Fretless Strings

bassfunk329 · #1 07-10-2008, 11:04 AM

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ngs?sku=101218

Has any used these before. Are they good for fretless basses or just use normal strings?

Mushroo · #2 07-10-2008, 11:12 AM

You can use any kind of string you want on a fretless. The strings you linked to will work well. Tapewounds have a deep, thumpy sound kind-of-sort-of-like an upright bass. If you want a Jaco "mwah" kind of sound, try roundwounds. It all depends what kind of sound you are after.

Philbiker · #3 07-10-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassfunk329

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ngs?sku=101218

Has any used these before. Are they good for fretless basses or just use normal strings?

I've never tried them on my fretted basses though I have an unopened set ready to go. On my fretless four string bass I absolutely adore these strings.

**john turner** · #4 07-10-2008, 07:29 PM

please use the correct forum when posting - we have a strings forum just for this kind of thread

.

fretlessB · #5 07-10-2008, 07:34 PM

Hi,
I've used those before with very good results. They will work both on fretted and fretless, although I would not recommend them if you slap.
They are basically round wound strings that are coated with tape, not to be confused with the Elixir style coating though; this is a thicker tape rather than poly-web.
Some advantages that I found by using these strings are:
1) Since they're roundwound you get more sustain than you would from a flatwound set.
2) The tape coating prevents damage to the fretless fingerboard.
3) They tend to last quite a bit longer than normal round wound strings as well.

Hope this helps. Enjoy!

ryco · #6 07-10-2008, 07:54 PM

Hmmm....these sound interesting. May have to try them!

Usually use D'adarrio Halfies on my fretless Gibson four. Broke a string a couple of weeks ago and only had a set of BlueStee Flats as replacements. They"re OK, but not quite as bright as I would like.

Was going to change the the Steels over to my fretted P-bass and start looking for some other stings for the fretless. Was going to try some GHS groundwounds, but maybe I'll try these instead. Thanks!!

VinylRepairKit · #7 07-10-2008, 08:17 PM

I have them on a fretless and they produce a pretty neat sound that I am fond of. They have a fairly crisp, hollow sound to them and when you EQ some low-end thump in they sound great.

They also have their own 'mwah' sound of the string vibrating against the fretboard that is distinct from rounds and flats.

They are very easy on the fingers, however due to the coating if you do a fast, long slide a lot of heat will build up between your finger and the string.

Redhot6 · #8 07-10-2008, 10:36 PM

i played rotosound tapewounds on an ibanez road something bass new a year ago and i felt alot like larry graham with sly, not the really slap and pop stuff just the deep funky grooves, on a fretted its good for a deeep thump.

in fact it was this in a 4 string http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ass?sku=515052

jasper383 · #9 07-11-2008, 04:06 AM

Search "tapewound", and you'll get lots and lots of info.

My favorite tapewound set is the GHS set. Rotosound also makes a good set, and were made famous by McCartney.

StyleOverShow · #10 07-11-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessB

Hi,
I've used those before with very good results. They will work both on fretted and fretless, although I would not recommend them if you slap.
......
3) They tend to last quite a bit longer than normal round wound strings as well.

Bought Rotosound Jazz 77 for my fretless, first set of strings I've tried on it, and they were dead in a week of moderate playing.
I am now exploring what to do with dead sounding strings through EQ, etc. I will try the tape wounds next. Good luck.