Short scale higher tension tapewounds

[srayb]

Can someone recommend a short scale higher tension nylon tapewound set? I am currently using D’Addario’s but find the tension too low when tuned to normal pitch. I currently have them tuned a full step higher (F#-B-E-A) and love how they feel and sound like that, but would like that tension at normal pitch (EADG).

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[michael_t]

Can someone recommend a short scale higher tension nylon tapewound set?

D'A Black Nylons only come in one set of gauges, 50-105. If you want something with higher tension, you'd probably have to go up to larger gauges to keep them from being too loose on a short scale.

https://rotosound.com/product/rs88s/

760N-S Black Nylon Tape – 60-115, Short Scale

 

[srayb]

D'A Black Nylons only come in one set of gauges, 50-105. If you want something with higher tension, you'd probably have to go up to larger gauges to keep them from being too loose on a short scale.

Tru Bass 88 Nylon Tapewound Short | 65-115 • Rotosound Music Strings

760N-S Black Nylon Tape – 60-115, Short Scale

Has anyone been able to compare the relative tensions between the D’Addario and the Rotosound & Labella? Rotosound does list their tension numbers (which are slightly higher than the D’Addario), but Labella does not. Does anyone use the Roto’s, do they sound similar to the D’Addario’s?

 

[michael_t]

Has anyone been able to compare the relative tensions between the D’Addario and the Rotosound & Labella? Rotosound does list their tension numbers (which are slightly higher than the D’Addario), but Labella does not. Does anyone use the Roto’s, do they sound similar to the D’Addario’s?

You might want to post this question here: TapeWound Club~Anyone?

 

[iiipopes]

I have played every domestic set of tape wound strings and the Rotos. There is no such thing as a "higher tension" tape wound set. Even the La Bella 60-115 set, when you get under the tape, is only the equivalent of about a 45-100 set of conventional round wound strings for tension and feel. See my posts in the dedicated tapewound threads where I dissect various sets and report how light gauge and low tension they all are under the tape, which adds about 15 thou to the overall diameter, but negligible mass, and therefore no additional tension. The Roto 65 G string only might be an exception to this, but all that does is throw the feel of the entire set out of balance.

For a short scale set that has a big, round, tone, I recommend the GHS Balanced Pure Nickels. The pure nickel wrap is more dense than NPS or SS, so they have more tension. They are stable, both in intonation and fretting. They don't twang or flop. They are, as the name suggests, balanced in tone and feel from string-to-string and up the neck. The E string doesn't go thud. They are reasonably priced. I have them on my short scale travel bass, went on the annual week tour to Mexico, and the strings still had life left when I got home.

 

[srayb]

Thanks for the replies. It is very helpful and reinforces what I was already expecting. As with everything there is a compromise. I love the feel and sound of the D’Addario tapes on both long and short scale. I found tuning a step higher on the short scale really makes them sound and feel better, so I’ll stay with that for now.

 

[iiipopes]

Thanks for the replies. It is very helpful and reinforces what I was already expecting. As with everything there is a compromise. I love the feel and sound of the D’Addario tapes on both long and short scale. I found tuning a step higher on the short scale really makes them sound and feel better, so I’ll stay with that for now.

Yes, a step higher, as in F#BEA tuning low to high (which is the same as classical double bass solo tuning), and without going through all the math, on a 30 to 30.5 inch short scale bass, essentially puts the strings at the same tension as the same set mounted at regular pitch on a "Fender standard" 34-inch scale bass.

 

[GIBrat51]

The only tapes that I have any real experience with, are Rotosound's RS88Ms - their Medium scale Tapes (on an old MIK Rogue VB-100 violin bass). Roto's string tension chart shows them at 150.51 lbs.; which is surprisingly low, for their felt stiffness. But, it pretty much agrees with iipope's observation that most - if not all, now - Tapes are simply pretty light gauge rounds, under the skin. As for their Short scale RS88S's? A really low 129.89 lbs. of tension. Whether they are stiff enough to make you happy, is for you to decide. The Mediums are plenty stiff enough for playing with a pick, and I'm very happy with them...