What strings for a fretless Stingray?

[Chris Tarman]

I just bought a Sterling by Music Man Ray 34ca fretless. I was wondering what strings people prefer for fretless Stingrays. I don't really like the strings that are on it (not sure what they are). It may be that I'm just not used to new strings. They sound ok, but they hurt my fingers! I don't want to tear up the fingerboard, but I don't know how flats would sound on a Stingray. I want it to still sound like a Stingray, if that makes sense. I love the way flats sound on a Fender Jazz or Precision though!
Any thoughts?

 

[MrMusashi]

buy a pair of flats.. they will last you forever so its not such an expensive investment

personally i prefer roundwounds on a fretless, but i dont play so much that fretboard wear is an issue for me..

try it, the flats will give you that thump that suits the musicmans so well

MrM

 

[Tollywood]

I put flat wounds on my fretless and I love how they feel. Sooooo smooth.

 

[Chris Tarman]

Well, I was kind of leaning towards flats, so that's probably what I'll do. Unless like 50 people come on and vote on round wounds.

 

[Chris Tarman]

How are the Ernie Ball flatwounds?

 

[OldManMusic]

I've got the same SBMM fretless. I tried a set of flats on it but I liked the original EB Slinky rounds that came stock, so they went back on and have stayed there. It's not my main player so I'm not worried about the fretboard wear.

 

[njhammer]

I have EB flatwounds on my fretless SR5 and love them. Had roundwounds on it when I bought it (used) but I really prefer the flats.

 

[KevinM]

EB Flats.
http://www.ernieball.com/products/bass-strings?filter[501]=4621

Now you just have to decide which size. I think the Group III's are the same as the stock strings.

 

[Golem]

`

There's always the 1/2 rounds. Nobody but me likes them,
thaz why D'A keeps on producing them ... to sell me a new
set every few years. I only buy a set when a I add another
bass to the herd. They don't seem to ever die on the job.
I dig the "072" which are pure nickel alloy. The "172" are
nickel plated steel, and misleadingly called "Nickel Wound"
on the packaging. Not really untrue, just uninformative.

Do not eat with your fingers while on break when playing
nickel strings. You won't suddenly die, but it tastes awful.
Will you slowly die ? Acoarst you will. We're all doing that.

 

[SBMM]

The stock string on the SBMM Ray34CAFL are Ernie Ball Slinky

 

[Chris Tarman]

The stock string on the SBMM Ray34CAFL are Ernie Ball Slinky

That's what I thought. I've used Slinkys a lot in the past, and I like them. But it's been a long time since I had brand new strings on any of my 8 basses, and I'm just not used to them! The fact that I play ukulele a lot more often than bass (unless I'm gigging or practicing with a band, that is) also doesn't help!