FRETLESS STRING CONFUSION

basspraiser · #1 05-30-2009, 03:03 PM

Hi ya'll:

I just got a sweet Lakland 55-94 (35" scale 5 string) fretless this last weekend.

I used to have a Skyline 44-02 fretless on which I used the stainless steel round wound strings that came on it...they sounded GREAT but seemed to dig into the ebony somewhat.

When I got the 55-94, it had flats on it....I hate to say it, but I do not like flats (at all)...I like a brighter sound (which my 44-02 definately had!)

So I went to GC yesterday potentially to get a set of chromes....and the clerk (who also played bass) said that the chromes seemed to go "dead" on her really fast....so I "forgot" about those (she admitted that she does play hard).

I heard maybe Elixers were agood choice or black beauties (both due to being coated)...but they did not have a 5 string set of either....so I ended up with a set of DR Hibeams (based on looking at and feeling the strings I thought these would not "dig in" as much)....put them on last night...they DO sound good but I noticed some wear almost immediately....

What to do???? any recommendations? the neck is pristine and I do not want to gouge a great ebony neck.....

I have heard that MAYBE nickles will not grind as much...

I may be playing it out next Sunday so any recomendations would be GREAT!

thanks!!!!

PS - Keep in mind......I DO need long strings

E-Mac · #2 05-30-2009, 03:07 PM

sunbeams

MNAirHead · #3 05-30-2009, 03:09 PM

I've tested a few.. on basses I don't care about.. rounds are kind of the 80s sound.. for those I care about .. tape wounds seem to be a good balance between bright and smooth.

mattygbass · #4 05-30-2009, 03:14 PM

and then theres alway the d'addario half rounds, wich are a round wound string with the windings ground down flatter

Captain_Arrrg · #5 05-30-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E-Mac

sunbeams

+1

James Hart · #6 05-30-2009, 03:22 PM

scoring of the board is not even close to digging up the board... it takes a long while to get to that stage. Play the strings you like the sound of... fingerboards can be dressed a few times before replacement.

MarkusBass · #7 05-30-2009, 03:50 PM

Doug...how many times have I suggested Chromes?

You're killing me!

GET THE CHROMES! They absolutly do NOT go dead fast. She's full of it!

Here is a very good thread on flats:
Confessions of a Flatwound convert...

MysticMichael · #8 05-30-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basspraiser

....I hate to say it, but I do not like flats (at all)...

Why "hate to say it"? If they're not for you, then they're not for you. I much prefer roundwounds too, if it makes you feel any better...

Quote:

Originally Posted by basspraiser

What to do???? any recommendations?

OK, here's my recommendation: You're just going to have to plunk down a few bucks from time to time on new strings and do your own experimentation. You can solicit opinions here on TalkBass in order to help guide you somewhat. But at the end of the day, that's all they are: opinions. For your own particular needs and preferences, nothing is better than personal experience!

MM

JustDavid · #9 05-30-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basspraiser

I hate to say it, but I do not like flats (at all)...I like a brighter sound

+1 to MysticMichael's comments, but from a deep lover of Flats. Just because they're the cat's a$$ for me in no way means they are right for you.

fergbassplayer · #10 05-30-2009, 05:42 PM

Just send the bass to me and the issue will be resolved...I like flats!

basspraiser · #11 05-30-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fergbassplayer

Just send the bass to me and the issue will be resolved...I like flats!

there ya go.....problem solved!!!

basspraiser · #12 05-30-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

scoring of the board is not even close to digging up the board... it takes a long while to get to that stage. Play the strings you like the sound of... fingerboards can be dressed a few times before replacement.

I agree...but this one is an older neck (2005 neck on a 2009 body - LONG story!) and I think it has been dressed a few times already.....

ALL: some GREAT ideas....keep them coming and I will try out a few soon...

Matty - thought about half rounds but (again) they only had 4 string sets!!! argh!!

basspraiser · #13 05-30-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

I've tested a few.. on basses I don't care about.. rounds are kind of the 80s sound.. for those I care about .. tape wounds seem to be a good balance between bright and smooth.

Never tried them...maybe an idea...

basspraiser · #14 05-30-2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkusBass

Doug...how many times have I suggested Chromes?

You're killing me!

GET THE CHROMES! They absolutly do NOT go dead fast. She's full of it!

Here is a very good thread on flats:
Confessions of a Flatwound convert...

OK OK ......maybe she was full of it....Greg was going to give me a set of chromes but they were "defective".....(only 4 strings)....maybe I will have to give them a try...

I may be the "Terry of strings" for the next few months!!!! (inside LOG joke)....

SteveD · #15 05-30-2009, 09:11 PM

My best tones on fretless have come using Sunbeams or the Chromes. The Chromes have decent life, don't sweat that. Sunbeams don't seem to dig into my neck at all. I like the Sunbeams best (2001 MIM Jazz, stock).

E-Mac · #16 05-30-2009, 09:20 PM

i agree with SteveD

MarkusBass · #17 05-30-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basspraiser

OK OK ......maybe she was full of it....Greg was going to give me a set of chromes but they were "defective".....(only 4 strings)....maybe I will have to give them a try...

I may be the "Terry of strings" for the next few months!!!! (inside LOG joke)....

Cool! When you realize you like them, you can buy a 5 string set for like 35 buckarros.

JEDI BASS · #18 05-31-2009, 04:24 AM

Said this in the CHI Love thread earlier...

If you get Chromes, make sure to get the SUPER Longs!

And I'm loving Chromes on my Pentabuzz, better than the Elixirs that were on it.

And, why not just order a mixed bag of sets from juststrings.com? It may be worth the $$ to find the right strings. Plus you've got plenty of Lakies to experiment with, and move sets around on... I hear that Chromes sound great on FRETTED basses too, especially CHI'd ones

.

fretlessguy · #19 06-01-2009, 05:58 AM

Like you, I had a headache trying to find the right set of strings for my 5 string fretless. But, I did have a few strings sets I like. The D'Addario Chromes really sounded good on mine. I may eventually go back to them. Another set was the 5 string set of LaBella tapewounds. A very interesting sound, but thier tension was just too much for me after I developed my arthritis.
Three sets of GHS strings I have used were their Precision Flats, Pressure Wounds, and Brite Flats. All had their good qualities. The Flats were more tradtional sounding than the Chromes. Very "old school" sounding. The Brite Flats were actually ground down roundwounds, and split the difference in sound between flats and rounds. The third set was the Pressurewounds, which had the mwah of a round and the deeper percussive sound of a flat. They were really smooth and did not harm the board like a set of normal rounds would. It should be noted that all the sets come as 4 strings sets with the B being ordered seperately. I recommend all of them.
The strings set that currently sits on my 5 are Fender 7250-5 light gauge Superbass strings. They are nickel plated, and are similar to Sunbeams in sound. They are long enough to fit both 34 and thru bridge bodies. They are the best rounds I have tried that fit my style. Good luck in your search.

FG

Grateful · #20 06-01-2009, 08:29 AM

As you know, I love me my Chromes on my fretless Lakland. I have had some Tapewounds on other basses and really like those as well. If you end up trying tapewounds, get them here:

You'll not find them cheaper and their customer service is top notch. Get a couple of sets and offset shipping!