Fretless String Help - Urgent!

[Outshined91]

I have a new-to-me fretless being delivered to me either today or tomorrow, but I realize that I have no leftover sets of strings to put on it (eek!). So I'm shopping for strings now, and I've always wanted to have a fretless tuned BEAD, so I'm considering the GHS Bass Boomers BEAD tuning set (.60-.125). I've never tried Boomers before, but could someone tell me whether this would be a good choice for a fretless? I am talking mainly in terms of "mwah", etc. and not really looking to start another "rounds on fretless" debate haha. My main concern is the fingerboard noise - do the Boomers have much fingerboard noise?

Thanks!

 

[michael_t]

One thing you should know about the Boomers is their basic tonal character is darker than most NPS rounds with a low-mid punch with grit and grind. They're also stiffer in feel than most other rounds of similar gauges.

I don't own a fretless, but if I did, the Boomers wouldn't be my first choice.

 

[michael_t]

If you do want to try a set of the Boomers, get the light 5-string set 40-55-75-95-120 and use the bottom four.

 

[Outshined91]

Thanks for the help @michael_t. I've just been looking at all the different options, and Boomers caught my eye because they had those BEAD-specific sets, but I like that 5-string set recommendation because then I have the option of a G-string too. The other two strings I'm considering are GHS Pressurewounds and Dean Markley SR2000's. Do you know about either of them?

 

[WillyW]

I like Ernie Ball strings.

I bought the 5 string set for the BEAD geetar I don't use. It had a 125 bottom.

I use EB extra slinky 95-40 on all my other fretlessi.

 

[michael_t]

The other two strings I'm considering are GHS Pressurewounds and Dean Markley SR2000's. Do you know about either of them?

GHS Pressurewounds happen to be my go-to for all three of my basses. They would be better suited for a fretless as their "rollerwound" feature is very fingerboard-friendly.

Products - PRESSUREWOUND™ - GHS Strings

I would also go light with them. You can get the light set (40-96) and a single 128B.

I have no experience with Dean Markley, except to know their QC hasn't been the best since DM stopped making their own strings a couple of years ago. This according to what I've read here on TB.

 

[bholder]

GHS Pressurewounds happen to be my go-to for all three of my basses. They would be better suited for a fretless as their "rollerwound" feature is very fingerboard-friendly.

Products - PRESSUREWOUND™ - GHS Strings

I would also go light with them. You can get the light set (40-96) and a single 128B.

I have no experience with Dean Markley, except to know their QC hasn't been the best since DM stopped making their own strings a couple of years ago. This according to what I've read here on TB.

That would be my guess. I like the Pressurewounds, especially their bronze cousins for fretless ABG. Virtually no finger noise.

 

[michael_t]

I've always wanted to have a fretless tuned BEAD...

GHS Pressurewounds happen to be my go-to for all three of my basses.

I would also go light with them. You can get the light set (40-96) and a single 128B.

Here's another idea for you...

Instead of tuning your fretless to BEAD, how about DGCF? I use the GHS Pressurewound M7200 (44-62-84-106) on my Fender Jazz, tuned to DGCF, and they work great. And since the gauges are relatively "normal", no need to modify the nut like you would with thicker gauges for BEAD.

 

[fretlessguy]

My favorite strings for my fretless fleet include Fender tapes and 7250 Nickel rounds, as well as GHS tapes, Precision Flats, and Pressure Wounds. I would recommend any of these over Boomers, which feel too rough for restless to me, though they sound good.

 

[Outshined91]

Here's another idea for you...

Instead of tuning your fretless to BEAD, how about DGCF? I use the GHS Pressurewound M7200 (44-62-84-106) on my Fender Jazz, tuned to DGCF, and they work great. And since the gauges are relatively "normal", no need to modify the nut like you would with thicker gauges for BEAD.

I do like this idea. Had an Ibanez tuned DGCF once and liked it, although the point I guess was to really get the low B notes. Either way the guy I bought this from had widened the nut nicely for a DEAD tuning so the nut doesn't need much work. I do really want to try the Pressurewounds so thanks @fretlessguy as well for helping out. I bought a light 5-str set of Boomers, but I'll buy a 5-str pack of the Pressurewounds as well and let you know how both sound! Thank you!

