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Going to take the tapewound plunge.

J. Crawford

J. Crawford

Feb 15, 2008
14,147
2,877
FL
#1
I'm looking to get some black Labella tapewounds for my fretless G&L. Is there anything I should know before going in? I'm completely new to tapewounds, but am a longtime flats lover. This will be a new experience for me.

One issue I've read about is durability, with the coating slowly peeling and fading like the wrappings on the end of strings. Is this true?

Thanks folks, glad to be back in the lifestyle.
 
#2
It's not coating. It's nylon tape wrapped around a steel roundwound. As long as you're not intentionally damaging the tape they should be fine. Other than that, if you're getting the 115 set you may or may not need to widen the nut slots.
 
#3
Gorn said:
It's not coating. It's nylon tape wrapped around a steel roundwound. As long as you're not intentionally damaging the tape they should be fine. Other than that, if you're getting the 115 set you may or may not need to widen the nut slots.
Click to expand...

Poor wording on my part, I said coating but meant tape. I'll be getting a 4 string set, is there an issue with the nut? I planned on the light gauge, 0.050 to .105.
 
#5
Gorn said:
Should be fine.

But keep in mind the 105 set is gonna be significantly lighter than a regular roundwound 105 set and a lot lighter than a 105 flat set.
Click to expand...

This is much more complicated than planned. I'm more so in it for the aesthetics... are there black flatwound alternatives? Always just been a Chromes guy.
 
#6
J. Crawford said:
This is much more complicated than planned. I'm more so in it for the aesthetics... are there black flatwound alternatives? Always just been a Chromes guy.
Click to expand...
Nope. There are DR black beauties but those are nickel rounds. Give the labellas a shot. They're great. Worst case scenario you can resell them in the classifieds at a slight loss.
 
#8
That's interesting, I've always read that tapewounds last longer than any other strings and you never have to replace them. You'd have to hack away at the string with a blade to make it come apart.

The only "issue" i've read and experienced is that there can be some hum with tapewounds, as it affects grounding, or something like that. Since there's no metal making contact. Depends on the bass.
 
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#9
I use the white tapes and they are pretty bright and slick. More round. I use the 105-50 set and did not have to adjust the nut. They are pretty slinky and very slick. They took a bit of getting use to.
They last a long time and I have had none fall apart, yet
 
#10
I didn't see it mentioned but Id bet there is going to be quite a difference in tension between the flats and the tapes (Kinda going from one end of the spectrum to the other). Tape wounds are generally low tension so your bass will most likely require some adjustments or a full set up to accommodate the new string
 
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#11
J. Crawford said:
This is much more complicated than planned. I'm more so in it for the aesthetics... are there black flatwound alternatives? Always just been a Chromes guy.
Click to expand...
I have the D'Addario Nylon Tapewounds (Long Scale - Medium Gauge - 50 - 105) on 3 of my basses and I love them. I've had them on my fretless Jazz and another bass for 2 - 3 years, and there's not a thing wrong with them as far as "wearing out", "fraying", or anything like that. Great strings, IMO. Great feel to them, and not AS mellow-sounding as I thought they might be. Still a lot of punch. More than I expected. (That's why I have them on 3 basses!!)
 
#12
Oh yeah - here's how they look:
IMG_1043_zps36cbc499.jpg

IMG_1311_zpszxcq3p3q.jpg

IMG_1639_zpsoe0kdirv.jpg

(They have blue silks at the tuner end.)
 
#15
I use the D'adarrio nylon tapewounds on my FL. I just recently replaced them for aesthetic reasons. They had been on the bass for three years and I play it weekly at church. The only issue was the B string (five string set) developed a chalky appearance. The other strings were almost as black as when they were installed and they all sounded fine. I love the nylon tapewounds on FL but I'll stick to DR Lo Riders on my fretted basses that I use for classic rock. My deluxe Jazz has TI flats on it, as it should. ;-)
 
#16
I keep a set on my '56 re-issue P bass. I really like their feel and round, mellow sound. They're a nice change of pace from the same old, same old. And I suspect they produce next to no fretwear, which make them a great choice for basses with tiny vintage or worn down frets.

Tapewound Strings.jpg
 
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#18
J. Crawford said:
I'm looking to get some black Labella tapewounds for my fretless G&L. Is there anything I should know before going in? I'm completely new to tapewounds, but am a longtime flats lover. This will be a new experience for me.

One issue I've read about is durability, with the coating slowly peeling and fading like the wrappings on the end of strings. Is this true?

Thanks folks, glad to be back in the lifestyle.
Click to expand...

I've used tapes since I first put a set of the GHS 3060s on my 67 Starfire in 69. I've only had one set unwind, a set of RotoSounds that the E & B unwound.
I currently have GHS, D'addario and La Bella Black, White and White Copper on various basses. The only ones I haven't tried are the La Bella White Gold.
In terms of brightness of the La Bella tapes it goes least to most: Black, White, White Copper, White Gold.
The D'Addario are closest to the La Bella Black.
The GHS are somewhat like the La Bella Black/White. A lot of thump but still have the mids. Currently not being made but possibly could find some for sale somewhere.
 
#20
I am looking to replace some DR Sunbeams (45-105) on a Fender Jazz fretless with some LaBella Gold White tapes 50-105. Can someone tell me if there will be a significant change in string tension/feel under the plucking hand? Also if someone could describe the tonal change I should expect. Thanks!
 

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