Average lifespan of Fender tapewounds.

ibanezcollector · #1 10-26-2007, 06:15 PM

Just put some on a bass, and I really dig them but whats the average lifespan of them roughly.

Cause it seems like that tape would wear down pretty quick, but then again what do I know, I have never used them.

markdavid · #2 10-27-2007, 05:46 PM

Dont know about the Fenders but the Roto tapes last forever, dont know if this is any help

rusty66 · #3 10-28-2007, 08:26 AM

Ive had mine on my fretless for about 3 months now & I average about 3 gigs a week. They still sound great so far!

Cheers

Rusty

meev992 · #4 10-28-2007, 08:36 AM

I've had my fender tapes for about 9 months before they were too beat up to have good intonation.

btw, they're 9120's

Pilgrim · #5 10-29-2007, 12:38 PM

The answer probably depends on the player and technique. Until/unless the tapes give, I would assume they last indefinitely. But I don't usually change strings unless they break.

Philbiker · #6 10-29-2007, 04:36 PM

I wouldn't change them unless they lose intonation or the tape starts shredding. I've never heard of the tape shredding. I love them on my fretless and just bought another set to try on something else.

meev992 · #7 10-29-2007, 08:23 PM

i play with a very heavy attack, and occasional popping. The tape never shredded, but after nine months of rigorous use, they became really thumpy, loose, and suffered from poor intonation. Other than that, you could potentially leave them on forever, if you choose.

newfuture · #8 10-30-2007, 02:53 PM

I'd suspect they should last a long time providing the tape remains intact as it protects the metal from the ugliness of the world, especially acidic sweat and dirt.

Question to all y'all, I actually just put a fender set on a fretless last night and am loving the way they sound, except for one thing that should have been obvious, but never occurred to me: the tape is an electrical insulator and defeats the string grounding! Anyone have suggestions for how to get around this?

meev992 · #9 10-30-2007, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfuture

Question to all y'all, I actually just put a fender set on a fretless last night and am loving the way they sound, except for one thing that should have been obvious, but never occurred to me: the tape is an electrical insulator and defeats the string grounding! Anyone have suggestions for how to get around this?

you're absolutely right, this is an often overlooked downside to tapes.

I get around this, by having very active pickups, or by shielding my passive basses.

other than that, you can turn the treble down on your amp, or get a noise gate. I use an old 1980 mxr noisegate + DI box. i especially love how the DI is right there, at the end of my daisy chain. I really wish there were more pedals like this.

newfuture · #10 10-30-2007, 05:57 PM

Thanks meev992...

The bass in question has passive EMG 35hz in it, which is humbucking, so it's not that bad, but may need a grounding strap if I record with it direct. Shielding on that bass is on the way. Strangely enough, the casing on the 35hz, which looks all plastic, has something there as it serves as ground, and it's as effective as the metal on the bridge. Cool.

Question, how does the MXR DI sound?

and Ibanezcollector, sorry for hijacking the thread.

meev992 · #11 10-30-2007, 08:25 PM

Well, even the EMG passives, are still EMGs, and they take great pride in their pickup construction..maybe some faeries are inside, killing noise for you

in either case. I originally bought the old MXR noisegate/DI when i was a guitar player. I suppose, good 'ole Tony knew that I would switch to bass some day, so he let me grab the MXR.

Firstly, I'm going to assume it's for bass, because it would seem weird to have an XLR out on a box for guitar (as it will sound thin and sickly).

Second, it's easy to use....one on/off button, and a threshold knob, that can easily handle very noisy guitars.

Third, it runs on one 9v, and I've never had to change it since I purchased it 2 years ago...yes, very strange but it's true.

Fourth, It doesn't color my sound, which is a good thing, because I have a seperate daisy chain of effects to help me sound good through the PA.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

and back to Ibanezcollectors topic: 9 months for me.

..but has anyone ever tried the "nylon filament roundwound"?

...It seems like a self-defeating product, if you ask me...but maybe there's some reason that i'm not aware of at this time, of why they could be great strings.

