Jammin' with my Rob Allen MB-2 fretless | 05 String test - La Bella Black Nylon vs. White Nylon

Read more abouit this test here:
gigbyte.wordpre...
In this video I'm comparing the sound of the La Bella Black Nylon Tape and the White Nylon Tape strings on my Rob Allen Guitars MB-2 fretless bass.
The MB-2 standard strings is the Black Nylon and it's the string that Rob Allen puts on his fretless instruments.
I wanted to try the fairly new White version of this string and decided to make a video where I play different styles on both sets of strings. I have versions with lined (DI:ed sound) and miked cabinet sound. Some examples uses a mix of DI'd and miked sound).
What I used in this video:
LaBella Strings
www.labella.com...
www.labella.com...
Rob Allen Guitars MB-2 fretless bass
www.roballengui...
RMI Basswitch IQ/DI
www.rmi.lu/prod...
Aguilar Tonehammer 500
Aguilar SL-112 cabinet
www.aguilaramp....
AKG C414 microphone
Universal Audio Apollo
#roballenguitars #labellastrings #basswitch #aguilaramp #gruvgear #universalaudio #apollo

[@bottomsupbass]

Just seeing these white strings for the first time today. I can't speak for playability but I'm sure engineers love this tone. Totally clean, usable goodness. I've gotta try a set.

[@bassMAGics]

Yeah! They are a really nice addition to the sound of the black set. At the moment I'm using their Copper set. It's also a nice color, somewhat inner wee the black and white sets!

[@jazzman1954]

Great to hear an intelligent demo with no talking bull s.

[@faustobrusamolino6345]

Stellar playing, absolutely impressive

[@bassMAGics]

Thank you!🙏

[@myworms]

I'm also a fan of the white nylon copper strings that you mentioned in the comments. I even ditched a set of expensive flats for them and didn't look back.

[@bassMAGics]

+Brandon Stanley Yeah! The copper ones have stayed on my MB-2 for quite some time now, I really love them!

[@ethanlocke3604]

Best comparison vid I’ve seen. I’m considering getting some of the white ones for my new six string

[@bassMAGics]

Thanks Ethan! Also please consider the White Copper! Those are the strings on my MB-2 now. Have hade them for quite some time now and they only get better and better over time. I’d say the Copper ones are somewhere in between the black and regular white versions when it comes to tone! Happy tone hunting and music making!

[@ethanlocke3604]

@@bassMAGics i do mix in some slap stuff some, so I’m worried with the darker ones it won’t come out enough, but I’ll check out some videos of the white coppers first!

[@sabschmi]

Thanks so much for this video. They both sound wonderful. I got the DAddario black nylons on one of my Jazzbasses and I love them, but they are a little short. perhaps I will try the ones from LaBella. I also got the LaBella Flatwounds and they are amazing...Greetings from Germany!

[@bassMAGics]

Thank YOU! I'm glad you found this video useful! LaBella also have a Copper Nylon string. I have used them for quite some time now. They are somewhat in between the black and white nylons sound vise!

[@Fili2009able]

Very nice video thanks for sharing,I'll try these strings next time I buy some (they're available only on line ) I like black nylon Rotosound strings but last time I went to a music store they don't sell them any more so I did buy what they have and now I also like Ddadario coated black strings.

[@bassMAGics]

Thank you! Hope you will like these strings on your bass. Do you plan to use them on a fretted or fretless bass?

[@Fili2009able]

Both, I play salsa and I like them on my Ken Smith (weird for some musicians lol) and I made a 4 strings fretless bass guitar (trying to learn how to play it) I tried flats strings but I don't like the high tension. The Dadario are pretty good so far.

[@gametheoryplus]

This is a really useful comparison and well done. Thank you for taking the time!

[@bassMAGics]

Thanks! I'm glad you found it useful! Will soon try another string option for this bass!

[@jazzbassist]

what a great demo.

[@bassMAGics]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!

[@digitaldesigner5284]

Tapes in a fretless is the real deal bro.

[@bassMAGics]

Thanks! I still prefer “tapes” on my MB-2. Since this video was shot I have moved on to the LaBella Copper White set and it’s the best of both worlds, nice soft top end warm low end!

[@hifinphoto]

most beautiful tone i've ever heard. Don't shoot me, but i'm curious: how does it sound with a pick ?

[@bassMAGics]

Thanks! Don't usually play this bass with a pick but I will try to get around to do a video that features some pick playing! :)

[@petermikolay]

04:25 Angelo Badalamenti likes this 😎 Ps: Don't take the ring, Laura..! 😬

[@littledomi75]

Préférence cordes noirs (Black nylon).

[@MRegah]

Great, that was very helpful and well done, thanks! How would you rate the string tension of nylon strings, compared with regular roundwounds or flatwounds..?

