what strings should i put on my new fretless? i just got a new ibanez fretless 6 string off someone here on the TB forum. it's coming with elixers on it and i'm not too keen on elixer bass strings. i need something that will maiximize the "MWAAH" on a rosewood fretboard. i use DR high beams on my 5'er but have never owned a fretless.
I have found a good roundwound nickel set to be good middle ground. The nickel is not hard enough to cause the kind of wear you see with SS but still gives you the typical fretless sound.
PLEASE don't put stainless round wounds on your fretless! It will eat your board. Found this out the hard way after I was using DR Hi Beams on my SR800 Fretless. Had to get it sanded/leveled three times in one year (and that's using proper vibrato). I play A LOT of fretless and would recomend NICKEL for round wounds. Most Fretless tones we've heard on recordings are roundwound strings (more defined than flats). Another nice string is the GHS pressure wound string. It's actually an oval winding. REALLY cool string! Love your fretless, stay away from stainless round wound....PLEASE..... Unless you want to contribute to your luthiers retirement fund!
GHS Pressurewound or Smith Compressors (identical materials and look and feel - I think they might be coming off the same line), or Fodera Diamond nickels - I like the Woot's set. Or any nckel round, often I use the Cavin Labellas, maybe my favorite B string comes in those sets.
