want to try tapewound...

matt descending · #1 09-17-2011, 11:24 AM

As the title suggests, I am looking into putting tapewounds on one of my basses. I normally play passive basses, but just acquired a BC Rich 5 string Warlock that has active electronics. Not a fan of the clacky sounding tone, and when I roll off the treble, I loose the punch. Can this be fixed with tapewounds? Played a Beatle Bass that had what I am assuming were tapewounds, black smooth, coated strings that sounded very warm but responsive. Any suggestions? Maybe some cheap, 35" to try out.

matt descending · #2 09-17-2011, 12:41 PM

Also, after reading up, I noticed that they vary in gauge and tension. I would like to have average tension, tuned ADGCF and don't want to mess with the nut.

CopperheadLXXIX · #3 09-17-2011, 01:05 PM

Most tapewounds tend to be lower tension, and if you plan to tune down that low, obviously even more so.

jasper383 · #4 09-19-2011, 05:30 AM

I'm not sure what is causing the clacky tone you describe--it may not be string related? If you liked the tapes on the other bass, most likely you'll like them on others.

GHS makes a set of tapes that is 5 string, and you probably won't have to adjust the bass too much or at all to get them to fit. Good price, too.

GHS Electric Bass 5 String 34" Scale, .050 - .130, Black Nylon Tapewound, 3060-5

96tbird · #5 09-19-2011, 09:19 AM

They tend to clack on the frets, you have to adjust your plucking style a bit to compensate.

2400 · #6 09-19-2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96tbird

They tend to clack on the frets, you have to adjust your plucking style a bit to compensate.

They do have some clack due to their reduced tension (when compared with similar gauges), but the clack is very soft and organic, almost a wooden quality. I've grown partial to the sound!

matt descending · #7 09-19-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper383

I'm not sure what is causing the clacky tone you describe--it may not be string related? If you liked the tapes on the other bass, most likely you'll like them on others.

GHS makes a set of tapes that is 5 string, and you probably won't have to adjust the bass too much or at all to get them to fit. Good price, too.

GHS Electric Bass 5 String 34" Scale, .050 - .130, Black Nylon Tapewound, 3060-5

34" scale probably will not work on my 35"... in the past I have put 34"s on a 35" and the taper on the bottom strings begins halfway through first fret. I can live with it but it kinda sucks.

jasper383 · #8 09-19-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt descending

34" scale probably will not work on my 35"... in the past I have put 34"s on a 35" and the taper on the bottom strings begins halfway through first fret. I can live with it but it kinda sucks.

GHS strings tend to be pretty long. Does your bass string just through the bridge, or through the body and the bridge?

SLaPiNFuNK · #9 09-19-2011, 11:57 AM

Actually, GHS Black Nylon Tape Wounds have a 38" Winding Length... So they will fit your 35" depending on bridge configuration...

matt descending · #10 09-19-2011, 12:00 PM

They string just through the bridge.

brndn123 · #11 09-19-2011, 12:02 PM

I know Juan from Mars Volta has been getting big into tapewounds lately. I actually think he mentioned most of the new album was done with tapewounds on an old J. That being said, they have almost an acoustic, hollowbody charactistic to them tonally. As metioned earlier, they do have a bit of clack, but nothing close to fresh rounds. Not sure how they feel to touch but I would definitely give them a shot.

SLaPiNFuNK · #12 09-19-2011, 12:03 PM

You can always double check just to be sure and measure from about 7/8" past the Ball End until the Nut...

The 38" Winding Length is from "Silk to Silk"

chunkstyle · #13 09-28-2011, 06:43 PM

Carvin sells LaBella tapewounds for cheeeeap.

Stanley Pugh · #14 09-28-2011, 06:59 PM

Have a set of Rotosound's on my Ibanez five. A setup is in order any time you change string gauge and type to suit your playing. The tone is warm, the feel is soft without much tension. If you are a in the pocket low end player you may like them a lot. If you like the modern guitar like tone they may not be your cup of tea. My set are years old and sound the same as when I bought them.

Example Black Nylon Flatwounds GHS Test (on a Jazz Bass) - YouTube