• 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.

Which Tapewounds are Most Like Steel?

Count Bassie

Count Bassie

Supporting Member
Jun 10, 2006
16,784
64,486
Smithfield, RI
#1
I'm talking tension, response, harmonics...
I've got a set of D'Addario tapes on a Sterling Ray34ca and like them, but the E string is starting to fray at its bridge saddle and I need to replace soon.
Any recs? And my question is just a way to start in on it, but I wonder what characteristics can be attributed to a nylon covered string- the D'Addarios appear to be round wound steel covered with a flat nylon winding.
How many renditions of tapewounds are there?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wyrdlow
#2
.BumeStik.

Thread 'TapeWound Club~Anyone?'

I am a Tapewound convert. I have gone from playing Nickels, to rounds, to flats, to STRICTLY Tapes. I LOVE Tapewound strings. I have played D'Addario and La'Bella Tapes. I love them BOTH on specific basses. Anyone else out there in LOVE with Tapewounds??? o_O From Fretted to fretless, country to metal, I have found the sound I dig by going Tapes.... Chime in if you are a Tapewound Fan, too PLEASE!

PS... I searched to see if a Tapewound club already exists. I found nothing....
  • Like
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lo-E and Count Bassie
#8
On the other side, if you were looking for tapes that sound more like flats than rounds, GHS tapewounds are made with a mix of flat and roundwound strings covered in black nylon, and they sound and feel more like a lighter gauge steel flat (medium tension). At 50-105, they don't require messing with the nut either. I've used the 50-105 La Bella black tapes and found them a bit floppier than I liked and though they're the darkest sounding La Bella tape, they sounded more like more rounds than I wanted on my fretless Fender P. If I wanted a bright roundwound sound, I'd just use rounds on it (as I sometimes do). I wanted something darker and GHS tapes work for that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Freddy T
#9
Some tapes are round core, some are hex core. This probably more than anything affects the sound, also the flexibility. One thing to consider is how the extra diameter created by the tape wrap will work with your bridge and nut. I think regardless of the brand and core, tapes are going to be more percussive sounding than flats, and will have less tension.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Count Bassie
#10
I've been using TruBass 88 tapes for years on one of my jazz basses, but I would not call them bright at all. They can have a bit of twang when new, but they are otherwise very dark. I have the D'Addarios on another bass and they're entirely different. They are much "brighter" and aren't nearly as smooth or sturdy as the TruBass 88 strings.

Fender used to make a "ribbed" tapewound which was strange. You could really feel the underlying windings on that string.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Phaidrus
#13
GroovinOnFunk said:
Lol. Weird comment. That's literally the opposite of what he's after. Why?
Click to expand...

Barton Lee said:
I guess I misinterpreted the question. I did not assume that steel meant rounds only. Feel free to disregard my comment.
Click to expand...
Yeah, my first thought was "Sounds like stainless steel rounds or stainless steel flats?" because they're both steel and sound very different. Especially since the OP was coming from D'Addario tapes, which are gonna be more flats-sounding than rounds-sounding.
 
#19
I am in agreement with the folks suggesting La Bella white tapes. They have a sound that is similar to that of broken-in rounds. Obviously, they feel nothing like rounds due to the outer nylon wrap. But the round-like sound is there IMO/IME. There's a good amount of brightness for a tapewound string in La Bella's white tapes. And the sound will stay roughly the same for a long time. Tapes are in general capable of being long-lasting strings unless you're really rough with them. I think either Light (750T) or Medium (760T) sets will work for you. It really depends on how flexible and springy you like your strings to feel. I like 'em flexible, so it's the Light set for me. If you like your strings to fight back a bit more then you'll want the 760T set. You might need to widen the nut slots on your bass a smidge to accommodate the 760T set.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Element Zero, Count Bassie, ajkula66 and 2 others
#20
I wonder if I could custom order some rope core, nylon wound strings from a Chinese company. Traditional Chinese instruments often use this type of strings, which combines the brightness and sustain of steel with the soft touch and chunky attack of nylon - truly best of both worlds.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back