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Post subject: Deep Talkin' Bass Strings
Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:09 pm
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My research about bass strings for my Precision has led to someone suggesting that I try La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass Strings since they most closely resemble the strings that James Jamerson used.

I would greatly appreciate any guidance or feedback anyone might have about these strings as I would any suggestions you may have about which strings would give me that kind of feel.

Thanks so much -

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Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 7:55 pm
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I was considering La Bella's Jamerson flatwound strings for my P Bass until I read that they are not suitable for through-body stringing which my American Series P Bass has. So, I never got to try them. Make sure you're not buying strings that you can't use.

http://www.juststrings.com/lab-0760m.html?productid=lab-0760m&channelid=FROOG


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Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:41 pm
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I always used DR Hi beams with really good results! They tend to be a bit expensive because they are hand wound but well worth it. A set will last for a good long time and are just IMO a great all around string.


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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 5:56 am
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those labella jamersons warp bass necks pretty badly... well good luck in using those...


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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 5:40 pm
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I use the Jamerson strings on my HW1 and I love them.If you want that deep R&B or Stax sound thats tha way to go.I can adjust my bass to make them bright so I can get a cool Black Sabbath sound.Yes they are big strings I had to drill the badass briged on my bass to make them fit.


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Post subject: Re: Deep Talkin' Bass Strings
Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 8:34 pm
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findaguitarteacher wrote:
My research about bass strings for my Precision has led to someone suggesting that I try La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass Strings since they most closely resemble the strings that James Jamerson used.

I would greatly appreciate any guidance or feedback anyone might have about these strings as I would any suggestions you may have about which strings would give me that kind of feel.

Thanks so much -


I used the Labella 760M's exclusively for about 8 years when I only had one bass at a time. They used to be about the only decent flatwound string I could get in the late 60's through about 75. You had to buy strings at the local music shops, so your choice was limited. (Back then they were not called "Jamerson" strings either, just Labella 760M's.)

Whether or not your neck is up to the massive tension the big Labella's impart is another thing. The newer graphite reinforced necks on full blown American Fender basses are more up to it than the older and MIM non-reinforced necks. Either way, I'd for sure get a professional luthier/tech to set it up the first time and get the same tech make any further required truss rod adjustments.

I abandoned them completely about 5 years ago in favor of the GHS3050 REGULAR Precision Flats and the Thomastik-Infeld JF344 Jazz Flats. The TI Jazz Flats are the lowest tension set of any kind I've ever used. They too are handmade and very, very costly in the USA.

I tried the GHS 3050's because they are close in size to the Labella 760M's but are said to have lower tension. They are also very affordable, and if anything are the smoothest flatwound I've ever used because they are so slick that I get the sensation I'm playing metal rods instead of stainless wrapped strings. Plus they are made in the USA. I don't have any test equipment to actually validate the lower tension claim though and they do seem to be a pretty high tension string compared to the other 2 string sets I use now which are both Thomastik-Infeld. I'm happy with all three of these sets I'm using now.

The TI's Jazz Flats have a more uprightish jazzy sound that is surprisingly bright for a flat, while the GHS 3050's are more bassy & thumpy coming close enough to the Labella sound for me.

The only roundwound string I use is Thomastik-Infeld PowerBass EB344's. I don't care what they cost, I'll pay it to get them as that is hands down the best all-around string I've ever used. The upside to the high initial cost of the Austrian made TI strings is that they will outlast 4 or more sets of any other brand. So far the GHS3050's seem to last very well too as I've got over a year on the set I'm using now. I must qualify that by saying I don't play the bass with the GHS Precision Flats daily and only pull that bass out maybe 2 to 4 times a month. That bass is a good gigging bass but not what I play everyday at home or at rehearsal.

I bridge-through string all flats because I figure they all have a weakness for failing in a body-through setup.

Labella makes some DEEPTALKING strings in lighter gauges so those might be worth trying too. The problem is finding them. I have to order most strings online so I tend to stick to the same brands and don't experiment much with strings and go with what I know for sure works for me. Actually I would have never have bought the GHS 3050 Regular set if I hadn't tried them first on another bass. I'm a dinosaur I guess.

Some people I've recommended the GHS 3050 Regulars to don't like them. Different strokes for different folks.

Go to the following page, at the bottom is a section titled FLATWOUND VS ROUNDWOUND SHOOTOUT where you can hear both the TI and GHS strings playing the same song. They will take a moment to load, so be patient. They are full length songs.
http://www.brotherdave.com/add_demos.htm


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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 11:09 pm
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I'm using LaBella 760FL flats on a few of my basses and would recommend them over the heavier LaBella guages. They can get the same percussive bump (but take longer to season so play them for a few weeks, maybe even a few months, before making up your mind) but have more tone and articulation of the notes, and being lighter guage are easier to play (if you're in to doing fast runs, etc.)

I agree with Dave about TI flats. Lighter tension than the LaBellas, less percussive but really warm and fat sounding. These and the LaBellas are my favorite flats right now.


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Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 3:09 am
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brotherdave... when you used the GHS regulars, does it max out the truss rod or is there still room for adjustments?


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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2009 4:53 pm
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I've used the Deep Talkin' [why do corporations try to be so cool?] strings on my '51 RI but I have now gone to Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats on everything -- even my friends' basses since I have converted them to TIs as well. Pricey but several steps above anything else I've tried. And they last forever. They are lower tension, which some players don't like, but it's not a problem with me.

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Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:45 pm
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Wonderful information! I'm making a copy of everyone's suggestions and input and will continue the exploration ... a bit overwhelming with all the options, but I'm digging the continuing conversation. Obviously it will take a while to fully consider all the options and experiment further, but what a great device this forum has proven to be.

Many thanks -

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Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 7:52 am
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eyecandy wrote:
brotherdave... when you used the GHS regulars, does it max out the truss rod or is there still room for adjustments?


I can't answer that definitively. The tech did the adjusting on the truss rod, not me. How would you know how much is left anyway?

I told him if it is was too much tension to put the TI JF344's on it instead. He put on the GHS 3050 Regulars so it must have been ok. Seems stable as that was a few months ago.


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Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:03 am
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seems like the regulars settled in the 51's , I'm curious on how it would work on the mexicans I would like to try the medium ones..

and humidity does affect the neck right??


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