Question about La Bella Nylon Tape wound strings

CAFan · #1 09-29-2011, 04:30 PM

I have a Cort Acoustic Bass Guitar and a Squier Jaguar electric bass with both P and J bass pickups.

I am considering La Bella nylon Tape Wound strings of one of these basses to give me an upright bass sound.

Which of these basses will get better results with tape wound strings for an upright sound?

The acoustic bass sounds pretty uprightish already with roundwound strings but I don't like the fingernoise I hear in my recordings. I'm thinking the tape wound string will sound more mellow and more like an upright AND no fingernoise. (I'm thinking even plugged in the bass's Fishman pickup may sound a lot more natural with tape wounds because the ROB ALLEN basses sound VERY uprightish only using tapewound strings and an undersaddle pickup.

However, I am aware that a P-Bass may sound very uprightish with tapewound strings too.

Which will give me the best upright sound for my acoustic recordings?? I appreciate all input!

FunkMetalBass · #2 09-29-2011, 09:03 PM

If I read this right, you gave a bunch of reasons why they'd be great on your acoustic bass, skipped past any benefits to using them on the P-Bass, and still hadn't reached an answer?

It's fairly obvious that you want them on your acoustic. Piezo pickups are much less forgiving in the treble department than magnetic pickups. I say put them on your acoustic, and if you don't like them, switch them to the P-bass.

CAFan · #3 09-29-2011, 10:38 PM

I didn't comment much on the P bass because I'm not sure what to expect with them on the P bass.
I was hoping someone here has used them on an electric bass.

I am leaning towards using them on the Cort ABG but if someone has gotten great results with tapewounds on an EBG then I'd really like to hear their experiences.

My acoustic bass is a short scale 30" so if I put them on it then they're staying on it!

FunkMetalBass · #4 09-29-2011, 10:49 PM

Here's what you can reasonably expect from either:

Electric
Au Privave by Charlie Parker on a Rickenbacker 4003 fretless - YouTube
Black Nylon Flatwounds GHS Test (on a Jazz Bass) - YouTube

Acoustic
Bass Cover - Communication Breakdown by Led Zeppelin - YouTube

I'd go with the acoustic, personally. Having one bass (especially an electric) that still has the ability to EQ in the treble will help to keep the versatility in your collection.

Also, Carvin sells La Bella Nylon Tapes for insanely cheap. It wouldn't hurt to pick up a couple of sets for that price.

CAFan · #5 09-29-2011, 11:59 PM

Thanks for those links! I agree the acoustic sounds awesome with the tape wounds!!

The electric does sound good but not as good as the acoustic.

Thanks for the Carvin tip. Unfortunately my acoustic bass is 30" scale so I don't think I can take advantage of those great prices at Carvin! I doubt they have the short scale La Bella strings since they don't have any short scale basses.

I'd love to have an AC40!! Carvin definitely makes awesome basses!

fretlessguy · #6 09-30-2011, 02:11 AM

D'Addario is coming out with a set of short scale tapes soon. I am not sosure that the very long scale tapes would be good for your short scale ABG because long sale tapes cut off that short to fit a short scale are prone to having the tape unravel. I believe that Rotosound also has a short scale set of tapes as well.

richnota · #7 09-30-2011, 07:42 AM

I use tapes on all my Rob Allen's and my plethora of piezo basses. In a word: yummy. BTW they can get far more than the "upright" but tone. The sound with tapes on my fretted/mag Rob Allen is super-punchy. Sits strong in the mix.

Haven't done them on my p-and-j type basses. Probably should. I'd read that the amazing Graham Maby used them on an Ibanez jazz copy to record all the early Joe Jackson band records. Always thought it was some sort of roundwound.

try them. You might be surprised.

FunkMetalBass · #8 09-30-2011, 08:18 AM

Has anyone ever tried a 6-string set of the nylon tapes? Just looking at the gauges, the B looks like it will be almost unusably light compared to the other strings.

PSPookie · #9 09-30-2011, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

Has anyone ever tried a 6-string set of the nylon tapes? Just looking at the gauges, the B looks like it will be almost unusably light compared to the other strings.

I haven't used the 6 string set but I have used the 5 string set on a few different basses.

What you have to remember abut tapes is that the gauges are misleading in that Nylon is much less dense than nickel-plated steel. So a tape wound with string will have less mass (and therefore less tension required to bring it up to tune) than an equivalent diameter round or flat.

