Fretless Strings

[pan_of_qld]

I noticed Freedok just got himself an SR4 FL and is trying DR Reds with polymer to help save the board.
I just landed an SR5 FL and have ordered some Ken Smith Slicks and GHS Brite Flats.
It would save a lot of outlay and time if there was a database of string encounters.

Anyone have any experiences to share with fretless strings please?

 

[strummer]

I noticed Freedok just got himself an SR4 FL and is trying DR Reds with polymer to help save the board.
I just landed an SR5 FL and have ordered some Ken Smith Slicks and GHS Brite Flats.
It would save a lot of outlay and time if there was a database of string encounters.

Anyone have any experiences to share with fretless strings please?

For fretless, EB flats are great.

 

[freedok]

As a matter of fact, I am picking up a set of EB flats today. I will let ya'all know how they work out.

 

[adouglas]

Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats.

Smooth, yet surprisingly growly. Has to do with an inner roundwound layer between the flat outer layer and the core...or something like that. Great strings.

 

[Joshua]

I need roundwound growl, and have come to rely upon ol' reliable D'addario XLs (nickel).

 

[Aussie Mark]

All my fretless basses wear TI Flats

 

[amper]

For me, it's TI Jazz Flats, D'Addario Chromes, and Rotosound Jazz Bass flats on my fretless instruments. Mainly because I like to experiment with funky tunings (piccolo ranges, fifths), and these companies are the only ones that make flatwounds in six string sets or singles of odd sizes.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

TI Jazz Rounds...trust me...they'll let ya noodle like a jellyfish on 4-way window pane on fretless...

 

[NoFrets80]

Ghs...

I've used GHS Pressurewounds for years on fretless, and most recently on my SUB 4. They sustain as close to rounds as anything I've tried, but are super easy on the board, and easy on the hands too.

 

[Ole Man Blues]

For me, it's TI Jazz Flats, D'Addario Chromes, and Rotosound Jazz Bass flats on my fretless instruments. Mainly because I like to experiment with funky tunings (piccolo ranges, fifths), and these companies are the only ones that make flatwounds in six string sets or singles of odd sizes.

I'm sold on the D'addario Chromes. Smooth and fast with plenty of GROWL on my Stingray.......

OMB

 

[smallequestrian]

TI Jazz Rounds...trust me...they'll let ya noodle like a jellyfish on 4-way window pane on fretless...

Steve knows what he is talking about. My fretless Bongo kills with them...KILLS!

 

[Psychicpet]

Yes, Dude knows best....... ROUNDS ON FRETLESS

I'm a huge advocate of busting the fear of fingerboard mulching by rounds... it may happen over time a bit but that's what good repair guys and a nice quick little fingerboard re-dress is all about and besides... I've been playing fretless for many moons and have yet to chew a fingerboard up enough to have it worked on... FWIW..


but again, opinions are like buttholes, we all got 'em.

 

[MingusBASS]

Here's one more vote for ROUNDS on my fretless. I happen to own the lined twin to Pete's BC Bongo. It freak'n rips.

Andrew

 

[BigBallz]

Yes, Dude knows best....... ROUNDS ON FRETLESS

I'm a huge advocate of busting the fear of fingerboard mulching by rounds... it may happen over time a bit but that's what good repair guys and a nice quick little fingerboard re-dress is all about and besides... I've been playing fretless for many moons and have yet to chew a fingerboard up enough to have it worked on... FWIW..


but again, opinions are like buttholes, we all got 'em.

And some are bigger than others.....

 

[bovinehost]

I am very seriously NOT a fretless player, but I suppose I have owned a few and played even more. (Badly, but is anyone keeping score?)

I liked TI Flats on my fretlessesessses. After playing Mister Equestrian's Bongo the other night at Biff Fest 2006, I have to say - I might have been wrong.

Those Jazz Rounds killed. They really did.

Jack

 

[Father Gino]

I liked TI Flats on my fretlessesessses. After playing Mister Equestrian's Bongo the other night at Biff Fest 2006, I have to say - I might have been wrong.

Those Jazz Rounds killed. They really did.

Oooooooo, I'm tellin' BP what you said in his forum!!! I totally agree, but I ain't sayin' it here no more. Oops! did I just kinda say it again?

Jack, with his inimitable Bovine, martini induced wisdom, has once again hit the nail on the head. He liked flats on a fretless. He also liked rounds on a fretless.

And there lies the secret! They both sound good! Just like flats & rounds have their place in the world of fretted basses. It all comes down to what you want to sound like. In very, very general terms, rounds are going to give you a Jaco like singing sound not super fat. If you want to play all them fancy harmonics, this is the way to go. You'll get more sustain too. Great for rockabilly, swing, rock & roll, country and jazz. Don't be a pussy and worry about wearing out the fretboard. Pau Ferro is pretty hard stuff. Note that EBMM fretless basses come with rounds on them. Yes it will wear the board faster than flats, but it will take years before it's a problem. No one ever seems to worry about frets wearing down and they wear faster with rounds too.

Flats are going to be more like an upright which is hardly a bad thing. Less harmonics, more fundamental. More forgiving for sloppy intonation, especially up the neck. Great for rockabilly, swing, rock & roll, country and jazz. Palm mute them or stuff a piece of foam under the strings near the bridge for that lovely uprighty sustainless thump.

And while we're pissing BP off, I'll also vote for TI Super Alloys which I find to be an interesting compromise between their flats & jazz rounds. BTW, be aware that TI flats & jazz rounds are kind of low tension (loose). They may take some getting used to if you're used to plucking hard. Play with a lighter touch, turn the amp up. Get used to this and you'll be rewarded with a wider variety of sounds. Probably good advice for any strings and any bass, really.

No to get back on BP's good side, I highly recommend getting two if not three MM fretless basses and string them with different strings. That's what I do!

 

[radiotrib]

used to use Superwounds for a long time but D'Addario XL Half-rounds get my vote - my 1980 has an Ebony unlined fingerboard and it hardly shows any damage ... there again, I only use it fairly lightly.

 

[radiotrib]

And there lies the secret! They both sound good!

So all we need is
an SR4 fretless with flats
an SR5 fretless with flats
an SR4 fretless with rounds
an SR5 fretless with rounds
and the same in bongos and sterlings ... permutate against possible pickup/electronics options and add in a few different colour choices to match your shirts, and you have a passable collection of basses ... eh ???

Well .. I guess I'd better sell the ferraris and the yacht then .. heh heh heh ...