Black Flatwound or Tape Strings? Any Suggestions for a 5 String?

[CoffeeLove]

Title says it all. Anyone have suggestions for a set of "black" flats or tapes in a 5 string? And this bass is tuned to Eb for one of the cover bands I sub, so not sure if it would just be a floppy mess with flats.

 

[Aidil]

Eb0 to B1, or
Eb1 to B2?

Don't know about the former, but most likely La Bella 760N-CB would still be okay for the latter, though it would mean tossing away the low-B from the set.

 

[iiipopes]

Oh...tuning a fret down. That is problematic. Because under the tape, most "regular" gauge tapewounds (@ 60-135) are actually more like a set of 45's in tension, which may be slightly loose for a down tune, depending on how your technique is. The nylon wrap does not add to the tension of the strings. I have played at times all the domestic tapewound strings over the decades, starting with the original Fender nylon sleeve strings from the 70's, current Fenders, everything in the La Bella stock line, D'Addario, GHS, Rotosound, etc.

To keep tone, consistency and at least some degree of stability tuning a fret down, the best strings are the La Bella Tapes in regular gauge, 60-135. The blacks are a little darker in tone, and the whites are a little brighter in tone, in the context of nylon wrap strings. You will have to have your nut either modified or get a new nut to accommodate the strings. Search the nylon tape threads, and you will find my posts on comparing everything and my measuring of dead strings after taking the nylon tape off to get the equivalent round wound gauges.

 

[CoffeeLove]

Oh...tuning a fret down. That is problematic. Because under the tape, most "regular" gauge tapewounds (@ 60-135) are actually more like a set of 45's in tension, which may be slightly loose for a down tune, depending on how your technique is. The nylon wrap does not add to the tension of the strings. I have played at times all the domestic tapewound strings over the decades, starting with the original Fender nylon sleeve strings from the 70's, current Fenders, everything in the La Bella stock line, D'Addario, GHS, Rotosound, etc.

To keep tone, consistency and at least some degree of stability tuning a fret down, the best strings are the La Bella Tapes in regular gauge, 60-135. The blacks are a little darker in tone, and the whites are a little brighter in tone, in the context of nylon wrap strings. You will have to have your nut either modified or get a new nut to accommodate the strings. Search the nylon tape threads, and you will find my posts on comparing everything and my measuring of dead strings after taking the nylon tape off to get the equivalent round wound gauges.

Great info, thanks. Why the nut modification, just curious, that big of a diameter? Do you think the "standards" would be too floppy or unstable (.045 to .128)? Might just stick with GHS Pressurewounds, which has been a good compromise between regular steel or even nickel strings compared to flats, and seem to be OK tuned down. Would be nice to have some black strings on this particular bass, but can't have it all I guess.

 

[iiipopes]

Regular nut slots will pinch the nylon wrap of the strings, just as on any strings too large for the slot.

Here's a thought: DR Black Beauties and Aurora Black both come in a 50's set. They are coated strings, not nylon wrap strings.

 

[theduke1]

I run LaBella Black Nylon Tape Wound Strings on 3of my 5 , 5 strings. I also play in bands that use different tunings. 1/2 step and 1whole step down. I use a Digitech Drop pedal so my basses are all tuned standard. No issues with floppy strings
Duke

 

[michael_t]

Might just stick with GHS Pressurewounds, which has been a good compromise between regular steel or even nickel strings compared to flats, and seem to be OK tuned down. Would be nice to have some black strings on this particular bass, but can't have it all I guess.

I use the Pressurewound 44-106 on my Jazz for DGCF tuning and they work great. The nice thing is they at least have black silk. I wouldn't compromise tone and playability for the sake of the visual appeal.

 

[CoffeeLove]

I run LaBella Black Nylon Tape Wound Strings on 3of my 5 , 5 strings. I also play in bands that use different tunings. 1/2 step and 1whole step down. I use a Digitech Drop pedal so my basses are all tuned standard. No issues with floppy strings
Duke
View attachment 4516847

Hey Duke, was that the standard size Labella Blacks, the .045 to .128 or the larger .060 to .135? Bass would be standard tuning a 1/2 step down. At $50 plus tax would be n8ce to know they are not too floppy, the B string is at least OK, and they seem stable as far as tuning.

 

[theduke1]

Hey Duke, was that the standard size Labella Blacks, the .045 to .128 or the larger .060 to .135? Bass would be standard tuning a 1/2 step down. At $50 plus tax would be n8ce to know they are not too floppy, the B string is at least OK, and they seem stable as far as tuning.

I use the .060-.135
Duke