[@bassMAGics]

Thanks!🙏 I would say the overall feeling is they that are softer, smoother and the tension is not that far from a regular roundwound string. On this Rob Allen MB-2 I have always just played tape wounds. I still have the bass use the LaBella Cooper White Nylon strings now. In fact the same set has been on this bass for quite a few years now. They last for a long time! So if you find a suitable tape wound string for a certain bass you can be happy and probably skip re-stringing for a while! :)

[@MRegah]

@@bassMAGicsAwesome, thank you, that was very helpful! Just ordered a set. Very curious.

[@bassMAGics]

@@MRegah I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do!

[@littledomi75]

Jolie basse, sonne vraiment bien...

[@djolenis3]

How high is the action on your bass? I got a mb2 fretless unlined and love it, action is just under 5mm on E string and 3.5 on G at 12th fret. Plays surprisingly easy but the truss rod is tight as it gets and i wonder if yours is similar?

[@nunoharris]

Hi. Are the Tapewounds similar to Flatwounds in sound and feel or the Tapewounds sound more similar to the Double Bass sound ? Thanks

[@bassMAGics]

The tapewounds are a bit warmer than flats in my opinion. A nickel/steel/copper core with a nylon wrap instead of steel/nickel on steel/nickel (flats)

[@SonnyGTA]

very cool!! So black nylon is a lower sound......and the metal strings are the higher sound...sort of?

[@bassMAGics]

Yes, I think you nailed it! :) Now I use the Copper Nylon strings that are somewhere in between the black and white in sound. Those are really nice too!

[@dinsmoor366]

no I haven't read the blog. where might I find it and I still don't seem to understand the mic'd bit.

[@dinsmoor366]

I see that you " miked" some of these examples. I dont seem to see a mike in the video. How did you do this. Could you also explain about the pick up system and if there is an internal preamp.

[@bassMAGics]

+matt Green Hi, Have you read the blog post where I write more about my test? There is also more info in this review: roballenguitars.com/reviews/mb2_gw_03-1998.pdf

[@andriejusradcenko2895]

wow sounds amazing

[@bassMAGics]

Thank you!

[@colingentile]

Thank you so much for this video Magnus ! Excellent playing and tones !! What do you think about the Basswitch IQ ?

[@bassMAGics]

••• MOLNFABRIK ••• Thanks! I have used my Basswitch a lot since I got it back in 2013. It’s been used at gigs, tours and in the studio. The flexibility is really nice and I always get lots of compliments from sound engineers because of the fantastic built in DI. It’s great to always have a great DI and not having to rely on whatever DI are available! I’m a happy camper! :)

[@colingentile]

@@bassMAGics , thank you very much for this reply ! I'm hearing plenty of good things on this Basswitch but never took the time to test one. I'll give it a try, for sure ! Take good care of you.

[@pdqcarrera]

Well done Magnus. This is an excellent comparison. If only it were a 5 string with a low B comparison. Is there a tension difference between the 2 sets? Can you offer a judgement of the tension in general and between other types of strings? FWIW - I've been using Thomastik-infeld acousticore strings on a Rick Turner RB5FL that I trust is very similar to your MB2. I'd like to go for a more an acoustic double-bass sound now which those LaBella nylons will offer.

[@bassMAGics]

+pdqcarrera I'd say the tension is pretty much the same on these sets. The black ones have a bit more warmth and low end. FYI I have used the Copper White version for more then a year now. I feel that these strings are between the black and white ones. A good balance! Will try the black strings soon again but for now I'm really happy with the copper ones. Good luck with your string hunting!

[@victorbarnes6898]

The strings should sound exactly the same except for age. The black set is about 3 years older than the white which were new. That's what we are hearing.

[@bassMAGics]

Victor Barnes I understand your point but don’t totally agree. There is a difference between these strings even if it might be easier to hear when they’re new. My favorite LaBella tapewound now is the Copper-veraion. For me they fall in between the white and black versions. All the best!

[@victorbarnes6898]

@@bassMAGics You're right! According to LaBella, they are made from different blends of metal. I have a P-Bass with a Jazz neck that is just the most comfortable bass I've ever owned and I just use it in the studio but I need a string that can go from full range and full sustain to Motown thump with a mute and the tone knob turned down. I get close in the mids with compression wounds and even the Earnie Ball cobalt flats but neither get enough Motown thump. I really like the tone of the LaBella tape wounds you used. Which set do you think would give me the thump I need when I use a mute? Thanks.

[@bassMAGics]

@@victorbarnes6898 I guess the classic sound is with the original black ones! Those has the most amount of low end I think! Before I stated using Labella I used Rotosounds Tape Wounds. In Sweden where I live they were the easiest to get hold of back then (Early 90-s) Nowadays I use LaBella on most of my basses. My main fretted bass is a Rob Allen Solid 4. On that bass I use the LaBella RX. Although they are a round wound string I can get a nice thump-y sound when I pull out the volume knob! This is the same as turning the tone all the way down. I can also choose different frequency for that "roll off" but It sound good with the "factory" one so I haven'r messed with that...yet!)

[@victorbarnes6898]

@@bassMAGics I really like the demos of the Black. I'm getting them.

