Dean Exotica Acoustic Upgrades

Gear
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This is my Dean Exotica Acoustic - “Rosanna”

I bought it to play “unplugged,” which really doesn’t happen now. I love playing it for certain songs, but it is noisy, and the tuners are terrible (lots of slack/backlash).

I plan to have the tuners replaced with Gotoh GB707 Gold. I also plan to change from Phosphor Bronze strings to tapewounds, looking to give this instrument her own tonal personality. Doing extensive homework, I have down-selected to either D’Addario Black Nylon Tapewounds (50-105) or LaBella Gold White Nylon Tapewounds.

I would like some opinions on these choices, please - especially if you own the same Bass. I have chatted online with a player who owns two of these and has the D’Addarios on both. He has one YT video playing with them installed and I like the tone.

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If you’re not going the typical phosphor bronze route the D’Addarios would be a great choice. The gold tapes are an entirely different animal and quite thick. I really disliked them. I don’t think they would be suited for an acoustic. I can’t remember what I had them in but they came off awful fast.

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I have the black tapes on my fender acoustic and I like them. Gets rid of the string noise and sound good

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I forgot to add, you may need to file your nut, otherwise you risk cracking it- ask me how I know…

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Thanks. I will have my Luthier install them since he is swapping the tuners out as well.

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I definitely love the feel and playability of the D’Addario, I have all 3 version of the gold tapewound La Bella they are all great, it cal produce more clacking but playing through amp is not an issue. La Bella also has more sparkle especially on gold and whit gold, not as much on copper gold.

This is the La Bella white gold tape wound

This is comparing several strings, among them the D’Addario Tape wound and La Bella Tape wound.

There’s definitely more bite and expression on the La Bella

This is only Tape wound

As for the tuner, I’m a lifetime fan now of the Ratio Tuner by graph tech so for just a bit more I rather get them. Full turn per note is such a luxury. Of course Gold option is more but it’s worth it.

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Plus you won’t have the great finger smell after playing too, :rofl:

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This is REALLY helpful . . . thanks!

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There’s one for sale on FB right now. It’s a pretty bass.

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She shows off by the door of our music room.

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I’ve been using D’Addario black tapewounds for fourteen years. I have them on both of my Exoticas and I had them on two other Exoticas I sold.
Perfect tension, smooth as silk, amazing tone, and they look great!
Wouldn’t switch strings if Paul McCartney dropped by for tea and suggested I try his favorites.

Slightly warmer tone here.

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Thanks! Have you had tuner backlash problems with either of them?

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You’re welcome.
No problems at all in fourteen years.
Not sure if the older models use the same tuners as the newer models, though…they’ve changed the bridge and the preamp, so anything is possible.

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This is a 2023. The tuners suck , but I will rectify that and the gold hardware will improve the already beautiful appearance.

I tried to get an older one with the previous preamp but I waited too long and it sold.

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Just a note if you decide to go with the D’Addario black tapewounds…bend before cutting.
Other than that, a bit tricky properly seating the strings under the pins.

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Thanks, I will ask my Luthier if he is familiar . . . if not I will pass it on.

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