Tapewounds

[Peacefrog35]

I put some Fender Tapewounds on my 4003 today and it sounds great! What do you guys thing about tapewounds? I think it gives a nice vintage tone and wow they are easier on my fingers!

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

used to burn my finger tips when i practiced with my kiss alive album ! gene simmons fret board slides. ouch !

[FretlessOnly]

I'm a big fan of the tone and feel of the Fender set, but I find the E string (0.110) to be too floppy. LaBella tapewounds have a 0.115 E that fights back a bit more. I also have an unused set of the old Rick Electro tapewounds. I'll have to get the calipers out to check the gauges. These are earmarked for my '73 4001FL once it's set up to my liking.

[Peacefrog35]

That's good info to know thanks. I too have noticed that the E is a lil on the floppy side,but wans't sure if it was me not being used to them or if it was because i'm so new to bass. How would you guys say these compare to the sound of flats? I know this has probably been discussed to death and I have done searches,bugt I do appreciate other opinions.

[FretlessOnly]

To my ears there's a snap and growl you can get from tapewounds (not so much the Rotosounds TruBass 88s; I'm talking the Fender and LaBella sets) that you can't really get from regular flats. This particular sound works great on the A, D and G strings, but I think it's not as desireable on the E string.

[cassius987]

I've got Roto 88s on my 4001FL and am really enjoying them--a really nice mellow, pliable tone. I tried them out at Chris Brubeck's mention of them as his strings of choice.

[FretlessOnly]

One set I have yet to try is Fender's nylon filament wound. From the description, it sounds more like a nylon roundwound than a nylon flatwound. From what I remember reading, the gauges are quite large, so some nut filing would be in order.

[Peacefrog35]

I really need to experiment a bit. I've only had these on since yesterday and I like them. I wonder how much they'll change when they get broken in a bit. I have never sued Flats before and wanted some of those,but when I saw the tapewounds at the music store, I figured why not...they were $25. I really want a mellow warm Macca thuddy sound. I'm a newbie to basses and my lessons don't even start until next week,but after it was strung up, I plugged it in to n amp at the shop and everyone said it sounded great when I played Lady Madonna and no one said I sucked so I guess maybe I'll get the hang of it! haha.

[pflash4001]

I have RotoSound TruBass RB88's on my '68 4001. I like them a lot. They feel smooth and not too heavy and sound very mellow. One of my Jazz Basses is strung with DR Black Beauties. I've had those strings on that bass for a LONG time (about 3 yrs) and they still sound great. I love the feel of them and they are well balanced.

[FretlessOnly]

I have a set of Fender tapewounds that's over 13 years old and they sound just like the new set I have on another bass.

[pflash4001]

Come to think of it, I have a Dean Stylist hollowbody that is strung with Fender Tapewounds. I like those as well.

[FretlessOnly]

I broke out my digital calipers and the gauges on my 60s or 70s NOS Rick Electro tapewounds are:

E: 0.120
A: 0.092
D: 0.070
G: 0.055

All are based on the average of three-four measurements along the active length of the string; standard deviation is small; most measurements agreed.

What's better is that given my experience with the Fender tapewound set, these will be far more balanaced in terms of tension (the Fender G is just a bit tight, and the E is too floppy), so my eager fingers will be pulling nice and even on these.

[ilan]

I have tried LaBella's in the past but I prefer the Roto Trubass set. My '64 Gretsch is strung with Roto's. Great acoustic-like tone and the wrapping doesn't feel sticky or rubbery. Highly recommended.

[Peacefrog35]

I may have to try some of those other strings,but for now, I like the Fender Tapes...they are actually starting to break in nicely. They were a little brighter than I wanted,but as someone else suggested on another thread, they break in arounda week or so, then sound good and then last for years.
I also used Zymol for the first time yesterday and love it. When I got this bass, it was nice,but the previous owner didn't baby it. It had one ding barely visible,but was dirty looking...no real shine. She shines like new money now!

[cjj]

That's some nice shine! And don'cha just love the smell of that Zymol?