Thanks for the comment. The E string had some crazy overtones that just made the whole bass sound out of tune so despite the good third that weirdness had to go. The Labella strings solved that problem. You can hear what I’m talking about in my cover of “calling all Angels” by train.
Hi. I’m a luthier with a long lifetime’s experience. Be cautious about turning the hex head screws on the bridge as I very strongly doubt that they are for bridge height adjustment. They could be but more likely they simply are there to screw the studs into the base of the bridge. The Chinese made Hofner that I setup last week didn’t have exposed studs but the bridge finish was bad. After trueing up the fit to the belly to stop the twisted studs jamming and other necessary corrections it was possible to use the adjusting wheels by hand even at playing tension. The Labella strings sound better largely because they have a more sensible higher tension. Be aware that the higher tension may well cause failure of the inadequate neck join.
Good comparison, and clear result. To my ears the LaBella's sounded much more musical and clear. The first set sounded more like a rubber band, I'm thinking of getting a epi. viola bass for my studio and you've just clarified my decision. Thanks
Bought the Hofner as they were the cheapest for my shortscale. Read some review with guy saying he broke a string while putting on: ok an accident. Bam, happened me a same with E. Went wiht Rotos and no problem. Also recommend La Bella, Ernie Balls.
I just picked up the same bass. The factory strings are very bad- with the octave properly intonated, other notes on the neck can be several cents off. At first I wondered if the nut position was incorrect, but the problem isn't consistent from string to string! Trying to decide between La Bella DT Flats and black tapes...
@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar The only set I could find locally, were DR Legend flats (SFL-245 45-105) . They sound and feel great. No more intonation problems, and only a 2-flat adjustment to the truss rod.
It doesn’t really neck dive but it does tend to roll forward and the sharp edge of the body digs into your forearm. It’s fine when sitting, but if standing, wear a thick shirt or jacket, otherwise it gets real uncomfortable.
Chinese Bass comes with Chinese strings. Real German made Hofner’s come with German made Pyramid Strings which can cost up to $75 a set. Totally different String.
Interesting comparison, the La Bella are sharper and more balanced. These strings have had a break-in ?, the new strings sound brilliant What brand did Paul McCartney use ?
I made this video when those Labella strings were brand new, so no break-in. I believe Paul uses the pyramid Strings made in Germany now. I’m not sure what he used in the 60s and 70s.
First strings sounded like bad setup to me. Buzzes and flappiness all the way. Ime theres a big misunderstanding that short scale basses need lighter gauges, you often get better result with rather go up in tension.
Thanks for the comments. I like a lower action and the buzzing you hear is ambient noise, not coming through the amp. I did the setup before changing strings and it was exactly where I wanted it. The factory Asian strings were just not very good.
@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar Wow, my mistake then. I didnt know bad strings could be such a negative factor, is the problem that they lack tension all over maybe? I have to apologise, to me it seemed obvious that the first strings didnt have proper setup. The la bellas sounded waaay better.
@@Oscaraha No worries. I think the quality of the factory strings is just very low. Especially the E string. A lot of reviews of the Ignition series by Hofner mention how bad they are right out of the box. I’d argue strings are 45% of the tone, the pickups are another 45% and everything else is 10%. Hard to be sure, but they are a BIG factor in the sound of a bass.
I have to go play those basses again to be sure. I have chromes on my precision, which is a very different sounding bass than a Hofner, so it’s not an apples to apples comparison, but to my ear, they’re very similar. The Labella‘s might be a little warmer.
Nice comparison! I plan on picking one up while travelling (wayyy cheaper). Would you mind measuring it's length, from the strap button to the headstock? It's so I know if I can just bring a guitar gigbag with me, or will need to buy something there.
How does the feel of the two sets compare? I am familiar with the Hofner strings and I think the higher strings seem rather rough for flats, at least compared to D'Addario flats. The Hofner D and G almost feel like round wounds. What do you think?
I don’t remember the Asian Hofner Strings been super different from other flats I’ve used but I will double check this evening. The Labella flats are basically the same feel as the Daddario chromes.
OK, so after double checking, the Chromes and the LaBella's are both very smooth. The Asian Hofners have a bit of a drag to them. "Dry", if you will, as compared to the "wet" feel of the other flats. Nothing like roundwounds, but they are kind of sticky in way stainless steels strings are sticky as compared to nickel.
@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar Yes, 'dry' and 'wet' describe the feel a lot better. Also, I've noticed more finger noise on the Hofners than D'addarios. Thanks, this has been very helpful!
Thanks for such a rare comparison. For me, no doubt, Hofner set sounds more balanced. This is exactly "that 60's sound" that I expected to hear from flats on violin bass. La bella set produces too many middle frequencies, still its attack sounds different. Overall it doesn't sounds like "true flats" to me. And that's interesting, because I only read praises to La Bella strings everywhere. Thanks once again! Would be awesome to see more comps of flats from you - vs D'Addario Chromes, vs DR, and of course vs tapewounds of all kinds! Cheers!
Thanks for the comments. If it weren't from the crazy out of tune overtones from the Hofner E string, I would have considered keeping them. The A, D, G strings were certainly useable, but that E string . . . had to go!
