Stainless Steel Rounds on a Fretless?

grifff · #1 10-05-2009, 04:11 PM

So I mistakenly bought some stainless steel rounds thinking they were nickel. Should I just return them and get some nickel rounds or should I go ahead and put them on my bass? I'm not sure how much more stainless steel rounds will tear into it more than nickel so that's why I asked you guys. My fretboard is Ebony if that matters.

So should I go ahead and return them or should I try them?

bassist4dalord · #2 10-05-2009, 04:14 PM

Try 'em. What do you have to lose? You may end up loving them! For the record, what brand/gauge strings are they?

grifff · #3 10-05-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

Try 'em. What do you have to lose? You may end up loving them! For the record, what brand/gauge strings are they?

Rotosound swing 66's 45-105. I just don't want them to absolutely destroy my fretboard

mellowgerman · #4 10-05-2009, 04:30 PM

well i've heard that ebony is a considerable amount softer than rosewood and i do prefer flats in all applications... so i opted for "no"
but it's your decision

bassist4dalord · #5 10-05-2009, 04:54 PM

I have Rotosound RS66 Swing Bass strings on my Squier Affinity Jazz V, fretted. These strings are said to eat frets after continuous use. I've heard that ebony is the best for a fretless+round combo.

Rock-Bassman · #6 10-05-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mellowgerman

well i've heard that ebony is a considerable amount softer than rosewood and i do prefer flats in all applications... so i opted for "no"
but it's your decision

Huh?

I thought it was the other way around... but you may be right...

grifff · #7 10-05-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock-Bassman

Huh?

I thought it was the other way around... but you may be right...

Ebony is harder. I was wondering if there was a considerable difference in wear between using steel and nickel rounds on a fretless.

rhapbus · #8 10-05-2009, 05:10 PM

Roto's have a reputation for destroying frets. so i'd imagine they would do the same to plain wood. i say use them for now, but if you use them in the long run you might have to refinish sooner

grifff · #9 10-05-2009, 05:26 PM

If I used nickel plated rounds would the damage be significantly less than using steel strings?

mellowgerman · #10 10-05-2009, 05:28 PM

hmmm aparently i was misinformed. anyway, my answer is still no. flats all the way

Spedracer · #11 10-05-2009, 05:31 PM

Well as far as rounds are concerned Roto swing 66's are probably the hardest on frets, so they will likely be hardest on your ebony. But that is beside the point, if your looking for aggressive tone rotos are your string. You can always refinish the board later on down the road. I wouldn't think one set will ruin your board.

MysticMichael · #12 10-05-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grifff

If I used nickel plated rounds would the damage be significantly less than using steel strings?

Over time, probably yes. But unless you're the type who never changes the strings, we're talking about only a limited-time tryout, with presumably a life cycle of only a few months at most...

That said, Rotosound stainless steels are about the most abrasive type you could get. If you find that you like the way they sound, you might want to consider getting the fingerboard epoxied. I have the HG Thor treatment on my fretless four-string, on which I play a set of DR Fat Beams. I couldn't be happier with the way it sounds...

MM

grifff · #13 10-05-2009, 05:41 PM

I'm thinking I'll just return the steel rounds and just get some nickel rounds. I plan on keeping rounds on for the duration that I have this bass.

JTE · #14 10-06-2009, 08:52 AM

Pff... Use what sounds good and count fingerboard (and fret) wear as the cost of doing business. Think this through. It's a musical instrument. Therefore its function is to make sounds that allow you to express the music. Hence, use what sounds right to you.

Making string choices primarily based on the potential for wear is sort of like deciding not to load you truck up with your musical gear because of potential additional wear on the tires and suspension. It's daft.

BTW, ebony is much harder. I have two fretless basses, both with ebony boards. I've had one fingerboard since about 1995 and it's always worn rounds (until July when I got the other fretless). Mostly those have been stainless (either D'Addario XLS stainless, or DR Hi-Beams with a couple of sets of Lakland Stainless), all 45-105. I buff the fingerboard about once every six months with a 3M hardware sponge which is about the same as using 0000 steel wool. It's got no noticable wear on it at all.

The other fretless is a used Lakland Deluxe 494 that came with a set of Lakland JO flats on it. I swapped them for a set of DR Sunbeams about a week after I got it. No wear and it sound awesome. For what I want, rounds are a much better choice FOR ME on that fretless. I put the Lakland flats on my old fretless because they were in good shape and now I have options for my fretless sounds just like I do for the fretted ones.

Bottom line is to use what sounds good to you and play the bass.

John

James Hart · #15 10-06-2009, 09:04 AM

I use stainless rounds on my fretless... use what gets you your voice. Technique will wear out a board faster than the strings metal type or winding shape. Metal > Wood

AltGrendel · #16 10-06-2009, 09:18 AM

I have a Guild B-301 fretless. When I got it, the prev owner had used roundwounds on it. It had some serious wear (rosewood fingerboard) under the G and D strings. Had the fretboard dressed and have used half-rounds on it since.

Since you have ebony, I don't think it's going to be much of an issue, just keep an eye on it.

jasper383 · #17 10-06-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

Bottom line is to use what sounds good to you and play the bass.

John

+1

Jaco who? · #18 10-06-2009, 09:34 AM

Meaningless poll, since using a string like D'addario Pro-steels, or probably the Rotos (I've not tried those) would be substantially coarser and cause more damage than other stainless rounds, like DR high beams or low riders.

I use DR Sunbeams (nickel) on my Fender Jazz fretless, and Highbeams on my fretted ESP. I get no significant marks with the Sunbeams, and probably wouldn't with Highbeams either, since they're both really smooth feeling strings. Sunbeams give me the tone I want, though, so I see no reason to switch.

Dragan · #19 10-06-2009, 09:38 AM

as much as I know Jaco used that very same strings for his fretless.
personally I found 'em being pretty harsh on FINGERS, as for the ebony - I dont think it's that fragile.
I used DR Marcus Miller 045-105 on my fretless and it sounded absolutely wonderfull!

fishsticks · #20 10-06-2009, 09:38 AM

I say go nickel wound.. slightly less wear and tear on your fretboard
or epoxy your fretboard to make it a little tougher..
or go flat...and bump up to 500k ohm pots for a little more ZING!