fretless = roundwounds!

[JRA]

just thought i'd leave this here for your enjoyment:




i thought the idea would get more visibility in "basses," but maybe it belongs in "strings" or some other subforum.

i've always used roundwounds, but i've always only played fretless. i see/hear/read so many fretless newbies avoiding the strings that get 'that sound'*. i try to advise otherwise (re: flat wounds), but maybe it takes someone like steve to weigh in.



*edit: e.g., the sound steve bailey gets in the video.

 

[Passinwind]

Thread 'Steve Bailey on flats vs rounds on a Fretless'

Sep 15, 2025

• Dlew919
• Replies: 46
• Forum: Strings [BG]

• 

I’ve been playing fretless BG since 1972 and have never really warmed up to roundwounda, FWIW. Dunno what “that sound” is, but no thanks! Same for flatwounds too though…

 

[ardgedee]

I'm of the "play what you like" school, but also the "know what you're getting into" school. Some people should probably not use rounds because their technique isn't good and rounds are going to hasten the rate they dig ruts into the board, or their bass has a softer fingerboard than a fretless should have so they just have to be really careful. Some strings might be better avoided because they're unreasonably rough, even for rounds.

For my part, I like the tone of rounds but I hate string noise. I've been happy with TI Jazz Flats as a working compromise. I might like EB Cobalts too, haven't had a chance to try them.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Not gonna lie, after seeing the video I decided to try some rounds again.

 

[Passinwind]

I'm of the "play what you like" school, but also the "know what you're getting into" school. Some people should probably not use rounds because their technique isn't good and rounds are going to hasten the rate they dig ruts into the board, or their bass has a softer fingerboard than a fretless should have so they just have to be really careful. Some strings might be better avoided because they're unreasonably rough, even for rounds.

For my part, I like the tone of rounds but I hate string noise. I've been happy with TI Jazz Flats as a working compromise. I might like EB Cobalts too, haven't had a chance to try them.

Those are my two favorite flatwounds, I liked the Cobalts a lot better of the two though. But for my slide bass schtick pressurewounds are just the sweet spot, for the moment at least.

 

[JRA]

this thread is mostly for fretless noobs: players who've been 'doin' it' don't need steve bailey's POV --- you cats have your own!

it's a coincidence that i agree with the OP.

 

[birminghambass]

Rounds all the way. Also, I prefer lines.

 

[Passinwind]

this thread is mostly for fretless noobs: players who've been 'doin' it' don't need steve bailey's POV --- you cats have your own!

Yep, I didn’t even click on the YouTube link, and it wouldn’t make any difference who posted it.

But FWIW, I did revisit using roundwounds on one bass a year or tthree ago, and did dig it until I happened to change to a brighter pickup set, which turned out to get me even more where I wanted to be tonally, but using much longer lived strings that also feel a little nicer. Board wear doesn’t enter into it al all for me, in all honesty.

 

[Paul New]

I heard that there was some guy long ago who played rounds on a fretless jazz bass and made sort of a splash.

 

[JIO]

I have my fretless strung w/round-wounds. I tried many brands of flats before returning to nickel round-wounds. Just depends on what you're after.

 

[Jaco Taco]

I heard that there was some guy long ago who played rounds on a fretless jazz bass and made sort of a splash.

Hmmmmm. I wonder.....

 

[Watchootognbout]

The rate and degree of wear that roundwounds cause on a fretless has been GREATLY exaggerated.

If you are not slapping,tapping and doing guitarlike sideways string bends and pushing the heel of your palm down the strings on the fingerboard(Jaco did this occasionally) you will NOT have a great amount of wear.

If you were to sit down and play a fretless with rounds with big piece of white paper under the neck in your lap,you will NOT see sawdust!

I play fretless with rounds.
I don't slap or tap on mine.
So there are no gouges,grooves or damage.
Just faint winding marks after a long,long while.

Fretless players that use roundwounds.
Jaco
Mark Egan
Gary Willis
Steve Bailey
Michael Manring
Alain Caron
Jimmy Johnson
Tony Franklin
Sean Malone

 

[Wyrdlow]

My Sire V5 FL came fitted with D'addario Chromes. I pinched those last week to put on my new Squier Telecaster Bass - which they suit very well - and replaced them with a set of Optima Gold roundwounds. I've been wanting to try some for a while, and they sound great - very happy with them. There was no shortage of "mwwahh" with the Chromes, but it really sings now.

 

[jd56hawk]

So what sounds better, roundwounds, groundwounds, flatwounds, tapewounds or coated strings?

 

[ardgedee]

So what sounds better, roundwounds, groundwounds, flatwounds, tapewounds or coated strings?

They all sound good. It depends on how you're trying to sound.

 

[Supadope]

I’m in agreement with Steve, though I have not tried flats on my fretted basses yet. I just like the sound of rounds better.

 

[roccobass]

I did like the sound of roundwounds on the ebony fingerboard of my main fretless. But after two buffing outs, my luthier gave me the warning to not use them anymore . Being a digger of the 12th degree, I went on a quest for the best compromise using flats. After many trials, I found TI flats work best. Punchy and with nice clarity. I’m a Fender Jazz player using passive Bart pickups.

As previously stated, go with what you want and like. Bear in mind, results vary per player, bass and electronics. (And sometimes consequences)

 

[Stewie]

Sherman, set the way back machine for the late 1970s. Rotosound 66s on a rosewood fretless P. Boy did I dig some grooves. I had no one to tell me not to bend strings sideways. Switched to GHS flats for the sound around 1985 and have stuck with them since. If I wanted that bright sound, I’d go back to rounds (but not Rotos)

 

[michael_t]

i thought the idea would get more visibility in "basses," but maybe it belongs in "strings" or some other subforum.

I think this can be left here under "Basses" because the same video was posted under "Strings" this last Monday already.

Post in thread 'Steve Bailey on flats vs rounds on a Fretless'

Sep 15, 2025

Round wound strings on the fretless Jazz, and flat wound strings on the fretless Pecision. Or, the other way around, if you prefer.

• Hoochie Coochie Man

• 

 

[srayb]

So what sounds better, roundwounds, groundwounds, flatwounds, tapewounds or coated strings?

I like roundwounds on fretless, but not finger squeak when moving quickly. I found that DR Black Beauties (coated roundswounds) are the perfect compromise (for me).