Ebonol Fretboard - Which Strings (for Jaco sound)

KrispyJones · #1 05-08-2008, 07:48 AM

hi guys

i have the squire vintage jazz (fretless) and dont want grooves in my fretboard (ebonol)

any ideas which string i can use here ?
(i like the "nasal" jaco sound)

thanks for your help

crispy

KrispyJones · #2 05-08-2008, 07:50 AM

heres a pic !

Mushroo · #3 05-08-2008, 07:50 AM

Jaco used Rotosound roundwounds. Don't worry about roundwounds damaging your fretboard; it will wear slightly, yes, but will probably take years of playing before you need to do any repair work on it.

KrispyJones · #4 05-08-2008, 07:58 AM

shure ? i thought that too, but the guy in the shop said i should be worried cause ebonol is some kind of plastic :-(

...but thanks !!

Buskman · #5 05-08-2008, 08:06 AM

Krispy,

nasal, Jaco-esque tone = favored bridge pickup and... rounds (Rotos, to get as close as possible).

You'll definitely see some wear on the board due to using the rounds, but like Mushroo said, it'll be years before you start to have any issues that would compromise the bass' playability.

BTW - that Squier of yours looks incredible with the pickguard! Very nice!

KrispyJones · #6 05-08-2008, 08:08 AM

thanks :-) and all that for 300€ :-)
im very happy with it. million times better than the mexico fretless basses with rosewood fretboard i tried
i think i put the high beams on cause theyre the only roundwound i liked so far :-)

thanks for your input guys !!!!

Mushroo · #7 05-08-2008, 08:13 AM

Look at it this way, let's say it costs you $50 (or 50€ or whatever) 5 years from now to get the fretboard "dressed"... that's just pennies a day. You could use flatwounds instead and save yourself some wear and tear, but you wouldn't be happy with the sound. And good sound is priceless!

I think the high beams are a good string, they should get you close to that Jaco sound. (If you want to be totally authentic, you can try the Rotosounds, but the DR's are also excellent strings.) Like Buskman said, turn the bridge pickup up louder than the neck, and pluck close to the bridge. Good luck with your new bass!

KrispyJones · #8 05-08-2008, 08:16 AM

thanks guys.... thats what im going to try now :-)
i use the coated drs to be "a little bit" on the safer side ^^

svenbass · #9 05-08-2008, 08:16 AM

Isn't the Ebonol a hard resin that is supposed to protect the fingerboard?

In any case, I've been playing my (plain ebony) fretless for 10+ years with roundwounds, and there is definitely some wear, but nowhere near affecting the playability in any way. I wouldn't worry about it, play your bass the way you want!!!

FWIW, the most wear is at the very end of the FB where the body meets. This is where the strings are moving the most, and I have a fairly aggressive right hand touch.

Kyon` · #10 05-08-2008, 08:21 AM

Rounds ftw, though TI Flats can get close when you solo a bridge pup. Rotosound monel flats are almost brighter then your average round last I remember.

KrispyJones · #11 05-08-2008, 08:43 AM

ok.... next month i ll get some rotos :-)

i like them and have them on my nomral jazz too :-)

KrispyJones · #12 05-08-2008, 04:06 PM

i tried the fender tapewounds and have to say theyre pretty close to what i want but have not enough tension :-(

Deacon_Blues · #13 05-09-2008, 02:15 AM

A pro bassist I know recommended Elixirs, which he uses on his CIJ fretless jazz (GREAT bass, BTW!). He usually don't use Elixirs but he really liked them on this fretless. He used it on a Jaco tribute concert last year, great sound!

I have a similar squier (note the spelling) fretless. I've been thinking of putting on a set of elixirs, but the TI flats I use are great and I wouldn't like to change them yet.

Btw, I'm not much happy with the quality of this bass. The fretboard is not straight enough so I have to use a pretty high action to avoid buzzing at the end. I brought the bass to a local luthier (making high-end basses as well) but he couldn't with his tools grind away the "ramp" (or whatever it's called) in the end of the fretboard, preventing me from lowering the action to the level I would like. He made the grooves in the nut lower, which made the playability much better, but I'd trade this in for a CIJ jazz with rosewood neck anytime. Another thing showing the bad building quality is the fact that two screws were rather loose (in the bridge!!) and it was impossible to tighten them. Tried to stuff in some matches, but it fifn't help. I should add some glue too....

I really like the sound of this bass, but the CIJ jazz felt much better and I loved the sound. But it's twice more expensive...

bassrique · #14 05-09-2008, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Btw, I'm not much happy with the quality of this bass. The fretboard is not straight enough so I have to use a pretty high action to avoid buzzing at the end. I brought the bass to a local luthier (making high-end basses as well) but he couldn't with his tools grind away the "ramp" (or whatever it's called) in the end of the fretboard, preventing me from lowering the action to the level I would like.

Huh?

Is your neck messed up?

I'm going through something similar thing w/a "rescue bass".

What does a ramp have to do w/this neck problem?

Deacon_Blues · #15 05-09-2008, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassrique

Huh?

Is your neck messed up?

I'm going through something similar thing w/a "rescue bass".

What does a ramp have to do w/this neck problem?

"Ramp" was probably not the right word.

The luthier complained about the area of the neck that is attached to the body. It's hard to explain the problem (especially for me in English), but I think the core of it is that instead of flattening out at the place where the neck is attached, the fretboard continues to bend upwards. I can't get a low relief / low action to work because of this. (According to the luthier it's a common problem on cheap basses).

KrispyJones · #16 05-09-2008, 05:09 AM

hm.... i putted those fender tapewounds on and they just sound great and i have a prety low action on my bass .... maybe you got one with a bad neck ? .... i know squire qualitiy control :-(

Baryonyx · #17 05-09-2008, 05:37 AM

I have the very same type of bass, and I use rotosound round wounds on mine. It sounds excellent!

KrispyJones · #18 05-09-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris2112

I have the very same type of bass, and I use rotosound round wounds on mine. It sounds excellent!

do you have any pics of it ? :-)

(i just love the look of the bass)

Buskman · #19 05-09-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrispyJones

heres a pic !

Hey, Krispy -

I can't stop looking at this picture - the pickguard on there looks awesome!

I know most people pick this bass up for the Jaco look... but the guard gives it an extra nice old school vibe too, IMO...

Where did you get the pickguard? Did you have any issues installing it (lining it up with the neck pocket and/or control plate)?

lovemybasses · #20 05-09-2008, 02:46 PM

mine Squier VM fretless is with DR rounds,Marcus Miller Fat Beams, and I can't praise it enough. I add nordstrand pick ups tho...
ofcourse, get the bridge pup up for "jaco" sound. also left hand technique is important!

and dont worry for ebonol, some white traces on the surface,thats all!