Fretless players...what strings are you using?
 

Had my new fretless for a couple weeks...love it. Currently just using the stock strings. They seem fine, and I'm still figuring out all the sounds, but I was just curious what you all are using on your fretless Roscoe's.

I've been using DR Black Beauties for about 10 years now (even had a "beta" set back in my BC days), once I tried them, I haven't strayed one time. Love the strong midrange and the long life, the "odd" feel of them goes away after a few days.

I've always been a DR guy. I've tried BB before and they are OK, but for me there is plenty of mid strength in the bass. I am debating trying a set of my fav's...DR Hi Beams. I went away from them to try and get mor mid in my Geddy Lee, but I don't think either of my Roscoe's will need any help in the mid department.

How tough is the diamondwood fingerboard? Could those round stainless strings do some damage?

I'm not a Roscoe player, but I've tried Chromes, DR Black Beauties, and DR Sunbeams. Sunbeams have traditionally been my go-to string for both fretted and fretless, but I recently discovered Sadowsky flats and love them on my fretted Jazz. I'm putting a light gauge set on my fretless this week and I expect them to be about perfect. On my fretted bass they're warm and articulate with a wider dynamic range than either Chromes or TI flats and they sit between those two makes tension-wise.

Diamondwood is VERY tough stuff, so it will probably hold up as well as anything else - but ANY material will get a bit worn out by SS strings over time....

I figured as much. Anyone else using flats? Not sure if I want to go that far or not. I mean, this will probably be my "jazz/acoustic" bass, but I'm also enjoying it right now as my only bass and playing every style with it.

Of course that will probably change once my fretted gets built so maybe I'll just wait until then before I make a change.

Still curious....

Steve,
I've got the standard Roscoe D'addarrio RW Nickels on the Roscoe fretless and the TI Jazzs flats on the Warmoth fretless.

The Jazz flats sound a lot better than you would think, compared to the nickel RW.

I do have some old sound clips of a Roscoe fretless with TI's A) and D'addarrio nickel RW's:

https://soundcloud.com/jome77/roscoe-fretless-ti-strings

https://soundcloud.com/jome77/roscoe-fretless-daddario-rw

Hope that this helps.

Thanks for posting those.

I use La Bella black nylon. Crisp hights, deep basses and very comfortable to play

Rotosounds on an epoxied board
Ala Jaco on my 4-string jazz bass.
Dadarrio XLs on my GW1 :)

TI Acousticores on my Turner.
LaBella black nylon flats on my Roscoe !!

TI flats

Chromes on my fretless jazz

I tried DR Hi Beams - didn't like them. I'll save them for my future fretted. I went back to the stock strings. My wife agreed.

Still may try flats, but I think I'll stick with the stock strings for now.

GHS Pressurewounds - excellent for fretless.
I've tried DR Black Beauties, but contrary to other observations, I find they keep their stickiness, slows me down compared to the pressurewounds.

I had fender nickels on My Jaco junior bass for like two to three years. Same set, didn't want to change them. Recommended

Fairly recently changed to DR rounds on that bass. Jury is still out, but I love DR in general.

On my NYBW six fretless, I have to use GHS Boomers. The long scale (35.25") and Hipshot Bridge only allow for them. But they are great nonetheless.

DR Sunbeams are the ones for me.


Andre

Andre,
Do the Sunbeams sound much different than the Da'ddario Nickel RW's?

D'Addario nickels vs Sunbeams...hmmm...Well I haven't used D'addario's since I made the switch three years ago. Is there much difference? I'd have to say yes, it's quite noticeable, but at the same time, there's no mistaking that the two are in the same nickel family. Similar feel under the fingers, and same fingerboard kindness. The Sunbeams are not lacking for warmth and depth, but have a little bit more clarity. They don't have the high sizzle that s. steel can have.
Sunbeams are more expensive than D'addarios, at least in this part of the world. But I find they last way longer before going sonically limp, so, if anything, end up costing less. But it's not about the expense, I just really prefer the Sunbeams.
It's not easy to put strings into words. My apologies. But if your a fan of D'addario nickels, I think you should try Sunbeams. Different enough, but not so much to make you reach for the wire cutters. Most likely will be a bit of Sunshine to your ears.


Andre

I tried DR hi beams but didn't like them at all - they are my fav on my fretted basses.

I put the stock strings back on. I may try Sunbeams next...of stick with these. If it ain't broke....