What's the name of those strings on fretless bass that feel smooth as silk?

de la mocha · #1 10-12-2005, 10:28 AM

My friend has a fretless bass and I want his strings! It came with his fretless. The strings don't feel like metal. They're smooth as silk when you slide your fingers on them. He told me the name but I forgot and he's in a meeting at work!

It's almost lunch and I want to run out and buy them at lunch time but I don't know the name! I think he said flatwound but I'm not sure.....

jsbach1982 · #2 10-12-2005, 10:39 AM

Yes, flatwounds. AKA 'flats'.

-Jono

de la mocha · #3 10-12-2005, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsbach1982

Yes, flatwounds. AKA 'flats'.

-Jono

I love those things! I gotta get some! Thanks!!!

Martybass · #4 10-12-2005, 11:25 AM

They could be nylon tapewounds. they certainly don't feel like metal (they aren't on the surface), and are smoother still.

de la mocha · #5 10-12-2005, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martybass

They could be nylon tapewounds. they certainly don't feel like metal (they aren't on the surface), and are smoother still.

What is the difference between nylon tapewounds vs. flatwounds sound wise?

Martybass · #6 10-12-2005, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by de la mocha

What is the difference between nylon tapewounds vs. flatwounds sound wise?

I can't say I've ever A/B'd them on a fretless, or on anything else for that matter! I just sorta had a gut feeling that I wanted tapewounds on mine, so I went for them! I wasn't disappointed.

PilbaraBass · #7 10-12-2005, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martybass

I can't say I've ever A/B'd them on a fretless, or on anything else for that matter! I just sorta had a gut feeling that I wanted tapewounds on mine, so I went for them! I wasn't disappointed.

tapewounds tone is generally very round with little to no growl or bite...very pleasant sounding and great for mellow jazz and such...

flats still generally maintain that little bit of "metallic" characteristic that gives that "bite" and growl...

I have 4 basses...and they are strung as such

fretted PJ ...round wounds
fretted P ...flat wounds
fretted semi-acoustic ...nylon tape
fretless ...nylon tape (I LOVE the sound of these strings on fretless...LOVE IT)

My nylon tapes are made by LaBella...