Halfrounds/Groundrounds, TI Jazz Flats, or Soft Rounds for fretless?

[Orco87]

Recently swapped my sx jazz fretted neck for a fretless and I'm on the fence as in terms of new strings... previously this was the old faithful go-to bass and just went well with w/e music I play. I still wish for the bass to be versatile and not just be a one trick pony...

I've read some info on halfrounds and how it's love/hate relationships... I've had TI Jazz flats on a fretless before and loved em', but I'm just wondering if I can get some more sound versatility or if their's some rounds I could get that won't eat up the neck immediately....

any help is highly appreciated!

[bassteban]

Half-rounds are made by D'Addario, not DR. I have them on my fretless 6 & love them. Beyond that, it seems to be a very love or hate thing. Same goes for rounds on a fretless fingerboard; opinions & experience vary widely. Search out a few threads & you'll see these are very much hot-button topics.

[Orco87]

My bad, I'll change that immediately... but yeah, that's what I've noticed as in terms of cool or not... I have rounds on my fretless now and wouldn't mind it if it wasn't for in lack of other ways to describe it, less metallic clang sound.... I also was a lil' interested in TI jazz rounds too...

[Kareir]

Hmm, well, i dont currently own a fretless, waiting for my musical ear to develop a little more before that. (eg. to a high standard where i can recognise a note)
But i've played a few, and tbh i seem to prefer Flats, just the sound and feel seem to suit it, and supposedly the TIs are pretty good in terms of tone, etc.

Just my 2c, i'd trust someone more experienced though

_Kar.

[ryco]

I've never tried TI flats, but took a set of Blue Steel Flats of off my fretless. Was too thumpy and really had to press firmly to get any sustain.

Usually use D'Addario Halfies which I like and have used since the '80s.
Thought I'd try GHS BriteFlats this time, which are Halfies as well. I'm liking them.

Halfies do have a "grabby" feeling which drives some ppl nuts. Doesn't bother me in the least.

[Orco87]

Originally Posted by ryco

I've never tried TI flats, but took a set of Blue Steel Flats of off my fretless. Was too thumpy and really had to press firmly to get any sustain.

Usually use D'Addario Halfies which I like and have used since the '80s.
Thought I'd try GHS BriteFlats this time, which are Halfies as well. I'm liking them.

Halfies do have a "grabby" feeling which drives some ppl nuts. Doesn't bother me in the least.

when you say "grabby" do you mean they feel kinda sticky or somethin? does that go away?

[Buogon]

I just replied to a thread, on colored strings, feel free to check it out.
You don't have to use "flats or halfies" on all fretless basses.
It all depends on the material on the fingerboard. Alot of companys use rounds on their basses. Coated strings work also.

[bassistgook]

I used ghs bright flats on my cort b4fl before. I liked the tone and flats on a fretless is the ultimate in comfort in my opinion

[ryco]

Originally Posted by Orco87

when you say "grabby" do you mean they feel kinda sticky or somethin? does that go away?

When I say grabby I mean there is a little resistance between fingers and string - not quite the same as being sticky.

I don't know if it "goes away" or if I just don't think about/notice it after a short while.

Srry I cant' be any more articulate. This is as good as it gets, mate!

[Orco87]

Originally Posted by Buogon

I just replied to a thread, on colored strings, feel free to check it out.
You don't have to use "flats or halfies" on all fretless basses.
It all depends on the material on the fingerboard. Alot of companys use rounds on their basses. Coated strings work also.

that's why I was wonderin' bout what rounds wouldn't be too bad either... I still like the sound versatility of rounds, just can't really be experimenting with too many strings cuz they ain't cheap! I'll hit some more threads and do some more research...

[JustDavid]

"Grabby" reduces with time if you don't clean the strings; finger dust fills the gaps in the string. But with time it will then vary up & down the string, reduction in proportion to how much you play in a certain spot.

"Grabby" will also reduce with time as you become used to how that string feels; Rounds are much more "grabby" than Grounds but most folk seem to accept that's their nature.

Fretless strings are a personal taste. I love Rounds on them, but love Flats on fretted basses. My son dislikes Rounds; prefers thumpy Flats.

My take on fretboard wear with Rounds is that is part of the operating cost. Clearly better to buy the tools ($30? $40?) & learn how to DIY. If you are playing enough to require replacing the fingerboard well . . . that's a LOT of playing!! Right on!!

[The Dave]

I used halfies briefly and the grabbiness did drive me nuts. It's kinda strange, they seem to grab when you stop so, starting a slide, or just moving, requires some effort (which threw off my timing), but once you're moving, they feel very slick (which caused me to overshoot a note from time to time). I think it's the sharp edge created when the windings are ground off. It was really frustrating. They also died VERY QUICKLY. I hated them, and went right back to Fender 7150 Nickel Rounds. That's just my experience.

[the low one]

I use Status halfround strings on my fretless Jazz. Great tone and feel, good medium tension too, just like rounds of the same size.

[WoodyG3]

I tried them a while back and the D'Addario halfwounds were not for me. They felt rough and sounded dull on a P Bass I had at the time. LaBella flatwounds sounded brighter to me, and certainly felt a lot more comfortable. Just my one time experience, FWIW.