Old original frets vs new frets?

[basmicke]

I own an old 61-62 jazz bass that most part of it's active life has had the same flatwound original strings on so the frets are in good shape. Now I'm a player and want to use the instrument but the problem is my favorite combination is Jazzbass+Rotosound swingbass strings. I still don't have any issues with the frets but I understand that later on the frets will be worn down and have to be redressed and that it will lead to shorter fret life.
What do you guys think:

Should I go for the roundwounds that I prefer and play or should I change my preferences to flatwounds to preserve the original frets? I think this a little bit of a mind set and is possible to get used to. I'm not a big treble lover anyway but I prefer the feel of the Rotos although I'm no total stranger to playing flats.
So basically my question would be, is it more important to play an actual instrument and wear it down or should I play another workbass and keep my old vintage original instrument at home with flats or play it at some occasions only?

 

[popgadget]

That's not really a question anyone but you can answer. If you are a player and not a collector, set it up the way you want and play it.

 

[basmicke]

That's not really a question anyone but you can answer. If you are a player and not a collector, set it up the way you want and play it.

I guess you're right.
Doesn't make it any easier
I leaning towards the flatwound alternative at the moment.

 

[stanknuckle]

Try halfwounds?

 

[uOpt]

I think it would be a waste to own a 61 Jazz bass and then not play it to it's best.

Unless it's a turd and you want to play something else anyway.

 

[basmicke]

Try halfwounds?

Yes, that might be a good alternative although i don't like the D'Addario Halfrounds that much. I will look into other halfrounds. Any good suggestions?

 

[basmicke]

I think it would be a waste to own a 61 Jazz bass and then not play it to it's best.

Unless it's a turd and you want to play something else anyway.

It's a great bass and I really want to play it. I just want to keep the frets in the nice shape they're in now so I guess I've answered my own question in a way

 

[Josh Pelican]

Try GHS Pressurewounds. If you don't like them, I'll buy 'em from you.

 

[Cartoonist]

Flatties will change your sound - maybe for the better, maybe not. Perhaps you could first try switching to some high quality pure nickel roundwounds. Rotosound Swingbass also come in nickel (but check that they are pure nickel).

They won't wear your frets due to the softness of the nickel. Nicer on your fingers too. And they last longer.

 

[Baird6869]

A professional re-fret is considered maintenance by serious collectors.

Not a modification if done professionally.

 

[srbassdude]

One thing to always keep in mind is that even though it's a thing of beauty at it's core it is still a tool. Play the way you want it there is always the recrown option before a refret if there is enough of the fret left. Also older frets typically were made of stronger material anyway. As long as it sounds the way you want you can't go wrong there are always was to bring a bass back to life after it's been played the way it's ment to be played. Hope this helps

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Regardless of fret life, I prefer flats.
Pure nickle rounds sounds like a good option.
A professional regret shouldn't hurt the value especially if you plan on keeping and playing.