strings for L1000 fretless

eknivsnikta · #1 09-06-2007, 05:40 PM

i have an '81 L1000 fretless with a mahogany body and an ebony fingerboard. i've been using DR Sunbeams, and i kind of like them, but i think i would like to try something different. i like the smooth feel of the nickel, but the tone doesn't seem to have much "body." i've tried flatwounds, and i just don't like the sound. i haven't tried non-nickel roundwounds, partially for fear of destroying my fingerboard (and my fingers!) any suggestions?

earlgray · #2 09-07-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eknivsnikta

i have an '81 L1000 fretless with a mahogany body and an ebony fingerboard. i've been using DR Sunbeams, and i kind of like them, but i think i would like to try something different. i like the smooth feel of the nickel, but the tone doesn't seem to have much "body." i've tried flatwounds, and i just don't like the sound. i haven't tried non-nickel roundwounds, partially for fear of destroying my fingerboard (and my fingers!) any suggestions?

Have you tried TI Jazz Flats? That's what I've got on my '81 mahogany/maple/fretted L-1000 and they've got that mile-wide tone.

Others like the TI SuperAlloys on a G&L fretless.

danman · #3 09-10-2007, 10:30 AM

I have regular ernie ball roundwounds on my l1000.
They sound great. If my fretboard becomes too beat up from playing...oh well....IMO thats what luthiers are for.

To each his own

danman

eknivsnikta · #4 09-20-2007, 04:39 PM

i put my 8 year old (!) sunbeams back on my bass (after i gave them a good alcohol cleaning) and i think they are marvelous. perhaps they lack the sustain of a new string--but for tone and feel they are wonderful...they get better with age.

**Chef** · #5 09-20-2007, 08:37 PM

DA XL170's...
I've had y L2000E freltess since new in 81, and rounds digging into the ebony has not been an issue.
I'm not an aggressive player tho.

quickervicar · #6 09-21-2007, 06:17 AM

Anyone try the Pyramid Golds? Supposedly last forever. Didn't Sir Paul use them on his Hofner?

**Chef** · #7 09-21-2007, 07:23 AM

From what I've read.
For flats, I like LaBella 760FL stainless.
But, I'm not much of a flats guy. I keep one J and one P strung that way cause folks ask for it, but I much prefer rounds, even (especially?) on a fretless.
You're never gonna get "all Jaco" with flats on.

quickervicar · #8 09-21-2007, 07:56 AM

I currently have DA flats on my Ibanez fretless (any takers?) and I like the balance of thud & sing. I did not like flats on my SB-2. It seemed to go against the nature of the beast.

Do the T-I's offer a bit more "sing" than most flatwounds?