Philbiker · #12 10-31-2007, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfuture

Question to all y'all, I actually just put a fender set on a fretless last night and am loving the way they sound, except for one thing that should have been obvious, but never occurred to me: the tape is an electrical insulator and defeats the string grounding! Anyone have suggestions for how to get around this?

I've never noticed this problem on any tapewound strings I've ever used. I would guess that the intention would be the metal ball end should ground on the bridge. If you are running string-through-body or some other less conventional bridge setup I could see this posing a problem. Wierd.

newfuture · #13 10-31-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

I've never noticed this problem on any tapewound strings I've ever used. I would guess that the intention would be the metal ball end should ground on the bridge. If you are running string-through-body or some other less conventional bridge setup I could see this posing a problem. Wierd.

Nothing weird on the bridge setup, normal metal bridge...the issue is the tape insulates your fingers from ground, so your body can't absorb the noise.

If you have a very quiet bass and/or notice no change in the background buzz when you touch the instrument cable's shell, you'll not notice the difference when using tapes vs. non-tapes. If I use a DI or other hi-fi monitoring chain, it's pretty obvious; running through an older ampeg fliptop, it's almost imperceptible.

meev992: thanks for the input on the MXR! Much appreciated.

meev992 · #14 10-31-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfuture

If I use a DI or other hi-fi monitoring chain, it's pretty obvious; running through an older ampeg fliptop, it's almost imperceptible.

meev992: thanks for the input on the MXR! Much appreciated.

I believe that this is definitely on topic of tapewounds, Noisegates aren't normally necessary for bass, but this is the exception.

This is why I advocate the use of the old 80's, or even 70's MXR noisegate + DI (I don't know how far back they go, but I believe I have the second generation model, the first generation has cursive script).

And if y'all ever get lucky and find it, buy it up immediately, even if you have to do a layaway plan, as they're not that common anymore, and I got lucky.

Philbiker · #15 11-01-2007, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfuture

Nothing weird on the bridge setup, normal metal bridge...the issue is the tape insulates your fingers from ground, so your body can't absorb the noise.

If you have a very quiet bass and/or notice no change in the background buzz when you touch the instrument cable's shell, you'll not notice the difference when using tapes vs. non-tapes. If I use a DI or other hi-fi monitoring chain, it's pretty obvious; running through an older ampeg fliptop, it's almost imperceptible.

You're describing a bass that is incorrectly grounded. If it buzzes unless you are touching the strings that means the bridge grounding is not in place or properly wired. Your body should not be part of the circuit. Tapewound strings do not cause this problem - bad wiring does. Have a tech look at it or revise the wiring yourself if you can.

Buskman · #16 11-01-2007, 12:45 PM

FWIW...

I've had the same set of Labella tapes on my fretless Stingray 5 for about five years now... still sounding great!

I would think that unless you're VICIOUSLY chopping at them with a pick (and wouldn't that almost defeat the purpose of this type of string?), they should last a good loooong time.

Hawaii Islander · #17 11-01-2007, 01:41 PM

I'm using Fender tapewounds on my P-bass. They're only 2 months old, but they are holding up very well. I usually play the P-bass 8-10 hours per week.

BellBottomBlues · #18 11-01-2007, 02:05 PM

I've tried both of the nylon strings fender offers, and I think both actually sound really great but aren't worth the $30 price tag as I seem to keep breaking them within a month.

I like the rotosound tapewounds. I've had the same set on my p-jazz for years.

meev992 · #19 11-01-2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellBottomBlues

I've tried both of the nylon strings fender offers, and I think both actually sound really great but aren't worth the $30 price tag as I seem to keep breaking them within a month.

I get them for about 20, online, from mf.com

really, you tried the "nylon filament"? How different is it from the 9120's?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buskman

I would think that unless you're VICIOUSLY chopping at them with a pick (and wouldn't that almost defeat the purpose of this type of string?), they should last a good loooong time.

Actually, I viciously chop at my fender tapes with picks, as well as some heavy finger playing. I find that the tape softens up the pick attack, otherwise, my bass just sounds too brittle.

BellBottomBlues · #20 11-01-2007, 03:30 PM

I found them both tonally similar but the tension on the nylon filaments was a lot less. As a consequence I broke the E string after the set was a week old.