Best flatwound strings for fretless

ddsjjlannom · #1 07-23-2008, 02:22 PM

hello, i just purchased a fretless bass (fender jazz usa) and i`m looking for the best string that will give me that great mwah fretless tone. i`m running a sadowsky preamp through a GK 2x10. i thought you guys could help me. Thanks! david

ddsjjlannom · #2 07-23-2008, 02:23 PM

i was told d`addario chromes were a good match? what do you think?

Philbiker · #3 07-23-2008, 02:29 PM

Fender 9120 Nylon Tapewound Bass Strings

bassteban · #4 07-23-2008, 02:34 PM

The best strings for mwah IME have been rounds. That said, I know it's possible w/flats- at least for Norm Stockton & Steve Lawson- but I couldn't really get it. I use D'Addario half-rounds on all my smoothies; great mwah, low wear factor(again- IME).

Koiman · #5 07-23-2008, 02:48 PM

I use the Fender nylon tapewound on my fretless. They give me the sound I'm looking for and look good as well. Absolutely no wear incurred by the fretboard.

the low one · #6 07-23-2008, 04:11 PM

I'm using Rotosound Jazz flats on my Jazz fretless and they are great. Long lasting and still plenty of tone left after nearly 3 years.

Grateful · #7 07-23-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

The best strings for mwah IME have been rounds. (again- IME).

+1.

I have Chromes for 5 of my 6 strings on the fretless. The other is a Nickel wound. Far more mwah on the nickel. Great fretless tones out of the Chromes...

StyleOverShow · #8 07-23-2008, 04:45 PM

Just played on my Jazz 77's for the 2nd time at a gig last night. They have been on my fretless for about 6 weeks and I thought they were deader than disco...but with a little EQ, I could brighten them up or thud them out. Great strings, low finger wear, and the slides are beautiful. I like the higher tension too.

Have some La Bella 760's that I slapping on my Carvin 5. Hear good things about them too.

IMO, the fretless is very different that any fretted bass and it takes a while to be able to fully utilize its attributes.

MysticMichael · #9 07-23-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

The best strings for mwah IME have been rounds.

In my experience as well. I prefer a very lively, sizzly tone for fretless, and flatwounds just don't deliver. Way too dead and thuddy...

So invest in some nice roundwounds, or at least some compression-wounds or groundwounds. And if you're concerned about fingerboard wear and/or really want to maximize your mwah, just get the board epoxied...

MM

Jaco who? · #10 07-23-2008, 08:57 PM

The best flats I've found for a Fender fretless jazz are nickle roundwound DR sunbeams. Very gentle on the fretboard, low tension but very quick in response, and mwhaaaa for days.

Davo-London · #11 07-24-2008, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

The best flats I've found for a Fender fretless jazz are nickle roundwound DR sunbeams. Very gentle on the fretboard, low tension but very quick in response, and mwhaaaa for days.

+1
Also TI flats are highly recommended in these parts.

Davo

the low one · #12 07-24-2008, 04:17 AM

Has anyone tried Elites flats? I know Steve Lawson uses them. What is the tension like? How bright are they?

nemo · #13 07-24-2008, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davo-London

+1
Also TI flats are highly recommended in these parts.

Davo

+1 for roundwound Sunbeams.
I also tried TI flats, but it was too dead for my taste with mwah nowhere nearing the mwaah that Sunbeams can deliver.
I have ebony fretboard and no damage incurred after couple of years with Sunbeams.

Learn to avoid bending strings perpendicularly to neck (in the direction of "fret lines") but lateraly instead (in the direction of string). This will preserve the fretboard as well.