TapeWound Club~Anyone?

[Ductapeman]

That's sharp, I love the red. I have a Precision Bass almost the same shade. I don't know what it is, but ever since i was a kid I always just figured that a P Bass should be as red as you could make it-- Jazzes were for playing with colors. I have never had the chance to own a Ric bass, but have thinking maybe I ought to-- but my problem right now is I'm remembering hollow-body basses, so I fear I'll have to go through that phase before I can spring for a Ric. I sure do like the 4005s, pity about the money though-- I've seen the photos of the five-string one-off they did, if a guy could get one of those for something like reasonable money I'd be all over it. Saw a 4005 on Reverb, they want 18 K for it-- not in my lifetime, or the next--

 

[west al]

That's sharp, I love the red. I have a Precision Bass almost the same shade. I don't know what it is, but ever since i was a kid I always just figured that a P Bass should be as red as you could make it-- Jazzes were for playing with colors. I have never had the chance to own a Ric bass, but have thinking maybe I ought to-- but my problem right now is I'm remembering hollow-body basses, so I fear I'll have to go through that phase before I can spring for a Ric. I sure do like the 4005s, pity about the money though-- I've seen the photos of the five-string one-off they did, if a guy could get one of those for something like reasonable money I'd be all over it. Saw a 4005 on Reverb, they want 18 K for it-- not in my lifetime, or the next--

That's a pretty hefty price tag on the 4005. Not in my walking time on the planet either.

 

[HaphAsSard]

First impression was yes, much quieter. I dont like the pick on much of anything and prefer fingers, but the payoff is in the loud bass presence playing with others, as you say. Today I hope to try them, bass and strings thru the amp and see how that goes, but it is playing unplugged with others that I got the abg for, so thats the test.

I just installed the EB cobalt flats on my jazz and it is noisy compared to the La Bella Whites. I will give them a few weeks/sessions but I have some EB slinky rounds to try next. I saw some black La Bellas on a white fender this last week and liked the look of them, and a few folks on this forum seem to like them, so I might give them a go if I dont like the slinkies. Ill look into the Savarez but if they are not metal (at all?) they will not amplify unless thru a mic pickup? Might be hard to get in Australia too...

Oh well, re: volume of the Whites. Ta anyway, good to know. I guess acoustic volume is not one of their many qualities, and the search continues. It would be cool if a manufacturer came up with something loud but with a smoother surface, like a bronze pressurewound or something.

[WARNING Y'ALL - extended OT:
as I said, as far as I am concerned I prefer to stick with low tension, nylon-core strings for my cheap ABG. This is the set I use (mine is a medium scaler - 32"):
Invalid Link Removed
The correct set for a full-scale bass would be this:
Invalid Link Removed
For 30" scale acoustics there's only the full six-string set for contrabass guitar (basically a classical bass VI, tuned E-to-e), so one would be paying for two extra strings, but it's still a bargain at 23$:
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Should you or a fellow countryman feel like trying them, it seems like the cheapest, slowest, get-them-in-a-month shipping option to Oz is not that bad at 13-something dollars (US or Australian?).

However, some clarifications are in order, lest you take a step in the wrong direction:
-yes they're not magnetically active, so piezo or mic only;
-while they're surprisingly loudish considering they don't move the top much (I guess they have a wide "saddle" in the response somewhere in the mids where it counts for a human ear), they're noticeably quieter than bronze strings. Strictly for couch noodling, or practice with one other instrument and vocals - no heavy strumming, no turning the keyboard too loud, no sitting too far from the bass!]

 

[HaphAsSard]

I realize that Rotos aren't in the best odor here these days, but I have zero plans (as of right now) to change my 66es, 77s and the tapewounds

As for me, while I don't plan to try them short-term (the D'Addario tapewounds, and the GHS before they disappear from stores, are a higher priority), the Rotosound Tru Bass 88s as well as the Pyramid tapes are definitely in my radar. As far as flats, I didn't like the two Jazz 77 .090 short scale E strings I've tried, but I know for a fact that long-scalers are completely different in feel and sound: problem is my sweaty hands, so I'm not sure how long the Rotos' bright flatwound tone would last on me.

 

[lenstanjim]

If they work for you, hang in there with them. If no one else likes my D'Addario ETB92 Nylon Tapewounds, that's ok. They work the way I like them too on my basses.

Good for you!

 

[lenstanjim]

Oh well, re: volume of the Whites. Ta anyway, good to know. I guess acoustic volume is not one of their many qualities, and the search continues. It would be cool if a manufacturer came up with something loud but with a smoother surface, like a bronze pressurewound or something.

