Low B with tapewounds

[ColdEye]

How is the low B on the La Bella tapewounds? My 5 string jazz bass is in need of some new strings and I am thinking in getting the white copper or gold, I am under the impression that they are brighter sounding than the other flavors.

 

[iiipopes]

I gig the La Bella White Tapes 5-string set in the regular .060 gauge set on my Ibby SRA-305 party bass upgraded with an EMG 40CS in the neck and 40JX in the bridge. To me, the tone and intonation of the White Tapes' B-string is consistent with the rest of the strings in the set. I think the particular gauge used (there's only one - .135), even though supplied with both the light and regular gauge sets, goes better with the .050 light gauge set as far as consistent tension and feel. So on my bass with the regular gauge La Bella White Tapes, I tune the B string up to C to get consistent tension and feel as well as consistent tone and intonation.

Generally, since the White Tapes (not to be confused with La Bella's gold or copper tapes) are stainless steel rounds wrapped with the clear nylon, I find only a slight damping of the top end compared to a settled in set of conventional rounds. So the White Tapes, the brightest toned of all the nylon tapewound strings out there, may not be a favorite of a hard core slap bassist or a metal grinder, but for my broad repertoire party band (50's to 90's, incl. "classics" and horns) they do very well indeed!

Also, the nylon is thick, but does not noticeably increase mass. So a regular gauge set of La Bella nylon tapes has about the same tension as a set of 45-100 conventional roundwounds, and the light gauge has about the same tension as a set of 35-90, with a light B string added.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Excellent, I found no problems with mine. The B-string is just a little fatter than your average string, so keep that in mind. Mine fit in the nut slot with no problems.

 

[bassist4dalord]

I've played D'Addario Tapewound B-string and, as of yesterday, La Bella Game of Death Gold Tapewound B-string. Inherent with the design of the string, the B on both sets seems looser than on a nickel or stainless steel set. Not uncontrollably floppy, but they are low tension.

I'll let you know how the La Bellas feel in a band context sometime soon.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I have no experience with the white copper or gold, but the low B on Labella 760N black tapewound strings sounds killer. Big an phat and gastric-episode-inducing, yet articulate with very clear pitch distinction.