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Nylon coded are they worth a try ?
- Thread starter S-Bar
- Start date
They're usually roundwound strings with a layer of nylon on top. I think they tend to sound most comparable to flatwound strings, but, depending on which tapewounds you are comparing to which flatwounds, they might sound a little brighter, a little more open.
Generally speaking, yes, I would say I like them, but I tend to be a little puzzled as to when I would prefer them over anything else. I guess just a matter of matching the string to the bass, to your desired tone and feel.
I used Fender tapewounds for years, their old design which they no longer make. Of what's available today, of what I've tried, I think the D'Addario's tend to sound the best, but the Labella 760N set have a more consistent feel to them.
Generally speaking, yes, I would say I like them, but I tend to be a little puzzled as to when I would prefer them over anything else. I guess just a matter of matching the string to the bass, to your desired tone and feel.
I used Fender tapewounds for years, their old design which they no longer make. Of what's available today, of what I've tried, I think the D'Addario's tend to sound the best, but the Labella 760N set have a more consistent feel to them.
Well, first; welcome to Talk Bass!
Assuming that you mean nylon tape wounds - and not just coated strings (like Elixers)?Then; Yes, I'll second micheal_t's recommendation. Lots of discussion there, about tape wounds - differences (and there is quite a bit), which ones are best for what, etc., etc. And;
Finally; yes, I have used them - and am using them at the moment. I had the 4 heaviest strings of a 5-string set on a bass that was strung BEAD, for a few years. They were La Bella Black Tapes; the darkest, woodiest tapes that La Bella makes. Much as I liked them, the 135 B string was just a little too... flexible... for me, compared to other 3. So, I replaced them with the heavy strings from a 5 string set of Rotosound Flats; none of which are very flexible at all... I'm currently using a medium scale set of Roto 88 Tapes (probably the darkest, woodiest tapes there are) on an old, Korean made Rogue VB-100 violin bass. I like them very much. Not only because they're what Sir Paul uses on his Hofner, but because I really like the deep, woody - but articulate - tone I get, and the fact that they intonate perfectly on that bass. Which, in my experience with basses that have trapeze tailpieces and floating bridges, does not always happen; they can be very, very fussy about the strings they'll tune up with.
Tape wounds, in my opinion, are... kind of a "niche" string, I'd say. They don't sound quite like anything else. Although, you can get some of their characteristic sound/tone from other strings - particularly flat wounds. And, they can vary quite a bit in brightness of their tone - especially the different La Bella Tapes. But, if you want the particular tone that the nylon wrap gives? Then nothing else will do...
This is why I specifically asked about that in post #2. The OP is yet to respond...
