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Tapewounds / brighter flats for 35 scale with a high C

logdrum

logdrum

A person!
Jun 24, 2002
9,131
12,525
Walnut Creek CA/ABQ-SAF NM
#1
Folks and string experts

I tried the search but I think this warrants a new post here. I am getting a 5 string that I want to string E to C. I'd like to string it with something similar to the tone of D'Addario ETB92 (those black strings).

The bass is 35 scale - top load bridge and the tuners are 2 + 3 (2 being lower strings). I think the D'Addarios I want do not make them longer for 35 scale but I could be wrong since they have to accommodate through body stringing. Plus I am not sure they make a C string.

I am open to flats too and I generally like EB Cobalt flats. The ETB92 are not flats and are brighter than chromes. Price is not an object (to an extwnt and I love TI flats when I had them on a bass I sold but I think they also do not make a C string )

I am not even opposed to mixing brands and I am likely to buy a single C rather than break apart a 6 string set, I want the C string to be rounder and not as bright as regular round wound strings nickel or steel.

Yes I can use EQ but I'd like to start with the tone I want in the first place.

For 6 string now. I have a TI round wounds and I liked Foderas as well.

Thanks in advance!
 
#5
michael_t said:
What's the actual measurement on your bass from where the ball end is seated to the tuner side of the nut? Most "long scale" strings are 37" - 37.25" in winding length (ball end to taper/silk), which may be long enough for top-loading on a 35" scale.
Click to expand...

Do not have it yet but I want to have the set ready when I get it. I did see some videos and I think I would like it. It may fit bass on the winding length because on my 36 inch scale the TI winding length for the Super Long scale was 38 and it fit. It looks like I have more choices.
 
#6
logdrum said:
I tried the search but I think this warrants a new post here. I am getting a 5 string that I want to string E to C. I'd like to string it with something similar to the tone of D'Addario ETB92 (those black strings).
Click to expand...

D'Addario "long scale" is 37.1" in winding length, if you want to make sure that's long enough for your bass.

And a single .035 high C is available.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#9
logdrum said:
Folks and string experts

I tried the search but I think this warrants a new post here. I am getting a 5 string that I want to string E to C. I'd like to string it with something similar to the tone of D'Addario ETB92 (those black strings).

The bass is 35 scale - top load bridge and the tuners are 2 + 3 (2 being lower strings). I think the D'Addarios I want do not make them longer for 35 scale but I could be wrong since they have to accommodate through body stringing. Plus I am not sure they make a C string.

I am open to flats too and I generally like EB Cobalt flats. The ETB92 are not flats and are brighter than chromes. Price is not an object (to an extwnt and I love TI flats when I had them on a bass I sold but I think they also do not make a C string )

I am not even opposed to mixing brands and I am likely to buy a single C rather than break apart a 6 string set, I want the C string to be rounder and not as bright as regular round wound strings nickel or steel.

Yes I can use EQ but I'd like to start with the tone I want in the first place.

For 6 string now. I have a TI round wounds and I liked Foderas as well.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
After using round wounds (Dean Markley Blue Steel and DR Black Beauty strings) for ~33-years, about three years ago I changed to LaBella Deep Talking Bass White Tape Wound strings. Got white to match my bass (semi-transparent white) and come to find out they are the brightest of the Tape wounds that LaBella makes. The black is the darkest sounding and their white over copper core and white over gold core are in between the sound of the white and black ones. So I have nice upper harmonics that a lot of flats don't give you and they are about the smoothest strings I've ever played.

The REALLY NICE THING about them those is the sound from them is wonderfully balanced from string to string. If it's more convenient for me to play some thing low on the G string instead of up high on the D string, I play it there. With round wounds those D and G strings often sounded weaker or brittle to me. Not so with the LaBella tape wounds. I bet one in a C would work for you.
 
