Tell me about nylon strings

[Fender_Bender]

To answer the original question; it is likely a technique issue. It takes a while to learn how to get around on the bass without creating all sorts of ugly unwanted noises. The simplest thing to do right now to tame it a bit is to turn your tone knob or treble setting on the amp down a bit.

 

[DavC]

nylon covered / wrapped strings have a different sound ... rather muted ... i use them on my acoustic electric bass for a more thumpy sound ..

another quieter string type is ' compression or roller wound ' ...

or , turn the Treble way down

 

[Element Zero]

Which La Bella white tape set did you have, 50-105 or 60-115?

I've yet to receive mine. They're on its way from BSO. I ordered the 750T-CB-XL set (043 .050 .065 .085 .105 .135T). It usually took 2 to 4 weeks for me to receive any packages from the States. OTOH, I have a bass strung with D'Addario (black) tapes which tensions felt nice. They are light, but very much are still usable. Certainly I'm not hoping the white tapes which I've yet to receive to be "limp noodle status".

... what have I done?!?!? Lol. That’s the set I have sans high C. Completely unrealistic for my personal taste. But the sound was killer and the texture of the strings themselves... like, nothing I can explain. D’addario Black tapes feel “fuzzy” or kinda like silk. The La Bella whites feel like they’re coated in Teflon. My fretless Pedulla and old Ibanez just didn’t react well I guess.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hi all. I am new to bass and find the strings that came with my Ibanez TMB100 to be kind of noisy. Could be my (lack of) technique at this point...

However I played my buddy's bass equipped with what I think are (black) nylon strings. They felt much smoother with much less associated squeaking etc. Possibly the sound was less bright however.

I'm interested in your thoughts on nylon strings, and recommendations for any particular type/brand. Thanks!

I've used tapes before. I love them until I play with other people. They just seem too dull, and the notes dont ring out like I think they should. I've taken a liking to the GHS Pressurewounds. They're nice and bright, full, and take off a lot of the finger noise. They sound like a brand new set of Nickel rounds (to me), but last a lot longer since they're stainless. I just put a set of La Bella gold flats on my Talman about a month ago. They're nice, but I think I'm going to put the Pressures back on it. There's just...more to them. Know what I mean? I like the flats, but once again, they're dull. But they've got like twice the life as the couple sets of tapes I've played on. I would say either, try some flats, or pressurewounds. But, I'd try the pressures first.

 

[40Hz]

Which La Bella white tape set did you have, 50-105 or 60-115?

I've yet to receive mine. They're on its way from BSO. I ordered the 750T-CB-XL set (043 .050 .065 .085 .105 .135T). It usually took 2 to 4 weeks for me to receive any packages from the States. OTOH, I have a bass strung with D'Addario (black) tapes which tensions felt nice. They are light, but very much are still usable. Certainly I'm not hoping the white tapes which I've yet to receive to be "limp noodle status".

Never found a black nylon tape set I liked despite trying almost all of them. So I had pretty much written off tapewounds until these LaBellas came out.


I use the Copper White Nylon in the “light” 50-105 gauge. They’ve quickly become one of my favorite strings even though they’ve gotten a little hard to get. Enough complex mids to last for days.

I’ve got them on a PB and there’s no problem digging in on them. I think the tension is just fine.

 

[Jaycat]

wait!!! That link refers to medium scale set of D'Addario tapes... Your TMB100 is a standard 34" scale bass, so you should've ordered the long scale set.

Thanks for catching that! I was able to cancel the order moments before it shipped!

I am gonna try the La Bella 750Ts instead.. stay tuned..

 

[Stan_da_man]

Anyone finding the 750 sets too low in tension, try the 760 set. May require a small nut filing but definitely worth it. The 750 set to me feels similar to TIs/La Bella LTFs.

 

[sing-modulator]

labella light gauge black tapes are the best string ive ever played, ever

 

[pingvuiini]

I've used the D'Addario black tapes and LaBella white gold tapes on my headless Status Graphite fretless and have enjoyed both. In my opinion tapewounds have a much brighter sound than regular steel flats and there is virtually no finger noise as the OP has noted. I used the allen nut option to secure the strings but you must be careful: once I had the tape completely unravel off the metal core when changing strings.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Look for any of La Bella's White Nylon Tapewound strings if you would get the brightest nylon strings. But, beware that for some, they might cost quite substantial in comparison to your Talman bass price tag.