[WARNING Y'ALL - extended OT:
as I said, as far as I am concerned I prefer to stick with low tension, nylon-core strings for my cheap ABG. This is the set I use (mine is a medium scaler - 32"):
Invalid Link Removed
The correct set for a full-scale bass would be this:
Invalid Link Removed
For 30" scale acoustics there's only the full six-string set for contrabass guitar (basically a classical bass VI, tuned E-to-e), so one would be paying for two extra strings, but it's still a bargain at 23$:
Invalid Link Removed
Should you or a fellow countryman feel like trying them, it seems like the cheapest, slowest, get-them-in-a-month shipping option to Oz is not that bad at 13-something dollars (US or Australian?).

However, some clarifications are in order, lest you take a step in the wrong direction:
-yes they're not magnetically active, so piezo or mic only;
-while they're surprisingly loudish considering they don't move the top much (I guess they have a wide "saddle" in the response somewhere in the mids where it counts for a human ear), they're noticeably quieter than bronze strings. Strictly for couch noodling, or practice with one other instrument and vocals - no heavy strumming, no turning the keyboard too loud, no sitting too far from the bass!]

Thanks for that, you are right a few weeks is no big thing. Ill check those out.

 

[lenstanjim]

As for me, while I don't plan to try them short-term (the D'Addario tapewounds, and the GHS before they disappear from stores, are a higher priority), the Rotosound Tru Bass 88s as well as the Pyramid tapes are definitely in my radar. As far as flats, I didn't like the two Jazz 77 .090 short scale E strings I've tried, but I know for a fact that long-scalers are completely different in feel and sound: problem is my sweaty hands, so I'm not sure how long the Rotos' bright flatwound tone would last on me.

There are many considerations there!

 

[lenstanjim]

As for me, while I don't plan to try them short-term (the D'Addario tapewounds, and the GHS before they disappear from stores, are a higher priority), the Rotosound Tru Bass 88s as well as the Pyramid tapes are definitely in my radar. As far as flats, I didn't like the two Jazz 77 .090 short scale E strings I've tried, but I know for a fact that long-scalers are completely different in feel and sound: problem is my sweaty hands, so I'm not sure how long the Rotos' bright flatwound tone would last on me.

There are many considerations there!

 

[lenstanjim]

Not sure if anyone wants to hear about my mini explorations, but I tried the Ernie Ball Cobalt Flat Slinkys on my Jazz bass. I didnt like them compared to the La Bella White tapewounds but I didnt hate them either. They gave a more twangy, wirey sound that had some appeal, and I tried half a dozen songs that I regularly play. Not a real try out I admit. But the flats of course changed the set-up and I was faced with changing that. I slept on it for two nights then opted to put the tapes back on the Jazz and try the flats on the acoustic bass. I will try them both for a while and see what gives. C'est la vie.

 

[Flatwoundround]

Hi, just wanted to join this club and share my recent tape experience.

First I tried the labella golds (the smaller gauge). Loved how they felt but not crazy about the lack of low end and punch that it lacked compared to some Chrome flats I had.

So I tried the daddario black tapes and that did it for me, I was hooked and converted to tapes. They are so comfy to play and the low end and punch gets much closer to the Chromes. Ironically the only pick that did not produce a very loud pick click noise was a nylon Jazz pick. All other picks had a very loud harsh noise that I did not like. I am working on getting my finger playing up to the level of my pick playing since the fingers sound so clean on these strings. Tonight I tried the labella light gauge black nylons and I love the feel of these even more than the daddarios. Still trying to figure out if the labellas are giving up a little on the low end and punch compared to the daddarios. Labelllas seem a little brighter sounding and have less tension than the daddarios. I like them both, no finger noise, plenty of low end, and I find when I turn my treble up more the slap tone sounds nice but not abrasive like some slap bass sounds - sort of a more mellowed slap tone that still sounds pleasant and overall these strings are very very clean sounding. Still trying to figure out how these will sit in a band mix though. I have them on two fender precision set ups. Thumbs up but now i am so addicted to tapes that I am thinking of getting some of the GHS discontinued and if I like those I will buy several sets. Also considering getting the heavier gauge tapes as I believe these should have even more low end and punch since they are bigger strings.

 

[beate_r]

Mhmm, You might also have a look here: Taking the plunge: white gold tapes

I went the other way - from Daddario black tapes to Labella Gold Whites. To me the Labellas do not appear less punchy but maybe even more punchy than the Daddarios. They are indeed weaker in the low end - no surprise at all regarding the non-ferromagnetic brass winding, actually to be expected. But they appear more precise to me, and that's what i need in my Duo project.

Saying this: i can still imagine that i would prefer the Daddario or Labella Blacks in a different context, e.g. playing fingerstyle in a 70s rock band. Would be cool on my white EB3...

