Fretless Players: What strings?

saxnbass · #1 07-21-2007, 11:08 AM

I haven't seen this done recently, so I'd like to do this. I think it would be interesting to see what types of strings you fretless players use. Vote on the poll and then, if you'd like, let us know what your fingerboard wood is, if it's coated or not, and what strings in specific you use.

I'll start:

Pau Ferro board, uncoated. Strings are currently D'Addario Chromes.

I ordered some D'Addario 1/2 rounds to try out. I'm thinking of putting Roto Nickel Rounds or Roto Solo 55s (1/2 rounds) on it. The EB slinkies that came on it didn't sound bad either, may go back to those too. We'll see.

jdthecrazy · #2 07-21-2007, 11:21 AM

I use Roto Funkmasters on my Warwick Corvette Fretless. The fingerboard is uncoated ebony. There is some ware, but I love the feel and sound of steel rounds.

MysticMichael · #3 07-22-2007, 12:08 AM

I've got a Carvin LB70F, four-string fretless. Ebony board with epoxy coating (shout-out to HG Thor). Have been switching off between several sets - all nickel roundwounds, for maximum mwah: GHS Boomer 52s, Dean Markley Bass Blasters, and the JustStrings.com store brand.

Since I've got an epoxied board now, wear & tear is pretty much a non-issue. I could even go with stainless steels if I wanted, but for fretless I prefer the sound of nickels...

MM

onewebfoot · #4 07-22-2007, 12:18 AM

Zon roundwound nickels on a Zon fretless. Previous strings on there were TI flatwounds. I love both, but the additional articulation of the Zon rounds meets me well now. I do a lot of headphone time these days. the instrument provides additional tone rounding options with either set.

Bass Below · #5 07-22-2007, 12:23 AM

Stainless Steel roundwounds on a Pau Ferro board. Not a combination I would recommend, but it's only temporary for me. The SS rounds are eating into the Pau Ferro rather quickly.

owensea777 · #6 07-22-2007, 01:11 AM

I keep strictly flats on my fretless. Fretless to be, I should say, but I play it all the time at GC, only half a month, and it will be mine!
I feel bad recomending a string that I haven't played, but you are asking about others opinions on TB, so what the hey?
I am getting Thomastik Infeld flatwounds as soon as I get my fretless. It is basically a very small roundwound with a flatwound coating. From what I hear, you get the roundwound sound with the flatwound ease on the fingers and fretboard. It's a good low-tension string that doesn't require much finger power to "fret," and flatwounds will never scratch up your fingerboard. Many rounds won't either, but if you like the feel of flats on your fingers like me, definately give TI's a go. Plus the TI's last for years like other flats. To me, the best of both worlds. So as a poor college kid, I won't mind spending more on these than I would on some roundwounds.

JimmyM · #7 07-22-2007, 01:20 AM

D'addario XL's .040-.095.

funkalicious101 · #8 07-22-2007, 01:38 AM

rotosound pressurewounds on uncoated rosewood (i think)

doesnt sound very good, very weak, not warm or bright at all.

Ian Perge · #9 07-22-2007, 04:59 PM

D'addario Nickels on a Teak Oil-coated rosewood board. Teak is great because it keeps the natural tone of the bass while polymerizing and protecting the relatively soft rosewood. After the initial defret and multiple coatings, I just put a "refresher" layer down each time I change strings and it's all good. One or two marks but nothing more than that and nothing ever close to physical wear.

ibz · #10 07-22-2007, 11:26 PM

You're downplaying the validity of tapewound strings for FL. Where does that leave us tape lovers.

..kidding

Jamiebass · #11 07-22-2007, 11:36 PM

I just got a set of DR Sunbeams for my 5 string Alembic Orion, with an uncoated ebony fretboard. They sound great, uber MWAH and they seem to be outlasting everything else I've tried, except maybe Elixers, which are also verry good.

How do the Chromes sound? I've heard they're pretty bright.

onewebfoot · #12 07-22-2007, 11:39 PM

Elixir Nanos are underrated, even on fretless, but on the web, and from hard copy packaging, I don't know if they are nickel or stainless wound. Does anyone know? www.elixirstrings.com

Jamiebass · #13 07-22-2007, 11:48 PM

Doesn't even say on the pack, but I'm sure they're nickel.

caesarbass · #14 07-22-2007, 11:49 PM

I like Daddario XL's, they feel very smooth and still have a nice bright tone.

Tbirdbassist · #15 07-23-2007, 12:35 AM

I've got a rosewood epoxied MIM jazz. I use DR Highbeams steel rounds, a custom set .110, .85, .65, .45.

You can hear it best on "A Work In Progress" on my bands myspace.

www.myspace.com/thecelltheorem

The BurgerMeister · #16 07-23-2007, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibz

You're downplaying the validity of tapewound strings for FL. Where does that leave us tape lovers.

..kidding

+1 (i'm not kidding!)

'01 MIA fretless jazz, rosewood board. i have a set of Roto TruBass tapewounds on there now. awesome!

drumsnbass · #17 07-23-2007, 12:50 AM

I dunno whose stings are on my 518 fretless, but they are half-wounds, and I like them. Not too punchy, but kind of jazzier than flatwounds.

I notice most poll results are flats or rounds -- I encourage others to try the half-wounds as well.

saxnbass · #18 07-23-2007, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamiebass

How do the Chromes sound? I've heard they're pretty bright.

They are pretty bright, especially for flats. They still have that mellow, soft attack like flats though.

tkozal · #19 07-23-2007, 07:12 AM

I have GHS groundwounds on my american Fender jaco fretless - the one with the untreated pau-ferro board...I had chromes on for awhile, I might go back..

I wouldn't think of any roundwound unless I had the board epoxied...

EPrendergast · #20 07-23-2007, 07:22 AM

I have nickle rounds on my fretless uncoated rosewood-necked Vintage. I like the sound but I can see physical damage to the fingerboard. Will neck damage actually effect the sound or just ruin the looks?