Still, you could get them on sale from BSO (temporary?) closing down in-stock items.

I just got a set of those and like them quite a bit. I put them on my fretless and would recommends them also.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Never found a black nylon tape set I liked despite trying almost all of them. So I had pretty much written off tapewounds until these LaBellas came out.


I use the Copper White Nylon in the “light” 50-105 gauge. They’ve quickly become one of my favorite strings even though they’ve gotten a little hard to get. Enough complex mids to last for days.

I’ve got them on a PB and there’s no problem digging in on them. I think the tension is just fine.

If there's a source for these in medium scale, it's eluded me.

 

[Chickenwheels]

I use La Bella blacks and whites. They have a very refined tonality. Tension is low but you can adjust your action and technique to suit.
To me, tapes sound like worn in rounds and stay that way. No fret noise or clank, which could be a good or bad thing. All that round wound noise and clank can add character to your sound in the mix. Listen to an isolated bass track to understand what I mean.
They suit me and my gear.

 

[40Hz]

If there's a source for these in medium scale, it's eluded me.

Not that I’ve found. I’d love a medium set for an Aria fretless I have. LaBella’s site only shows long scales. I thought they also did short scale, but I either imagined it or they’ve since discontinued them.

 

[Usidore T Blue]

When some polymer chains meet in a nozzle and love each other very muc...

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hi all. I am new to bass and find the strings that came with my Ibanez TMB100 to be kind of noisy. Could be my (lack of) technique at this point...

However I played my buddy's bass equipped with what I think are (black) nylon strings. They felt much smoother with much less associated squeaking etc. Possibly the sound was less bright however.

I'm interested in your thoughts on nylon strings, and recommendations for any particular type/brand. Thanks!

Lie down and avoid them. If you are worried about string squeak, adjust your EQ on your amp.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

I have the black Labellas on my Kelly 5-string ABG. You can cop sort of an upright tone with that combination. Had to file the nut, they're fatties! That's not the most playable bass, but it plays better with those than rounds. Kind of a one-trick pony, though.

 

[Karl_V]

Rotosound trubass 88's they are thick muddy and ran perfect for a distorted P-bass back when thats all I was concerned with. they are meant to mirror the Thump of an upright which may or may not be something you want. word of caution though with a 115 ga. E string you might have to rethink your saddle width up top or I have heard some people having issues threading through the bridge(Never had the bridge issues but did have to file the nut a little to get it to sit right.)

 

[maturanesa]

I dont like them too much since nylon is just not percieved by the pickups, is just a tone silencer over a regular string. Ill probably prefer flats if i want a warmer/thumpier tone or just the rounds that are underneath the nylon.

 

[Yahboy]

Hi all. I am new to bass and find the strings that came with my Ibanez TMB100 to be kind of noisy. Could be my (lack of) technique at this point...

However I played my buddy's bass equipped with what I think are (black) nylon strings. They felt much smoother with much less associated squeaking etc. Possibly the sound was less bright however.

I'm interested in your thoughts on nylon strings, and recommendations for any particular type/brand. Thanks!

To OP, I won't suggest a tapewound on you TMB100. But I will recommend you a try with Ernieball Cobalt Flatwound 8214.
Smooth medium low tension, roundwound like tone and less fret noise .

Hopehelp

 

[Yahboy]

Never found a black nylon tape set I liked despite trying almost all of them. So I had pretty much written off tapewounds until these LaBellas came out.

I use the Copper White Nylon in the “light” 50-105 gauge. They’ve quickly become one of my favorite strings even though they’ve gotten a little hard to get. Enough complex mids to last for days.

I’ve got them on a PB and there’s no problem digging in on them. I think the tension is just fine.

I think I will get the copper white nylon for my fretless P. I have a EB cobalt flat on it currently, but the left hand finger pressing feel less comfortable to me, even I try Ti flat on it also same.

Mind to share how the pressing feel on copper white nylon compare to Flatwound bass string ？