Anyone else here have roundwounds on their fretless

Using them for 15 years. The ebony board on my old yama bb1200 seems pretty hard, I've only had it resurfaced once. Probably needs it again, but I'm going to wait until I put it in the shop to get the neck thinned a bit.

 

I prefer roundwounds on my fretlesses too.

 

Just flats.
Doc

 

Stainless steel roundwounds only

 

i plan on buying a fretless soon, and i want to use roundwounds. anything special i have to check/the bass has to have (fretboard material, etc.) ?

 

I have always used roundwounds on every fretless I have owned. Last time I switched out on my 5 I went from Ken Smiths to Elixers.

 

What's your opinion between the Smiths and Elixers??

I use roundwounds on my fretless basses as well although I do stick with nickel. The nickels seem to create a good sound with just enough brightness and overtones. I use steel roundwounds on my fretted basses, but then again I'm going for a different sound and feel with them.

 

I wonder how hard maple would handle under roundwounds? Have you ever seen a maple fretless...would be very interesting

 

Maple is harder then rosewood and I've seen quite a few fretless rosewood basses. I think the main drop back on maple is the color. If you get past the protective coating -- which is very likely on a fretless -- the wood starts to gunk up and discolor pretty quickly.

I have seen a couple fretless maple p-basses on ebay before, but I don't have any personal experience with them.

 

I just got a fretless and decided to put on a set of Rotosound Swing Bass roundwounds. Sounds awesome. Tone is first I say. Flatwounds are dead sounding to me... Couldn't take it...

I have an ebony fretboard and I think they can handle a lot, is this true guys?????

 

Yes, rotos are awesome, particularly if you can afford to change them often (the brightness roll off after the first couple of weeks is a bit steep for me).

In general, yes, ebony holds up well to rounds. But there is variation in all wood. This is one of those situations where you have to bite the apple to know the taste.

 

You know guys, IMO DR strings are a longer lasting alternative to Rotosound. Try the Lo-Riders stainless. Strong bottom, awesome highs. Very much like Swingbass 66 but longer lasting and they don't have that irritating red silk on them.

 

I'll give them or the hi beams a try. I converted to chrome rounds (D'A XLs) about 9 years ago and have been very happy with them. However, I just got another fretless that will be handling the more "mellow" end of things, so ss rounds is something I'll be looking at for my old bass.


BTW, is it just me, or do we have 3 threads that are kind of intertwined?

 

I have a Fender P bass with a maple fretless neck and always have used roundwounds. Gives a great sound and a good 'buzz' sound. After 5 years the strings wore completely though the clear finish on the neck. I had the neck refinished in 'Imron' clear coat. My luthier who works on my basses says the 'Imron' clear coat is tough as nails and after 2 years I still don't see any wear on the neck.

 

I have a Rick Turner Electroline fretless with uncoated Pao Fero and an old Hohner fretless with coated maple board. I use nickel roundwounds (DRs) on both for over a year now, so far no problems.

 

yearhhh...Stainless Steel Roundwounds...Its the only thing....

 

I keep trying to stick with TI Jazz Flats on my fretless, but, rounds have the sound I want. That's just the way it is.

Right now I have TI Powerbasses on it, but they're so expensive...I could justify it for the flats because they last many, many months.

Some strings wear the fingerboard out more than others. Roto's are the worst I ever tried. Tore the heck out of it really quick. Hi Beams didn't cause much wear, but they sound thin to me. Low Riders, I loved them.That's what I'll use when the TI's wear out.

Anybody use the nickel Low Riders? Or, Sunbeams?

 

I have flats on one and rounds on another, and have tried tapewounds. I prefer the sound of the roundwounds.

 

I use both. The Sunbeams sound amazing on my Elrick. The bass may have something to do with that