WHAT STRINGS FOR MY FRETLESS SUSTAINER?

[skiscem]

I got a fretless fernandes protoype sustainer bass a couple of months ago, and i think is time to get new strings, this is my first fretless and i dont know what kind of strings i should get, i noted that the strings that the bass has now are kinda eating my fretboard... so i need strings good for fretless bass, not fretboard eaters and the brightest sounding strings i can get


thanks in advance

[skiscem]

please.....



bump

[WillBuckingham]

Originally Posted by skiscem

I got a fretless fernandes protoype sustainer bass a couple of months ago, and i think is time to get new strings, this is my first fretless and i dont know what kind of strings i should get, i noted that the strings that the bass has now are kinda eating my fretboard... so i need strings good for fretless bass, not fretboard eaters and the brightest sounding strings i can get


thanks in advance

I use stainless steel roundwounds from Pedulla. SS Roundwounds will give you the brightest, most modern sound possible but will eat your board if you use a heavy touch. The brightests strings I've played are Ken Smiths, but Pedulla's are pretty close. You can use nickel roundwounds or flatwounds which will be easier on the board if you use a heavy touch and not as bright, but I can't recommend a brand.

-Will

p.s. What is your board made of? Is it coated?

[skiscem]

thanks, the board is made of rosewood ( i think) and it has metal inlay type fret lines , so between flats and rounds whats the best option?


thanks

[WillBuckingham]

The best option? You said you wanted bright strings that don't eat the board. IMO, you have to choose between strings that are very bright but might eat your board, and strings that aren't so bright but will not eat your board.

However, if you've already noticed wear on the board after only a couple months, I'd say your playing way to hard regardless of what kinds of strings your using. Have you considered lessons?

[skiscem]

Originally Posted by WillBuckingham

The best option? You said you wanted bright strings that don't eat the board. IMO, you have to choose between strings that are very bright but might eat your board, and strings that aren't so bright but will not eat your board.

However, if you've already noticed wear on the board after only a couple months, I'd say your playing way to hard regardless of what kinds of strings your using. Have you considered lessons?

i got the bass used, the fretboard doesnt look bad, just very superficial marks from the strings, i just need to know whats my best option because its my first fretless and i dont want to lose the value of the instrument


thanks

[greenboy]

Smith Compressors or GHS Pressurewound, the lighter gauges since they feel very tight and the lighter ones will excite easier. These have a high magnetic signal so they should go well with the Sustainer, and they are easy on boards and fingers.

[skiscem]

Originally Posted by greenboy

Smith Compressors or GHS Pressurewound, the lighter gauges since they feel very tight and the lighter ones will excite easier. These have a high magnetic signal so they should go well with the Sustainer, and they are easy on boards and fingers.

i think thats exactly what im looking for

thanks

[elros]

Keep also in mind that the bass isn't ruined if your fingerboard is eaten by strings. The fingerboard can be fixed - again and again - and when there's no more fingerboard left, it can be replaced... and that's when you might consider putting a harder ebony board on it (perhaps even acrylized).
I wouldn't worry too much about the fingerboard wear.