Low tension tape wounds?

[gotly]

I’ve been using Rotosound swing bass 35-90 strings and love em. Started using smaller gauges when I was having wrist pain but now I like them for a lot of other reasons. Playability is unbeatable.

I’m looking for black tape wound strings but they all seem to be higher gauges. I know that doesn’t translate exactly into tension but it’s harder to find that info published.

 

[trothwell]

Tapewound string gauges are higher than they feel, because a large part of the string thickness is the tape itself, which isn't all that stiff. Tapewound sets of 50-105 or so feel pretty flexible.

 

[michael_t]

I’m looking for black tape wound strings but they all seem to be higher gauges.

Tapewound 50-105 would feel more like 40-95 in rounds.

Either D'Addario or La Bella black nylons 50-105 would be a good place to start.

 

[ixlramp]

Tension is determined by string mass. Because tapewounds are partly low-density (non-metal) tape, their mass (and therefore tension) is lower than a roundwound or flatwound of the same gauge.
Not sure if tapewounds in typical gauges (50-105) would be as loose as roundwound 35-90 though. Because there is such a small choice of tapewounds they may only come in 'medium tension' which may be slightly too high tension for you. Try to find tension data for tapewounds.
You'd have more choice if you use flatwounds instead.

 

[michael_t]

Tapewound 50-105 would feel more like 40-95 in rounds.

Try to find tension data for tapewounds.

EXL220 (Nickel Rounds):

G 040 - 32.42
D 060 - 40.86
A 075 - 35.41
E 095 - 31.66

Total 140.35 lbs.

ETB92 (Tapewound):

G 050 - 40.04
D 065 - 38.68
A 085 - 35.54
E 105 - 31.90

Total 146.16 lbs.

 

[ixlramp]

Yes so not as low tension as 35-90.

Another potential issue is that tapewounds may have quite high stiffness (tension and stiffness are different things) due to being large gauge and having a flatwound-like ribbon. So even if you can find a set with tensions as low as a roundwound 35-90 set, the stiffness may be much higher, which affects how they feel.

You could use tapewound ADGC strings and detune them by a fourth, tapewound Cs exist.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Yes so not as low tension as 35-90.

Another potential issue is that tapewounds may have quite high stiffness (tension and stiffness are different things) due to being large gauge and having a flatwound-like ribbon. So even if you can find a set with tensions as low as a roundwound 35-90 set, the stiffness may be much higher, which affects how they feel.

You could use tapewound ADGC strings and detune them by a fourth, tapewound Cs exist.

Not in my experience. Tapes tend to be low-tension and flexible. Rotosound Tru Bass 88s are a counterexample - moderate tension, as per this recent post:

I just got this info from John @ rotosound

Rotosound RS88LD black nylon long scale set

Tensions (lbs) as follows.
1. TBL065 – 51.72
2. TBL075 – 43.84
3. TBL100 – 47.06
4. TBL115 – 34.53

Total – 177.15 lbs

Thats about 25% higher tension than most other tapewound sets (which all seem to run about 140 lbs)

and reportedly quite stiff. I'm using GHS and D'Addario tapes on a short-scale and detuning them a minor third (about the same as by a fourth on a long-scale bass) would make them too floppy for my taste.

 

[Aidil]

I have D'Addario Nylon Tape Wound ETB92-5 Medium Gauge set (50-65-85-105-135) on my fretless 5er which felt way more flexible than D'Addario Chromes custom gauge from their Super Light Gauge set (40-55-75-95-132) on my semi-hollow body 5er.

I know the Chromes, despite in Super Light Gauge, are in different ball park than any round wound strings, even compared to such high tension and stiff strings as the Swing 66 (I used to use the Swing 66 SS in the past. I used them as thick as .175 on low F#0 and as thin as .035 on the G). Still I can assure OP that despite 50-105, nylon tape wound strings, at least the ones from D'Addario, are comfortable for both fretting and plucking hands / fingers.

 

[mikewalker]

I have the black RS88LD on one of my medium scale basses now, and its easy to do half-step bends but still tight enough to avoid the annoying floppy clanking I was getting with the Labella white tapewounds ( gold and copper) For this particular instrument, the rotosound black tapes are "Goldilocks". I find that these are very bright strings, when you roll the tone all the way down, they still have nice definition ( even with fingers, but especially with a pick...)

 

[ixlramp]

Ok thanks, perhaps the tape being non-metal makes it much more compliant, so it doesn't cause much stiffness.

 

[subdude67]

GHS nylon tapes come in .050, .070, .090 and .105

 

[Chickenwheels]

Tension is determined by string mass. Because tapewounds are partly low-density (non-metal) tape, their mass (and therefore tension) is lower than a roundwound or flatwound of the same gauge.
Not sure if tapewounds in typical gauges (50-105) would be as loose as roundwound 35-90 though. Because there is such a small choice of tapewounds they may only come in 'medium tension' which may be slightly too high tension for you. Try to find tension data for tapewounds.
You'd have more choice if you use flatwounds instead.

My La Bella black nylon 50’s have a comparable tension to EB Slinky 40’s.
I play a little closer to the bridge to get a less tubby tone out of them, if needed.

 

[michael_t]

GHS nylon tapes come in .050, .070, .090 and .105

GHS tapes may not be the best option for the OP for the fact they're actually flatwound under the tape, making them stiffer, while most tapes are roundwound underneath.

 

[subdude67]

GHS tapes may not be the best option for the OP for the fact they're actually flatwound under the tape, making them stiffer, while most tapes are roundwound underneath.

Now, I have so far not used any other tape wound string but the GHS so I cannot really speak with any authority.

However, while one bass has always the GHS on, the others get exclusiviely strung with various light gauge round core strings, all rather bendy. When I compare the tape wounds to any of those, they feel even less stiff. To me they are very soft, smooth strings, allow me to most humbly disagree with you

 

[michael_t]

Now, I have so far not used any other tape wound string but the GHS so I cannot really speak with any authority.

However, while one bass has always the GHS on, the others get exclusiviely strung with various round core strings of the light gauge persuation, all rather bendy. When I compare the tape wounds to any of those, they feel even less stiff. To me they are very soft, smooth strings, allow me to most humbly disagree with you

I was just speaking in relative terms. GHS Tapes would be stiffer-feeling overall compared to the D'A Tapes due to their construction (flats vs. rounds) and larger gauges for D and A.

Here are the actual tension figures for the two:

GHS Tapewound 3060:

G 050 - 40.9
D 070 - 48.0
A 090 - 44.6
E 105 - 34.3 (Total 167.8 lbs.)

D'A Tapewound ETB92:

ETB92 (Tapewound):

G 050 - 40.04
D 065 - 38.68
A 085 - 35.54
E 105 - 31.90 (Total 146.16 lbs.)​

 

[tutubass]

what are the most flexible tapes?

 

[UntitledProject]

what are the most flexible tapes?

I have roto, D'Addario, and fender tapes. The softest feeling/lowest tension seems to be the fender. They are also the least smooth to the touch, with the rotosounds being the smoothest. Just my experience though.

 

[tutubass]

i guess fender doesnt make shot scales... between la bella and ddadario you know the most flexible and elastic?

 

[UntitledProject]

i guess fender doesnt make shot scales... between la bella and ddadario you know the most flexible and elastic?

I don't. I haven't had la bella tapes. I will say that the D'Addario I have on a medium scale do feel flexible. However, I usually play high tension flats, so my baseline may be skewed. Hopefully someone else will chime in who has experience with la bella and D'Addario.
What short scale are you looking for strings for?

 

[tutubass]

a talman 5 string, and latter something more fancy perharps.