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Labella Black Tape wound strings question...

timmus

timmus

Just a Stranger Passing Through
Supporting Member
Apr 2, 2009
2,484
6,247
South Central Missouri
#1
All, I just purchased an Ibanez AEB105 5 string acoustic bass...it should be arriving early next week. I am thinking about putting Labella Black Tape Wound strings on it but for the life of me, I can't find a five string set in medium length. Do they even make them?

The bass is a 32" scale so I think longs would be too long...

Thoughts?
 
#6
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#7
michael_t said:
I have no experience with tapewounds personally, but I would be leery about the main body of the big, fat low B string wrapping around the post.

Also, tapewounds have silk at the ball end as well as the tuner end. Make sure the bridge pin hole on that bass is big enough to accommodate the fat end of the low B.
Click to expand...
I was thinking the same things. I think I’ll wait until I get the bass and then take some measurements.
 
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#8
timmus said:
All, I just purchased an Ibanez AEB105 5 string acoustic bass...it should be arriving early next week. I am thinking about putting Labella Black Tape Wound strings on it but for the life of me, I can't find a five string set in medium length. Do they even make them?

The bass is a 32" scale so I think longs would be too long...

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

These are 32.25" ball end to silk. I'm kinda doubting they'll fit. Conversely, I've seen people put "spacers" under the bridge. Meaning they modified where the ball end was to give a little extra space on that end of the string. Basically it looked like they added washers to add length. This works wonders if you only need to move it a small amount.

Also, La Bella Black Tapes are wonderful. Got a pair on a Jazz right now. They are roundwound strings with nylon wrap, so there shouldn't be much issue with wrapping them around post. There are other brands of tapes that have flats under the tape, but not La Bella. So their tapes should be good. Feel free to fire off an email to them. They have usually answered my questions fairly quickly. (I have to say usually because things were weird during lockdown).

Also if you like them, they have a roadie club which offers unique strings from time to time.

Edit: once you know your exact measurements.... it's possible they might make a set for you.
 
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#9
timmus said:
All, I just purchased an Ibanez AEB105 5 string acoustic bass...it should be arriving early next week. I am thinking about putting Labella Black Tape Wound strings on it but for the life of me, I can't find a five string set in medium length. Do they even make them?

The bass is a 32" scale so I think longs would be too long...

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Get a long-scale set and, instead of using the low B bridge pin, thread the string through a metal or stiff plastic piece of tubing of appropriate length (my guess is 2.5" should do), then install it from the soundhole. The E string may also need to undergo the same operation, but the required tubing length should be around half an inch or so.
 
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#10
HaphAsSard said:
Get a long-scale set and, instead of using the low B bridge pin, thread the string through a metal or stiff plastic piece of tubing of appropriate length (my guess is 2.5" should do), then install it from the soundhole. The E string may also need to undergo the same operation, but the required tubing length should be around half an inch or so.
Click to expand...
Great idea....will have to look closer at this...Thanks!
 
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#11
mrperkolator said:
These are 32.25" ball end to silk. I'm kinda doubting they'll fit. Conversely, I've seen people put "spacers" under the bridge. Meaning they modified where the ball end was to give a little extra space on that end of the string. Basically it looked like they added washers to add length. This works wonders if you only need to move it a small amount.

Also, La Bella Black Tapes are wonderful. Got a pair on a Jazz right now. They are roundwound strings with nylon wrap, so there shouldn't be much issue with wrapping them around post. There are other brands of tapes that have flats under the tape, but not La Bella. So their tapes should be good. Feel free to fire off an email to them. They have usually answered my questions fairly quickly. (I have to say usually because things were weird during lockdown).

Also if you like them, they have a roadie club which offers unique strings from time to time.

Edit: once you know your exact measurements.... it's possible they might make a set for you.
Click to expand...
Thank you! I will drop La Bella a line and see what they say...
 
#12
timmus said:
"Properly" meaning just cut to the correct length? May be a stupid question but before I spend 55 bucks I want to make sure I don't screw them up. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
This is how the white tapes fit on a 34" J.
Maybe you can use this to intrapolate 20230721_121851.jpg 20230721_121828.jpg
 
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#14
HaphAsSard said:
Get a long-scale set and, instead of using the low B bridge pin, thread the string through a metal or stiff plastic piece of tubing of appropriate length (my guess is 2.5" should do), then install it from the soundhole. The E string may also need to undergo the same operation, but the required tubing length should be around half an inch or so.
Click to expand...

this is the way ~
 
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#15
I greatly prefer the 32" scale, but you see how hard it is getting strings for it! String makers are now catching up on the 30" scale strings, so perhaps they will get it together for medium scale as well.

In general, it is not a good idea to cut and install longer scale strings. No only can you have problems with strings unraveling, or being too fat to fit in the tuners, they are not pulled to their proper design tension and can be a little floppy. (strings are wound under tension).
 
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#19
powersM3 said:
View attachment 5137768
Click to expand...
Thanks for the offer. The B string needs to be a .130 (I believe) unless I widen the slot on the nut. Of course, teh difference between the .135 and .130 is only .005, probably a negligible difference in the grand scheme of things. Your picture confuses me (this has been something I've seen on LaBella strings)...it has a sticker that says Medium Scale but the packaging insert says Standard Long Scale. I was never wanting to take the chance. I'm also looking for the black tape wounds. They are not quite as bright sounding and you know...esthetics. ;)
 
#20
Often LaBella does put a "sticker" (under the factor sealed plastic overwrap) on the standard packaging of strings when the strings are Short, Medium, or XL scale vs. "standard long scale".

Sorry on the Low B gauge.

Best of luck in your quest.

Note - on a "popular auction site" I have 300+ sets of LaBella strings at up to 55% off retail pricing.
 
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