LaBella 17

[Andrew 'blind boy' Butler]

Hi everyone!

I just thought I would let everyone know that Stringsdirect.UK have ordered some LaBella 17s for me. £5.99 a pack, which is cheaper than other online retailers I've found. I've suggested that they should get a few in stock. So if that's your fancy then check them out.

STRINGS DIRECT La Bella nylon strings

[John Deller]

The gut sizes Clem used were quite heavy compared to what Joel suggests. 0.6mm (0.023) , 0.73mm (0.028), 0.85 (0.033). I reckon they are perfect for my minstrel banjos (which is what im mostly concerned with)

[Joel Hooks]

I should consider reading my posts before I click "add reply".

John, yeah strings have gotten heavier and heavier.  What is interesting is that in side by side comparisons, the lighter strings are not only louder but have sharper clarity and more carrying power.

That is not to say that you have to play loudly, but it is nice to have that range of dynamics.  It is also nice to not have to fight your instrument for FF passages. 

The heavier gut would be perfect for A pitch of early rimmed style banjos. 

[Trapdoor2]

I think "louder" is a function of less total mass in the vibrating system. They respond faster and seem to emphasize the sharper components as well.

For me and my dependence on feel, Joel's "spiderweb" set forces me to play closer to the bridge than I like (more resistance) and sound shrill. When I play them in my comfort position (up by the pot/heel), they feel like spiderwebs, I lose control...and they don't sound good.

All subjective, of course. I'm happier with fat strings...and I've stopped worrying about it. Different horses...

[nick Kelly]

FWIW, I have enjoyed the sound of the Labella 17s, they gave me the snap and brightness that I think most closely resembles the sound I hear on old recordings I struggle however with the feel which to me is a bit floppy especially up the neck where much of this old stuff is played, like I said I am talking to a UK based supplier in hopes of achieving the brightness I want with a more "taut" feel. I shall hopefully have something to report in a short while.

Trapdoor2 said:

I think "louder" is a function of less total mass in the vibrating system. They respond faster and seem to emphasize the sharper components as well.

For me and my dependence on feel, Joel's "spiderweb" set forces me to play closer to the bridge than I like (more resistance) and sound shrill. When I play them in my comfort position (up by the pot/heel), they feel like spiderwebs, I lose control...and they don't sound good.

All subjective, of course. I'm happier with fat strings...and I've stopped worrying about it. Different horses...

[Steve Harrison]

Hi All, I contacted The Harp Studio.co.uk  yesterday requesting a full list of their Bow Brand strings together with the gauges. They promptly replied with two PDF documents listing all the gut and nylon strings. It takes a bit of sorting but there are strings that seem to have suitable gauges for banjo. The below address gives access to their on line shop with prices. I may give it a test run and order just one to check the practical suitability....

https://www.theharpstudio.co.uk/ourshop/cat_950742-Nylon.html

Steve.

[Rob MacKillop]

All you need to do is email Bow Brand, as I mentioned. They have everything you need. 

[Rob MacKillop]

I used a wound 4th, John. 

John Deller said:

Cheers Rob, Yes, i just recieved a price list and the guages that Clem used but only three thicknesses, so im guessing the 4th is a wound nylon? If no experincevwith gut so any info would be much appreciated 

[Steve Harrison]

Hi Rob, I've also contacted them but the list they sent me didn't include the gauges of the strings....Steve

Rob MacKillop said:

All you need to do is email Bow Brand, as I mentioned. They have everything you need. 

[Trapdoor2]

I have the same list, Steve. No gauges, inscrutable list of strings and prices from 2018.

How did y'all get a list with gauges? I'm sending a query back...

[John Deller]

GBP%20Feb%202022%204581012%20ft%20UNVARNISHED.pdf

Guages in mm

[John Deller]

GBP%20Feb%202022%204581012%20ft%20Varnished%20Gut.pdf

[Joel Hooks]

My next question is, are they true?  Harp strings wound not need to be as they are not fretted.