Strings for fretless 5-string?

FidgetStone · #1 05-28-2007, 09:05 PM

I don't even have my 5-string fretless yet but it is only a matter of time. (Hopefully a short time) I am looking at a G&L L-2500 (34" scale) and custom no-name but nice bass that has a 35" scale. Both have dual humbuckers that can be switched in a bunch of combinations. I have sold my MIM fretless Jazz to make way for the new baby.

My tastes in tone are very broad but if I had to name some idol players with desirable tone the list would include Tony Levin, Jaco and Vic Wooten. (My chops are not even on the same continent but we're talking tone here) My other basses are a G&L ASAT that I love and a student-level upright double bass that is well set up. Since I have an upright bass, I am not looking for an upright tone with the fretless. I want a modern-ish fretless bass sound.

Let me know what you have tried and liked and not liked on your fretless fiver. Please comment on the B string especially.

Peace, love and funk . . .

FidgetStone · #2 07-17-2007, 04:23 PM

Bump for my fretless G&L L-2500 which is to arrive in my hands this week.

Any direct experience with different flats on a fretless G&L is especially appreciated.

Thanks . . .

Hotblack · #3 07-17-2007, 04:41 PM

I'm using TI flats on my fretless G&L 2500. Once they are broken in, they are very nice strings.

FidgetStone · #4 07-17-2007, 04:44 PM

Hotblack,
What did you have on your bass before the TI's? Any before and after comparison?

Thanks . . .

Hotblack · #5 07-17-2007, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FidgetStone

Hotblack,
What did you have on your bass before the TI's? Any before and after comparison?
Thanks . . .

I think it came with D'Addario rounds on it, and it just wasn't the sound I wanted from the bass. I've used TI's on a fretted Tobias, and they have a nice even sound (once broken in).

owensea777 · #6 07-17-2007, 05:39 PM

When it comes to strings for fretless, I hear the greatest things about Thomastik Infeld (aka TI) flats. They seem like a low tension (easy to play), great sounding (like a double bass, which is waht fretless should sound like), and extremely long lasting string. I wish I spoke from experience, but as soon as I get my fretless, you better beleive I'm dropping $50 on a set of TI's. I can't wait to try 'em. Check out this thread I started:
Flatwounds for Fretless...

edit: The other flats I've tried on fretless is D'addario Chromes. They are nothing special, and the string tension is too high to play comfortably for an hour or so. This comes into play with fretless because it's harder to finger notes on a fretless. The chromes are great for my fretted acoustic-electric, though, because like all flats, they reduce fret buzz to almost zero and feel greet on the fingers.

engedi1 · #7 07-18-2007, 01:47 PM

I also just got my G&L L2500 and will be putting TI Flats on it. I had Dr Lo Rider's on it initially but they weren't doing it for me. Then I tried TI Flats on my fretted bass and was so blown away by them that I had to try it on my G and L. I haven't done so yet because I am going to epoxy the fingerboard. Xavier Padilla uses TI Flats on his Jazz bass with an epoxy fingerboard and it sounds amazing. Should sound still better on a G and L..I'll let ya'll know how it goes...