• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

LaBella Copper Wound White Nylons. Opinions?

40Hz

40Hz

May 24, 2006
29,097
56,816
home
#1
Just ordered a set of LB750C La Bella Copper WHITE Nylon Tapewounds from BSO in my quest to someday find a set of nylon tapewounds I actually like.

It'll be a few days before they arrive. So while I'm waiting, does anybody who has recently used, or is using a set, care to offer any observations or opinions about what I just dropped $35 on? (Great price BTW. BSO rules!)

I'll probably put them on a fretted PBass type instrument with a classic (i.e. not overwound) pickup.

Anyone? Anyone?
 
#2
To my ears, the range of La Bella tapes is:

White - the brightest, kind of like conventional steel rounds with the treble turned down or the cab tweeter shut off.
Copper - a different midrange characteristic, a little more "organic" tone.
Gold - about half way between blacks and whites in tone.
Black - mellow like flats.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 40Hz and farshore
#3
Ok.
Got 'em.
Installed 'em.
Sat down and played them for a little over two hours...

And much to my surprise...I like 'em.

So far at least.

I'll have to sit down with them again tomorrow and see if I end up still thinking the same. But as of right now it's looking very good. Which is amazing (for me) considering how up until now I haven't tried a tapewound string that survived it's audition and remained on anything I own beyond the initial tryout session.

Onward! :thumbsup:
 
#4
40Hz said:
Ok.
Got 'em.
Installed 'em.
Sat down and played them for a little over two hours...

And much to my surprise...I like 'em.

So far at least.

I'll have to sit down with them again tomorrow and see if I end up still thinking the same. But as of right now it's looking very good. Which is amazing (for me) considering how up until now I haven't tried a tapewound string that survived it's audition and remained on anything I own beyond the initial tryout session.

Onward! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I generally don't like flats or tapes at all.

I love the LaBella white tapes on my 1974 P though!
 
#5
Baird6869 said:
I generally don't like flats or tapes at all.

I love the LaBella white tapes on my 1974 P though!
Click to expand...


I very much like flats on some basses and for some styles of music. But I also very much like rounds, especially nickels.

My current goto for rounds is a set of DR Pure Blues although I'm starting to get back into the Rotosound sets. As a fallback, I also ordered a set of Rotosound Solo Bass strings with the La Bella nylons in case I pulled them fairly quickly like I usually do with nylons. Of course now I have to decide when I restring my JB (it's overdue) whether to use the Solos or the set of DR Hi-Beams I originally bought for it a few weeks back. (Nice dilemma to have since they're both great string sets. I'm guessing I'll probably go with the Rotosounds since I have DRs on almost everything else I have rounds on.)

FWIW I can't say I ever much cared for nylons until this set. The standard nylons just sound too...muted for my tastes. And the whites were bright enough that they sounded to me more like just some overly bright flat string with a plastic-y tikka-takka sound layered on top. These coppers however seem to hit that elusive mid-spot, so I'm pretty happy to have finally tried them. Played with the thumb and palm-muted Motown style, or more with the side of your fingers over the fretboard like a string bass, pulls out some very interesting tones I'm looking forward to exploring more in depth going forward.

And I have to admit I'm even happier that I didn't just piss away $35, like I've previously done, trying out other nylons. :laugh:
 
Last edited:
#8
40Hz said:
I very much like flats on some basses and for some styles of music. But I also very much like rounds, especially nickels.

My current goto for rounds is a set of DR Pure Blues although I'm starting to get back into the Rotosound sets. As a fallback, I also ordered a set of Rotosound Solo Bass strings with the La Bella nylons in case I pulled them fairly quickly like I usually do with nylons. Of course now I have to decide when I restring my JB (it's overdue) whether to use the Solos or the set of DR Hi-Beams I originally bought for it a few weeks back. (Nice dilemma to have since they're both great string sets. I'm guessing I'll probably go with the Rotosounds since I have DRs on almost everything else I have rounds on.)

FWIW I can't say I ever much cared for nylons until this set. The standard nylons just sound too...muted for my tastes. And the whites were bright enough that they sounded to me more like just some overly bright flat string with a plastic-y tikka-takka sound layered on top. These coppers however seem to hit that elusive mid-spot, so I'm pretty happy to have finally tried them. Played with the thumb and palm-muted Motown style, or more with the side of your fingers over the fretboard like a string bass, pulls out some very interesting tones I'm looking forward to exploring more in depth going forward.

And I have to admit I'm even happier that I didn't just piss away $35, like I've previously done, trying out other nylons. :laugh:
Click to expand...
I still prefer rounds, but my 1974 P is in dire need of a refret. As I don't use the bass very often, tapes are a good solution. They sound great and won't eat up the last of my frets.

Also, I find they acquire a more "normal" feel after a month or so. New they can be challenging to play IME.
 
#10
I've converted to them completely. I love how they facilitate the gliss and slide. Subtle variations in left hand finger pressure makes a negligible difference with these strings but makes a big difference with metal surfaces. Bubby Lewis uses them and I begin to suspect it contributes to his lightning speed. I think their smooth surface is making my right hand faster too.
 
#11
I just bought some la Bella copper wounds and it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I was hoping for something similar in tone to flats, but obviously slightly brighter and less tension.

they're very bright and metallic sounding. Also really 'clangy' on my left hand. I kind of like them, but not what I was going for and will probably go back to flats. I should have got the black tapewounds I guess.

Do other people find the brightness from tapewounds goes over time?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back