TapeWound Club~Anyone?

[Zazie Moondust]

My fretless Schecter Stiletto Studio came with some tapes, but they are a bit too dark sounding for me. I want to swap them out for some La Bella White Gold or White tapes to brighten it up.

The silks are yellow so I am assuming they are Rotosound 88s. They definitely sound darker than D'Addarios I have played in the past, but it could be because this bass is darker sounding. But I believe Roto 88s only come in 65-115, but these strings don't look any thicker than the 45-105 rounds on my other basses, which is weird.

It's a bit puzzling because I am trying to roughly get La Bella's in guages that match my current strings.

Any explanations for what the deal is with the strings that

(I may want to get an expert to set it up anyway, but it helps to know)

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I got a 2x2 headstock bass that will give me some more winding for D string around it's G post.

The seller kindly threw a fairly new set of 65-115 Roto88 tapes, whilst the bass itself had GHS Precision flats on it ( I believe from research on TB). So in the interim, whilst I do some work on the bass, I'd thought I'd try the used set of Roto88's on my jazz bass. There was a little more length to the D 075 in the used set compared to the one in the unused set I have, and gave bit more winding around post. I also put on the used 115 and 100, and there is not much wind for the E. But enough to see how I like these strings. The plan was to add the unused 135 for B, but the bridge hole was just a tad too small and I didn't want to force the ball end silk through and potentially mess with the nylon wrapping. So I put the La Bella orig 54' DTF .128 back on and can at least try the EAD tapes. I will likely enlarge the bridge hole for a 135 tape when I give the strings a good run.
So far I love these strings. The tension feels really good. I can report no hum using these strings as I have read others report.
The j pickups wired serially are a good marriage with these. Nice thump and low end without loss of clarity. Bottom line, really glad to be giving tapewounds a go for the first time.
EAD Roto88 115 100 075 on jazz bass

 

[trseal]

So I recently posted (maybe on a different thread) my Vox Teardrop which had unknown (I think D'Ad.) flats on it. Long story short, I had not noticed until I was looking at it tonight that those strings were a monkey-cluster--not even the right length--standard scale installed on a short scale bass.

So I decided to install the correct strings on that Bad Boy and that led to a complete setup. RotoSound RS88 tapes (of proper scale length). I mean, come on--there is no other strings that belong on that iconic bass! So now all is right in the Iconic Bass World. The guitar and strings sound as they should (not my everyday sound) and is really fun to play for the Brit. Invasion-era tunes. I'll find a way to get it into the mix...

Tim

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I loosened the truss rod a little as the difference in tension between the 3 tapes and the 3 flatwounds they've replaced is probably in the vacinity of 40+lbs less.
As far as intonation goes, I had to move all 3 saddles a little back from where they were with the flatwounds on. The sole La Bella is tapered, hence the position of it's saddle.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Loving me some Roto88. Only regret is I didn't try these ages ago.

The only other tapewound I'd be interested to try are Pyramids. I've read they're good.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I had a single dead spot on my jazz bass at the 9th fret of the highest string. Since I replaced the Chrome 075 with a Roto88 075, the dead spot is now at the 10th fret

 

[May Cassidy]

I've tried D'Addario tapes before on my Guild Starfire and Frankenstein P, and liked them pretty well, they just didn't suit the styles I was playing at the time. Now that I have my Fender Jazz (and have been getting back into early GFR and Abbey Road era McCartney) I'm thinking I'll order a set of LaBellas for it. Anyone who's used the LaBella black nylon set, what did you think? And more particularly, did you use the .65 or .50 gauge set?

 

[trseal]

I've tried D'Addario tapes before on my Guild Starfire and Frankenstein P, and liked them pretty well, they just didn't suit the styles I was playing at the time. Now that I have my Fender Jazz (and have been getting back into early GFR and Abbey Road era McCartney) I'm thinking I'll order a set of LaBellas for it. Anyone who's used the LaBella black nylon set, what did you think? And more particularly, did you use the .65 or .50 gauge set?

