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Help please, finally found perfect strings but...

bassfacer22

bassfacer22

Sep 3, 2011
1,709
445
North America NorthEast area..
#1
hey fellow bass string experts,

I finally found the strings I love and want, I tried them on an FBass and they are tapered and apparently I can't use tapered strings on my bass!

The strings that are my favorite are LaBella Super steps..

What strings are possible substitutes that have the same qualities as the super Steps?

The main thing I liked about them was how you could bend them very easily.. They weren't so stiff and tight..

currently I have on Fodera strings.. I like them but feel like there is something better for me.. Which now I think I found!- the labella super steps..!

But right now in front of me I have a New set of Super Alloy TI five string set

And a New Ken Smith Burners five string set set..

Will those be tighter or stiffer than the fodera or La Bella strings?

Anyway help please, thanks
 
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#7
bassfacer22 said:
Oh that's great so I've been told the wrong strings?

I tried out some F-basses and when I asked the guy what strings were on the basses he said labella super nils..

Maybe I heard wrong?

I was told I can't use tapered strings on my roscoe bass because it is too long.. 35 inch..
Click to expand...


F-Basses....I assume...use F-Bass strings.
Strings | Products | F Bass, Inc

Whoever told you that about your Roscoe bass is clueless. There's no reason why you can't use tapered strings.
 
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#8
mmbongo said:
Whoever told you that about your Roscoe bass is clueless. There's no reason why you can't use tapered strings.
Click to expand...

Well...we may be clueless about a thing or two...:D...but we strongly recommend against using them, because we have noted significant issues with proper intonation on the upper registers of the B & E strings, as well as for some reason we get really odd overtones from them. If you insist on using them, and are not bothered by those things, then you sure can use them - we just don't like the oddities they seem to introduce on our basses.

FWIW, it's real, I was a tapered string guy for years myself, but there is a noticeable issue with them on any bass of ours I've tried them on. Odd I know, but it's real.
 
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#9
Gard said:
Well...we may be clueless about a thing or two...:D...but we strongly recommend against using them, because we have noted significant issues with proper intonation on the upper registers of the B & E strings, as well as for some reason we get really odd overtones from them.
Click to expand...

This has been my experience with every single tapered string I've tried on Fender styles instruments too. Most tapered sets have the taper/exposed core extending too far from the bridge saddle. This difference in mass per unit length makes it impossible for the string to play in tune in the higher registers. I hear some people say "well, pianos use them so they must work". On a piano, you are only playing open notes, not fretting anything.
 
#10
bassfacer22 said:
Oh that's great so I've been told the wrong strings?

I tried out some F-basses and when I asked the guy what strings were on the basses he said labella super nils..

Maybe I heard wrong?

I was told I can't use tapered strings on my roscoe bass because it is too long.. 35 inch..
Click to expand...

He probably meant Labella Super Steps exposed core strings which is basically what the F bass strings are. F bass strings are gauged a little differently.
 
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#11
Gard said:
Well...we may be clueless about a thing or two...:D...but we strongly recommend against using them, because we have noted significant issues with proper intonation on the upper registers of the B & E strings, as well as for some reason we get really odd overtones from them. If you insist on using them, and are not bothered by those things, then you sure can use them - we just don't like the oddities they seem to introduce on our basses.

FWIW, it's real, I was a tapered string guy for years myself, but there is a noticeable issue with them on any bass of ours I've tried them on. Odd I know, but it's real.
Click to expand...

DOH!

Well I've used them on my 4 string Roscoe Century, but not my 5 string. I don't use them anymore but not because of any problems with the tapers. I just prefer the sound of Dunlop SuperBrights.

But those are valid reasons not to use a tapered string. Being told you can't use them because you have a 35" scale bass is not.
 
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#13
Oh I guess he meant super steps then!

They were definitely labella strings on an FBass..

I Am upright player but I'm buying electric bass strings now and trying to find strings like the super steps then.. That must have been them.. I just thought it was super nils..

So I'm a little concerned about the intonation thing so yes, I'm looking for electric bass string that I can use on my roscoe 35inch that are very similar to the super steps..

That's probably what I mean..

I tried them on 3 FBasses and they are my new string thing!
 
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#14
> Most tapered sets have the taper/exposed core extending too far from the bridge saddle. This difference in mass per unit length makes it impossible for the string to play in tune in the higher registers.

Exactly this, and many brands make the tapered section excessively long to be able to fit more bridges. What also helps is the tapered section not being excessively thin (exposed core strings). However, any tapered string, however well designed, will always have that slightly different tone to it.

A have used a D'Addario tapered 145, a surprisingly flexible string, the tapered section was not excessivley long, and was .085, well over half full gauge, it intonated perfectly, and sounded reasonable, up to the 24th fret.

Kalium Strings deliberately design their tapered section to be as short as possible to reduce the problems, 1.625"
Link Removed

It's a subjective thing, Roscoe Guitars may prefer a more normal sound with a dark tone, many others, like myself, will not use non-tapered Bs due to the stiffness and dullness.

The obvious thing to do is to buy some Super Steps, as long as you can top-load them and they are the correct length for your bass.
 
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