Need strings for a fretless A/E

[armywalaby]

I recently bought a fretless 4 string electric and a fretless 5 string acoustic electric. I am new to fretless bass guitars, but I can see the damage that is happening to the neck already on them from the strings that came on them. Any reccomendations?

[Jared Lash]

Well, flats will preserve your fingerboard longer, but it really depends on whether you'll like that thumpier tone or not. Personally I can go with either flats or rounds on a fretted, but I only use rounds on fretless.

If you want that zingy sound, you might try DR Sunbeams. They've been pretty good to my fretless boards.

That said, all strings will wear on your board to some extent. My advice is to improve your technique as best you can and then be willing to take it to a luthier to get planed down every couple years (and then possibly replaced after a couple visits) when the wear gets substantial.

As I understand it, Pino has had his fingerboard replaced on his Music Man a few times.

[armywalaby]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

If you want that zingy sound, you might try DR Sunbeams. They've been pretty good to my fretless boards.

On an A/E?

[Jared Lash]

Whoops. I'm usually so good about reading the whole post before I reply but I guess I just skimmed yours.

I definitely recommend Sunbeams for the 4 string electric.

But I've never owned an acoustic/electric fretless. I did play a Rob Allen Mouse that I believe had LaBella tapewounds on it that sounded pretty good. But outside of that, I'm not much help on this topic, sorry.

[Frankjohnson]

I used Fender 9120's on my Dean and played it exclusively plugged in. It is pretty quiet unplugged with them, but nice when put through the PA or a rig. The electonics suck on it, so i use a pre amp (outboard).

the 9120's are black nylon tape wound over round-wound strings. I use them on my P bass dlx and Jag. I have flats on everything else mostly for sound, but also for long term fret wear.

[fretlessguy]

I use GHS Precision flats on my Acoustic Fretless Bass. Gives it kind of an upright sound. I use light gauge (.45-.95) although I have used mediums on it. I would imagine a top loaded acoustic bass guitar with a thick hollow body might cause the top to buckle eventually, so be careful not to put any thing on it with excessive string tension. I too have used both Fender and LaBella tapes on it, and preferred the Fender 9120s.

[lunker]

LaBella tapewounds

It will take forever to wear down your fingerboard. Plus, I've not confirmed it yet, but I'm pretty sure the strings will outlast the bass itself.

[armywalaby]

Thanks to all!

[Pilgrim]

Definitely worth trying tapewounds. They will sound great on an ABG, and won't wear the fingerboard.