JGT checks out La Bella ‘Black Tapes’

ByBob Bakert, Editor November 18, 2019November 18, 2019

Bob Bakert, Editor: I saw and played so many great instruments at the recent Rocky Mountain Archtop Festival in Arvada, CO. One guitar that really caught my attention…

…was the Danny Koentopp guitar (above) which was purpose-built to be strung with La Bella Black Tapes. I had never played Black Tapes before and found the feel and tone to be somewhere between a flat-wound and a nylon string guitar. This guitar is a real treat to play with a unique tone and feel!

Other opinions on La Bella’s Black Tapes:

Dan Koentopp – Koentopp Guitars “Labella Tape Wounds strings are lush and vibrant especially when paired with the right instrument. They feel like a flat wound but maintain the clarity that is sometimes lost with flats. They work better on an instrument that is very well balanced, warmly voiced, with a non-aggressive attack, like the Red Rocket Chicagoan.”

*Koentopp Guitar with La Bella Black Tapes*

George Walker Petit – musician/engineer/producer “…I’ve been using La Bella Black nylon tape wound strings for nearly 30 years on all my archtop guitars. Bucky Pizzarelli introduced me to them at a jazz festival way back. They have a lovely, nearly acoustic sound, and a smooth feel with great frequency response; sounding somewhat darker or less strident than a phosphor bronze or other popular product. The feel and sound is almost like a classical guitar string set…and to play Brazilian, swing, and bop on these is a pleasure!“

For more on La Bella Black Tape Strings.

Bob Bakert, Editor

Bob Bakert’s love of all things guitar started when he was twelve years old. While starting with folk tunes and top 40 music of the day, his interest developed over the years to R&B, rock and of course, jazz. Bob has studied many styles of guitar but improvisation has always been at the heart of his style. He has studied with many prestigious teachers including NY studio legend Andy Roemer and GSU’s Dave Frackenpohl.

In addition to co-founding the Frank Hamilton School of Folk music in Atlanta, Bob has mentored several venues and concert series. He is currently on the board of directors for one of Billboard Magazines “Best Jazz Clubs”, The Velvet Note in Alpharetta, GA.

More recently, Bob was the “Rudder” at Eastman Stringed Instruments – providing guidance on a variety of sales, product development and artist relations projects. As with many in the Jazz Guitar Today audience, Bob has an insatiable appetite for guitar and a desire to share his love of the instrument.