[@nunoharris]

Hi. Can those tapewounds sound great with distortion and fuzz ? Thanks

[@bassMAGics]

I can make a video if you want!? At the moment I have the copper version of these strings on that bass. If I use a magnetic mic instead of the built in piezo the distortion would be different too. I can try this and make a short vid. Let me know!

[@waynechurchill7212]

Great job love black love la bella

[@bassMAGics]

Thanks Wayne!

[@Stick3x]

Tape was way fatter sounding. Both sound great though.

[@bassMAGics]

True! The Black Nylon are fatter sounding! I have since this video a new favorite, the copper nylon! A blend of the black and white versions in my opinion!

[@Stick3x]

I found a 2010 5 string model of this bass in mint condition for a good price. I am wondering if the La Bella low tension flats that I use would work on it. You sound excellent by the way. Been subscribed for years.@@bassMAGics

[@Powershotknecht]

cool

[@bassMAGics]

Thanks!

[@stellarbass]

good evening and congratulations, I wanted to ask a technical question. I bought the black nylon 760 n La Bella strings for my bass but the E string is short. The silk part is too long and it ends up on the first fret. Could it be a factory defect?

[@bassMAGics]

Alex Massimi Hi Alex, The regular long scale strings are a bit to short. Rob uses the xtra long scale version of these strings because of the string through body design of his basses. Maybe you can use the strings on another bass (or sell them) and get the xtra long strings instead. Good luck!

[@stellarbass]

@@bassMAGics thank you very much...i'll buy the extralong series...have a nice weekend..

[@bassMAGics]

Alex Massimi You’re welcome! Happy New 2019!

[@Fili2009able]

Have you tried the Gold white nylon La bella strings ? I think they are the 'regular' white and the golden white nylon

[@bassMAGics]

No, haven't tried the Gold ones. Would love to though! LaBella says this on their webpage: The Gold White Nylon Tape Wound bass strings are the latest addition to our popular tape wound lineup! Constructed with Golden Alloy (80/20 brass) underlays, these strings are brighter in tone compared to the Copper White Nylon Tape Wounds, and also have dramatically increased attack and sustain.

[@eisenyeo]

I have the Gold White, Black and White, here's my opinion, Gold White doesn't sound good on a fretless, but great for slap on a fretted. White nylon sounds good on a fretless and the Black nylon has a harder sound than the White, other than that they both sound great, but I personally prefer the White on a fretless and Black or Gold on fretted. Hope this helps.

[@kensison9975]

What's that thing around the neck of the bass? I've been trying to find out the correct terminology for it.

[@exebassman]

Ken Sison To remove harmonics, we just call it the "thing"

[@eisenyeo]

It's called FretWraps made by Gruv Gear. Or you could get a hair band, helps you play cleaner without B/E strings rumbling when you play on higher register or when you taps.

[@ulis3082]

what do you like (sound and feel) the best?

[@bassMAGics]

You can read about my thoughts here: hxxp://gigbyte.wordpress(dot)com/2014/05/03/jammin-with-my-rob-allen-mb-2-and-a-la-bella-string-test/ There is also a link in the description of the video!

[@bassMAGics]

It's really hard to choose if I like the black or white strings more than the other. The white ones are a little brighter sounding and maybe has a little bit smoother surface. Other then that both set are really perfect on my Rob Allen bass. I will try yet another string set from LaBella soon... Will post about this when it's done!

[@Funmodescondidas]

when strings get old they lose the classic fretless sound?

[@Leiria65]

These dont get old (the black/white around may fall off but they don't get old they just suddenly split and that's it)

[@dkk003]

Does the La Bella strings fit on a Kala Ubass? Thanks

[@bassMAGics]

No. These strings require a 34 inch (of maybe 32 inch) bass I'm afraid. Pyramid has a similar set for Ubass. Please check my review on playubass(dot)com for more info.

[@bassbirdman]

What type of bass I this

[@bassMAGics]

It's a Rob Allen Guitars MB-2 fretless bass. It has a semi hollow body and uses a piezo - under the saddle pickup. No regular magnetic pickup. This gives the bass a special sound character which I really like a lot. It's also very well built, lightweight with a super smooth neck and fingerboard. A joy to play :-)

[@BarnabyJonez]

white > black

[@BarnabyJonez]

really great video i might add, very thorough

[@Leiria65]

Thats racist

[@bassMAGics]

+Leiria65 I'm sorry you think that this is racist...I can't really help that these strings has different names referring to the color of the strings. I can assure you that there is nothing racist about this AT ALL!

[@Leiria65]

+Magnus Sjöquist I was joking... (I admit it was a really bad one though)

[@Leiria65]

+Magnus Sjöquist Also thanks for uploading the video, its really well done and the playing is excellent. Im going to get the black tapewounds on my fretless soon because of this. Wish I could afford a Rob Allen now...

[@dinsmoor366]

no I haven't read the blog. where might I find it and I still don't seem to understand the mic'd bit.

[@bassMAGics]

Link to blog post can be found in the description on the video! The mic is placed just an inch off axis. It's just outside of the video angles. That's why it's not visible! I recorded every example with both mic and DI and then decided what to use. Lower third titles show when I use the different combinations.