How abrasive are half rounds

[the low one]

I have a Fender Jazz fretless and want a bit more ‘zing’ but don’t want to use round wound strings as I know they’ll chew up the fret board. The bass currently has the stock Fender flats suplied when new.
I’m thinking of trying the Rotosound or D’Addario half round strings, how abrasive are they? How bright are they?

[BurningSkies]

I've used half flats on my Jazz fretless without any ill effect upon the fingerboard. They're not as abrasive as rounds, but not as smooth as flats.

In fact, they're about half way in the middle.

Makes sense, right.

[the low one]

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

I've used half flats on my Jazz fretless without any ill effect upon the fingerboard. They're not as abrasive as rounds, but not as smooth as flats.

In fact, they're about half way in the middle.

Makes sense, right.

It's a simple answer to a simple question .. and one I was hoping to hear.

[Fuzzbass]

I strongly urge you to get the strings you think sound best! I guess rounds wear strings a little faster than flats, but there's no reason to panic. As a roundwound user for 25 years (usually stainless rounds), I have noticed wear but have only had to get two fret dressings, and have never had to get a full refret.

[mbulmer]

He's asking in regards to a fretless. Roundwounds will chew up a wooden fretboard about a bazillion times faster than it would a fret. Especially if it's a rosewood Fender fingerboard. And having to have the fingerboard replaced is a wholly different animal than having the frets redressed.

I believe Alembic makes a half-round string that all of their fretless basses are strung with so I assume that the effect of half-rounds on the fingerboard will be, at most, negligible.

Matt

[Budbear]

You might want to try Smith Compressors or SIT Silencers. I've used both of them on fretless, and IMO they sound great & are gentle on the boards. (Fretted sound pretty good as well). Make your ears happy.

[the low one]

I can answer this question myself now and the answer is “far too abrasive !!”. I fitted a set of Rotosound SM 55 half wounds, set up the bass and it sounded great. Did a sound check and 45 minute set, so played for about 1 hour and I already have ware lines on the fretboard. When I put the strings on I thought that they were almost as rough as the roundwounds I use on my fretted and I think they are.

Well I think it’s straight back to flatwounds, which ones are the brightest, or is that a contradiction?

[FireAarro]

Perhaps Rotosound ANYTHINGS chew stuff up.