My first fretless, what strings to use?

[Yellow]

Hi everybody,

I used to always play fretted bass 5 strings EADGC

Now I am getting a fretless and want to get strings that will contribute to the tone and feel I am after, but dont know where to start.

I like medium gauge, brighter sounding, more modern rather then classic vintage, I like articulate clear attack.

Some I have seen on basses in the sotres feel more slippery then others, I like slippery shiny feel.

Please recommend where to start.

I dont mind paying a little extra for a great set, I buy DR hi beams for my 5 string and love them.

[SGT. Pepper]

Rotosound Solo bass 55's

[BassMan250]

Ernie Ball Regular (or Power) Slinkys.

[1kinal]

DR Sunbeams are my set of choice for fretless.

[birdxofxprey]

i use elixir nanos on my fretless, EADGC. they sound and feel great, and put very little wear on the board.

good luck!

[plastik-bass[?]]

Originally Posted by BassMan250

Ernie Ball Regular (or Power) Slinkys.

+1

[msquared]

Originally Posted by Yellow

I like brighter sounding, more modern rather then classic vintage, I like articulate clear attack.

Please recommend where to start.

The description you gave is entirely relative. It's tough to pick out anything exact, especially since the DR Hi Beams you're currently using give a sound which most people would say fits your description. If you like the tone you get now, start with DR Hi Beams.

[doctorjazz]

Seconded for the Hi Beams.

[Jamiebass]

DR Sunbeams are awsome, thats what I've got on my fretless. Elixers are a close second for longevity, but they only brighten up after a few days.

[mdangelo]

+1 for Sunbeams.

[J.D.B.]

Fender 9050's medium in stainless....sweet.

[Grantrudd]

i use d'addario semi-flats on my '83 guild pilot 5 string with a low B. i love them. they feel and sound amazing. i am on my second set, they do not last as long as elixirs, but i have played both on this bass, and prefer these semi-flats to the elixirs that i played. they only take a few days to break in too, and they arent as hard on the fingers as flatwounds. very little wear on the fingerboard too.

[haloonpc]

Yeah bro I'd go with some Nanoweb coated Elixers

[raebasso]

I've use GHS Boomers for years on my fretless basses ('86 Guild Pilot and '06 Warwick Thumb BO). I only have a 4, but they sound nice with the hipshot to a low D. Don't forget that every brand of string will sound different on every bass.............At least the strings are cheaper than for upright, a little easier on the wallet for experimenting!

[Philbiker]

Fender nylon tapewound. NOT the nylon filament tapewound.

[owensea777]

go for some kind of tapewounds