Fretless players: Flats vs Rounds

bassicsax · #1 09-13-2007, 01:58 AM

If you play a fretless bass which type of strings do you use, round wounds or flat wounds? Let me know if you have a specific reason. I just bought my first fretless and Im trying to decide which I like better, so far I am leaning toward round wounds...

wiro · #2 09-13-2007, 02:32 AM

Couldn's answer the poll, cause I use both.

For semi-acoustic and upright I prefer flats. These add some to the warmth of the acoustic sound.

For electric I like rounds most because of the harmonics in the upper registers.

Best to buy one more fretless and have both.

A bit more info about what you have and what you want could be usefull:
What bass is it for? Which pu's? What kinda music you play? And what's your role in it: Down under, upfront, a bit of both or somewhere in the middle? Do you do solo's?

bassicsax · #3 09-13-2007, 02:45 AM

Right now my only fretless is a sx five string jazz bass, I know its not the best in the world but I figured it would be alright to start on because sx seems to be fairly solid. The pickups are stock I plan to upgrade soon. As far as styles of music... well i play everything from jazz to aggressive rock and everything in between. My rolls in the band will be upfront in some songs and not so much in others... but for the most part I dont solo...

Matthijs · #4 09-13-2007, 02:49 AM

I'm asuming the poll is for electric fretless. I use my frettles as my only electric bass and with rounds it's suited for just about any sound. With flats it's more of a one trick pony. Besides, the extra high's help for a good intonation.

Tried some 'inbetweens' too. (groundwounds etc) Those can be more comfortable and easy on the fretboard, but I just prefer the rouindwound sound. Although I have to say I hat the first days when they sound to fresh.

poor_gear_whore · #5 09-13-2007, 02:51 AM

I use ghs pressure wounds

rutty24 · #6 09-13-2007, 03:11 AM

rotosound monel flatwounds. i tried round wounds but they buuuugaaaredc the fingerboard to the point of replacement. i've now got used to flatwounds and round wounds feel uncomfortable when sliding.

wiro · #7 09-13-2007, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassicsax

... well i play everything from jazz to aggressive rock and ...

As far as my experience reaches it's not possible to sound aggressive with flats. So go get some roundwounds. If you don't pull your strings (which you shouldn't on a fretless) but vibrate like upright players do (along the strings) and don't put more pressure than nessecary with your left hand then your fingerboard will last quite a while.

With rounds you can also sound smooth with the right right-hand technique: Cut off the highs a little bit. Use the neck pu. Look carefully how well-educated upright jazz players wrap their right hand fingers along the strings. Try this at home and you will get the most fantastic *mwahs* out of your instrument too.

BassChuck · #8 09-13-2007, 04:37 AM

I play big band and small group jazz with my fretless, so flats work best for me in those settings. For more aggressive needs I have a Ric with rounds.

ShirazBop · #9 09-13-2007, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiro

Couldn's answer the poll, cause I use both.

For semi-acoustic and upright I prefer flats. These add some to the warmth of the acoustic sound.

For electric I like rounds most because of the harmonics in the upper registers.

Best to buy one more fretless and have both.

A bit more info about what you have and what you want could be usefull:
What bass is it for? Which pu's? What kinda music you play? And what's your role in it: Down under, upfront, a bit of both or somewhere in the middle? Do you do solo's?

+1 Rounds on one fretless, half rounds on the other

spade2you · #10 09-13-2007, 08:42 AM

I like 'em both. Depends on what tone I'm shooting for.

Dr. Cheese · #11 09-13-2007, 08:45 AM

I can't get with flatwounds. Halfrounds are a nice compromise.

Baird6869 · #12 09-13-2007, 08:48 AM

Rounds until they start eating my fretboard.

I only used flats on my fretted P basses. These basses are used to play reggae, R&B and older classics (Soul Man and similar Motown stuff, some Stones, old ZZ Top, etc.)

msquared · #13 09-13-2007, 09:25 AM

I like them both but I use rounds on mine. I use a light touch and figure if I have to have the board refinished in 20 years, so be it.

CraigG · #14 09-13-2007, 09:33 AM

Ken Smith Compression wounds, to be exact.

pfschim · #15 09-13-2007, 09:01 PM

TI Jazz Rounds on my Lakland 44-02 deluxe fretless
TI Accousticores (bronze) Rounds on my Turner Ren 4 fretless

flats are not my thing and the halfrounds (D'A) I tried once were not nice at all. I have never had any issues with neck gouging with the TI rounds. The TI's are pretty "soft" so that may be part of it.
Both the TI types I use have a great playing feel and sound wonderful.

88persuader · #16 09-14-2007, 03:34 AM

I like roundwounds on my fretless basses. Flatwounds give it that "upright" sound but it doesn't cut through enough for me taste.

IanStephenson · #17 09-14-2007, 05:00 AM

ground/halfs (status). Originally to protect the fretboard, but I REALLY liked the feel (after a couple of days adjusting), and have them on a couple of my fretted basses now. The tone is less zingy (which is why i still have rounds on a couple of basses), but works well for a lot fo styles.

Ian

lomo · #18 09-14-2007, 05:11 AM

D'Addario Chromes

**Vorago** · #19 09-14-2007, 05:27 AM

D'Addario nickel roundwounds.

I like the punch, and with the correct technique you can make them sound rather 'mwah' as well.

What kind of finish dou you have on your fingerboard? Rounds on a non epoxied board could do some serious damage.

Tony G · #20 09-14-2007, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vorago

What kind of finish dou you have on your fingerboard? Rounds on a non epoxied board could do some serious damage.

That depends on the wood. I have an oiled ebony fingerboard on my Carvin LB75 Fretless, and after 10 years it barely has a mark on it, and I've used nothing but nickel roundwounds.