I used the 50's for a few months on a Mod Shop custom Jazz. I really liked the tone but I hated the tension. To me they were VERY flabby. To the point of having to greatly change my action and relief. That still didn't solve my problem of frequently pulling the G off or pushing the E off the fretboard. I found the solution to be changing to D'Ad. nylons. Also great tone but with standard tension.

If you're looking for late '60's McCartney tone, might I suggest Rotosound 88's. That what he's wearing during the roof-top concert. I put a set on Vox Teardrop and they def have that vibe.

Tim

 

[May Cassidy]

I used the 50's for a few months on a Mod Shop custom Jazz. I really liked the tone but I hated the tension. To me they were VERY flabby. To the point of having to greatly change my action and relief. That still didn't solve my problem of frequently pulling the G off or pushing the E off the fretboard. I found the solution to be changing to D'Ad. nylons. Also great tone but with standard tension.

If you're looking for late '60's McCartney tone, might I suggest Rotosound 88's. That what he's wearing during the roof-top concert. I put a set on Vox Teardrop and they def have that vibe.

Tim

Did you find you had to file your nut slots at all with the Rotosounds? I suppose that's the biggest reason I've been avoiding them, though I have had great experiences with their 66's and 77's in the past.

 

[mrperkolator]

I have the bigger labella black nylon on my v3 and I love them. Bit more to the mix than flats but still has a mellow vibe. Tension on those are similar to rounds. For sound the closest is old nickels

 

[ADHD librarian]

I've tried D'Addario tapes before on my Guild Starfire and Frankenstein P, and liked them pretty well, they just didn't suit the styles I was playing at the time. Now that I have my Fender Jazz (and have been getting back into early GFR and Abbey Road era McCartney) I'm thinking I'll order a set of LaBellas for it. Anyone who's used the LaBella black nylon set, what did you think? And more particularly, did you use the .65 or .50 gauge set?

I've got LaBella 760N on an SB-2 and a fretless Jazz (I have had them on a kiloton too) and I love them. Didn't have to file the nut for either of the G&Ls (although perhaps I should have, to reduce friction? but they work well). I accidentally ordered the 760G when I decided to try the white gold and (like Tim said above) the tension was lacking (felt too floppy) but damn they sounded good. At $110 a set in Australia, I haven't yet ordered the right size to try again but I'm sure I will at some point.

 

[trseal]

Did you find you had to file your nut slots at all with the Rotosounds? I suppose that's the biggest reason I've been avoiding them, though I have had great experiences with their 66's and 77's in the past.

I did not have any issues so far with the nut but I did "lube" the slots really good with a No. 2 pencil before installing them. No filing needed.

Tim

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Roto88's gauges 135 115 100 075 tuned BEAD on my RB820 (without pots as you can see. Waiting on new ones) .You'll notice I put a little piece of shrink tubing over the silk, just to keep the silk in place in case some threads get loose or something. I top loaded the strings, even though the bridge has been modded for string through as well.
Suprisingly the only thing I had to do was raise the action a smidge for the B string. The saddles required no change as far as intonation goes from where they were with GHS 45-105 precision flats on it. Which did suprise me for the B.
These strings are the bee's knees. Just so comfy to play.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I got another 135 Roto 88 and put it on my Jazzaha fretless with 3 used Roto 88's I had. Sounds pretty good, but the jury still out on this bass. I thought Chromes I had on it were more at one with it.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

I have D'addario tapes on two basses and labella tapes on my fretted ABG.
I don't join clubs tho.

Clubs join me.

 

[BassplayerMF]

I've tried D'Addario tapes before on my Guild Starfire and Frankenstein P, and liked them pretty well, they just didn't suit the styles I was playing at the time. Now that I have my Fender Jazz (and have been getting back into early GFR and Abbey Road era McCartney) I'm thinking I'll order a set of LaBellas for it. Anyone who's used the LaBella black nylon set, what did you think? And more particularly, did you use the .65 or .50 gauge set?

