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Deepest sounding tapes

el jeffe bass

el jeffe bass

Nov 22, 2013
1,947
6,130
New Mexico
#1
I have a Carvin B40 passive bass that presently has round wounds on it. I don’t tend to like rounds and have a number of basses with Flats on them and would like to try something different. My favorite sound is La Bella DTF’s on my P-bass into an Ampeg PF20t/PF112HLF so obviously I kinda like old school thump. My question is what tape wound strings have the deepest tone without having to modify the nut on my bass? Also what is the best online source for bass strings these days? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
#2
You can get strings right here at Talkbass.

You can also get them from the excellent "fretnation". I've bought strings from him many times. he gets them out promptly and will answer questions you might have.

From reading reviews, not trying them, it looks like the Black LaBella tapes are deeper sounding, and they get progressively brighter as they move through the variants to White.

50-105, I doubt would need a nut adjustment
 
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#7
La Bella black tapes come in "light" gauge to fit conventional nuts. However, I recommend going ahead and getting the nut modded, because the "regular" gauge will have more heft and feel like a conventional set of strings instead of very, very light necessitating a lighter touch which may be contrary to wanting a deeper tone.
 
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#10
I tried the D’Addario tapes a while back, those fit a standard nut. Not worth the effort IMO.

I have Roto Tru Bass 88 tapes on one of my Ricks, I did have to mod the nut. I didn’t even consider looking at others like the LaBellas. Crap. Knowing they’re out there is going to drive me nuts until I try them. :roflmao:
 
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#15
As far as black tapes go, I've tried the D'Addario, Roto 88, GHS, Fender, and La Bella (.105 gauge).

The Rotos have a big, hyped fundamental and are super thick sounding but also have a pretty "clacky" top end. The GHS are deep in the low end without the hype of Roto, and have a smoother top end too. Fenders feel like plasticky rounds (like a weird version of a coated string) and have the brightest sound of the bunch but also have a really focused, slightly hollow low end that's cool. D'Adarrio and La Bellas are tonally balanced, with the La Bellas being a little woodier sounding with a little more character (I'm going from memory on the La Bellas... it's been a while since I've had a set).

GHS, D'Addario and La Bella are all really smooth to the touch, with the GHS probably being the smoothest.
Rotos feel great too, but I could feel the tape seams here and there on my set. No big deal though.
The Fenders have a unique sound but feel kind of gross :smug:

My personal rank is:
1) GHS
2) La Bella
3) Roto (hyped lows) / D'Addario (kind of neutral)
4) Fender Plastic Monstrosities
 
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#16
e-flat said:
The Rotos have a big, hyped fundamental and are super thick sounding but also have a pretty "clacky" top end. The GHS are deep in the low end without the hype of Roto, and have a smoother top end too.
Click to expand...

I'm not into tapewounds at all for myself, but I'm curious about something...

We know for a fact GHS Tapewounds are flatwound under the tape, while the tapes by La Bella and D'Addario are roundwound under the tape. Would you (or anyone on this forum) happen to know what's under the Roto 88 tapes? They're supposed to be specifically designed for an upright-ish tone, so I'm thinking they could possibly be the Jazz 77 flats under the tape, which would explain the "clacky" top end you speak of, wouldn't it?
 
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#17
michael_t said:
I'm not into tapewounds at all for myself, but I'm curious about something...

We know for a fact GHS Tapewounds are flatwound under the tape, while the tapes by La Bella and D'Addario are roundwound under the tape. Would you (or anyone on this forum) happen to know what's under the Roto 88 tapes? They're supposed to be specifically designed for an upright-ish tone, so I'm thinking they could possibly be the Jazz 77 flats under the tape, which would explain the "clacky" top end you speak of, wouldn't it?
Click to expand...
There used to be a post around TB in which Jason from BassStringsOnline / Fretnation dissected several types of tapewounds to reveal "what lies beneath" :D If I'm recalling correctly, I believe the Roto 88 tapes were just steel roundwounds beneath the tape. I'll see if I can find links to pics.
 
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#18
e-flat said:
There used to be a post around TB in which Jason from BassStringsOnline / Fretnation dissected several types of tapewounds to reveal "what lies beneath" :D If I'm recalling correctly, I believe the Roto 88 tapes were just steel roundwounds beneath the tape. I'll see if I can find links to pics.
Click to expand...

I know what you're talking about. I just couldn't remember what the article said about Roto 88.
 
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