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Takamine EG512C - Chromes or Tapewounds?

MakoMan

MakoMan

Oct 17, 2011
2,179
2,473
Ottawa, Canada
50proof.yolasite.com
#1
I picked up a Takamine EG512C that I absolutely love, but the stock strings which are still on it are horrifying. I just cannot stand the rattle. It says a lot about the bass that I really like it despite the strings that are on it. I can just tell that with the right strings this baby is going to really sound fantastic.
Used the search function here and have pretty much decided on either Chromes or D'Addario tapewounds. But which one? I'd like to throw a set on this weekend.
My needs are simple... My goal is as much volume as possible with minimal string noise and a thumpy tone similar to what I get with Chromes on my electric basses.
Would appreciate any and all opinions. Other string suggestions are also welcome.
 
#2
Tapewounds all the way. D'Addario tapewounds are ok if they're the only option, but Labella tapes are fantastic. They make black tapes which are great, and "white" tapes which are actually clear, but are probably brighter than you want. I'd go for the black labella tapewounds, if I were you.
 
#4
I'm having this same debate with my Ibanez AEB5E. I'm thinking the Chromes because they are higher tension, allowing one to dig in a little more. I'm also looking at D'Addario Half Rounds, because I've heard good things about them on acoustic. So it's a toss up between Chromes, Tapes and Half Rounds. Wish me luck..
 
#5
I love the eg512. Tell you what though I put Chromes on it & it was a dramatic change for worse. It did exactly the opposite of what you want--flats w/ volume. On the contrary it caused dead notes. HOWEVER I had already lowered the heights of my bridge & nut before switching to Chromes, so if you haven't done so, maybe you'll have better results with Crhomes at the factory height.
In the end, I broke the truss rod while adjusting it to accommodate the Chromes so the way I see it D'ad owes me a bass!
Great great great preamp in those Taks. Good luck.
 
#7
chuck norriss said:
One more thing. Pics or no EG512c.
Click to expand...

You know, I was only going to take pics of the Takamine and post them in a NBD thread in the basses forum once I got the new strings on it, cleaned it up and was able to really test out the bass. But seeing as how it is Chuck Norris asking....
 

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#8
chuck norriss said:
I love the eg512. Tell you what though I put Chromes on it & it was a dramatic change for worse. It did exactly the opposite of what you want--flats w/ volume. On the contrary it caused dead notes. HOWEVER I had already lowered the heights of my bridge & nut before switching to Chromes, so if you haven't done so, maybe you'll have better results with Crhomes at the factory height.
In the end, I broke the truss rod while adjusting it to accommodate the Chromes so the way I see it D'ad owes me a bass!
Great great great preamp in those Taks. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Broke the truss rod? What happened? ABG owners like myself are listening with open ears!
 
#9
The tension of Chromes was far less than whatever rounds I had on it. Once I applied the Chromes, the action was a foot high off the frets. So I'm turning & turning the rod, then SNAP. The head-cylinder of the truss rod--not the rod itself--came undone at the weld & broke clean-off. Irreplaceable. Or I'm incapable of replacing a trussrod. I sold the bass for its preamp on feebay & it fetched a buyer in less than a week.
 
#11
Volume seems to be a common issue. I ended up with tapewounds. Tension was about the same as the rounds on it so little change there. After a little breaking in a get a nice thumpy, woody sound. Where the really shine is when amplified. The tapes sound great I can get several good tones that are very full and woody sounding. I get compliments every time I play it.
 
#13
OK, figured I should update this thread. I could not find tapewounds in stock anywhere in my area so I ordered a set. Went in today and found out they were on back order from the Canadian D'Addario distributor.
So I went with the Chromes in light gauge, which were in stock. They installed easily and despite the higher tension there were no truss rod adjustments required. This surprised me because whenever I have installed Chromes on an electric I've had to tweak the truss rod.
They sound fantastic, with virtually no rattle or string noise and seem to be getting better by the minute. If anything, they provide more volume than the stock strings acoustically, particularly because you can attack the strings much harder without the rattle overwhelming the sound of the notes. Also much more of a woody, upright tone than the stock strings. Pretty much exactly what I was hoping for.
When in doubt, throw on some Chromes is my new motto! :hyper:
 
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#14
AA770A9A-85A9-4283-AD02-D3ACEF2C71CB.jpeg
Hoping I find some folks that can help. I got a great deal on an EG512C, and knew I wanted to fit it with tapewounds. Got the Fender 9120M set, started to sting her up, and the E will not fit through the bridge! The winding at the ball is too large. WTH?!? Anyone encounter this?? I am not a Luthier and not about to go digging out the bridge. Quirk of my particular bass? I know I’m going to have to take her in. But I’m just really surprised this would happen…
8EC49B4A-1BB9-4B03-B37F-AEBA44BB4FFE.jpeg
 
#15
pdhski said:
View attachment 4914473 Hoping I find some folks that can help. I got a great deal on an EG512C, and knew I wanted to fit it with tapewounds. Got the Fender 9120M set, started to sting her up, and the E will not fit through the bridge! The winding at the ball is too large. WTH?!? Anyone encounter this?? I am not a Luthier and not about to go digging out the bridge. Quirk of my particular bass? I know I’m going to have to take her in. But I’m just really surprised this would happen…View attachment 4914471
Click to expand...
Yup. Have that hole bored wider.
[Alternatively, I guess you could try thinner nylons: GHS, D'Addario and La Bella 750N have a 105 low E, which may not make enough difference; Warwick tapes come in 40-100.
If these weren't tapewounds I'd tell you to just peel away the silk (which is just cosmetical and can be removed without ill effects in most types of strings, but not tapewounds - it holds the tape in place there).]
 
#16
pdhski said:
Hoping I find some folks that can help. I got a great deal on an EG512C, and knew I wanted to fit it with tapewounds. Got the Fender 9120M set, started to sting her up, and the E will not fit through the bridge! The winding at the ball is too large. WTH?!? Anyone encounter this?? I am not a Luthier and not about to go digging out the bridge. Quirk of my particular bass? I know I’m going to have to take her in. But I’m just really surprised this would happen…
Click to expand...

Looking at the pics, those Fender Tapes appear to be a lot thicker at the ball end than most of the tapewounds by other manufacturers I've seen.

Any specific reason why you've chosen the Fenders?
 

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