Flats on 2 of my basses, the 760FL's but I have to say the Thomastik sound better out of these 2. I couldn't play either though, not enough tension..

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

I'm surprised to find out these are flatwound strings. They TI's sound especially like round to me..

With that being said, I think it takes awhile for flats to settle in to their preferred timbre.

 

[PDGood]

The LaBella's sound like what I expect flats to sound like. The TI's sound more like round wounds (in this example). I have no other experience with them. It would be really interesting to hear the same test when the strings are older. The first few days with new strings always sounds so different from later when they settle in.

P.S. Thanks for doing this comparison. I really enjoy audio examples like this.

 

[Burwabit]

I've always loved TIs, but my '62 reissue P has LaBellas Flexibles, and I love it. TIs are a little stronger in the mids to my ear (in person), but both have a great sound.

 

[bherman]

I voted LaBella because they sound better to me on this clip, but honestly a few days is way too short for either string to reach its potential.

 

[Scarey Larry]

I have used, and still use both. I have found that the sound, to me, depends on which bass likes which string set. Thanks for the sound clips.

 

[jaymelewis]

Chromes

 

[jchrisk1]

I prefer TI's, but in your clips, the LaBella's sound better. I find each bass chooses it's strings. I love TI's, but not on all of my basses.

 

[Chico Ruger]

Both are recorded with my Musicman Caprice with the neck pickup only and the tone on full. In both cases, the strings are only a few days old. I'm trying to decide if I like the TI's or if I want to go back to the Labellas. Honestly it's a tough choice.

Labella LT Flats



TI Jazz Flats

Play the one you like the most. No one else will be able to tell the difference.

 

[ldryder]

Since she has FAR, FAR MORE credibility than I'll ever have as a bassist, I've always followed her recommendation. Especially since I started playing the bass in 1965 and prefer the 60's type of sound.

Thomastik Jazz Flatwound Bass Strings... "The Rolls Royce of all strings for that vital 1960s powerful sound with great feel." - Carol Kaye