TLDR: Don't sweat the tension on the B. It's in the normal range.

CAFan · #10 09-30-2011, 01:29 PM

Thanks for the heads up. I just found them at Musician's Friend for about $28.00. I think I will try them out. I appreciate the heads up!

FunkMetalBass · #11 09-30-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

I haven't used the 6 string set but I have used the 5 string set on a few different basses.

What you have to remember abut tapes is that the gauges are misleading in that Nylon is much less dense than nickel-plated steel. So a tape wound with string will have less mass (and therefore less tension required to bring it up to tune) than an equivalent diameter round or flat.

TLDR: Don't sweat the tension on the B. It's in the normal range.

I generally like my B's to be around .135 with a typical .100 E-string, so I'm guessing it'll still be quite light for my tastes, but I can't knock it until I try it.

Does anyone know if the sets Carvin sells will fit a 35" scale?

CAFan · #12 09-30-2011, 02:03 PM

Thanks for the heads up. I just found them at Musician's Friend for about $28.00. I think I will try them out. I appreciate the heads up!

LaBellaStrings · #13 10-03-2011, 08:38 AM

Hi CAGuy - This is La Bella Strings - we saw your post and thought we'd offer our advice.

We suggest using our nylon tape wounds with your Cort. It would give you exactly that upright bass sound you're looking for.

Alternatively, you could try our 760FLs on your Squier, but our nylon tape wounds would sound better (especially for fretless bass).

You can find our product online at Strings, Instrument Strings, Music Strings for Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Fiddle and More

Please let us know if you have anymore questions.

KeithKlaxwell · #14 10-03-2011, 12:49 PM

Hey, I got Bella tapes a few months ago. I've tried them on my acoustic bass guitar and my Guild B302. They're a great sound.

I got them at the link below. Jason is a Forum Supporting Vendor and solid guy.

Buy LaBella Electric Bass Strings from Bass Strings Online.

CAFan · #15 10-05-2011, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaBellaStrings

Hi CAGuy - This is La Bella Strings - we saw your post and thought we'd offer our advice.

We suggest using our nylon tape wounds with your Cort. It would give you exactly that upright bass sound you're looking for.

Alternatively, you could try our 760FLs on your Squier, but our nylon tape wounds would sound better (especially for fretless bass).

You can find our product online at Strings, Instrument Strings, Music Strings for Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Fiddle and More

Please let us know if you have anymore questions.

Thanks for the tip!!!! I will get the nylon tape wounds!! Will it sound like an upright when I plug the fishman pickup in or should I just mic the bass?

chuck3 · #16 10-05-2011, 09:20 PM

I use the tapes on my EBMM Sterling fretless. Pretty awesome. Not everyone likes them, but I do.

CAFan · #17 10-08-2011, 10:18 PM

Just ordered the La Bella Tape Wound Short Scale strings for my Cort Acoustic Bass! I can't wait to hear what it will sound like!

CAFan · #18 10-20-2011, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaBellaStrings

Hi CAGuy - This is La Bella Strings - we saw your post and thought we'd offer our advice.

We suggest using our nylon tape wounds with your Cort. It would give you exactly that upright bass sound you're looking for.

Alternatively, you could try our 760FLs on your Squier, but our nylon tape wounds would sound better (especially for fretless bass).

You can find our product online at Strings, Instrument Strings, Music Strings for Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Fiddle and More

Please let us know if you have anymore questions.

Hey La Bella, I just got the strings YOU recommended and paid about $50 and they DO NOT fit my bridge of my bass!!!!! Who the crap is going to give me my money back???????????????????? I just wasted at least $50 at your recommendation!!!!!!!!!!

SLaPiNFuNK · #19 10-20-2011, 02:55 AM

Which bass do they not fit on.... I see a few basses mentioned in your post.

Describe how they do not fit. What part exactly? Too thick? etc?

SLaPiNFuNK · #20 10-20-2011, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessguy

D'Addario is coming out with a set of short scale tapes soon. I am not sosure that the very long scale tapes would be good for your short scale ABG because long sale tapes cut off that short to fit a short scale are prone to having the tape unravel. I believe that Rotosound also has a short scale set of tapes as well.

(these have been out for a little over a month by the way)