If you look closely you'll see that the LaBella Short Scale Tape Wounds do not come in a gauge less than 115 for the E. Their shortscale metal flatwounds do, but not the tapewounds...
Greywoulf
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Flexible Short-Scale Flatwounds
- Thread starter Outshined91
- Start date
If you look closely you'll see that the LaBella Short Scale Tape Wounds do not come in a gauge less than 115 for the E. Their shortscale metal flatwounds do, but not the tapewounds...
Greywoulf
ok: @Greywoulf , sorry posting from phone yesterday:
Google reveals.
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Google reveals.
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Is there an actually difference other than color between the LaBella black and white tapes? The blacks are much easier to find and the whites seem unavailable everywhere, including on your link...
Yes the white tapes are brighter, and the come in copper, gold, and Nickle core strings. Being as LaBella is entirely located in NY, my guess is they've been closed for a while.Is there an actually difference other than color between the LaBella black and white tapes? The blacks are much easier to find and the whites seem unavailable everywhere, including on your link...
One of the links is to LaBella directly. Contact them perhaps.
If I was you, I'd go for La Bella short scale 760FS-S (45-105) or set 760FM-S (49-109). If you want low action go for the 49-109 set.
From previous experience I will no longer put any gauge flats with an E string rating much higher than 100 on a short scale bass, as the increased tension of thicker (and stiffer) strings can make it more difficult to keep low action and good intonation on short scale BGs. On my Mikro I've found that GHS 45-95 flats work great, while thicker gauge flats did not. So IMO the lighter the gauge of flats or tape wounds used on a short scale BG, the better...
Greywoulf
Greywoulf
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I have limited experience with flats but have tried some of the popular ones - Chromes, TI and La Bella LTF. Of the three, the Chromes have, by far, the least flexibility. I would say it's a toss up between the TI and La Bella LTF as far as flexibility. But, since you mentioned budget is a factor, I would, and am, easily happy with the La Bella LTF strings.
Okay so thanks for all the input guys! I've ordered some D'Addario Black Tapes (ETB92). I also have another question, but didn't want to make a new thread - since this bass is relatively new to me, I would like to go in the opposite direction as well and get some rounds to see how they sound on there as well. What rounds can you recommend using the same criteria that I have for flats? From what I've read here and elsewhere, round-core strings are more flexible and lower tension. So far I found a couple sets that fit the bill:
GHS Balanced Nickels (44-106)
DR Hi-Beams (45-105)
I was also looking at some D'Addario Pro Steels and Nickel Wounds but wasn't sure if the hex-core used was stiffer, and it would be nice to have a .105 E. I think I would like a brighter tone (ie. steel and not nickel) but not a must.
TLDR: Please help me find a nicely balanced set of super flexible and low-tension short-scale rounds. Thanks!
GHS Balanced Nickels (44-106)
DR Hi-Beams (45-105)
I was also looking at some D'Addario Pro Steels and Nickel Wounds but wasn't sure if the hex-core used was stiffer, and it would be nice to have a .105 E. I think I would like a brighter tone (ie. steel and not nickel) but not a must.
TLDR: Please help me find a nicely balanced set of super flexible and low-tension short-scale rounds. Thanks!
As a general rule, round-core strings are more flexible (= playing feel) than hex-core strings of similar sizes and construction, but not necessarily lower in tension (as in pulling weight). Also, not all round cores are created equal; some are looser-feeling, while others are firmer.
Of the two mentioned above, the GHS BNs are both firmer in feel and higher in tension than the DR HBs, not to mention HBs (stainless steel) are brighter than BNs (pure nickel).
Something else to keep in mind...
Not all "short scale" strings are created equal.
GHS "short scale" = 32.75" in winding length (ball end to taper/silk).
DR "short scale" = 33.75" in winding length (ball end to taper).
Dunlop nickel roundwounds (not the super-brights) 45-105 are available in short scale. Inexpensive. They sound different from Fenders, D'Addario XL, GHS Boomers...a strong midrange presence, and a lower tension feel. Between the tapewounds and these you will probably find what you like. Work with the tapes for a while until you appreciate what they do. These 2 strings both got raves from my guitar player.Okay so thanks for all the input guys! I've ordered some D'Addario Black Tapes (ETB92). I also have another question, but didn't want to make a new thread - since this bass is relatively new to me, I would like to go in the opposite direction as well and get some rounds to see how they sound on there as well. What rounds can you recommend using the same criteria that I have for flats? From what I've read here and elsewhere, round-core strings are more flexible and lower tension. So far I found a couple sets that fit the bill:
GHS Balanced Nickels (44-106)
DR Hi-Beams (45-105)
I was also looking at some D'Addario Pro Steels and Nickel Wounds but wasn't sure if the hex-core used was stiffer, and it would be nice to have a .105 E. I think I would like a brighter tone (ie. steel and not nickel) but not a must.
TLDR: Please help me find a nicely balanced set of super flexible and low-tension short-scale rounds. Thanks!
Thanks guys! I think the nickels are a little more mellow than I would like for the dark sounding P-pup. I think I'm going with a set of ProSteels (45-100) as I like the quality of the D'Addario 45-100 set of Half-Rounds on there right now. However, the Pro Steels have about 20 lbs less tension in them according to D'Addario. If my set-up is already really low, will even lower tension strings cause fret buzz?
Probably, but the action can be easily adjusted if your bass is fully functional.
