LaBella 760fx flats

[ped]

I thought I’d give these a try since I haven’t used them before. My EB Cobalt flats went rusty (weird... but they’re sending me a new set) so put these on in the meantime. 

I like light strings and didn’t know that LaBella did them so previously I mainly used TI flats which I liked, which before the EBs came out I thought were the lightest flats you can get.

The labellas sound great - they’re smoother and more grippy than the Cobalts right now and they have a real chunky sound with a strong lower mid bias I’d say - the top end is very ‘barky’ and right, less sustain than the EBs but they really cut through. 

Otherwise not that different in all honesty. The G string is slightly lighter than the EB and tension feels low giving me some bite when I dig in. 

Nit bad value either, ordered from Bass Direct on Monday. 

 

[M@23]

The EB going rusty likely wasn't a bad set. They seem to do that for some people. Me being one of them. I know a couple of guitar players that have the same issue with their skinny EB strings. 

[ped]

11 minutes ago, M@23 said:

The EB going rusty likely wasn't a bad set. They seem to do that for some people. Me being one of them. I know a couple of guitar players that have the same issue with their skinny EB strings. 

Yes I found a couple of people who had mentioned it online (and some typically terse replies from Sterling Ball). Shame because I liked them. It can’t be sweat related because they have only need used for grooving at home. 

Still, I’m pretty convinced that the labellas sound really nice in their own way so I’ll stick with them for now. 

[fretmeister]

I swap between the 760FX and rounds on my Sandberg depending on what I’m playing.

 

They are great strings.

[M@23]

15 minutes ago, ped said:

Yes I found a couple of people who had mentioned it online (and some typically terse replies from Sterling Ball). Shame because I liked them. It can’t be sweat related because they have only need used for grooving at home. 

Still, I’m pretty convinced that the labellas sound really nice in their own way so I’ll stick with them for now. 

Shocked to hear that from him... Not. I don't think it's a sweat thing either. They sounded great when brand new, especially on a Stingray! Very strange, and I've never experienced/heard of it on other brand. La Bella are generally pretty dependable! 

[scrumpymike]

I'm using medium-gauge, short-scale 760FS-S and they feel/sound great on my 30"-scale basses drop-tuned to Eb playing classic-rock covers.  I'm a big fan.

Edited August 16, 2019 by scrumpymike

[ped]

I’ve gone back to the cobalts, actually - I did end up finding the LaBellas a little too dampened for my tastes and what I’m playing on currently. I’m sure I’ll try the. Again when I want a more Motown sound. They felt great, anyway. 

[Raggy]

My Cobalts turned up yesterday, they were already rusty on the E and D strings.

[ped]

EB maintain there’s no issue

[hooky_lowdown]

On 22/08/2019 at 14:14, ped said:

EB maintain there’s no issue

I've had new D'Addario and Fender strings which had a little rust in them, so it may not be just EB.

[Sibob]

La Bella are 🙌

Si

[ped]

Ok I’ve been comparing these labellas to the cobalts for a while now. I’ve found the cobalts edge off quite quickly and the treble end becomes a bit too ‘snappy’ and harsh. The labellas have a more barky sound as they’ve mellowed and the output seems higher also although they’re a lot quieter acoustically. 
 

I think I’ll stick with the labellas now, especially as I wasn’t best pleased about ‘rustgate’ which EB continue to deny. I think the cobalt strings were great but I don’t want to have to replace them often to keep them sounding at their best. I’m hoping the labellas will develop positively with age - anyone able to comment to how they develop over (more) time?

[scrumpymike]

Very happy with the way my La Bellas have aged - gigged every weekend and still good 6 months down the line!

[miles'tone]

@ped Are you using the Labellas on your SB-1? Interested to know how they get on with the MFD P pickup.

Still haven't had the time to get my SXB-1 together but soon.. Your old Cobalts are first in the queue! Got a set of TIs here too. 

[ped]

Yes on the SB1. Initially I preferred the cobalts because I suppose I was clinging on to the nearly round sound but as they’ve mellowed I’ve started to like the flatter qualities more and more.. I’ll try and do a sample recording but the MFD with the tone half way sounds woody, barky, rounded and kind of bouncy. And definitely higher output - and it was high before!