strings for my fretless - mwah

werbo1 · #1 08-21-2005, 07:09 PM

What steings do u think would best be suited to getting maximum mwah out of my fretless? I'm talking like Jaco mwah or even Mike Dimin's tone when he plays fretless.

How would Lo Riders or High Beams be? I have access easily to DR and D'Adarrio strings so a type of thsoe would be preferred

JimmyM · #2 08-21-2005, 08:11 PM

I get plenty of it on my fretless with regular old D'addario XL's. I think the most important thing for mwah is that the strings be roundwound and use only the bridge pickup. After that, you're on your own.

quatre03 · #3 08-21-2005, 08:24 PM

I suggest the DR black beauties, or the GHS infinisteel

**TheEmptyCell** · #4 08-21-2005, 08:36 PM

I've got my fretboard poly'd, so I'm currently using D'addario ProSteels to happy results.

JAL · #5 08-22-2005, 10:07 AM

i coax crazy mwah outta my Ti Jazz flats!

dougjwray · #6 08-22-2005, 10:18 AM

FYI, Jaco used Rotosound Swing Bass strings. (On a fingerboard coated with boat varnish, of course.)
As someone else said, I think the key is: low action and the bridge pickup. Also, plucking over the end of the fingerboard helps. And you have to listen, feel, and really coax the "mwah" out of it. The fingering hand contributes too-- if you don't use just the right pressure you can deaden the vibration and choke off the "mwah." A very heavy attack also doesn't help, IMHO.

Richard Lindsey · #7 08-22-2005, 12:38 PM

In my book, your bass setup and your playing touch matter a whole lot more than DR rounds vs. D'Addario rounds.

Beefbass · #8 08-22-2005, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Lindsey

In my book, your bass setup and your playing touch matter a whole lot more than DR rounds vs. D'Addario rounds.

Amen to that.

But if we have to mention string types, I like the mwah I get from D'addario chromes. XL's were great for this too-I just found them a little too trebly. The Chromes kept good mwah, while mellowing out the sound a bit.

My action is set pretty low, and as stated, plucking over the end of the fingerboard helps too.

bassjigga · #9 08-22-2005, 08:14 PM

I've got nickel lo riders on my Zon fretless and they have a very nice bark to them. Hard to say on the mwah. My Zon has mwah no matter what strings I put on it.

JimmyM · #10 08-22-2005, 10:05 PM

BTW, have I ever mentioned how much I hate mwah? Not the sound, just the term.

Marcus · #11 08-23-2005, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Lindsey

In my book, your bass setup and your playing touch matter a whole lot more than DR rounds vs. D'Addario rounds.

This man is right on the money.

Shed the technique before freaking out over the strings.