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Jaco pastorius fretless help!

dudi8

dudi8

Apr 13, 2010
234
33
Hungary
#1
Hi!
i have a jaco pastorius fretless bass with epoxy coated neck and everything, for the last couple of years I'm using the Rotosound swing 66, and they die quite fast.
you have any suggestions for better roundwound strings? or should i just stay with rotosound?
or should i change to flats? :)
 
#2
Flatwounds would make the bass sound more upright-like, less Jaco-like I.M.O. Rotosound Swing 66's are stainless steel, right? I'd suggest either nickle plated, or plain nickle for a slightly mellower than S.S.'s type of sound, but with a longer tone-lifespan.
 
#3
Need more information. Do you want to sound like Jaco? . Rotos are good if you are able to change them about once per week. For another good roundwound alternative I would look at DR HiBeams, they will get you most of the way there on the Roto sound. I do not recommend flats, unless you have a time machine and like to spend time in 1959...
 
#5
They will last a little longer if you remember to wipe them down with a cloth after you play. 2 weeks is not bad, some pros change them every gig! Find a good online source to buy in bulk at a low price.

I use flats and never change them (over 5 years on my main bass!) but you will NOT get the "Jaco sound" with flats.
 
#6
ps Knowing what we do about Jaco's lifestyle, I would be very surprised if he changed his strings frequently. So if Jaco could get the Jaco sound with old strings, then it is possible. :)
 
#8
Call Jason at Bassstringsonline.com and let him make some suggestions to you. He probably knows a good, longer-lasting substitute for Rotos because I'm sure he's been asked this before.

EDIT: I'm sorry, I didn't see you were in Hungary. Best to email him, then! :)
 
#10
Lo-E said:
Call Jason at Bassstringsonline.com and let him make some suggestions to you. He probably knows a good, longer-lasting substitute for Rotos because I'm sure he's been asked this before.

EDIT: I'm sorry, I didn't see you were in Hungary. Best to email him, then! :)
Click to expand...


The Jaco Relic or the Jaco Fretless w/ Pau Ferro fingerboard uncoated?

I go between the 66LD's on my Jaco Relic and GHS Boomers. The Boomers last (for me at least) quite a while...

My Jaco Relic with Boomers (you don't want to know how old the strings are at the time of this, its embarrassing)
How to play TEEN TOWN by Jaco Pastorius - YouTube
 
#15
this is a bit humorous. Bass Of Doom was rather special, light but very responsive. Plus you just had to be Jaco with the big strong hands. Hand strength has more to do with your sound than wotever label you have attached to your strings. We are all different.

There is a certain level of personal chemistry involved in strings. Some of it involves how much time you really sweat on the things. I have never had any luck with nickel, just me.

Rotos on the other hand have always held up. A dead set sounds just like flats to me. and its not that they die, they just get filthy. the depth is still always there.

The issue to me is always this: you can make rounds sound dull, but you can't make flats sound bright..
 
#17
I've got 5-year old Roto's on my jazz bass and they're still pretty bright sounding. Round Wounds don't start sounding real good for a few months...... I've know a few guys that have acid-like sweat problems that kill strings. I'd suggest changing you diet and wash your hands all the time before you touch your bass.
 
#18
waltgestalt said:
this is a bit humorous. Bass Of Doom was rather special, light but very responsive. Plus you just had to be Jaco with the big strong hands.

There is a certain level of personal chemistry involved in strings. Some of it involves how much time you really sweat on the things. I have never had any luck with nickel, just me.

Rotos on the other hand have always held up. A dead set sounds just like flats to me. and its not that they die, they just get filthy. the depth is still always there.

The issue to me is always this: you can make rounds sound dull, but you can't make flats sound bright..
Click to expand...

+1

Try some ernie ball cobalts. They sound almost as good as Rotos and last much longer.
Click to expand...

-1
 

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