• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Tapewounds on a G&L L-2500?

I

Inconnu

Nov 1, 2005
2,407
1,148
Montreal, Canada
#1
Hi!

After switching from phosphor bronze to nylon tapewounds on my acoustic bass, I’ve gained interest in that type of strings and wonder how they would sound on my G&L L-2500.

Anybody tried that? The L2500 sounds bright enough to maintain a clear sound with tape wounds, I think… but those strings are expensive and I would love to hear about your experience with them before getting a set.
 
#6
jd56hawk said:
Black tapewounds on 9 of my 11 basses, including two L2000s.
I'll never by flatwounds again.
Click to expand...
Is the character of the L2000’s sound still there? The definition and clarity that we are used to? I mean, I’d I do that switch, I’ll be going from old round wounds (D’Addario XL nickel) to tapewounds. No I love the feel and I think the mids have a different flavour with those strings, but it terms of sustain and clarity (I’m not talking about zingy sound here, just the overall focus), what should I expect?
 
#7
Inconnu said:
Is the character of the L2000’s sound still there? The definition and clarity that we are used to? I mean, I’d I do that switch, I’ll be going from old round wounds (D’Addario XL nickel) to tapewounds. No I love the feel and I think the mids have a different flavour with those strings, but it terms of sustain and clarity (I’m not talking about zingy sound here, just the overall focus), what should I expect?
Click to expand...
Thee GHS tapewounds aren't your average tapewounds, I've tried LaBella tapes, white, gold and copper but they just didn't do it for me.
I've tried most flatwounds too, including the TI flats that so many people rave about.
I just bought this last week, could've bought any string set out there, but again, I went with GHS.
Picsart-22-01-27-20-53-10-810.jpg

As for sustain and clarity, I don't think you'll have anything to worry about.
 
#13
jd56hawk said:
Thee GHS tapewounds aren't your average tapewounds, I've tried LaBella tapes, white, gold and copper but they just didn't do it for me.
I've tried most flatwounds too, including the TI flats that so many people rave about.
I just bought this last week, could've bought any string set out there, but again, I went with GHS.
View attachment 4565541
As for sustain and clarity, I don't think you'll have anything to worry about.
Click to expand...

I've never tried GHS, or tapewounds for that matter, interesting. Also what are those pickups?
 
  • Like
Reactions: jd56hawk
#15
I use Labella copper white nylon tapes. I like them so much they are on my Fretless 5, my 4 string jazz, and my 6 string. They sound great in every one of those situations from chording up high to grooving down low. There is concern in above comments about a tapewound B, I have 2, and they sound great, plenty of of punch and definition. I can’t speak to other brands, but the Labella’s have a range with the (if I remember correctly) black nylons being the darkest followed by the white nylons, then the copper white nylon, and then the gold white nylons are the brightest. It’s my opinion that the golds would be a good choice for you. You mention you really like the phosphor bronze, I believe that the “gold” wraps visible under the white nylon is phosphor bronze. So they should get you into a familiar neighborhood.
 
#16
I had used Labella tapes a lot, mainly the white ones on fretless basses. Those are bright and can compete with roundwounds. But, recently, I strung my #1 PJ with Labella black tapes. They are interesting and I like them, but they are very much a one trick pony. They are soft and smooth vs bright. I like them at home but live they really got lost in the mix for me and I had grounding buzz issues and the bass is heavily shielded. If the GL is your only electric I might suggest a pass. If you have more than one might be worth a try for fun.
You also may have to adjust your nut, tapes are thicker and you could have grounding issues.
 
#18
I have blue wound tapes (GHS I believe) on a Schecter CV5 (35") which is my most trebel-y & hot p.u. bass, they sound marvelous, plenty of zing and heft, actually still roll-off some treble. I tried LaBella blacks on a fretless but the problem was the light tension, much too light.
 
#20
michael_t said:
"Blue wound" as in blue silk? If so, they're not GHS, which come with red silk. Do they have colored ball ends? If so, they're D'Addario.
Click to expand...
yeah blue silk, the other is purple which I believe is the Labella. And just regular ball ends. I bought 2 brands at the same time just to try, and with the Schecter maybe solve it's razor-like high end, which they do, and don't muffle it's great mid tone. ...normally I know what brand is on a bass, DR sunbeams or blues or Labella LTF.
I'd vote for trying them on the G&L.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back