The buzz about tapewounds...

[Claymore]

Are there any tapewound or coated strings in which the wrap is electrically conductive? I love Labella tapes and DR Black Beauties but there is an undeniable buzz unless I am making contact with the bridge. Does such a thing exist? If not, why? Surely those chaps at NASA can come up with something. There must be some kind of flexible coating that can keep the strings grounded when you are in contact with them. Any thoughts? (besides pointing out that I don't understand electricity)

 

[Gorn]

I could be wrong, but I think DR dragon skin's coating is conductive. Tapes, nope.

 

[Claymore]

I could be wrong, but I think DR dragon skin's coating is conductive. Tapes, nope.

That is helpful. I haven't tried those yet. Appreciate the tip.

 

[Gorn]

That is helpful. I haven't tried those yet. Appreciate the tip.

Wait till more people chime in before you spend any money though. I think most of DR's coated strings are non conductive but there's one variety that is. Someone more knowledgeable will know for sure.

 

[Root 5]

Are there any tapewound or coated strings in which the wrap is electrically conductive? I love Labella tapes and DR Black Beauties but there is an undeniable buzz unless I am making contact with the bridge. Does such a thing exist? If not, why? Surely those chaps at NASA can come up with something. There must be some kind of flexible coating that can keep the strings grounded when you are in contact with them. Any thoughts? (besides pointing out that I don't understand electricity)

If your instrument is well shielded or active, it will be very quiet with tapewounds.

 

[subdude67]

Wait till more people chime in before you spend any money though. I think most of DR's coated strings are non conductive but there's one variety that is. Someone more knowledgeable will know for sure.

I used Dragon Skins on my P bass that usually has tapes and they are indeed conductive.

 

[Wesley R]

As a tape fanatic/addict for decades, I have had Tapewounds cause hum or static or any some such issues.

 

[mcnach]

Tapewounds/coated strings tend to highlight instruments with deficient shielding. You may not quieten the beast completely (it depends on the bass) but whenever I encountered this problem (a few times, as I love tapewounds) redoing the shielding in 'paranoid mode' always helped significantly.

 

[tb-player]

Are there any tapewound or coated strings in which the wrap is electrically conductive? I love Labella tapes and DR Black Beauties but there is an undeniable buzz unless I am making contact with the bridge. Does such a thing exist? If not, why? Surely those chaps at NASA can come up with something. There must be some kind of flexible coating that can keep the strings grounded when you are in contact with them. Any thoughts? (besides pointing out that I don't understand electricity)

I had a p-bass with LaBella tape wounds and had the exact same issue. I started playing with a wireless unit instead of a cord and the problem was completely solved, since the wireless broke the physical connection.

It was a great fix and allowed me to keep the strings I loved.

 

[e-flat]

I bit the bullet and purchased a large roll of conductive shielding tape a while back. Over the course of a couple weeks, I shielded all of my Basses as time permitted. They are all dead silent now, and I can run tapes on any of them. Cheap and easy solution that will serve your signal well whether or not you’re running tapes.