Flatwounds with roundwound sound.

[Mark Ambler]

I’m trying to find a string that won’t chew up the fingerboard of my fretless, but sound similar to roundwounds
I've seen recommendations for the GHS Pressure wound, but not sure whether they are fingerboard friendly. A flat wound that comes nearest to a Jaco sound, basically. TIA.

 

[Bodeanly]

D'Addario Chromes.

But keep in mind that no one will ever find that Jaco tone without copping his technique on a Jazz (or Jazz style) bass.

 

[Mvilmany]

D'Addario Chromes.

I second the Chromes. They’re very bright, and present. They don’t have the zing that roundwound strings have though, don’t expect that.

Edit: typos.

 

[Mark Ambler]

D'Addario Chromes.

But keep in mind that no one will ever find that Jaco tone without copping his technique on a Jazz (or Jazz style) bass.

Thanks. Yes, hand position, finger articulation, etc. I’m using TI Jazz flats on one fretted bass, and they sound great. Do you know how the Chomes compare to the TI flats?
Personally, I would just get the TI flats, but I’m asking on behalf of my son. TIA

 

[RattleSnack]

Go for Chromes. I use them on Precision with my covers band. They work for funk, soul, rock.

 

[Bodeanly]

Thanks. Yes, hand position, finger articulation, etc. I’m using TI Jazz flats on one fretted bass, and they sound great. Do you know how the Chomes compare to the TI flats?
Personally, I would just get the TI flats, but I’m asking on behalf of my son. TIA

I primarily play rock, but we throw in Motown and dance stuff where I utilize a synth pedal(s). With Chromes, I get the bite I need for rock, especially on the songs where I use a pick, but I can also dial the treble back and get the thump and thud. I do not try to emulate Jaco. Ever. And I have never used TI's because I cannot afford to string all my basses with them. I have rounds on one bass only, but everything else gets Chromes. Most people don't even know I use flats until they touch my bass, which, coincidentally, is right before I kill them. That last part was a joke.

 

[two fingers]

Chromes. But they tend to be high tension for many. And he may need a setup after putting them on.

 

[Jigmay]

Maybe try Ernie Ball Cobalt flats. Very full range string and they don't have the high end 'zing' that Chromes have. Supple under the fingers. Take the time to clean them before installation.

 

[Low profile]

... until they touch my bass, which, coincidentally, is right before I kill them. That last part was a joke.

Has anyone of them left alive who can confirm this?

 

[Bodeanly]

Has anyone of them left alive who can confirm this?

I can neither confirm nor deny this...

Now, if everyone could look right here...

 

[red_rhino]

Respectfully, I disagree with the notion that any of the flatwounds being recommended (or any flatwound) will sound like a roundwound. Even the brighter ones are not going to have the same feel or tone of a round. I don't really play fretless much, but when I do, I like a roundwound. If I were doing that now, I would use the GHS Pressurewounds. I have them on one bass and I really like them. Dave Pomeroy has a nice review of them where he also demos on a fretless.

 

[AngelCrusher]

Respectfully, I disagree with the notion that any of the flatwounds being recommended (or any flatwound) will sound like a roundwound. Even the brighter ones are not going to have the same feel or tone of a round. I don't really play fretless much, but when I do, I like a roundwound. If I were doing that now, I would use the GHS Pressurewounds. I have them on one bass and I really like them. Dave Pomeroy has a nice review of them where he also demos on a fretless.

Pressurewounds are amazing strings. I have them on a Jazz bass and a Sadowsky P/j and they are awesome. They add some low mid punch, so on a jazz bass they are a perfect match. They are not super sizzly and bright like steels, but they still sound really good when slapped. I would say that on the Jazz bass with steels I used to roll the tone back about halfway for my slap sound and with Pressurewounds It’s probably around a quarter or so.

The other thing is that the pressurewounds feel really good under the fingers. I think they are excellent strings and work on about any bass, you just have to know that they add some low mids into the mix.

 

[Nighttrain1127]

I use both Pressure Wounds and Ernie Ball cobalt flats. If you want an actual Bright flat then Cobalt Flats are very good. If you want more articulation and don't mind a little bit of winding feel then Pressurewounds are the way to go

 

[ardgedee]

I use GHS Brite Flats for this purpose. They're ground wound rather than flat but they haven't done much to the fingerboard over the years.

 

[comatosedragon]

Maybe try Ernie Ball Cobalt flats. Very full range string and they don't have the high end 'zing' that Chromes have. Supple under the fingers. Take the time to clean them before installation.

I agree. As far as flats go, the most 'round sounding' I have played. I really liked the tone and feel of these. Unfortunately, I am one of the few whose body chemistry makes it not possible to play these strings (they corrode and turn green within hours).

 

[G On Bass]

Chromes are nice and I have them on my fretless. Sadowsky flats (black label) are bright and feel wonderful. If I played a 4 string, they are all I would use.

 

[keith1r]

Rotosound monel flats

 

[redwood]

Nobody has mentioned Labella white tape wounds. They can be pretty snappy, lower tension, and supple feeling which won't cause any wear on your fb.

 

[Bruiser Stone]

Roto 77’s sound zingy and work well with OD. Didn’t like them on my P Bass, but put them on the Kramer and they sound great.

 

[Skip Chucker]

Roundwound strings don't chew up fingerboards.

If you want the roundwound sound, get roundwound strings.