TapeWound Club~Anyone?

[FenderP]

Strongly agree with the way they feel. The wrap felt very weird at first, it seems like some kind of cloth fabric? Never been much of a slider but these make it so easy, slide up or down 7 frets no problem at all. Although at the moment I keep overshooting the mark and need to adjust my brakes

I'll take the big bottom end thankyou very much. Easy enough to dial it down a bit with a high pass filter and still leave a big fat thump. It's a very clear low end and not muddy. They also respond very differently depending on where I pick or pluck so lots of choice there.

Can't wait to see how they slot into the mix in a band situation. Probably 6 weeks or so until that happens, covid situation permitting.

I wish they had more tension like the RS88 set despite them being the same gauge more or lkess. They're stiffer than the Gallis but nowhere near the Rotos. They're also warmer than the Rotos - less fundamental, if you will. I like them but won't use them elsewhere as sonically they're a fit for my Rob Allen Deep 4.

If you like LaBella, you may want to try their 760N set.

 

[Yahboy]

I have no longer use nylon tapewound bass string, but i install a set Labella Copper white on Ibby SRH500FL, oh man, this string sound much better than 3 years old factory stock ECB81. The Mwah sound really really sweet and smooth.
Mention me again the copper white nylon are low output, but, thanks to Gain control on piezo system, problem solve.

 

[gigetto]

I currently use Labella 750N Black Nylon on my AFR. The balance between Piezo-Magnetic is quite respected withouth trimming changing from D'addario's 105 Nickel.

 

[ihixulu]

I got tired of Chromes on my Carvin fretless 5 so got a set or LaBella black nylons. The general consensus on tapes is that they are dark, thumps, no highs, I was expecting all boom and no articulation.... so I was surprised to find that these strings were full of mid character, much more vocal than any flat I’ve played. Superb on the fretless.

I just installed a set on my Stingray and the “blurp” factor is off the charts. They tame the highs of the preamp nicely and punch like mad. For finger style and pick, it’s a solid yes. For slapping, it’s a no, although the pops are awesome, total early Larry Graham. They will stay on the fretless *forever, not sure yet about my main gigger.

 

[honeydorick]

Ive had flats and tapes on every bass ive owned,trying to get that James Jamerson sound.The D aderio black flat tape wounds take the cake.They give me the perfect sound on my current Fender Squire bronco short scale Modification,and on my Luna acoustic electric short scale.Deep,Stand up bass sound,all the way I love it.I have short fat fingers ,carple tunnel in my left hand and a bad rotator cuff in my right shoulder.The combination of short scale and ease to press tape wound strings are perfect for me and my issues.I still love playing.Hope that combo helps other players with my issues

 

[john allemond]

The first bass I played was a 65 P Bass that belonged to a friend of my dads...it had black tapes on it...50 years ago...they are imprinted on my mind and after using everything under the sun I am back to them on all bases. John

 

[honeydorick]

Count me in the club please.should we get a number or dosnt it matter.

 

[west al]

They're great strings, I love 'em.

A few years ago, D'Addario replaced a set of ETB92 Nylons, when I just communicated to them I had a set that were made to the incorrect length. I didn't request a new set, they just asked for mailing address, and sent me a new set the same day. They did ask me to give them the measurements of the strings, and scale length. They acknowledged they had a production problem to alleviate. Whats the string brand name do I sting on any of my basses? D'ADDARIO!

 

[PWRL]

A few years ago, D'Addario replaced a set of ETB92 Nylons, when I just communicated to them I had a set that were made to the incorrect length. I didn't request a new set, they just asked for mailing address, and sent me a new set the same day. They did ask me to give them the measurements of the strings, and scale length. They acknowledged they had a production problem to alleviate. Whats the string brand name do I sting on any of my basses? D'ADDARIO!

View attachment 4141620

Good customer service makes a big difference.

 

[west al]

Good customer service makes a big difference.

It certainly does. The only set of Nylons I used in about four years, that weren't D'Addario, were LaBella Beatles Bass, on a German Hofner that had the regular guitar size openings on the winding pegs.

 

[PWRL]

It certainly does. The only set of Nylons I used in about four years, that weren't D'Addario, were LaBella Beatles Bass, on a German Hofner that had the regular guitar size openings on the winding pegs.

My only complaint about D'Addario tapes is that the E string winding can sometimes be a bit of a tight fit into some tuners.

 

[west al]

My only complaint about D'Addario tapes is that the E string winding can sometimes be a bit of a tight fit into some tuners.

I've never had that issue myself.

 

[PWRL]

I've never had that issue myself.

Only some of the cheaper tuners.

 

[gigetto]

On my Ibanez AFR the choice of Labella Black Nylon 750L Light is the right choice plenty of character.

 

[honeydorick]

Does anyone know if the Labella tapes are better quality than the DAderios.I have never tryed them because of higher price. I know James Jamerson Only used labellas.That is the sound I want.Does it matter ,Your thoughts please.I might try some.

 

[gigetto]

I don't know the quality, Labella are very bright between tapewound.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I know James Jamerson Only used labellas

Jamerson used metal flatwounds (to wit, the 0760M set) though, not tapewounds.

 

[iiipopes]

Does anyone know if the Labella tapes are better quality than the D'Addarios. I have never tried them because of higher price. I know James Jamerson only used La Bellas. That is the sound I want. Does it matter? Your thoughts please. I might try some.

When I use tapewounds, I prefer the LaBella regular gauge whites because they have a brighter (by comparison to other tapes) tone. They last "forever" (my last set lasted me two years of constant gigging and rehearsals before the frets finally chewed divots in the nylon). I prefer them to the D'Addario because the D'Addario gauges are essentially similar to the La Bella light gauges, which are too light for me. Moreover, to my ears, the La Bellas have an even tone, but the D'Addarios seem to have the lower mid dip as do their XL's.

Concerning Jamerson, as stated above, he used the 760M flatwound set, not nylon tapes, a completely different animal and tonal signature. If you want something approaching that tone, you need flat wounds, not nylon tapes. Since the Jamerson set is like bridge cables by comparison, for flats I recommend starting with the La Bella 760FL set, 43-104.

 

[FDR Jones]

I have a 30” scale bass (Supro Huntington). I put D’Addario tapes on it (50-105). I like the texture of the strings, but the tension is too low.

As I understand it, some tapes are slicker than others. Does anyone know of a set of strings with a little bit of texture that might be heavier gauge/higher tension? Thanks.

 

[honeydorick]

Roto Sound has some tape wounds that might be better.Not sure if there is a difference.I go back and forth between the D Aderios tapes,and the DAdderio flatt wound chromes.They are not as slick as the tapes,and have a different feel when playing.Kind of like my fingers stick better to the chromes.I think it boils down to how comfortable you are with each set of strings.somtimes you just need to experiment.