Strings for Corvette Fretless

[FireBug]

Well, I've had D'Adario groundwounds on my Corvette Fretless 4 for a few months. I finally noticed the E start to go dead. I love the sound of this bass in general, though I do find it a little bit dry sounding. I haven't yet gotten to explore the world of strings for fretlesses and was wondering what you guys might recommend. I would like to change out the neck pickup and get something that added a little bit of warmth, but I'm going to explore a little bit more before I do.

I would like to have something with some nice punch and warmth, with matching, if not more mwah, than the D'Adarios.

I've played flatwounds and tend to stay away from them because they sound a little too mellow, but point me in the right direction and I am more than willing to pick up a set.

What do you guys recommend? Thanks.

[mad_man_moon61]

Hey there,
Give Rotosound Flatwounds a shot.
http://www.rotosound.com/
They have nice punch for flatwounds IMHO.

Cheers,
Doug

[m.oreilly]

the warwick rounds, very smooth. i'll be trying a set of light-light roto rounds in a day or two, but the warwick black lable sets are a sure bet

[winston]

I just played a fretless Corvette 4 the other day and was very impressed. If I didn't already have a fretless 4 I'd consider picking up a 'Vette. I liked the way it sounded/played with the stock strings.

D'Addario groundwounds are (IMHO) some of the least-interesting sounding strings I've ever tried--no growl or sustain. If you want a similar feel but more mwah/detail I'd recommend a pressurewound string. I just put a set of Ken Smith Slick Round presurewounds on my fretless and like them a lot better than groundwounds. I know GHS also makes a pressurewound set.

Are you trying to stay away from roundwounds? I quite like the sound of nickel rounds on a fretless, and the 'Vette's ebony board should hold up well--just don't do crosswise vibrato or bend strings. I like D'Addario, Ken Smith, Dean Markley, and Ernie Ball nickels.

If you want more fingerboard protection the coated DRs are good (had a set of Black Beauties I liked). Smoother feeling/sounding but a little plasticky.

D'Addario Chromes are bright for flats, and Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats have a distinctive midrange voice that can work well for fretless. TI Jazz Rounds are similar but the gauges are so small that they are very low-tension and don't put out a whole lot of low end.

[FireBug]

Yeah, I forsee this bass as a keeper and want to protect the fingerboard. I have Rotosound Swing 66 on one of my other basses and couldn't be happier. I was thinking of trying their line. Nickel or steel isn't a concern for me as long as they sound good. I'm going to do a little digging and see what information I can find on the strings you guys suggested.

Thanks guys and keep them coming!

[Jeralya]

I use roto swing 66's and couldn't be happier, and although the board is 'marked' it isnt tonally affected, and i had flats on for two years and got tons of markings anyways