fretboard damage with flatwound strings

rapidfirerob · #1 01-08-2009, 11:19 PM

I recently bought an Ibanez SR300F fretless instrument. I immediately put light GHS Brite Flats flatwound strings on the instrument. Despite this I am getting wear on the fingerboard and have stopped playing it. I believe the fretboard is painted rosewood. It is black. The fretted version says it is rosewood on the specs. I can't find any info on the fretless bass. I suppose it could be ebanol. Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions as to strings I could use to keep from damaging the fingerboard further? I'd rather not use nylon tapewounds if possible. Does this fingerboard need to be coated with something to protect it or can I just use different strings? Thanks for your help.

thirtypoint87 · #2 01-08-2009, 11:35 PM

It's probably a rosewood fingerboard and I'd encourage you to play it (with flatwounds or half-rounds) either, a) until you have dead spots. Then take it to a *good* repair person to have them relevel the fingerboard and possibly b) treat the fingerboard with a coating of superglue or epoxy to strengthen it.

Actually, there's no reason not to do "part B" immediately. Bottom line, don't worry about the wear, just play the thing. And remember that you probably don't need to squeeze so hard with your left hand! That will take care of some of this, too.

Slax · #3 01-08-2009, 11:36 PM

Flats shouldn't really damage any fret board regardless of build. They're very light on abrasion. Are you using fretted "up and down" technique as apposed to "left and right" technique while slurring/bending you're notes?

rapidfirerob · #4 01-09-2009, 12:24 AM

I'll probably have it coated as suggested sooner rather than later. I'm not sure I know what you mean by "squeeze so hard". I do bend strings up and down occasionally, but not much. I am working on my fretless vibrato, left/right technique as well. I have been playing for many years but few on a fretless. I have been playing my 85 Alembic Spoiler exclusively since I bought it new in 85. Before that, I used a GibsonEB3LIhad the frets taken out of years ago. I find the note spacing to be too far apart for me now. I had a Squire Jazz fretless for a short time and didn't like the spacing on that either. I love my Alembic's medium scale neck. The Ibanez is a regular 34" scale, but has a full 24 frets, making the spacing tolerable for me. I play jazz/rock fusion, jazz, and also have an Allman Brothers tribute band.

CatfishStudios · #5 01-09-2009, 12:44 AM

I have an 11 year old fretless Jazz bass, with roundwounds on it...and a rosewood board...hardly any marks at all...you would be surprised by how quickly using a fretted vibrato technique will mar the rosewood...but if your easy on it, and only use viola style vibrato..should last a long time...mines not even treated, no epoxy or superglue..

ljazz · #6 01-09-2009, 03:33 AM

Go with regular flats.... the bright flats, I believe, are a groundwound.... and still have a bit of "grit" to them.

air_leech · #7 01-09-2009, 03:58 AM

I have a GHS Bright Flats set and I recall they were stainless steel.

fretlessguy · #8 01-09-2009, 04:39 PM

Even half rounds (or ground wounds) will cause some wear, although it will be minimal. A good route to take would be flats. I like D'Addario Chromes, GHS Precision flats, and TIs. If you like the GHS Bite flats then you would probably really like their Precision Flats. They have more of an "old school" sound.

fretlessman71 · #9 01-09-2009, 04:41 PM

Strings cause marks on unfinished rosewood fingerboards. Period. It's all a matter of degree.

Learning "cello vibrato" technique will lessen the marks' occurrence, but they will still be there. I wouldn't stress about it until you can feel that things aren't right.

rapidfirerob · #10 01-10-2009, 02:37 PM

I read on Pedulla's site they use polyester to coat their fretless basses. Thanks for the string suggestions.

rapidfirerob · #11 01-10-2009, 08:05 PM

How protective is tung oil? The guy who will do the work on my bass mentioned tung oil, along with polyurethane.

P-BASSLOVER · #12 01-12-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatfishStudios

I have an 11 year old fretless Jazz bass, with roundwounds on it...and a rosewood board...hardly any marks at all...you would be surprised by how quickly using a fretted vibrato technique will mar the rosewood...but if your easy on it, and only use viola style vibrato..should last a long time...mines not even treated, no epoxy or superglue..

I can't agree more!
Bending on a fretless will score the board no matter what strings you use!
D'Addario Chromes or GHS Precision Flats are the smoothest strings you can use.

greenboy · #13 01-12-2009, 11:47 AM

Actually Dean Markley flats are smoother.

But any traditional flat is pretty darn smooth.

P-BASSLOVER · #14 01-12-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

Actually Dean Markley flats are smoother.

But any traditional flat is pretty darn smooth.

I stand corrected!
I forgot about them. They are really dead sounding though.

rapidfirerob · #15 01-12-2009, 10:05 PM

How about Fender flatwounds for wear and playability?