Fretless + Elixir strings

vyse933 · #1 07-09-2009, 06:49 PM

What are your opinions on fretless basses strung with elixir strings?

fretlessguy · #2 07-11-2009, 07:40 AM

I have seen many fretless users post here that they use them on their basses. I am not a fan of Elixers, but they seemed okay as far as the sound went when I used them on my fretless.

FG

jedininjaster · #3 07-12-2009, 07:48 AM

I also had this question, I've heard elixirs sound dead, but I've heard the same about flatwounds, how do they compare? On frettless and on fretted?

fretlessguy · #4 07-15-2009, 03:06 PM

I wouldn't say they sound dead. They are about like a nickel wound but not as bright as a stainless steel string or something like ProSteels . They don't sound bad on a fretless, and sound good on a fretted. I just do not like the feel of them.
One medium set I had sounded really good at the beginning but died rather quickly....something freakish for a coated string.

D'Addario manufactures the strings that Elixer's parent company uses to make their strings. D'Addario also makes their own set of coateds, which sound as good to me, and are somewhat cheaper as well. You may want to check them out.

FG

73jbass · #5 07-15-2009, 04:06 PM

Elixirs sound like a set of steel roundwounds that have a few hours playing time on them,and have settled in.And they stay that way a long time.I have them on all my basses except 2.They work great on fretless.

KYJazzy · #6 07-16-2009, 12:26 AM

fresh elixirs on a fretless sound great. plus they play great - you can really glide fast and get some mwah with your glissandos

bongomania · #7 07-16-2009, 12:29 AM

I have Elixirs on my fretless J, and it gives me a good balance halfway between the growl of rounds and the smoothness of flats.

johnsbass · #8 07-16-2009, 01:24 PM

I have used Elixirs on my Bunker ebony fretless and found them to be a pretty wide range string tonally. The coating seems to kill a lot of the overtones. A little spendy but they will last awhile. The Elixir is a roundwound so especially if you have a soft fingerboard, keep an eye on the coating as it can wear through. I have had this happen previously. It didn't change the sound, though.
Currently I am using GHS Progressives which growls a lot more on the low to mid end with my set up. Progressives are also roundwound string but they are not coated so if you have a soft fingerboard you should avoid them.

Lackey · #9 07-17-2009, 06:21 PM

I've had Elixir PolyWebs on my fretless for over two years now and I will play nothing else. Sound is consistently even, just enough high end but they're not harsh, they don't go dead (at least not for me), and they have a slightly slick feeling which I consider to be an asset while playing fretless especially.

My .02