LaBella Black Nylon 6- strings set: will they fit?

TheKingOfPain

TheKingOfPain

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Hi, I was thinking about changing the Black Labels on my brand new Thumb fretless 6er, and my mind went straight to Labella's Tapewounds. The fact is, they recently modified the gauge of their 760N-CB set (just checked on the official catalogue available on ttheir website), so now is .043-.060-.070-.094-.115-.135. My fear is: will the C sit just fine on the saddle and, most important, in the JustANut III without filing it? It's more that twice the gauge of the Black Label I have on right now! And what about all the other ones? They're all much bigger.
If they're not quite the best choice, what are the gauge limits for every string so that it fits in the JANIII? I ask you who have more experiencs in order not to waste money and time.
Thanks in advance.
 
Good question, I'm interested to hear an experts opinion on this, but I am thinking that perhaps the nylon exterior of the string will be more compressive/flexible and may squeeze into a smaller diameter saddle/nut. But don't take my word for it, good luck!
 
I've actually tuned 4-string Warwicks to BEAD without any permanent modification whatsoever, so don't worry too much. The strings are consistantly thicker so the JANIII should take well to the new strings.

Keep in mind that tapewound strings are just roundwound strings with a nylon overwrap, so the change isn't as drastic as it seems! To me, they sound like broken-in rounds that never lose their treble and are much less clacky. They're very easy to slide on. They have less tension than normal flats, are smoother, and have way more top end that lasts forever! They'd be great on a fretless if you can get used to the feel.
 
Thanks a lot, I think I'll give 'em a try. I must add that a .045 gauge for a C string is pretty huge (I have a .020 on now...), if you think that it's usually the gauge for a G... the other ones too are very big, only the B string is "standard".
 
I'm not sure I can make this make sense, but it's not "really" .045. Well, it... is... but it's because of the nylon overwrap that really adds no tension. There's probably a .025 roundwound under there and .020 of nylon wrapping. I have tapewounds on one of my fretlesses and to me I can't tell that the E string's a .115 or that the A is a .90.

In conclusion, consider the strings to be the same gauge as any other string, just that the last layer of overwrap is considerably thicker than others - not that there's actually more string. Make sense? No? Ok fine *shoots self* :P
 
I know, and you really made your point clear. It's just I didn't know how much of the gauge is made from the "real" gauge and how much is the nylon wrapping.
The thing I feared was not in term of tension, but in terms of "total gauge" that is .045 even if this number is the result of a .025 string + 0.020 nylon wrapping (or whatever are the real values). As a matter of fact, my concern was "will they sit in the JAN III, on the saddles and in the tail-piece properly?", the tension is just a matter of setup.
If you say that a .060 instead of a .045, and so on, are gonna fit, I trust you and give it a try. Thanks again ;)
 
So, did you end up trying the tapewounds? I'm curious to hear the results as I'm deciding between Rotosound Swing Bass nickels and TruBass nylons for my fretless.
 
thefitz said:
So, did you end up trying the tapewounds? I'm curious to hear the results as I'm deciding between Rotosound Swing Bass nickels and TruBass nylons for my fretless.
Click to expand...

At the moment I'm stickin' to flats (Galli), but I'll surely try 'em some day.
 
After reading this discussiion a month ago I was intruiged and I decided to try some LaBella Black Nylon tapewounds on my fretless thumb. So far I am liking the feel and sound
(and look). I'll try to post some clips if I get a chance.
 
The LaBella's Black Nylons are really beautiful strings. I don't know if they fit into the saddle of a six string, most probably they will, but even if adjustment is needed to do it is worth it. Also the LaBella are not really high tension compared to other strings of the same gauge.

@Thefitz: The rotosound TruBass are not the same at all, I had tried them first because were easier and cheaper to get. I had them on for over a year and was never convinced by their sound, they have a very plastic like feel to them and take away a lot of sustain. I'm not saying they are bad they have a particular and interesting sound to them, I used them for some metal recordings, you can get an amazing very dark trebly punch of them. I liked it.
Now I got the LaBella as a gift, what a wonderful gift I must admit, such warm singing strings. No other strings I have heard of compare to them. Best is to try them all out and see for oneself if you can spare them, but I suggest first to give the LaBella's a shot, they are wonderful.

Regards!
 
TheKingOfPain said:
Nice nrssab, thanks for sharing.
Click to expand...

Your more than welcome! A Thumb fretless is an excellent choice.
As soon as I get my fretless warwick back from the luthier (needs a little fixing on the fretboard) I will give it a shot at making a few soundclips with the LaBella strings. What sound are you looking for with your Thumb? Jaco like or imitating an upright or bassy mwah, etc.. You tell me.

Regards!
 
Strange - Fender tapewounds are roundwounds with a nylon coating and I remember reading Rotos were the same thing. Too bad! I'm trying to settle on strings... I just installed a set of Nickel Rotosound Swing Bass on my $$ and will install a set of Rotobass strings on my fretless once the D'Addarios (mercifully) die.
 
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