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I have a new-to-me fretless being delivered to me either today or tomorrow, but I realize that I have no leftover sets of strings to put on it (eek!). So I'm shopping for strings now, and I've always wanted to have a fretless tuned BEAD, so I'm considering the GHS Bass Boomers BEAD tuning set (.60-.125). I've never tried Boomers before, but could someone tell me whether this would be a good choice for a fretless? I am talking mainly in terms of "mwah", etc. and not really looking to start another "rounds on fretless" debate haha. My main concern is the fingerboard noise - do the Boomers have much fingerboard noise?

Thanks!

Do you want "mwah" or no fingerboard noise? "mwah" is just fretbuzz on a fretless. It will also come a lot more from setup than your choice of strings, assuming they're all roundwound.

Personally, I have never had much luck with GHS. My fretless basses use DR Sunbeams almost exclusively. I find super bright strings are not as pleasant on fretless. I would stick with what you like on fretted and branch out from there. Strings are cheap to try.

 

[michael_t]

My fretless basses use DR Sunbeams almost exclusively.

How's the low B on them? The OP is talking about BEAD tuning.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

How's the low B on them? The OP is talking about BEAD tuning.

I liked them on my ole Carvin LB76 but I doubt I used anything else on the bass while I owned it. I find a good low B has more to do with the bass than the string though. I would be more concerned getting a .125 (or .130) gauge than a particular brand.

 

[michael_t]

I liked them on my ole Carvin LB76 but I doubt I used anything else on the bass while I owned it. I find a good low B has more to do with the bass than the string though. I would be more concerned getting a .125 (or .130) gauge than a particular brand.

Thanks for your feedback.

I ask because I haven't had too much luck with round-core low B's in the past, although I've never tried the Sunbeam low B's. Hex-core low B's seem to provide better clarity and definition - at least on my 34" scale Yamaha.

 

[gigetto]

Round on fretless

 

[Outshined91]

Thanks for the additional input @DiabolusInMusic @michael_t. I've heard a lot about DR Sunbeams on a fretless so am thinking of trying those as well if the Boomers don't work out. Currently, I use D'Addario Half-Rounds on my fretted Mustang and they're really great - but they're a bit vanilla, very easy on the ear. Wasn't too sure they would help produce much "mwah." But that was instinctively my first thought so maybe I should try them? The Boomers I just got are the .40-.120 set and are hex-core so I'm thinking the B will hopefully be pretty good. Speaking of which, I am about to put those on the bass right now so I'll let you know how it goes in a couple hours!

 

[michael_t]

The Boomers I just got are the .040-.120 set and are hex-core so I'm thinking the B will hopefully be pretty good.

That's the exact set I tried on my Yamaha a few months ago. I thought they worked quite well, including the low B. Comfy, but not floppy.

 

[Outshined91]

Okay! Just put the Boomers on and they sound great! Lot of punch and low-end, low finger noise, and the BEAD tuning is intonating well. Really nice mwah too. The only thing is (and this might just be me because I'm aware of the error), there seems to be very slight overtones when playing the low notes on the B string. When I was putting them on I accidentally snipped a tiny bit too much of the silk! I attached a pic: could this cause an issue and should I get another B string or is it fine and all in my head?

 

[michael_t]

The only thing is (and this might just be me because I'm aware of the error), there seems to be very slight overtones when playing the low notes on the B string.

One thing you can do is to make sure the unsilked part of the B string coming off of the tuner post is straight toward the nut by pressing on it sideways gently but firmly.

Also, make sure the witness point is set properly on the B string at the saddle by pressing gently but firmly on it with your thumb just in front of the saddle so the part that goes over the saddle is as flat as possible. Then re-tune.

 

[Outshined91]

Update: So I have had the GHS Bass Boomers (.40-.120) on for about two weeks. I recently just switched back to standard EADG tuning, taking out the B string and putting on the G string (.95 E string, .55 A string) because that better my needs for the time being. I really enjoy the feel and overall tone of the strings but really crave a lot more bass in the tone, especially in the A, D, and G strings. My logical move is to try a heavier gauge in the Boomers: either the .45-.105 or the .50-.115. I'm leaning towards the .50-.115 (an added plus is that I can occasionally downtune a bit when I want) but at the same time an wondering whether they are overkill tension and gauge-wise, and if the .45-.105's will give me the extra bass I need. I am also thinking I may lose some of the fretless "mwah" with the heavier gauge ones.

Additionally, I'm wondering whether a less bass-laden tone is inherent to all Boomers and if I should try some other string. Any thoughts/advice? Thanks.