TapeWound Club~Anyone?

[petrus61]

Thinking of trying the white nylon 45-105 Labella set. It's been a while since I've used tapes, the last being Roto Tru. How to the Labella whites compare in feel/looseness?

 

[guitar ed]

I guess I have to join _

I have an old G&L SB-2, with the Lynx pups, that I put tape wounds on. The G string sounded like (words I can't say on TB), and somebody suggested tape wounds, so.....

I went with RotoSounds.

Now it sounds playable

edg

 

[Inky13]

Love the tapes! They're easy on the hands and fingerboard. The only problem I've had is that if you are recording, you can get some hum because you're not grounded. Anyone else had this happen?

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Love the tapes! They're easy on the hands and fingerboard. The only problem I've had is that if you are recording, you can get some hum because you're not grounded. Anyone else had this happen?

It is normal for tapewounds!

 

[Inky13]

Yep, it sure is! Just thought I'd mention that to anyone looking to switch.

 

[Inky13]

Just one thing..... I've heard/noticed the lesser tension in tapes. But if they are wrapped steel strings, wouldn't the tension be the same?
Can someone explain this? Thanks.

 

[JTSmitty]

I have RotoSound TruBass strings on my American Standard P Bass. Number please.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Just one thing..... I've heard/noticed the lesser tension in tapes. But if they are wrapped steel strings, wouldn't the tension be the same?
Can someone explain this? Thanks.

They are thinner-gauge steel strings wrapped in nylon, so the tension is lower.

 

[tangentmusic]

I put a set of these on my project reversed neck fretless.
I love the feel of them and they seem very gentle on the board.
They also have a nice tone as well. So far, I'm impressed.

 

[Oddly]

Hi folks, this seems like the place for advice. Just received a set of LaBella 750G (gold white nylon tapes).
I'm planning on putting them on my American Standard P.
Any reason NOT to go string-thru with these?

Thanks.

 

[azfatboy]

I hope not, I went string-thru with my Black Nylon Tapewounds on my ESP...

 

[woodyng2]

Thinking of trying the white nylon 45-105 Labella set. It's been a while since I've used tapes, the last being Roto Tru. How to the Labella whites compare in feel/looseness?

I got to do a direct comparison of those when i replaced the Roto Tru bass set with Labella white tapes on my fretted Carvin Ac50. The set up required just a light adjustment on the trussrod.
The Labellas were definitely lighter in tension,and less stiff than the rotos to boot.
Plus they were a completely different sound,more of a muted RW tone,compared to the rotos.

 

[mikeoso]

The two ABGs in my avatar are the only basses I own, or have ever owned. The Martin has always worn Rotosound Trubass tapes. The big one is a one-off Portugese unit. It has light Labellas because it's a stringthrough and the holes are too small for Rotos. Tapewounds are the only way to get the sound I want from an acoustic.

 

[Badusernam]

Fretwraps? Foam mute placed at the nut to dampen the vibration of open strings.

GRUV GEAR · FretWraps String Muters / String Dampeners · MAKE LIFE GRUV

Cant you just use a hairband?

 

[Leiria]

Fretwraps? Foam mute placed at the nut to dampen the vibration of open strings.

GRUV GEAR · FretWraps String Muters / String Dampeners · MAKE LIFE GRUV

I simply made one with some spare foam, leather and velcro. It took about 2 minutes and even if the stuff wasnt laying around itd still only cost me a few pennies

 

[Whippet]

Seems like most of us use tapewounds on fretless, who uses tapes on fretted bass here?

What are your thoughts?

 

[west al]

Seems like most of us use tapewounds on fretless, who uses tapes on fretted bass here?

What are your thoughts?

I use D'Addario ETB92 Nylon Tapewounds on all three Fretted Jazzes I play. USA GL, Am. Std., and Spl. Edition White Opal. They sound great. I've played with them on Fretless Jazzes as well with no problems.

 

[project_c]

Seems like most of us use tapewounds on fretless, who uses tapes on fretted bass here?

What are your thoughts?

I use XL tapes on both fretted and fretless, I have them on all my precisions but I may put some on my J sometime soon as well, I can wholeheartedly recommend giving them a shot (i would not recommend them for slap or metal though). They have a mellow tone but the lower tension allows for snappy dynamics and growl when you dig in, so you can get a relatively aggressive sound with them too depending on how hard you play.

 

[Whippet]

Thanks guys for the response. I am just going to have to try this out on some of the basses I have!! I am so used to just having rounds on my fretted, I never gave it any thought to put tapes on my fretted. I do love the way it feels on my fretless though.

Anyway thanks for the response guys.

 

[Whippet]

I use XL tapes on both fretted and fretless, I have them on all my precisions but I may put some on my J sometime soon as well, I can wholeheartedly recommend giving them a shot (i would not recommend them for slap or metal though). They have a mellow tone but the lower tension allows for snappy dynamics and growl when you dig in, so you can get a relatively aggressive sound with them too depending on how hard you play.

Any reason why you havent put them on your Js? In regards to Js, Ps, Hums, PJ, etc. Is there any pickup configuration that works best?

From what you wrote, tapes on a fretted work better on a NON Hi Fi modern bass? So it would sound better on a meat and potato bass like a Fender, Alleva, as opposed to MTD which would be rather contradicting the nature of the equipment itself, unless toning down the hi fi sound is what I am looking for?