Cheaper alternative to flatwounds?

[Cambass]

I have recently converted my bass into a fretless and have been told that I should buy some flatwound strings so as not to greatly damage the fretboard. The only problem is the price, I asked a few shops yesterday and none of them had any in stock but could order them but the prices they gave me ranged from $75 to $150 (Australian dollars). This is way too expensive for my modest budget so I was wondering, is there a cheaper alternative to flatwound strings, that would be suitable for a fretless bass? Or is it possible to buy cheap flatwounds?

[notduane]

Originally posted by Cambass
...The only problem is the price, I asked a few
shops yesterday and none of them had any in
stock but could order them but the prices they
gave me ranged from $75 to $150 (Australian
dollars). This is way too expensive for my modest
budget so I was wondering, is there a cheaper
alternative to flatwound strings, that would be
suitable for a fretless bass? Or is it possible to buy
cheap flatwounds?

Dang! That's like ~$38 to ~$76 USD . I think
somebody's pullin' your....leg

Maybe try Just Strings. They're bassed in the U.S.,
but have international shipping. They have Fender
flats for ~33 AUD, Ernie Ball flats for ~44 AUD,
GHS ~44 AUD, etc. Sheetmusic Plus is another
online dealer with good prices.

I bet Merls (merlin) could help ya out...I think he
dwells somewhere down yonder .

[snyderz]

See Herm's post on strings for sale.
Doc

[Cambass]

Thanks for the replies, I also found an Australian online string site but they didn't have as much range. The prices on juststrings.com were quite cheap even when converted to Aus $$ although it said that there was a $36US shipping charge for international orders which then makes the price just as much as it is here!