Coated Bass Strings & Tape wound

KrispyJones · #1 05-08-2007, 05:58 AM

Hi Guys,

would be nice if you could help me

i play a fender jazz 4 string with a D-tuner

2st question:
wich strings "feel" best (smooth) of the coated ?
daddario, elixier, or the warwick emp or fender tape wound

2nd:
how long do fender tape wound last !? (i play reggae most of the time)
can i destroy them if i use the d-tuner ?

thanks for your help !
greets

chris

Pilgrim · #2 05-08-2007, 09:04 AM

The feel is very individual. I don't like the feel of rounds at all; I like flats and tapewounds.

i have a set of Fender tapewounds on a fretless - they're about 2 years old and sound fine. I assume that they'll last as long as I want them to. I can't speak to the use of a drop-D tuner, but unless you're flipping it on and off 20 times a night, I don't see how it could make a significant difference in string longevity.

KrispyJones · #3 05-08-2007, 11:23 AM

thanks.... another thing is....

can i put the black fender tapewound strings on an acoustic bass ?

greets

chris

Pilgrim · #4 05-08-2007, 12:13 PM

Probably depends on the diameter of the holes in the bridge. The nylon tape tends to make the exterior diameter run larger than usual, so you want to be confident you can get that E string through the bridge hole.

Given that, I have heard of a number of people using a variety of electric bass strings (including tapewounds) on A/E basses, so I don't see why you couldn't. There are plenty of people who don't like the typical phosphor strings made for A/E basses. I don't like 'em myself.

The Fenders have a reputation of being high tension, although personally I can't feel this with the Fender tapewounds I have on a fretless P-special style bass. As long as the A/E you're using has a truss rod in the neck, I see no reason not to give it a shot.

I may do the same with my Applause (Ovation) AE-40 bass. I have the action worked down pretty low (which required making my own lowered bridge saddle) and I get some fret buzz - nylon tapewounds would do a lot to reduce that.

Lokire · #5 05-08-2007, 04:21 PM

You should be able to use any Tapewounds on an acoustic bass. I've used RotoSound tapewounds on my acoustic bass and they fit fine. Pretty huge gauges too. 115 on the E string I think. I hated the strings and took them off almost immediately, but they did fit

Tapewounds will definitely be smoother than any 'coated' strings, since tapewounds have flat windings of black nylon tape on the surface. Whereas the coated strings are just like regular roundwound strings, but with some coating on them, basically the same roundwound feel.

If you want to go with tapewounds, I would highly recommend the ones the Status-Graphite makes. They have more of a standard gauge than any others, so they'll fit any bass just fine (no mods to the nut). Plus they have a really nice, low tension. Might not be the best if you like more tension though. The LaBella tapewounds are great too. A bit of a higher gauge/tension, and they have a tapered B-string.

Tapewounds should last a really long time without really changing their tone. Even if you use your d-tuner a lot. They generally last years

KrispyJones · #6 05-08-2007, 05:27 PM

thanks guys !

i think ill try the black fender tapewounds

(is it "ok" for reggae)

FenderP · #7 05-08-2007, 06:56 PM

The Rotos (RS88 set) is the best black nylon tapewound set I've used. I didn't like the LaBellas, and the .115 on the E IMHO is still too thin

If you like high tension strings, get the Rotos.

KrispyJones · #8 05-09-2007, 04:05 AM

too late :-(

i bought the fender 9120s but they have way to less tension..... (cant use the dtuner :-( )

KrispyJones · #9 05-09-2007, 04:20 AM

i like the g and d !!!

can it help if i make the e and a higher ? (from the fingerboard)

thanks guys! i really persuade your help !

PilbaraBass · #10 05-09-2007, 04:44 AM

I have the LaBellas on two of my basses...both 34" 4-stringers...one fretted, one fretless

one set I've been using since 1997, and the other since 2002...great strings...never wear out.

fairly low tension, because of their relatively low mass...but they're stiff enough...In fact, on my fretless, I've been able to detune from E-A-D-G all the way down to B-E-A-D with very little issues whatsoever.

KrispyJones · #11 05-09-2007, 09:07 AM

has anyone played these !?

FENDER BASS-STRINGS 7120 Nylon Filament Roundwound

or recommend me some tape or nylon strings with HIGH tension ! (play a jazz with d tuner)

tanks, chris

Lokire · #12 05-09-2007, 10:46 AM

I think the RotoSounds have the highest tension of all the tapewound strings out there.

KrispyJones · #13 05-09-2007, 11:51 AM

thanks !

and whats the difference in "normal" flatwounds ?!

i need high tension strings, cause i use the d tuner

which are the tape or flat strings with HIGHEST tension !

thanks guys.... really !

Lokire · #14 05-09-2007, 12:56 PM

Tapewounds are actually roundwound strings that have a layer of flat black nylon tape wrapped around the outside. So they have the smooth feel of a flatwound, but with more of the tone of a roundwound string. They also generally have a lower tension, because they have to start with a lighter gauge roundwound string underneath so that when the nylon tape is wrapped around, the final gauge isn't increased too much.

Regular flatwound strings have either steel or nickel flat wrappings to begin with. They have a more 'dull' or 'dark' kind of tone, when compared to roundwounds and have the smoother feel.

If you really want the highest tension, then the LaBella Jamerson sig flats would be it. But those are pretty rediculously high gauge/tension, from what I've heard. You might be better off with standard set of LaBella flats instead. Or maybe the Sadowsky flatwounds? I'm not sure exactly. I just use the TI Jazz flats, but they're very low tension.

KrispyJones · #15 05-09-2007, 01:03 PM

i tried the fender tapewound but the e (and a) had too less tension

which one got more tension ? i can choose from them below !
maybe not the most but i NEED more tension than the fender tapewound had ! (and i want to get flats)

http://www.thomann.de/de/cat.html?gf...nsaetze&oa=pra

KrispyJones · #16 05-09-2007, 01:35 PM

ill try the fender flats.... (hows their tension)
http://www.thomann.de/de/fender_9050ml_bass_strings.htm
but which gauges ?
100 or 105 e string ?!?

DavidMP · #17 05-09-2007, 03:34 PM

I have used both the Rotosound and Labellas black nylon versions.
I like the Rotosounds much better. They have higher tension, especially the low B, but it is more uniform across the set.
I didn't try the Fenders since they don't seem to make a 5 string set.

DocBop · #18 05-09-2007, 03:34 PM

I got Elixer for my JBass and wouldn't buy them again. To me they sound a little dull compared to DA's I normally use. The feel I got used to, but a little strange. Didn't hate them, but won't get 'em again.

KrispyJones · #19 05-09-2007, 04:11 PM

thanks..... so if tape with high tension rotos.

ill give the fender flats a chance (are cheaper) if they also suck it will be the roto tapes

KrispyJones · #20 05-15-2007, 08:43 AM

i tried the 9050s and have to say.... i dont know ;-)
i like the tension and all but it feels wired.... (its almost the same feel my upright got, but hm.... "un normal"

what about "strings playing in"
how long does it take for the flats ?

(they stay in tune right out of the box!!!!)

greets

chris