Nylon Tape Wound Ranking/Rating

[mellowgerman]

I concur that the D'Addarios have a nicer feel than most other tapes, with a lightly textured surface. If you like those, you might love the Pyramids, which have an even more interesting texture and a sumptuous feel, albeit pricier. Unfortunately, IME they had too much bottom end, but otherwise a very nice tonal balance, so I keep thinking I should go back and EQ the bottom to give them another try.

Thanks for the heads up! I have yet to try Pyramid tapes and I might even dig the extra bottom end. Will keep an eye out for a good deal on a gently used set or if I really get the tapes bug maybe I'll just fork out the dough.

 

[e-flat]

I have never used these strings but I'm considering them for a chambered solid body 5 string with mag pickup and individual piezo bridge saddles. It would be a big help and much appreciated (not to mention time and money saver) if someone with experience could rank some of the major brands from deep "thud" at one end of the spectrum to light and "brighter" at the other end.

DARK/ WARM
Pyramid (my favorite tapes.. very woody)
GHS
Roto 88 (deep but they have some “clang”)
La Bella Black
D’Addario
La Bella Copper (lower output)
La Bella Gold
Fender (plasticky but nice fundamental)
La Bella White
BRIGHT / CLEAR

 

[KenD]

DARK/ WARM
Pyramid (my favorite tapes.. very woody)
GHS
Roto 88 (deep but they have some “clang”)
La Bella Black
D’Addario
La Bella Copper (lower output)
La Bella Gold
Fender (plasticky but nice fundamental)
La Bella White
BRIGHT / CLEAR

Thank you. That aligns (more or less) with feedback here from other players.

Unfortunately, it appears that Pyramid and Fender are not available in 5 string sets (at least I couldn't see any on their sites).

 

[logdrum]

D'Addario tapes will unravel on string though setups. I got one defective one with the A string that seemed to have been in contact with a hot iron and then it unraveled on that section D'Addario sent me a replacement. I was bothered one day how I did not cleanly wound it on the tuning post, this time the E string and on re-tightening it unraveled by the bridge. They sent me another replacement this time 2, but I think I will not use them anymore on that bass. IN all my years using D'Addario this is the only time they have defective strings but I am impressed by their CS to do right by me. I will not be using them on my bass that is string through which is really sharp angle than most. I do like how they sound.

I have used all the La Bella Tape colors from black, the gold, the copper and the white. I like copper the best for sound but yeah lower output. The whites and the copper I had were also thick strings. The G was .63. I love that.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Thank you. That aligns (more or less) with feedback here from other players.

Unfortunately, it appears that Pyramid and Fender are not available in 5 string sets (at least I couldn't see any on their sites).

Pyramid 648.5 (black nylon tapewound 5-string set):
https://www.thomannmusic.com/intl/ca/pyramid_black_tape_nylon_set_648_5.htm
https://schneidermusik.de/shop1/product_info.php/sort/5d/products_id/163957

Fender 9120M tapes, hmm, I don't think a 5-string version ever existed.

 

[KenD]

Pyramid 548.5 (black nylon tapewound 5-string set):
https://www.thomannmusic.com/intl/ca/pyramid_black_tape_nylon_set_648_5.htm
https://schneidermusik.de/shop1/product_info.php/sort/5d/products_id/163957

Fender 9120M tapes, hmm, I don't think a 5-string version ever existed.

Thanks my search of the usual North American online suppliers didn't turn this up. Interestingly, the reviews on the Thomann site regarding quality are not inspiring.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Thanks my search of the usual North American online suppliers didn't turn this up. Interestingly, the reviews on the Thomann site regarding quality are not inspiring.

I see two non-stellar reviews - one of which is from a fellow Italian (don't listen to our advice, we don't know Jack Schitt!)