My two basses have been wearing La Bella tapes for the past months: 50 65 85 and 105. I switch strings on one of them to Super Slinkys 45 65 80 100. I thought they would be similar in tension as the tapes but they're much stiffer. Does anybody know a set of rounds that have similar tension/loose feeling as the tapes? Thanks
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Rounds with tension of tapes?
- Thread starter Just Wrong
- Start date
As the 750N tapes? Looking at the similarly-gauged D'Addarios, their tensions are roughly those of un-taped 45-55-75-95 rounds. So something in that vicinity.
My question would be wether you're asking for actual "tension" or for "stiffness". Or both! Although related, they are two different things.
- Tension is the total pulling force that a string or a set of strings have. That's an objective number that can be quantified. Tension has to do with gauge, material, construction, etc.
- Stiffnes is how "rigid/hard/inflexible" a string is under your fingers. This has to so with tension, but other variables come in play too (again, construction, core, etc).
Also, stiffness is something perception/feel- related, so it can be quite subjective/different depending who you're asking.
And, on a last note: remember that tapewound gauges include the "tape" wrap, so in reality, for a "105 E tapewound string", we would be talking of a ~90 "real gauge" or so.
Yes, the 750N.
95… that's real light but would make sense given the 100 Slinky feels tighter.
I suppose both? But I think "stiffness" is the proper word as in ease in playing the strings. I like that I don't have to dig in at all with the tapes
I'm gonna recommend you the Thomastik Jazz Rounds then.
Don't know if you've ever tried them, but they check both the stiffness and tension boxes. I also think you'd probably love their sound.
Pricey, but really well made and durable.
Having dissected nylon tape strings. the La Bella light gauge are roughly similar to a 35-90 set of conventional rounds. For tuning and intonation stability, as @michael_t posted, I would use 40-95 in rounds. For flats, I would use La Bella 760FX Extra Light Electric Bass Strings (39-96).
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i'll second the TI jazz rounds that @Hillbilly Sam suggested, and FWIW: i've recently 'discovered' the dogal-hellborg 34" set ("stranded core") to be flexible/compliant, too.
both sets are pricey, but both deliver the goods, IMO.
both sets are pricey, but both deliver the goods, IMO.
What do you mean by "for tuning and intonation stability"? Are lower-gauged strings prone to tuning and intonation issues?
Huh. The only time I've played tapes, they were quite stiff-feeling strings. I have no idea what make or model.
La Bella's regular gauge tapes are .060, .070, .094, .115. I haven't tried them, but I assume they'd be stiffer than the light set (.050, .065, .085, .105)
They had this very shiny clear coating on the outside, inside of which was black. The Rotos seem to me to just be a nylon winding, no coating on the outside.
If you're looking for more flexible strings I've found that the biggest difference-maker is the core. Roundcore strings are generally more flexible than Hexcore.
For even more flexibility Dogal's Jonas Hellborg strings have a stranded core. I haven't tried them, but apparently, they're insanely flexible.
For even more flexibility Dogal's Jonas Hellborg strings have a stranded core. I haven't tried them, but apparently, they're insanely flexible.
There is some... discussion... about the Rotosound Tapes being flatwounds under the nylon outer shell (I've played them for many years, and I don't think they are); but, all the other tapes are light gauge rounds under the nylon. And, some of them are very light gauge, too. As far as actual, pounds-of-pull-to-pitch goes, there isn't a whole lot. OTOH, their stiffness? I've only used the medium scale Roto 88 Tapes, and a long scale, 5-string set of La Bella Black Tapes. Neither were what a reasonable person would call very flexible. However, there are all kinds of Tapes, from several different companies. So, I'd think that stiffness probably varies quite a bit, too. But, if you're looking for TI Jazz Flat flexibility? I think you'll be disappointed... You'll just have to decide if their tone and feel is worth a little stiffness. If not? Well... lots of other strings to try...
There is some... discussion... about the Rotosound Tapes being flatwounds under the nylon outer shell (I've played them for many years, and I don't think they are); but, all the other tapes are light gauge rounds under the nylon. And, some of them are very light gauge, too. As far as actual, pounds-of-pull-to-pitch goes, there isn't a whole lot. OTOH, their stiffness? I've only used the medium scale Roto 88 Tapes, and a long scale, 5-string set of La Bella Black Tapes. Neither were what a reasonable person would call very flexible. However, there are all kinds of Tapes, from several different companies. So, I'd think that stiffness probably varies quite a bit, too. But, if you're looking for TI Jazz Flat flexibility? I think you'll be disappointed... You'll just have to decide if their tone and feel is worth a little stiffness. If not? Well... lots of other strings to try...
I saw a website once (maybe @iiipopes 's?) someone cut up all types of tapes to see what was under them. I think only the E A and D of the GHS were flats?
