I tried a set of Labella super steps. They sounded great and I really liked how they felt under my plucking hand, but I couldn't tame them. Too ringy for my muting skill level.
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Effect of tapered strings?
- Thread starter GastonD
- Start date
Sustain was already mentioned, but I can also vouch for an increased sustain.
I have a MIM Fender Jazz 5 string that always had an issue...in my novice playing days, I always said it wasn't as "ballsy" and never played it thinking it was the bass itself...Recently brought it back to life and tried to make it sound amazing...Turned out a tapered B string was the biggest improvement so far.
The low B wasn't defined, and when played it just sounded like a low sound rather than an actual B note. Even fretting it @ 3rd fret didn't sound like a D (dropping the E to a D sounded better). Mind you, this is more of an issue with my saddle/bridge than the string itself, but helped sustain and clarity.
I have a MIM Fender Jazz 5 string that always had an issue...in my novice playing days, I always said it wasn't as "ballsy" and never played it thinking it was the bass itself...Recently brought it back to life and tried to make it sound amazing...Turned out a tapered B string was the biggest improvement so far.
The low B wasn't defined, and when played it just sounded like a low sound rather than an actual B note. Even fretting it @ 3rd fret didn't sound like a D (dropping the E to a D sounded better). Mind you, this is more of an issue with my saddle/bridge than the string itself, but helped sustain and clarity.
I used the Fender Nickel Round wounds with the Tapered B and E on my 5 Jazz and my Pedulla PentaBuzz for years. I'm now using the Pedulla full Tapers on my PentaBuzz and ThunderBolt 6. Both sets are nickel. I've always liked them and I think they have a little more focus and sustain to. Definitely growly.
Bumping this old thread because I found it useful and I'm staring at this issue currently. Have a new 34" scale 5 string with hipshot A bridge, and first set of strings (sadowsky Black label flats) the tapered B did not perform well. Warble etc - just not a solid fundamental.
A non-tapered Chromes B offered some improvement - but I'd love to be using something by la bella, which are all tapered. Going to try a spacer first... But I wonder is it the greater tension of the Chromes that helped, or the non-taper, or... something else?
A non-tapered Chromes B offered some improvement - but I'd love to be using something by la bella, which are all tapered. Going to try a spacer first... But I wonder is it the greater tension of the Chromes that helped, or the non-taper, or... something else?
These? https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/imag0401-jpg.2011257/
How much tapered section was in the vibrating length? The tapered section looks quite long (as is unfortunately common) Using spacers is a good idea to minimise that.
The tone problem and the difference from Chromes may be due to many things but the non-taper of the Chromes may have helped.
How much tapered section was in the vibrating length? The tapered section looks quite long (as is unfortunately common) Using spacers is a good idea to minimise that.
The tone problem and the difference from Chromes may be due to many things but the non-taper of the Chromes may have helped.
