Which bass for tapewounds?

[bryansells]

Inspired by Janek's recent video (https://youtube.com/shorts/yadefQQVAzQ?si=iMJCYZuMu13wzNGP), I'm interested in exploring tapewound strings. What's a good bass for that?

Janek is using an American Standard P bass (maple neck) with Aguilar pickups. Makes me think that something like an AVRI P bass would offer similar possibilities. Maybe a cheapo P bass or P bass clone with Aggie pickups. Or maybe any P bass.

Is there an iconic tapewound sound?

 

[ADHD librarian]

I have had tapes on my Kiloton* & currently have them on an SB-2.
Both of them thumped wonderfully!
I guess both the kiloton and the SB-2 have a certain PBass heritage

*The only reason the kiloton doesn't have them on now is a pathetic desire for variety (the same reason I have pressure wounds on my Jazz. mmm, I really should try the tapes on the Jazz I did like it when I had Ernie Ball flats on it).

 

[Just Wrong]

Welcome to the fabulous world of tapes!

Do note that tapes will probably be noisy with passive instruments, so you might want to look into an active bass. Something about your fingers not touching the metal of the string but the nylon and grounding.

 

[ADHD librarian]

Welcome to the fabulous world of tapes!

Do note that tapes will probably be noisy with passive instruments, so you might want to look into an active bass. Something about your fingers not touching the metal of the string but the nylon and grounding.

Not a problem I have noticed with mine.

 

[rodl2005]

I've had these GHS (I think) tape wounds on this Gibson EB4 for 5 yrs. They're still great sounding

 

[woodyng2]

View attachment 5188433
I've had these GHS (I think) tape wounds on this Gibson EB4 for 5 yrs. They're still great sounding

That’s the coolest looking EB4 I’ve ever seen…the wear makes it look like it’s from the ‘70s instead of post millennia.
As for tapewounds, I’ve loved Labella black,white, and other tapes on 3 of my Rickenbackers, and my Tune fretless.
(All of which have humbucker pickups, so I haven’t had any noise issues).
I’d like to try a set on my GL L-1000 at some point.

 

[johnh89]

I have Roto 88 tapes on 3 of my 5 basses . Two fretless and a JCB .
Put them on whatever you have and give em a test drive . You will love it .

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Yes

 

[HaphAsSard]

Inspired by Janek's recent video (https://youtube.com/shorts/yadefQQVAzQ?si=iMJCYZuMu13wzNGP), I'm interested in exploring tapewound strings. What's a good bass for that?

Janek is using an American Standard P bass (maple neck) with Aguilar pickups. Makes me think that something like an AVRI P bass would offer similar possibilities. Maybe a cheapo P bass or P bass clone with Aggie pickups. Or maybe any P bass.

Is there an iconic tapewound sound?

Well, there is Dave Richmond's Burns Bison, with Rotosound Tru Bass (88) black nylon tapewounds (tapes were invented by Roto's James How for Burns of London basses), on Serge Gainsburg's Histoire de Melody Nelson - have a listensee to this thread, with posts by the man hisself, and present-day, faithful re-creations:
Serge Gainsbourg - that Je t'aime bass sound (Again)

IME, GHS 3060 tapes lend themselves to that sort of natural envelope filter tone in Gwizdala's video, but I suppose a P bass could coax it from D'Addario or La Bella black nylons too. If instead the Melody Nelson tone appeals to you, get the Rotos and a two-pickup bass of some sort (PJ? Can't vouch for it, but worth looking into).

 

[rodl2005]

That’s the coolest looking EB4 I’ve ever seen…the wear makes it look like it’s from the ‘70s instead of post millennia.
As for tapewounds, I’ve loved Labella black,white, and other tapes on 3 of my Rickenbackers, and my Tune fretless.
(All of which have humbucker pickups, so I haven’t had any noise issues).
I’d like to try a set on my GL L-1000 at some point.

I got it for a song and it's probably my favorite bass. Light and punchy and versatile...especially with the coil taps on each pick up

 

[rodl2005]

That’s the coolest looking EB4 I’ve ever seen…the wear makes it look like it’s from the ‘70s instead of post millennia.
As for tapewounds, I’ve loved Labella black,white, and other tapes on 3 of my Rickenbackers, and my Tune fretless.
(All of which have humbucker pickups, so I haven’t had any noise issues).
I’d like to try a set on my GL L-1000 at some point.

Rear shot

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Graham Mabey (Joe Jackson band) got his sound with a pick, a jazz bass, full tone pot, and LaBella tapes. That's the sound of pop/rock/ska in my book.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Graham Mabey (Joe Jackson band) got his sound with a pick, a jazz bass, full tone pot, and LaBella tapes. That's the sound of pop/rock/ska in my book.

Graham Maby specifically mentions Rotosound tapes in this interview:
Joe Jackson bassist Graham Maby looks back at four decades of bass playing with the songwriting great

 

[woodyng2]

View attachment 5188481
Rear shot

I had one in the milky white color- Loved the bass, should’ve kept it but traded for a ‘57 AVRI Precision.

 

[cujodos]

G&L 2000. I put them on, and would not consider ever taking them off. Ghs from over 10 years ago.

 

[JC BASS 91]

If I ever get myself a semi-hollow bass, I will put tapewound strings on it.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Welcome to the fabulous world of tapes!

Do note that tapes will probably be noisy with passive instruments, so you might want to look into an active bass. Something about your fingers not touching the metal of the string but the nylon and grounding.

Potential issue with single coil passive , non issue with low impedance actives , ie. EMG. Non to Minimal issue with humbucking passives, ie. ‘57 style p . IME.

 

[LowWay]

The tapes are a non issue with my nordy big rigs. In fact, this bass sounds amazing with tapes:

nordy big rigs and a piezo, 30” fretless semi-hollow. Plus it’s pretty.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I used to gig black tapes on a fretless acoustic bass guitar. Very nice combo! Some of the double bass vibe, but really its own thing. Here's how it sounds with a guitar and mandolin at a local gig.

 

[DeltaPhoenix]

I have tapes on a 30” Chambered, Fretless Veillette Minotaur 5 string (E-C). As I understand it, this bass was designed with LaBella Blacks as the string for them. I love the sound and feel of these strings.