La Bella just released a presssurewound range - Super Polished

[franzbassist]

https://www.labella.com/strings/category/super-polished/

 

[Little Dragon]

Wonder what the UK price might be.

[Chienmortbb]

Have just bought new strings so these would have to wait anyway. Interesting but judging by La Bella prices usually they are a tad high. Like TI's, I am not willing to pay out that much for a string I may not like.

[Pow_22]

Now in stock at Bass Direct.  Very intrigued as a 'groundwound' user

 

https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/product/la-bella-sp-47107-super-polished-bass-strings-4-string-set-47-107/

Edited October 1, 2024 by Pow_22

[NikNik]

.047.-.107? Jeezuz, that's heavy!!

[PaulThePlug]

Would like to give em a go... but £32!

I'm more an Adagio or Olympia Flats Guy at £15... Bang for Buck.

[Supernaut]

I'm waiting until they release a lighter gauge. From reviews, they play similar to a roundwound set in the same gauges. 

[fretmeister]

On 01/10/2024 at 10:42, NikNik said:

.047.-.107? Jeezuz, that's heavy!!

 

Not necessarily. Gauge is a very poor indication of stiffness and tension.

[Chienmortbb]

On 01/10/2024 at 10:43, PaulThePlug said:

Would like to give em a go... but £32!

I'm more an Adagio or Olympia Flats Guy at £15... Bang for Buck.

£32 for what should be  premium string sound OK BUT there are  many warnings that suggest they may be a bit fragile.

[franzbassist]

I've just popped a 5 string set on one of my basses.  First impressions:

• They don't feel as thick as you'd expect for such a heavy gauge.
• They are medium tension.
• They roll slightly under the finger.
• They sound great - really punchy and defined.
• They have a sticky feel to them, which I hope will go once they are played in a bit.
• They feel more like groundwounds than pressurewounds, with a slight grab to the finger when you slide.  Again, that might be more the stickiness than the string construction.
• The headstock silks are a purple and cream swirl mix, coated in a wax finish to stop them fraying. No silks at the ball end.

Edited October 3, 2024 by franzbassist

[franzbassist]

Definitely groundwounds!

 

 

[Chienmortbb]

I have just bought two sets of Newtone's or I would be tempted.

[franzbassist]

21 minutes ago, Chienmortbb said:

I have just bought two sets of Newtone's or I would be tempted.

Newtone make lovely strings!

 

I'll give them time to settle and I need to gig them, but I'm not blown away by them yet.  If I had to choose I'd go with GHS Pressurewounds over these.

Edited October 3, 2024 by franzbassist

[franzbassist]

Tried them at rehearsal last night, and first impressions are as follows:

• Quite dark sounding
• I revise my tension estimate to medium high.
• They are higher output than my usual nickel rounds, noticeably louder and fuller at the same EQ settings I usually use
• Good presence in the mix
• They lost the sticky grippiness pretty quickly

I wasn't blown away, but they are perfectly decent.

Edited October 4, 2024 by franzbassist

[franzbassist]

These strings are growing on me. They have such a good fundamental tone.

[knicknack]

Slightly lighter gauge incoming apparently... i have really fallen for these, looking forward to a slimmer set!

[franzbassist]

First gig with these last Friday and I am very happy with them.  Really clear articulation and punch to each note, and the strings are a lovely tension even at this gauge.

 

I never thought I'd like groundwounds after my experience with D'Addario half rounds strings, but these are terrific.

Edited November 4, 2024 by franzbassist

[franzbassist]

Just had a D string go pop as I was bringing up to tension on installation.  It appears I am not alone.

 

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/labella-super-polished.1650903/page-6

 

UPDATE: Bass Direct are sending me a new set.

Edited November 21, 2024 by franzbassist