New at fretless world so strings????

[simongpaez]

Hello
I am new to the fretless world I just got a killer Zon 519, I have heard just like evryone else mixed comments regarding you need to use flatwounds to protect the fretboard, other comments no problem you can use roundwounds nothing will happen, I really don't like the feel fo flats and my bass has half round, they are ok but I prefer the feel of a round
so any recommendation?

[back as a wolf]

Mind mentioning what kind of fingerboard is on the bass? I've been playing roundwounds on my fretless Jazz Bass for well over a year and there's minimal wear to the rosewood fingerboard. When doing vibrato it's important not to bend the string side to side parallel to the other strings, as that will eat your neck away. I've been using Elixirs, just standard gauge. Hope that helps. Edit: I use the Elixir Nanowebs (thinner coating) but it's probably a better idea to use the Polywebs (thicker coating) since you've got quite an expensive bass.

[simongpaez]

Thanks it is a Zon 519, with Phenowood Fingerboard and Composite neck

[Mojo-Man]

For fretless.
DR Low Riders-Nickel
Ken Smith-Compressors
TI-Jazz Flats
TI-Jazz Rounds
Labella- Quarter-Rounds

[tplyons]

I use nickel rounds on one and flats on the other. Both get plenty of mwah.

[leftyforlife]

Originally Posted by 00Funk

Stainless rounds will make your neck look like this

Im havin a blast though. Who cares what that neck looks like

How about a clearer picture Funk?

[Philbiker]

Play strings you like the feel and tone of.

[fretlessrock]

I've been using the Zon nickels and I like them a lot. The tone is great, they feel good, and they last. I don't have a super-heavy touch, but it isn't feathery either. Similar bass here: Zon Sonus 5 fretless. I use TI strings on pretty much everything else that I own and I picked up a few sets of Zon strings for EAGDC tuning when I ordered a few piccolo sets from them.

I don't think that there is a reason to play anything other than strings that you like the sound of, frets or no frets. Basses need maintenance. Unless you have a vintage instrument that you are trying to preserve then play whatever you like. That phenowood board will take a LOT of playing before it shows anything other than superficial wear.

[canopener]

Fender Flats give a really nice moan to a fretless.