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#10
michael_t said:
One thing to keep in mind is the Brite Flats, being half-rounds, are quite a bit stiffer in feel than the D'A Tapes. And their tonal character is more "flatwound" than the tapewound as well. EB Cobalt Flats are actually brighter than the GHS Brite Flats.
Click to expand...

Thanks I'd keep that in mind. I do not mind stiff and since the bass I am getting is strung like a regular B, the string gauge may prevent me from reworking the nut.

Do they make hi C cobalts? I have a 4 string set unopened as well (because I am lazy changing string. Maybe I'll end up using a brite flat single for the C. I think it just needs to be the same output as the cobalt.
 
#11
logdrum said:
Do they make hi C cobalts? I have a 4 string set unopened as well (because I am lazy changing string. Maybe I'll end up using a brite flat single for the C. I think it just needs to be the same output as the cobalt.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about the availability of EB Cobalt Flat high C. But using the GHS Brite Flat for the high C may not be a bad idea. Both Cobalt and Alloy 52 (nickel-iron) are known for their higher-than-average output.

EDIT: I just checked the Fret Nation site and didn't find a high C listed for the Cobalt Flat.
 
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#12
Rip Van Dan said:
After using round wounds (Dean Markley Blue Steel and DR Black Beauty strings) for ~33-years, about three years ago I changed to LaBella Deep Talking Bass White Tape Wound strings. Got white to match my bass (semi-transparent white) and come to find out they are the brightest of the Tape wounds that LaBella makes. The black is the darkest sounding and their white over copper core and white over gold core are in between the sound of the white and black ones. So I have nice upper harmonics that a lot of flats don't give you and they are about the smoothest strings I've ever played.

The REALLY NICE THING about them those is the sound from them is wonderfully balanced from string to string. If it's more convenient for me to play some thing low on the G string instead of up high on the D string, I play it there. With round wounds those D and G strings often sounded weaker or brittle to me. Not so with the LaBella tape wounds. I bet one in a C would work for you.
Click to expand...

Hmm, that could be an option because I am going to use this for chordal work. Yep I am that guy but what would you expect from someone who plays a Charlie Hunter type Hybrid guitar (bass and guitar). I may end up with a lot of strings at this point.
 
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#13
michael_t said:
I'm not sure about the availability of EB Cobalt Flat high C. But using the GHS Brite Flat for the high C may not be a bad idea. Both Cobalt and Alloy 52 (nickel-iron) are known for their higher-than-average output.

EDIT: I just checked the Fret Nation site and didn't find a high C listed for the Cobalt Flat.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the fretnation link. I lived close to them last year.
 
#14
Rip Van Dan said:
After using round wounds (Dean Markley Blue Steel and DR Black Beauty strings) for ~33-years, about three years ago I changed to LaBella Deep Talking Bass White Tape Wound strings. Got white to match my bass (semi-transparent white) and come to find out they are the brightest of the Tape wounds that LaBella makes. The black is the darkest sounding and their white over copper core and white over gold core are in between the sound of the white and black ones. So I have nice upper harmonics that a lot of flats don't give you and they are about the smoothest strings I've ever played.

The REALLY NICE THING about them those is the sound from them is wonderfully balanced from string to string. If it's more convenient for me to play some thing low on the G string instead of up high on the D string, I play it there. With round wounds those D and G strings often sounded weaker or brittle to me. Not so with the LaBella tape wounds. I bet one in a C would work for you.
Click to expand...

Just saw this and may prevent me from even touching the nut because the high C is 43



[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
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#15
I have owned a number of 35 inch 5ers, and all have been strung E - C. TI jazz flats, TI jazz rounds, and Fodera nickel round core are my faves, depending on how they sound on a particular instrument. TI hi Cs are available, and you can get the whole E - C set from Fodera. I haven't tried the LaBella low tension strings, but have tried black tapes, and they didn't work as well for my basses. YMMV. Welcome to tenor tuned 5 land!
 
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