Fretless - Round Or Flat?

Smidge · #1 06-10-2006, 12:47 AM

should you use round wounds on a fretless? does it cause damage to the fretboard?? plus can anyone recommend any other flatwound 6 string strings apart from thomastiks?

James Hart · #2 06-10-2006, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smidge

should you use round wounds on a fretless? does it cause damage to the fretboard?? plus can anyone recommend any other flatwound 6 string strings apart from thomastiks?

I use rounds, almost always have. Wear will happen with either type, rounds a little faster. How you 'fret' notes is more critical to wear than the string type IMHO/E.

for flats....

I've used and dug on a fretless 6 string:
SIT Powerflats
D'addario Half Rounds
Labella flats

lemur821 · #3 06-10-2006, 01:15 AM

I use rounds too. I used flats for a while, but the rounds just sound better. I don't actually get fretboard wear.

James Hart · #4 06-10-2006, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemur821

I don't actually get fretboard wear.

me either... and my rounds are stainless steels

superbassman2000 · #5 06-10-2006, 01:36 AM

i have tried both, but stuck with flats for some reason...

slombovia · #6 06-10-2006, 02:14 AM

Yes, you will get wear. The guys above are nutz! Yes, even you James! Seriously, I don't get that,guys. Plan on wear. These guys musta had a voodoo priestess scare the wear...

That said: So what about the wear? Go with what sounds good to you regardless. I choose flats for the feel & sound. Which reminds me, why ask about other flats for a six? TI JFs are all ya need!
;-]
Seriously, the TI JFs are the cat's meow for tone, playability, and longevity, IMO which is apparently not so humble... Good luck

Tom H.

James Hart · #7 06-10-2006, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slombovia

Yes, you will get wear. The guys above are nutz! Yes, even you James! Seriously, I don't get that,guys. Plan on wear. These guys musta had a voodoo priestess scare the wear...

Seriously Nutz... but not because of my string choice

metal (flat/round/nickel/steel) vs. wood = metal wins. Ever see the Fingerboard on a well used Upright? Flats will wear out a board in time just the same. Luthiers can replace fingerboards just like they can replace frets.

What I've experienced is if you 'grip' the neck with lots of force and/or do BB King 'back&forth' vibrato the board doesn't stand a chance. I was taught early on to practice with my left thumb tucked into my palm. It makes you play with just the slight downward force needed to make the note ring true. And vibrato needs to happen along the string NOT across them.

IMHO/E as always...

vashts80 · #8 06-10-2006, 10:52 AM

I personally use rounds on my fretless, however fingerboard wood will have a lot to do with how long it takes for the wear to show up. It probably will take awhile on an ebony board, but on my rosewood board it took about two weeks of round use for light marks to show up on it.

JES · #9 06-11-2006, 08:12 AM

I used rounds for years because I like a bright fretless sound -- until I found TI Jazz flats, which were bright enough, and I like the soft feel (others don't). YMMV.

--JES

MMcC · #10 06-11-2006, 09:52 AM

D'Addario makes some half-rounds if you wanna check them out. I'm using them now and I like them. They're in between flats and rounds, so if you haven't decided or found a preference yet, they're pretty comfortable.

James Hart · #11 06-11-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMcC

D'Addario makes some half-rounds if you wanna check them out. I'm using them now and I like them. They're in between flats and rounds, so if you haven't decided or found a preference yet, they're pretty comfortable.

Yeah, closer to rounds in tone then the other groundwounds I've used... very expressive but lacking in the 'thud' dept.

About your sig... What's the joke? I jammed with Peter a few times (along with Stan "Doc" Penridge) years ago... he's a nice enough guy, just a bit burnt

IanStephenson · #12 06-11-2006, 11:04 AM

Status HotWires HalfWound (aka groundwound).
Availalbe in 6 string direct from http://www.status-graphite.com/
Not cheap, but not expensive either (the 6 set is £21).

I found a recommendation for them somewhere, and put them on my (4string) fretless as soon as I got it. Plenty of zing with (hopefully less chew). They felt strange at first, but then I REALLY got to like the smooth feel, and lack of string noise. I just ordered a couple of sets to try them on my fretted bass.

Ian

Ps the peter chris quote is from Family Guy - they go to a Kiss festival and everyone is dressed up. Lois is Peter Chris.

tplyons · #13 06-11-2006, 11:43 AM

I've always preferred rounds on a fretless, much more of a nasal, growling quality which I look for in a fretless. And wear is wear, it just depends on your style.

DaveAceofBass · #14 06-11-2006, 05:51 PM

I would highly recommend Ken Smith Compressors on your fretless.

agreatheight · #15 06-11-2006, 06:00 PM

I use rounds. I like the feel AND sound better. They do eat the board a bit, but it's nothing to really worry about. I played my fretless as my main bass for almost 3 years and the amount of wear hasn't come close to making me think about changing the board out.

Good luck!

James Hart · #16 06-11-2006, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

Ps the peter chris quote is from Family Guy - they go to a Kiss festival and everyone is dressed up. Lois is Peter Chris.

Ahhh... see what happens when you don't watch TV for 10 years. I've never seen an episode of that show

Erick Lam · #17 06-11-2006, 06:25 PM

I use rounds, my bass is over 20 years old with the original fingerboard (ebony). Had a few buzzes that were corrected a few weeks ago but it was more due to the neck than board.

Tried flatwounds once... never again!

Philbiker · #18 06-12-2006, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smidge

should you use round wounds on a fretless? does it cause damage to the fretboard??

If you like the sound and feel of rounds on your fretless you should use them. They will scar the fingerboard, but it shouldn't be a real problem unless you play A LOT.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smidge

plus can anyone recommend any other flatwound 6 string strings apart from thomastiks?

LaBella. I love their nylon tapewound strings on my 6 string fretless. I've also had very good experience with their "Deep Talkin' Bass" metal flats on a fretless. I love the sound of both, but slightly prefer the nylons.

Carvin makes a flatwound set that's very reasonably priced and sound/play OK, but when I tried them the "B" string completely died on me after about 6 months (I like using strings for years). I've never had a string just totally die like that before. If you're looking to see if you like flats on a 6 without the big investment into top quality flats they may be worth a look.

johnvice · #19 06-12-2006, 09:47 AM

I prefer flats on my fretless, rounds on my fretted. IMHO, flats sound better on the fretless, particularly high on the neck past the 12th fret.

As far as the wear issue goes, I'd encourage you to see for yourself. I tried rounds once and was put off by noticeable fingerboard wear and the sound. While I am not a Rotosound user, you might want to try their flat wound strings as they are extremely bright sounding.

bassjigga · #20 06-12-2006, 09:54 AM

Rounds for me. Flats always sounded lifeless IMO. Not worried about fingerboard wear. My Zon is pretty tough. And even if I were playing an ebony board they last a good while...