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Unwrapped - Black Nylon Tapewound Strings

SLaPiNFuNK

SLaPiNFuNK

Inactive
Commercial User
Jul 28, 2006
9,020
4,915
LA California
www.fretnation.com
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The Brains: FretNation.com
#1
There has been a lot of discussion about what is underneath Black Nylon Tapewound bass strings... I decided to sacrifice some strings and take a look.

Examined were:

D'Addario
Fender (New 9120)
GHS
La Bella (760N Original Gauge)
Rotosound Tru-Bass 88

Read more and lots of pictures at Bass Strings Online:

Invalid Link Removed

You will find photo's of the strings and what lies underneath the Black Nylon Tape windings.
 
#6
For a truly obsessive level of detail, it might be interesting to use a micrometer to compare the gauge of the inner metal string compared to the final gauge. I wonder if the thickness of the nylon outer varies much between brands?
 
#7
Martin Beer said:
For a truly obsessive level of detail, it might be interesting to use a micrometer to compare the gauge of the inner metal string compared to the final gauge. I wonder if the thickness of the nylon outer varies much between brands?
Click to expand...

I was going to. But if a manufacture wants specific info they can buy it. They are so close but I chose not to post specifics like that as the actual formula each manufacture uses is their design.

Based on the construction and overall gauge the ghs is highest tension for a 105
 
#10
Mr. Ray said:
Could you not get the info from the manufacturer/distributors before cutting?
Click to expand...

He probably could, but some manufacturers don't seem to know their own actual specs. I love that Jason did this. Sure he could have sent a bunch of emails and hoped the responses were legit, but instead he made his own observations and passed along the info. He saw that a lot of people were interested, and he gave the best answers possible.
 
#11
I know that core material/size and outer wrap(s) contribute to tension..so it would be nice to know the diameters of the strings minus the wrap.

Also whether they are nickel or stainless wrap?

if your going to cut them why not have that info?
 
#12
3234718 said:
He probably could, but some manufacturers don't seem to know their own actual specs. I love that Jason did this. Sure he could have sent a bunch of emails and hoped the responses were legit, but instead he made his own observations and passed along the info. He saw that a lot of people were interested, and he gave the best answers possible.
Click to expand...

I have been told different things at different times. Everything from the tape is wrapped offer a bare core to over flats.

None of these are flat... Closest is ghs with the half round.

I assume all are stainless. Ghs may be nickel iron like their brite flats.

The Fender's just may not be ground down and the original nylon gloss is on it.
 
#14
Nice job, but please also unwind the inner windings and measure the gauge of the windings they use as well as the gauge and tensile strength of the core. Also would like accurate weight of the ball end. And, need to know how many wraps per square inch, as well as the winding speed used on the inner part. Also, do they all use 100% pure cotton silks, or a cotton/poly blend? How many windings of silks to each have?




:)
 
#15
mmbongo said:
Nice job, but please also unwind the inner windings and measure the gauge of the windings they use as well as the gauge and tensile strength of the core. Also would like accurate weight of the ball end. And, need to know how many wraps per square inch, as well as the winding speed used on the inner part. Also, do they all use 100% pure cotton silks, or a cotton/poly blend? How many windings of silks to each have?




:)
Click to expand...

Don't forget the melting point of each string, and whichever radiometric decay rates apply.
 
#17
mmbongo said:
Nice job, but please also unwind the inner windings and measure the gauge of the windings they use as well as the gauge and tensile strength of the core. Also would like accurate weight of the ball end. And, need to know how many wraps per square inch, as well as the winding speed used on the inner part. Also, do they all use 100% pure cotton silks, or a cotton/poly blend? How many windings of silks to each have?




:)
Click to expand...

One of my favorite sounds is buying a set of tapes, removing the tape and installing the strings on my bass. Soo good! We should write D'Addario and ask them to start selling them like that.

:D
 
#19
bassist4dalord said:
One of my favorite sounds is buying a set of tapes, removing the tape and installing the strings on my bass. Soo good! We should write D'Addario and ask them to start selling them like that.

:D
Click to expand...

The D'Addario tapes without the tape were pretty rough. I figured it was from some kind of residue from the tape but I guess not. I am going to have a closer look at them tomorrow just to make sure there was no modification to the windings.
 

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