Stock strings on fretless?

[bassmonkeee]

I've got a fretless Bongo on the way (supposedly July, but I'm not going to hold my breath).

What strings should I expect it to ship with from the factory?

 

[jubjub721]

iam guessing slinky
i dont think eb makes flatwounds for bass

but all the other mm basses come with slinky, so what would make the bongo different?

 

[TSanders]

Ernie Ball does make a flatwound string in four gauges, so I wouldnt be surprised if it shipped with flats.

 

[jubjub721]

i would

 

[TSanders]

why? 90% of bass companies send fretless basses out with flats.

 

[jongitarz]

It will be strung with Super Slinky's

 

[betterthanfew!]

this is jubs
and i told you

 

[Psychicpet]

It will be strung with Super Slinky's

great, I was wanting to try those out. I had a lighter gauge on my other fretless5 and it sounded great, I might even switch to Super Slinky 5s on my SR5.

Hey Jon..... any sightings on our fretless Bongos maybe making it out of the paint shop????

 

[jongitarz]

Peter...Nothing yet...Sorry

 

[xcental34x]

Fender ships fretless MIMs with flats.

 

[Disquieter]

so, the mm fretlesses ship stock with super slinkys..

wow...ok, any reason for this? is there something special about the fretboards that makes them less succeptable to damage from the string?

or is it a cost factor?

i donno, it seems to me that a fretless bass of this caliber would be shipped with the more popular string choice for that style.


maybe i'm wrong.
joel D.

 

[midopa]

It's because the reg. strings are called "Super." I'd rather have super strings on my bass than Group III strings (http://www.ernieball.com/products_strings_bassflat.php). Say those two out loud. "Super Strings" and "Group 3 Strings." I feel "Super Strings" sounds far more sexier than the later.

Super Strings Bass Groove Attack 120% GO!!!

 

[Psychicpet]

This is my cause so I will keep on with it...............

NEVER PUT FLATS ON A FRETLESS!!!!

if you want to sound like an upright... GET ONE!!!!!


ahhhh..... better now

 

[Bassplyr]

Isn't the reason people use flats on a fretless is to keep stings from digging into the fretboard? Yes, it's a different sound, but at least it preserves the board longer.

 

[Psychicpet]

I've had roundwounds on my Purpleheart boarded fretless for 4 1/2 years now with some pretty consistent and constant playing and it's no where even close to being chewed-up. I know that it's one of the reasons people put flats on but I think the main reason is a tone thing. Besides, with flatd you never get the "mwah".... and as the Bongo is all about the Boomness, fretless is all about the Mwahness....
but hey, whatever lifts your kilt, if flats do it for ya on a fretless then giv'er.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Isn't the reason people use flats on a fretless is to keep stings from digging into the fretboard? Yes, it's a different sound, but at least it preserves the board longer.

]

Wear and tear is inevitable. I've always been of the thinking that you strive for the sound you hear in your head--not what protects the fingerboard.

You can always get a fingerboard replaned, dressed, replaced, etc...

If I didn't drive so much, I wouldn't have to replace my tires as often, either. But, that's not going to change my driving habits.

Instrument upkeep is a part of being a musician.

I like the sound of both flats and rounds on a fretless. The Bongo was ordered with the intention of dropping some TI Powerbass or Superalloy strings on there. And, since I've got a US Curbow fretless with TI Flats, I'll have the other option if I want it, too.