Does mwha on fretless depend on the strings?

[StrivingOn]

Put some Sunbeams on my new fretless SX and though I like their tone and feel I’m wondering if there’s just too much mwah. Is this determined by strings or just the fretless sound? I’m new to fretless, so trying to get acclimated. There were flats on the bass when I got it but they were lifeless and thumpy. Sunbeams are much better but maybe the round core is a bit too flexible—?

 

[Killing Floor]

Technique in my experience but some people find it easier with rounds. I am using DTF LaBella on my main fretless and I like the little bit of fight but it’s worth trying a few types and find your own sound.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I'm neither old nor new on fretless (partly learnt to play on one on loan, but I kept eyes glued on lines, and it wore very old flats, and I had it for not long, and I never played one ever again, so my overall experience is nothing to base anything upon).
The above having been said, what I've read points to the main elements of mwah being
- strings (rounds meow more than flats, usually)
- string action (higher strings smooch less).
- fretboard material
- technique
- pickup position and type, I would think?
Anyway. Try raising the action a bit, see if you can strike a balance between mwah and stopping-hand playing feel.

 

[loukash]

After initally using the factory flats on the J-bass for some time, since about three years I switched to Elixir Nanoweb Nickel Roundwound 45-105. They give me the sound I like.
Low action helps as well, but this MIM Fender J neck is still not even enough. It needs more sanding…

On my acoustic Eko I have flats, but there I'm aiming more for a bluesy upright-ish sound with short sustain.

 

[Bodeeni]

I think it has mostly to do with the bass and setup than the strings. I have used the same strings (TI flats) on all my fretless basses for the last 2 decades. Some basses have more Mwah than others. I think the flatness of the fingerboard is the most important, then the finish or hardness of the fingerboard and last the pickup. A bridge pickup is much better.
For many years before I used roundwound Rotosounds on my fretless basses with the same results. Some had a lot and some very little.

 

[hasbeen]

I've been primarily a fretless player since the 1980's. On technique, regardless of strings, if you want more legato swell, play with your right hand closer to the neck.

As far as strings go, the more sustain a string imparts, the more swell you can get. Also, the more flexible a string is, the more swell you can get. However, if the string is too flexible, that will affect sustain.

Instrument set up: This plays a part too. I've done all my own set ups for decades because I do them "wrong". I don't want ANY relief in the neck....zero. I want my fingerboard as flat as flat can be.

Side note: My right hand position is usually way, way back towards the bridge. Because of this, I can "get away" with my set up. If I want legato swell, I move my right hand.

Lastly, all my fretless basses have Sunbeams on them.

 

[GIBrat51]

I think it has mostly to do with the bass and setup than the strings. I have used the same strings (TI flats) on all my fretless basses for the last 2 decades. Some basses have more Mwah than others. I think the flatness of the fingerboard is the most important, then the finish or hardness of the fingerboard and last the pickup. A bridge pickup is much better.
For many years before I used roundwound Rotosounds on my fretless basses with the same results. Some had a lot and some very little.

In my limited experience? I'd have to agree. I currently have 3 lined fretless basses, and here's what I've learned so far:
- 32" scale '93 Fury Anthem. It has a Pau Ferro fingerboard -IMO, not a good wood for a fretless fingerboard, but it looks pretty. And, since the guy that made it died in the late '90s, it's a little late to complain. It was made to wear tape wounds - the pickups screech like a banshee with anything else - and to sound as much like an upright bass as possible. Which, with a set of Roto TruBass 88 Tapes, it certainly does. If I play it correctly (like an upright), it "mwahs" very, very nicely...
- '24 G&L Kiloton lined fretless. Ebony fingerboard, and La Bella DTF4-A Flexible Flats. It's set up pretty "normal" for a 34" scale bass, and again; if I do my part, it "mwahs" quite well..
- '24 Schecter Stilletto Studio lined fretless. It came to me wearing EB Group IV Flats, and I have no desire to replace them. Ebony fingerboard; set up "normally". It "mwahs" at least as well as my other two. However...
With the exception of the Fury Anthem, I usually just play the other two fretless basses like I play all my fretted ones. Unless I know that a particular song I want to play, was originally played/recorded on an upright...

 

[Watchootognbout]

More Mwah=Rounds.
Pluck near the end of the neck end.
Low action.

Less Mwah=Flats.
Pluck near the bridge.
Higher action.

 

[Ellery]

There's such a thing as too much mwah? ​

 

[Ggaa]

Pretty good mwah on my Ibby fretless with Fatbeams set kinda low.

 

[Lava]

Yes

 

[JRA]

I’m wondering if there’s just too much mwah. Is this determined by strings or just the fretless sound? I’m new to fretless, so trying to get acclimated.

Technique in my experience but some people find it easier with rounds.

- strings (rounds meow more than flats, usually)
- string action (higher strings smooch less).
- fretboard material
- technique
- pickup position and type, I would think?

mostly setups and technique, IME, but strings* and fb surfaces, too.

There's such a thing as too much mwah?

i think so. most bass playing isn't "mwah." most bass parts (most genres) aren't "mwah." i love the sound, but i can get tired of hearing it --- i just want to hear a good bass part. TBH, i have a couple of axes that get me into some nice 'mwah wanking' if i need to go there, but most of the time i'm just looking for the best bass part, the best notes, the best feel.

* edit: disclosure: i only use rounds (all kinds/brands, but rounds).

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

It depends on the setup, string and board type, and technique IMHO.

Lowest tension, zingiest strings and the hardest board with good technique would yield the best results. If the pickup is closer to the bridge, you'll also hear more of the upper harmonics which might accent it more.

 

[brianrost]

The setup has a lot to do with it. “Mwah" is simply the string buzzing on the fingerboard due to low action. On a fretted bass, if the action is too low then you get fret buzz, right? Raise the action a bit and you’ll get less mwah.

 

[MuseChaser]

The "slipperiest" sound I've had is a set of old TIJFs on an Ibanez STH500F with no relief and very low action. It sounded REALLY great, but too much like a regular fretless w magnetic pickups which kind of defeated the point of the semi-hollow body and piezo design.

In my experience, the round vs ground/pressure-wound vs coated vs tapes vs flats is more about tone quality than "mwah." Mwah,at least in my world, is more about the fingerboard, setup, and technique.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Strings are a factor among several others. Everyone has covered all other factors.

If you have as more “mwah” than you want, you can do a few things; raise the action slightly, change your plucking location closer to the bridge, turn up the neck pickup &/or turn down the bridge pickup. No need to change strings….

 

[Stewie]

Whenever I hear the slightest hint of "mwah", usually from the G string, I know its time to loosen the truss rod or raise the action. If you want "mwah" lower your action

 

[micguy]

Rounds on a hard board (epoxied, ebonol, ebonite) with relatively low action will get you tons of mwah. With other setups, people talk about coaxing mwah out of a fretless with technique. With rounds, a hard board, and low action, you don't have to coax - it's just there all the time. I also read posts by people that say they can make a fretless sound like it's fretted. Not with that setup - you can't stop a fretless set up that way from sounding like a fretless.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

My Marleaux Diva had rw's for most of the time I've owned it. A couple of months ago I resurfaced the fb and strung it with a set of EB Cobalt flats that I don't even remember buying. Low action, nearly flat relief, this is the perfect combo of mwah and punch for me! No plans on changing a thing now!

BBB

 

[Thumpin6string]

There's such a thing as too much mwah? ​

^^^^This^^^^
You can never have too much mwah IMHO.