@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar Thanks for your reply. Do you think it's about such Hofner set at all or this concrete set only? 'Cos, if I got you right, this set wasn't right from the pack, but came already tensed on the guitar for god knows how long... I'm curious 'cos I'm choosing a flat set for myself now, and I still don't know what to buy.
@@saboteur1001 I think the problem might be the fact that these Höfner strings are made in the Chinese factory. If you got the Hofner strings made in the German factory, I would believe there will be zero problems.
btw not that I noticed any, but I fixed typical wolf/dead tones on mine by shoving a piece of foam between the bridge and tailpiece, did same w/ my german mersey bass@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar
Yeah not really grooving on that bass, I own a Hofner very thin and that sounds better than the bass you have there. What amp are you running the sound thru? Thx
@@barrycook3540 yeah it could be more accurate, but I had only owned the Bass for a week when I changed to the LaBella strings, and I maybe played the bass a total of an hour, so those strings didn’t have a lot of “wear and tear” on them, so to speak. Thanks for your comments.
I have been using LaBella since my first Bass, a Silvertone. Great bass sound all these years. Still playing, age 80!😊.
Great story! Thanks for sharing!
Can't lie. Those stock strings sound great. That thud. 💥
Thanks for the comment. The E string had some crazy overtones that just made the whole bass sound out of tune so despite the good third that weirdness had to go. The Labella strings solved that problem. You can hear what I’m talking about in my cover of “calling all Angels” by train.
Hi. I’m a luthier with a long lifetime’s experience. Be cautious about turning the hex head screws on the bridge as I very strongly doubt that they are for bridge height adjustment. They could be but more likely they simply are there to screw the studs into the base of the bridge. The Chinese made Hofner that I setup last week didn’t have exposed studs but the bridge finish was bad. After trueing up the fit to the belly to stop the twisted studs jamming and other necessary corrections it was possible to use the adjusting wheels by hand even at playing tension.
The Labella strings sound better largely because they have a more sensible higher tension. Be aware that the higher tension may well cause failure of the inadequate neck join.
Thanks for those tips and comments!
Good comparison, and clear result. To my ears the LaBella's sounded much more musical and clear. The first set sounded more like a rubber band, I'm thinking of getting a epi. viola bass for my studio and you've just clarified my decision. Thanks
Thank you for your comments, I'm sure others will find them valuable!
OMG - the difference is unbelievable. Thanks for mentioning that you used the LaBella lights, as there is a medium version.
You are welcome!
Thank you for making this video. I’ve been trying to find a comparison just like this for awhile.
Glad it was helpful! I made the video because I too had the questions, and after spending the $$, I had the answers. Best wishes!
Bought the Hofner as they were the cheapest for my shortscale. Read some review with guy saying he broke a string while putting on: ok an accident. Bam, happened me a same with E. Went wiht Rotos and no problem. Also recommend La Bella, Ernie Balls.
thanks or the comments!
Yes, the LaBella's sound clearer, but that's not the sound I want to get out of a Hofner with flats.
Fair enough, thanks for watching!
The Hofner flats I have on my club have black silks.
@@thomas79marshall interesting. Mine had a medium blue silk. The LaBellas have light blue.
@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar Hofner hct1133b contemporary flatwound strings.
I just picked up the same bass. The factory strings are very bad- with the octave properly intonated, other notes on the neck can be several cents off. At first I wondered if the nut position was incorrect, but the problem isn't consistent from string to string! Trying to decide between La Bella DT Flats and black tapes...
I think either string will work well. Get the tape wounds if you can find a “BASS” sticker to slap on there, lol.
@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar The only set I could find locally, were DR Legend flats (SFL-245 45-105) . They sound and feel great. No more intonation problems, and only a 2-flat adjustment to the truss rod.
Does the club bass neck dive like the violin bass? Any feedback welcome. Thanks
It doesn’t really neck dive but it does tend to roll forward and the sharp edge of the body digs into your forearm. It’s fine when sitting, but if standing, wear a thick shirt or jacket, otherwise it gets real uncomfortable.
Why is the pick up on if its in the off position, so confused. Ive had my hofner for years but never got this
Yes, I agree, the wording of the switch control is very awkward. Once you figure it out, it makes sense but it sure is confusing at first.
It’s actually not labeled “off.” It’s more like when it’s ON its soloed otherwise it’s in “blend” mode.
Chinese Bass comes with Chinese strings. Real German made Hofner’s come with German made Pyramid Strings which can cost up to $75 a set. Totally different String.
Yes, you are correct. In this video we compare the Chinese strings to LaBellas.
Interesting comparison, the La Bella are sharper and more balanced.
These strings have had a break-in ?, the new strings sound brilliant
What brand did Paul McCartney use ?
I made this video when those Labella strings were brand new, so no break-in. I believe Paul uses the pyramid Strings made in Germany now. I’m not sure what he used in the 60s and 70s.
@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar Thanks
In an interview, Sir Paul said he uses "long shiny ones". True. @@DaveTurnerBassGuitar
@@markprater7341 sounds like Sir Paul!
