Tightness of Flats for Mwah?

Jazzin' · #1 03-17-2006, 11:19 PM

Does the tightness of a flatwound string on a fretless neck affect mwah? Would there be more mwah, less mwah or no change if one were to get higher tension flats?

The reason I'm asking is because the G of my TI flats broke and I'm looking to change the whole set to roto77s. Will I lose mwah? I'm a bigger fan of tighter strings. I don't think this question has ever been asked before.

lemur821 · #2 03-17-2006, 11:33 PM

My guess would be that tighter strings mean less mwah. If you go too slack, though, the strings won't have good mwah. I think there's a sweet spot in the middle. If your tighter strings have less than your current ones, lowering your action may give some back.

Jazzin' · #3 03-17-2006, 11:38 PM

Anyone have unbiased experience with both TI jazz flats and Rotosound 77s?

Showdown · #4 03-18-2006, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

Anyone have unbiased experience with both TI jazz flats and Rotosound 77s?

I haven't tried the Rotos, but I have tried TI flats and Lakland JO flats on the same fretless. The JO are medium tension, not as high as the rotos I don't think, but higher than the TIs. I got good mwah with both. I think that is more about setup than tension. Of course YMMV.

werbo1 · #5 03-19-2006, 12:03 PM

Flats don't really give the mwah, IME.
I really like nickel rounds to bring out the zest of fretless.

canopener · #6 03-19-2006, 05:02 PM

I get a great "groan" (read: not "mwah") from Fender 9050s. Then again, I also play on an unfinished rosewood fingerboard.

jenderfazz · #7 03-21-2006, 01:53 PM

I'd imagine that higher tension strings will mwah a bit less... but they can also withstand a slight lowering of the bridge saddles to compensate. This should bring the wmah back.

skewh · #8 03-21-2006, 05:26 PM

I use Rotosound 77's on my fretless Jazz Bass and I get plenty of mwah. The tension to me is very different depending on where I put my plucking hand, and I like a lot of room to negotiate the tension and tone.

bgavin · #9 03-21-2006, 05:43 PM

The mwah is in the setup. I use a clearance around 7 business cards or so.

I've found the rounds have better mwah than the flats. I've used TI Flats and Fender 9050. The round EXL-220 that just came off my MIM-J fretless had mwah for days. Also started chewing up the rosewood board.

the low one · #10 03-22-2006, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

Anyone have unbiased experience with both TI jazz flats and Rotosound 77s?

I’ve used both and prefer the 77’s. IMHO TI’s last well and have a great ‘thumpy’ tone but the 77’s and that bit brighter and give me the tone I want on my MIM Fender Jazz fretless. I prefer the slightly higher tension too.