TI Acousticores vs Black Tapewound on a Fretless ABG?

[jedgargroover]

I've got a beautiful Martin ABG that has a fretless ebony fingerboard. Right now I have D'Addario Chromes (the lightest gauge, .45 - .95 I think) and they are ok. However, I really want to get a more upright sound, which I know this bass can achieve. I'm not so worried about volume when unplugged since I'll likely be using an amp at any gig or rehearsal at which I'd use this bass.

My question is whether or not it would be a good idea to put the TI Acousticores on a bass with an ebony fretless fingerboard? Those strings are roundwound if I'm not mistaken. (Are they? Anyone know for sure?) I'm afraid of damaging/rutting my fingerboard.

On the other hand I know that black tapewound strings won't damage the fingerboard. The downside to those is that a lot of them seem to be higher tension, and therefore pose another risk to damaging my bass.

I've researched the LaBella 360N tapewounds and they appear to be a pretty heavy gauge and, from what I can tell, a high tension. I've checked out the GHS tapewounds and those appear to be lighter. I also looked into the Status Graphite tapewounds and, again, a lighter gauge.

Basically, my bottom line is this: What are the best strings for getting an upright-like tone that aren't going to either damage my fretboard or pull on the neck due to high tension and cause structural damage to the instrument?

Any advice?

[JT Bass]

The TIs are very low tension and won't damage your board. I found them to be too low for my tastes- they sound great but are tough to get used to playing (Turner Renaissance 5 FL). I went to Chromes, thought that was too much tension, now on TI Jazz Flats, which I like as a middle ground. Can't comment on those black tapewounds.

[Todd GT5]

I switched to the nylon tapes from the original TI Acousticores on my Ren. I did like the tone of the Acousticores a lot and got used to the low tension. What I couldn't take anymore was the oxidation from the brass staining my fingers and the round wound texture. The Labella tapes feel great and sound great for me. Also it seems that a lot of higher end acoustic electrics come with them.
-Todd

[JT Bass]

Todd, how does the feel of the Labellas compare to the Acousticores? Thanks.

[PSPookie]

The two sets of string you mention are night and day as far as feel and sound. I imagine both would work quite well on a fretless ABG but which is "best" will be a matter of personal taste.

FWIW, I thought the Acousticore just felt weird. I had to get rid of the set that came on my RB5FL and I switched to tapes. Yes, the gauges on the tapewounds seem larger but that is due, in part, to the nylon wrapping which makes the string fatter but not much heavier. As such, they will not be as tight as one would expect. Status makes a nice set of tapewounds with a smaller guage and lighter tension that might appeal to you.

[7flat5]

Acousticores are roundwound, but with pretty fine windings. I have had them on a maple fretless board for going on 7 years now, and there is no significant wear to the board. Since they are bronze, they do leave some green on occasion, but you'd never see that on ebony. As long as you play them gently (they pretty much demand that) and don't use a fretted-style vibrato and scrub them back and forth on the board, they will likely do no harm.

They are very lively strings, and very light. They are designed for use with a piezo bridge. I wouldn't call them upright-like, really. You can get that vibe with the right setup and eq, though.

I have also used the 760Ns on a fretless. They are much more thumpy and less lively than the acousticores. Depending on the bridge and eq, I could imagine them being more akin to an upright in response and deadness, if you will. Have no experience with them with a piezo bridge, though.

[4Mal]

My experience is that heavier strings on a piezo bridge is a better bet. I get much better string to string balance with LaBella tapes on my Tacoma than I did with TI JF's - the Acousticores would be worse yet I imagine ...

I ripped the stock electronics out of the Tacoma in favor of a K&K pure last week. The K&K has better balance yet. I also run a feedback buster in the soundhole which helps at gig volume.

[Todd GT5]

Todd, how does the feel of the Labellas compare to the Acousticores? Thanks.

I would say the LaBellas feel real nice. They have a nice smoothness to them and I like the increased tension over the TIs.

-Todd