First strings sounded like bad setup to me. Buzzes and flappiness all the way. Ime theres a big misunderstanding that short scale basses need lighter gauges, you often get better result with rather go up in tension.
Thanks for the comments. I like a lower action and the buzzing you hear is ambient noise, not coming through the amp. I did the setup before changing strings and it was exactly where I wanted it. The factory Asian strings were just not very good.
@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar Wow, my mistake then. I didnt know bad strings could be such a negative factor, is the problem that they lack tension all over maybe? I have to apologise, to me it seemed obvious that the first strings didnt have proper setup. The la bellas sounded waaay better.
@@Oscaraha No worries. I think the quality of the factory strings is just very low. Especially the E string. A lot of reviews of the Ignition series by Hofner mention how bad they are right out of the box. I’d argue strings are 45% of the tone, the pickups are another 45% and everything else is 10%. Hard to be sure, but they are a BIG factor in the sound of a bass.
@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar Thanks for the video btw, really informing quality stuff. The best of luck with your channel!
Yes you are correct about tension but heavier strings will destroy the inadequate neck join more quickly.
How did the Chromes compare to the LaBellas?
Helpful video. Thanks.
I have to go play those basses again to be sure. I have chromes on my precision, which is a very different sounding bass than a Hofner, so it’s not an apples to apples comparison, but to my ear, they’re very similar. The Labella‘s might be a little warmer.
Nice comparison! I plan on picking one up while travelling (wayyy cheaper). Would you mind measuring it's length, from the strap button to the headstock? It's so I know if I can just bring a guitar gigbag with me, or will need to buy something there.
it's a solid 44" - hope that helps!
@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar thanks so much!
How does the feel of the two sets compare? I am familiar with the Hofner strings and I think the higher strings seem rather rough for flats, at least compared to D'Addario flats. The Hofner D and G almost feel like round wounds. What do you think?
I don’t remember the Asian Hofner Strings been super different from other flats I’ve used but I will double check this evening. The Labella flats are basically the same feel as the Daddario chromes.
OK, so after double checking, the Chromes and the LaBella's are both very smooth. The Asian Hofners have a bit of a drag to them. "Dry", if you will, as compared to the "wet" feel of the other flats. Nothing like roundwounds, but they are kind of sticky in way stainless steels strings are sticky as compared to nickel.
@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar Yes, 'dry' and 'wet' describe the feel a lot better. Also, I've noticed more finger noise on the Hofners than D'addarios. Thanks, this has been very helpful!
Are the Hofner strings the newer Contempary strings or the more expensive hofner german strings ?
The ones that come on the Ignition Series are made in China, not Germany. The quality is poor.
Thanks for such a rare comparison. For me, no doubt, Hofner set sounds more balanced. This is exactly "that 60's sound" that I expected to hear from flats on violin bass. La bella set produces too many middle frequencies, still its attack sounds different. Overall it doesn't sounds like "true flats" to me. And that's interesting, because I only read praises to La Bella strings everywhere.
Thanks once again! Would be awesome to see more comps of flats from you - vs D'Addario Chromes, vs DR, and of course vs tapewounds of all kinds! Cheers!
Thanks for the comments. If it weren't from the crazy out of tune overtones from the Hofner E string, I would have considered keeping them. The A, D, G strings were certainly useable, but that E string . . . had to go!
@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar Thanks for your reply. Do you think it's about such Hofner set at all or this concrete set only? 'Cos, if I got you right, this set wasn't right from the pack, but came already tensed on the guitar for god knows how long... I'm curious 'cos I'm choosing a flat set for myself now, and I still don't know what to buy.
@@saboteur1001 I think the problem might be the fact that these Höfner strings are made in the Chinese factory. If you got the Hofner strings made in the German factory, I would believe there will be zero problems.
great review. the labellas are far superior. those asian flats are either pyramid gold or copies of them.
Most likely a cheap copy. Thanks for the comment.
btw not that I noticed any, but I fixed typical wolf/dead tones on mine by shoving a piece of foam between the bridge and tailpiece, did same w/ my german mersey bass@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar
Yeah not really grooving on that bass, I own a Hofner very thin and that sounds better than the bass you have there. What amp are you running the sound thru? Thx
Running through a Mark Bass “Combo II” 1x12
It would be more fair to compare both sets straight from the packet
@@barrycook3540 yeah it could be more accurate, but I had only owned the Bass for a week when I changed to the LaBella strings, and I maybe played the bass a total of an hour, so those strings didn’t have a lot of “wear and tear” on them, so to speak. Thanks for your comments.
good review, I like labellas on my fenders & contempories on my hofners, all the best
You should give less detail and bring the sounds of the two types of strings closer together. It would be more interesting
Sorry you were bored. I felt it was important to show how each string sounds over the entire range of the instrument.
@@DaveTurnerBassGuitar No, you have to bring the two sounds together, play them one after the other. We can better compare
@@Arcade1959 gotcha, thank you for the suggestion.
He La bella strings are much clearer and intonated
I agree.
It's not even close. The LaBella's sound way better.