Has anyone paired tapes with a John East Retro? I'm planning on doing some upgrades to my Sire and I don't want to pick a pre that has a grounding issue with tapes, since Tapes are my favorite.....
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TapeWound Club~Anyone?
- Thread starter .BumeStik.
- Start date
I've tried a couple la bella tapewound sets and its interesting... the tension is low. Real low. So I just tune up a half step and call it good. The bass I have the tapes on had dead rounds for 4 years, loved the sound, so I figured I'd keep a similar sound and reduce my fret wear by switching to tapes. The white tapes actually have more high end than the dead rounds! But they also have that thumpey attack that flats do which isn't my favorite but hey, in a mix its hard to tell.
that's my experience with light gauge. I put a set of "normal" gauge that are big enough the nut may need adjustment on a BTB (5 string, 35 in) and the tension felt like rounds. Yeah their tapes that are 50-105 are a bit low tension.
Hey I need suggestions. What are the highest tension tape wounds? I prefer a little more bright than most tapes as well. I don't need them to feel or sound like rounds. But a tiny less mellow and higher string tension would be better for me. (I can get a little physical with a bass when I get wound up.)
Click "Reply" or "Quote" please so I can see that you responded.
Click "Reply" or "Quote" please so I can see that you responded.
If you want variation in sound from tapes, I'd look into La Bella's line. They have several flavors. You will want to go up to the bigger gauge for "normal" string tension feel. Example is the 760G (gold white standard 60-115) instead of the 750G (gold white light 50-105). Which if you like the strings, loosen back up and then widen up the slots in the nut. I think (and I'm sure I'll be corrected if wrong) the order of mellow to bright with La Bella is black -> copper white -> gold white -> white. All are rounds with nylon over it.
I've played on standard blacks on a 35" and it felt like normal string tension despite size and sound was in between rounds and flats. I've also got a set of light gauge white tapes on a P bass (not mine) that the owner wasn't sure on. We went with light gauge so we wouldn't have to mess with nut. They sound bright like rounds, and do not seem to change in their tone near as quickly as regular rounds. But they are very floppy and that takes getting used to. since you said you dig in, I'd go with "standard" gauge La Bella instead of "light." Full disclosure.... when I found La Bella Tapes I didn't try other brands because they were that good. Based on your requirements, I'd suggest either standard copper white, or standard gold white.
Hope that helps.
Ditto except, i tried a few others but now it's La Bella only.
I would say you want the LaBella Gold White 760G. They are pretty mellow, but still plenty bright. They are about as bright as broken in D'addario XL's. However, based on attack, muting, and plucking position, they can darken up and get into flat wound territory. In my opinion they are the most versatile strings made. They will cover most every style with the exception of brighter zingy tones (ex: modern/djent metal and Marcus Miller slap). They will last forever. I have used the same set for three years. After about the first day of playing they have settled into the their tone and will maintain that tone until you decide to take them off.
I'm looking for advice on my 1st set of tape wounds for my 2021 American Pro II P-bass, I've narrowed it down to Labella 750N or D'addario. Main concern: I'd like to try these strings but don't want to file the nut for extra diameter in case I don't stick w/them. They both have 50-105 gauges, similar to the 45-105 rounds (Boomers) I'm currently using. Is the string gauge the diameter of the string inside the coating or does it include the black wrap?
Lower tension is desired, I'm older and a bit arthritic.
Lower tension is desired, I'm older and a bit arthritic.
For what it's worth, I've installed the D'Addarios (love them, by the way) on a couple of my basses and I've had no need to adjust the nuts on the instruments. It's my understanding that the diameters stated are the total diameter of core and wrap, and my experience with these installations would seem to confirm that.
I had the same experience with the D'Addarios. I had no problem with the nut and they felt and sounded great. I've been a dedicated TI Jazz Flats user for years, so I'm used to low tension, and the D'Addarios felt good to me.
Thanks for the replies regarding the nut! Just wanted to post once more to see if anyone can help me decide between the La Bella 750N or D'Addario ETB92. I intend to string them through-body on the black '21 Pro II P bass on the right. Any issues w/either brand loading through-body? I'm leaning towards La Bellas because I prefer their flats to Chromes, does that make sense? I've read this entire thread (plus others), so many positive comments for both, hard to pull the trigger on one.
I like the D’addarios better because the tension feels just like rounds. And they’re pretty zippy when they’re brand-new bright just like rounds but just a different sound. But they are just so smooth and silky to play with no string noise… and less clicky clacky on the frets. I lovem
make sure you get long or extra long if you’re gonna string through the body. And I guess my only complaint with these strings is that sometimes I find some sets/strings aren’t as smooth as others out of the package.
I'd love to see a review (your view) on that Mosrite. I have been fascinated by Mosrite guitars since I was a kid (ya know--The Ventures...) but have never even been able to touch (literally) one. I got to see one behind glass once at the San Francisco Guitar Center several years ago. That's as close as I've gotten to one. They're pretty unique...
Tim
I have had both La Bella and D'addario tapes on my P-Bass. The D'addario tape deteriorates faster, sounds a little darker and has a bit more tension than La Bella. I now have La Bella white gold on my P-Bass and white on my Hofner 500/1. I prefer the sound and lower tension of La Bella.
I've used La Bella's and I like them a lot. I have a set of light gauge white tapes on a p bass I've got access to and it sounds similar to nickels and real soft tension. For most that might be a problem, but it might be perfect for you. I think with the 750's you dont have to mess with nut. That's mostly when you move up to the 760's.
A cool thing about La Bella is they have different variants of their tapewounds, and even unique ones that pop up in their roadie club. I think they did a candy cane one a few weeks back. Blacks are the most mellow, and white is the brightest if I recall correctly. So Labella has a tapewound for most musical tastes.
fwiw I've never heard of bad quality from La Bella. A few people didn't like the flavor, but their quality is great.
I now have La Bella white tapes on a jazz bass (for about 3 months) and La Bella white copper tapes on a P bass (for about 1 month). Love that I get the smooth feel of flats but with more high end. Also love not having to wipe them down after playing. Very even response. Great playing experience.