Probably too late but just in case it might still be relevant, I use the laBella deep talking bass black nylon 60-115 (760N) on two of my basses and love them. really really do.
They have a good amount of tension, not floppy at all. And I am just a sucker for the touch and feel of them, very very smooth, and you get a great amount of punch and percussivness out of them, and a surprising amount of definition also if you ask me.
Definitely a fan of those strings, they are expensive but they last really a good amount of time and more than other tape wounds I had before where the wrapping startet to fall apart. Have not encountered that problem with the labellas until now

 

[GIBrat51]

Still have this bass, and it still has Roto TruBass 88's on it. And, yes it still sounds awesome. Last week, I put a set of these things on a new-to-me '93, medium scale Fury Anthem fretless bass. Are they awesome? Yes; yes they are...
I recently commissioned a short scale Birdsong fretless Fusion Bass. It will be shipped with La Bella 750N tapes on it, and I'm eagerly waiting to see how those tapes sound...

As it turned out, the Birdsong Fusion did not ship with the La Bellas on it. After thinking about the grounding "problem" with the thru-body Fury Anthem, and knowing that the Birdsong is a thru-body also? After talking with Scott Beckwith, we decided to just ship it with the strings that his basses usually ship with; long scale D'Addario Chromes.
I don't like - or use - D'Addario strings. They polish their strings with something that I'm allergic to, and can only get rid of, with vigorous cleaning. Using chemicals that aren't good for people to come in contact with - or breathe... And, since the end result is a set of strings that, frankly, have always been - IMO - kind of "Meh"? I don't use them; and any new-to-me instrument that shows up with DAddario's on it - loses them, immediately after the function check. So, the Birdsong showed up wearing ECB82 Chromes, along with the package of La Bella tapes. With resignation, I gritted my teeth; cleaned the snot out (or off) of them; and started breaking them in. So far?
Well, I'm not exactly "loving" them, but... they aren't bad, actually. Scott says he uses them on his basses, and that Birdsong basses are more or less designed to use them. And, so far? They do seem to suit the bass. But, turns out that the bridge that's on the bass can be top loaded, too (which the specs would have told me - if I had paid attention). So...
If I do decide that I don't like the Chromes? I think the Birdsong is a very good candidate for a set of tapes. The only problem? Will they be the La Bella 750N's - or the set of short scale Roto 88 Tapes that I've had in my string stash for years...?

 

[ADHD librarian]

I've got LaBella 760N on an SB-2 and a fretless Jazz (I have had them on a kiloton too) and I love them. Didn't have to file the nut for either of the G&Ls (although perhaps I should have, to reduce friction? but they work well). I accidentally ordered the 760G when I decided to try the white gold and (like Tim said above) the tension was lacking (felt too floppy) but damn they sounded good. At $110 a set in Australia, I haven't yet ordered the right size to try again but I'm sure I will at some point.

Looking at my own post, it’s obvious why I ordered the wrong strings, I can’t even write about them without using the wrong sizes. I accidentally ordered the 750G when I like the 760, but…

I’ve just put the 750G set on my Kiloton and they work on it in a way they didn’t on the SB-2. So I’m counting my purchase as a win. I might still buy some 760G to try on the SB-2 at some point, but at least I’ve found a use for some very expensive strings.

 

[May Cassidy]

LaBella 760N's have been placed on my Fender Jazz-- and I love the results! Much better feel than the D'Addario's I've tried in the past and I'm getting little to no noise with them either. There seems to be more thud here and it's all very usable, with a tension that is much better in my taste. The purple silks look great, too. Pondering going full Herbie Flowers and getting a stack knob control plate, but that's probably a while down the line if it ever happens.

 

[ajkula66]

Having just received a couple of short-scale White Nylon sets, I'm dangerously close to moving into "all tapewound" phase on my four-stringers, although I'll likely leave the Guild JS-2 strung with rounds since the frets are in great shape and I also like the way it sounds "as is".

To be continued...