 

[Flatwoundround]

Mhmm, You might also have a look here: Taking the plunge: white gold tapes

I went the other way - from Daddario black tapes to Labella Gold Whites. To me the Labellas do not appear less punchy but maybe even more punchy than the Daddarios. They are indeed weaker in the low end - no surprise at all regarding the non-ferromagnetic brass winding, actually to be expected. But they appear more precise to me, and that's what i need in my Duo project.

Saying this: i can still imagine that i would prefer the Daddario or Labella Blacks in a different context, e.g. playing fingerstyle in a 70s rock band. Would be cool on my white EB3...

My problem is I love Chromes, I love the low end and punchiness but still some high end definition and note clarity. My problem is that no matter what I do and try I always have issues with the grittiness of chromes, also they are kind of stiff tension wise even though I use the medium light gauge. Even the black tapes cannot get the low end and punch of the chromes.

Someone mentioned that the large gauge black tapes and maybe even the copper and gold larger gauge tapes would provide more of the low end and punch. But I am reluctant to mess with filing the nut to get those strings to fit for fear i won't like them. Do you have any thoughts about this? I agree the golds feel wonderful and if you don't need lots of low end and punch they are a near perfect bass strings as the notes do seem very clear and clean sounding.

All this endless searching for the right tone almost makes me want to give up bass and take up keyboards. But I really do love bass though.

 

[beate_r]

My problem is I love Chromes, I love the low end and punchiness but still some high end definition and note clarity.

And the Chromes are Steel Flatwounds. I know (and like) them only as guitar strings, although i currently play nickel flatwounds by Pyramid and Thomastik.

also they are kind of stiff tension wise even though I use the medium light gauge.

That's the price of the punch. Similarly GHS Brite Flats which are a lot more punchier than their Daddario counterparts.

Someone mentioned that the large gauge black tapes and maybe even the copper and gold larger gauge tapes would provide more of the low end and punch.

Large gauge strings will always provide more punch (the GHS brite flats are also larger gauged than the Daddario halfrounds). I have heard the large gauge Labella black tapes (not on one of my instruments). Punchy, dark growl. Really dark. I did not have the opprtunity to find out how they perform in the treble range - but larger gauge also means less treble.

Among the White Tapes by Labella i would expect the original white string to have the deepest bass response among the Whites, at least if played electrically. But thats a theoretical estimate, judged from the description that these are steel roundwounds with an additional layer of white nylon. I actually do not know, just try to guess intelligently. Maybe You ask the people of Labella for a recommendation?

All this endless searching for the right tone almost makes me want to give up bass and take up keyboards. But I really do love bass though.

But You are aware of how much of the tone is in Your fingers? And how much of the details we are discussing here is arriving at the audience?

 

[west al]

The USA Geddy Lee Jazz with D'Addario ETB92 Nylon Tapewounds onboard.

 

[Tom Howland]

La bella Black Nylon for me. Have a set on my Jazz right now.

 

[jaybones]

Planning on putting a set of tapes on my new to me Affinity P. In the process of getting a SD QP pickup (also used).

Do I need to wait for the strings before I get a membership number?

 

[Cat-A-Tonic]

I wound up getting flat Chromes for my new bass because the store where I bought my bass gave me a free set, and they didn't carry tapewounds.

I still love the nylon tapewounds on my contrabass though.

Do you think tapewounds on an electric bass are a drastic difference from flat Chromes?

I would assume lower tension, lower sustain, darker tone, softer feel... Is this right?

 

[ZenG]

Just ordered a set of Labella White Nylon Copper Shortscale tapes ( 32" inch winding length) to try on my Bronco.

Heard good reviews about them. Here's hoping....

I put D'add black tapes back on my Mikro.

Was in a 'roundwound' phase for awhile.....now I'm back to tapes.

 

[ZenG]

I wound up getting flat Chromes for my new bass because the store where I bought my bass gave me a free set, and they didn't carry tapewounds.

I still love the nylon tapewounds on my contrabass though.

Do you think tapewounds on an electric bass are a drastic difference from flat Chromes?

I would assume lower tension, lower sustain, darker tone, softer feel... Is this right?

To me they sounded different. I like the black tapes better than Chromes. Yes...softer feel.
D'addario shortscale black nylon tapes are total about 113lbs tension. Not high at all.
They sound mellow,good lows.. Very little "twang".....so if you are looking for "twang" these won't work.

Chromes to me were stiff and cable-ish.

 

[Cat-A-Tonic]

Do you all favor certain types of strings paired with certain pickups?

I'm thinking hotter pickups might balance out with darker strings,
and lower output pickups might balance out in a different way with brighter strings.

Any thoughts from ye experienced string officianados?




It is sometimes tempting to get a second electric bass to try different strings and pickups...
I should probably be satisfied with one upright and one electric though.