I notice Roto Ultramag .085 shares the exact same tension as Roto 88 .100 ie 47.06 lb .The remaining 5 strings in the Roto88 series have no exact tension match at same pitch with any of Rotosounds smaller gauge roundwounds. Some close though.
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TapeWound Club~Anyone?
- Thread starter .BumeStik.
- Start date
Tapewounds?? Not quite yet, as I was unable to find a medium scale five string set. However, I just ordered a set of Labella Tapes thanks to Jeremy at Fret Nation - Basses, Guitars, Strings, Cables, Amps, Cabs, and more! . He put together a set for me. He had a 4 string set and a single B. Since I've been building and playing exclusively my own 5 string 31" scale basses, he always seems to come up with what I need.
I'm a fan of tapes. I've only tried Galli and D'Addario.
I really liked the A D and G strings on the Galli tapewounds I had on one of my fretless basses, but the low E was just too indistinct for what I was looking for. Also, an issue probably specific to my bridge: the gauge combined with the silk wraps at the end made the low E a real battle to get back out of the bridge when I took them off. They're hanging in my closet right now. My other fretless has worn tapes almost exclusively up until last year when I put some Fender flats on it.
I'd like to branch out and try La Bellas at some point but not sure which variety to go with, and knowing I like D'Addario tapewounds already I'm not sure when/if I'll get around to it.
I really liked the A D and G strings on the Galli tapewounds I had on one of my fretless basses, but the low E was just too indistinct for what I was looking for. Also, an issue probably specific to my bridge: the gauge combined with the silk wraps at the end made the low E a real battle to get back out of the bridge when I took them off. They're hanging in my closet right now. My other fretless has worn tapes almost exclusively up until last year when I put some Fender flats on it.
I'd like to branch out and try La Bellas at some point but not sure which variety to go with, and knowing I like D'Addario tapewounds already I'm not sure when/if I'll get around to it.
Which are the tapes that have less extra thickness? Im interested but the gauges seems to be too thick for nut and bridge saddles
labella light gauge are small enough to try without nut modification. They will be floppy though. Depending on your bass, you may get away with regulars. I actually did with my Sire.
I haven’t had to modify either nut or bridge to use D’Addario black tapewounds on four basses.
yeah… I tried labella’s first and never had the urge to try others.
The D'Addario, LaBella light, and GHS tapes are all 50-105 and should require no nut mods. All are quite flexible, though, with the GHS being the stiffest, IME. All other tapes I'm familiar with are higher gauge and may require some nut slot widening.
Yippee! Finally my 65-135 Roto88's arrived. But I have to hold off trying them until I finish my only bass makeover. And even then, I will try some flatwounds first on it to see how the new neck feels. If I don't like it, the Roto88's can wait till I pair a neck that feels right for me
I was going to put the Roto88 on my post makeover el cheapo jazz body, pnecked bass, but I found the bulky silk at the ball end wouldn't allow the .135 to go through the bridge hole. So instead of boring out the hole a bit, I have I have mm on another bass to put roto88's on. Opening a bridge hole a little is no biggie, but I just don't feel inclined. Modding fatigue
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I thought I might as well try the 075 gauge Roto88 on my bass, seeing as the total length was way shorter than all the other strings in the 65-135 set, and see how many wraps I'd get. As suspected I was lucky to get 1.5 turns ( bearing in mind the 075 is going to the G post as per BEAD). I find less than 2 turns unsatisfactory, so I took it off, and will hold off using the Roto88's for BEAD till I have a bass with a 2x2 headstock.
I did have a bit of a noodle around with the D string though. Obviously smooth. Brighter than the neighbouring 095 Chrome, which is pretty broken in. . Less tension than the 075 Chrome I had on, which of course is the reality of the underlying gauge. Some fret clack with the tone knob wide open, but I play with it zeroed and the clack disappears and also my finger strength is pretty high using 095 and 075/073 flats for A and D, so I am pressing down harder on the lower tension tapewound than I should and hitting the fret a bit too hard. I think I'll enjoy them when I put them on another bass when I get it
I did have a bit of a noodle around with the D string though. Obviously smooth. Brighter than the neighbouring 095 Chrome, which is pretty broken in. . Less tension than the 075 Chrome I had on, which of course is the reality of the underlying gauge. Some fret clack with the tone knob wide open, but I play with it zeroed and the clack disappears and also my finger strength is pretty high using 095 and 075/073 flats for A and D, so I am pressing down harder on the lower tension tapewound than I should and hitting the fret a bit too hard. I think I'll enjoy them when I put them on another bass when I get it
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#1, I'd suggest staying away from any that present themselves as "low tension"--Yes, I'm looking at you, LaBella... My fretless Jazz has a very low action and on that I'm using Fender tapes. Love 'em! They are round wound wrapped by nylon tape and give a nice "mwah" that identify that quintessential fretless sound.
On a fretted Jazz, I have D'Ad. XL tapes. I really like the tone of these from a more traditional/vintage standpoint (very "spanky")and, while the action on this bass is slightly higher, I think they would perform well in a low action environment. They are not at all flabby (like the LaBellas). Bottom line, I'd recommend either of these, the difference being whichever tone you prefer. I really like them both in their respective applications but they are a bit different.
Tim
Hmmm... I guess I find that a bit surprising. I've not tried the Roto 88's but I have a set of their flats on a J bass and I wouldn't characterize them anywhere near loose. I am curious tho'. May I ask what your action height and scale is?
Tim
I don't mean to sound dismissive but it may be as simple as a good set up to correct that. It is generally easy to do but if you're not familiar, having a tech check it out might be your best bet. Maybe you could post a pic or 2 of a closeup profile of the lower end (pickup end) of the fingerboard and one of the bridge?
Tim
Installed a new set of LaBella Copper White tapes on an Aerodyne Special P this weekend. They are VERY nice. I wasn't sure if I was going to like them but they have a great sound that mellows out very nicely with EQ or gets quite spanky with high end boost. Not at all flabby--nice tension and the outer finish is very, very slick--more so than any black tapes I've used. They def check the box I was looking for for this bass.
Tim
Tim
