I also like the GHS compression wound strings ... the outer wire wound tighter so it flattens out a bit ... I have them on a couple basses ... I liked them on my fretless ... if you want something " in between " ...
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Recommend strings for my fretless?
- Thread starter Ron Johnson
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While I love Pressurewounds, I personally have never understood the comparison to flats. To me they sound like broken in rounds. But anyway, for fretless I agree on them as well if you want a roundwound tone but something that won't chew up the board quite so much and is little more broken in sounding and warmer than rounds.
I listened to some flat/round comparisons on YouTube, and I'd say I prefer the mellow tone of flats over round. I play rock mostly since joining this band, but I don't prefer the conventional buzzy bright tone for that, so I'll go with flats. I'll use chromes though so it'd not too mellow. As for tension, I guess I'm used to regular because I learned on mediums. No bending required since it's a fretless.
One more question. What scale length do I get? The measurements of my guitar are odd. Refer to the original post.
One more question. What scale length do I get? The measurements of my guitar are odd. Refer to the original post.
GHS flats in the light guage would be cool. Had these on a fretless jazz that I gave to a youngster from my yute group and they are real nice.
I use S.I.T. Silencers on my fretless SSD NS4. They are described as inverse wound strings. I like their smooth feel, and have been able to get some nice brightness as well as the fretless mwaahh from them. I chose them to keep fretboard wear to a minimum and from two years of use the board has almost no wear marking in it. In the end you will probably end up going through several different sets, brands and gauges before you find the set you prefer. I believe I have the 40-95 on my bass at this time, but have also used the 45-105 set in the past. I wish you well in your search.
I'd vote for tapewounds especially if you want an uprightish tone. Fenders are bright (they are roundwound with nylon wrap)
I also really like labella low tension flats.
If you want labella tapes the cheapest place to get them is from Carvin.
Another huge shout out for slapinfunk and BassStringsOnline.
I also really like labella low tension flats.
If you want labella tapes the cheapest place to get them is from Carvin.
Another huge shout out for slapinfunk and BassStringsOnline.
I'm very happy with LaBella Deep Talking Black Nylon Tape Wound on my fretless. Despite these are flatwounds they give a surprisingly bright and yet warm sound. And feel so smooth under my fingers:
http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/labeblnytawo.html
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http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/labeblnytawo.html
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According to what I've found, your bass is a 34" scale. String-throughs sometimes require longer strings than feeding straight through the bridge. I attempted to put some Chromes on my T-40 last week. The silks extended about 3/4" past the nut onto the board. These are what you want: [This invalid link has been removed]
Your tension will not be as high as what is stated on that chart, because your scale is shorter than the scale they use to reference tension. And again, set up an account with http://www.bassstringsonline.com/ and send a note with your TB username for preferred pricing.
Your tension will not be as high as what is stated on that chart, because your scale is shorter than the scale they use to reference tension. And again, set up an account with http://www.bassstringsonline.com/ and send a note with your TB username for preferred pricing.
Yes, the scale is 34", but I marked the string at the nut and then pulled it out and measured from the marking to the end and it was 36". Isn't 36" the max for long scale? I want the right length so the tension is right and the wrapped nylon ends hit the nut and pegs.
If you get long scale, you may end up with my T-40 dilemma, the strings not being long enough. I just measured the long scales I have. They are 35 3/8" from silk to silk, 36 1/4" from silk to ball end. So, they may fit. 1/4" isn't much of a margin for error. You can put super long scale strings on a long scale bass, but not the other way around. They are the same gauge, just longer. Super longs on a long scale bass have the same tension as long scales of the same gauge.
Labella black tapewounds if you like a traditional URB type of sound. Labella white tapwounds if you are looking for a roundwound ish modern sound. Both are great sets,which i've used on several basses,fretted and fretless.
I also bought a set of Labella's new copper tapewounds to try,since i love their other strings,but i have not put them on anything yet. (Thinking about defretting one of my Rick basses,so this set is in reserve for that).
I also bought a set of Labella's new copper tapewounds to try,since i love their other strings,but i have not put them on anything yet. (Thinking about defretting one of my Rick basses,so this set is in reserve for that).
To solve the string length issue replace the ferrules with longer ones from either carvin or eBay.
The point at which the string ball end seats is closer to the top of the bass.
The point at which the string ball end seats is closer to the top of the bass.
I actually ordered four new ferrules on ebay last week since my bass is missing one. I don't know the depth of them until they arrive. Actually, what is the purpose of those? I only ordered some in case they're important. Is it to keep the wood from being damaged, or for more sustain?
If you want a warn sound, Chromes are great on a fretless. I ordered a balanced set on basstringsonline.com with smaller gauge to avoid stifness.
Its what holds the ball end else the string would just come right through ... Its the string anchor. most are really short 1/2" or less the ones I describe are longer.
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I have had much success and fond memories with these strings for fretless:
Rounds: The original Fender 7250s. The newer ones sound to thin to me. their .40-.115 set worked great for my fretless five string. I use light rounds on my fretless basses due to an increase in the "mwah" effect. I prefer rounds in nickel/nickel plated because they are less abrasive than steel strings.
GHS Pressurewounds: these currently sit on my P bass fretless. They split the difference in rounds vs flats thing. Have good mwah, but slightly muted to avoid clanky sounds and finger noise rounds have. Long lasting and smooth to the touch. Nice on your fretless board and for the fretted basses in your life.
GHS Tapes: The five string set is on my Carvin. Not a lot of mwah, but have a smooth sound and thump when you need it. Neat sounding for a fretless.
GHS P-Flats: I used these on my Carvin 5 until I tried the GHS tapes. Great strings. They are perfect for a more "uprite-ish" sound for your fretless. The sound of chocolate.
Fender tapes: I have a set of these on my Carvin AC40 fretless. Brighter than LaBella or GHS tapes. They bring out the "mwah" sound and are brighter sounding than other tapes I have used.
I have also used TI Jazz flats on my fretlesses. Expensive, but last for years and have a unique sound.
There are a few online strings stores you can shop, and many here use juststrings.come and basstringsonline.com, to name a couple. Shop around and read reviews on the string sets you would like to try.
The best strings to try first are the ones you currently use on your bass/basses.
Rounds: The original Fender 7250s. The newer ones sound to thin to me. their .40-.115 set worked great for my fretless five string. I use light rounds on my fretless basses due to an increase in the "mwah" effect. I prefer rounds in nickel/nickel plated because they are less abrasive than steel strings.
GHS Pressurewounds: these currently sit on my P bass fretless. They split the difference in rounds vs flats thing. Have good mwah, but slightly muted to avoid clanky sounds and finger noise rounds have. Long lasting and smooth to the touch. Nice on your fretless board and for the fretted basses in your life.
GHS Tapes: The five string set is on my Carvin. Not a lot of mwah, but have a smooth sound and thump when you need it. Neat sounding for a fretless.
GHS P-Flats: I used these on my Carvin 5 until I tried the GHS tapes. Great strings. They are perfect for a more "uprite-ish" sound for your fretless. The sound of chocolate.
Fender tapes: I have a set of these on my Carvin AC40 fretless. Brighter than LaBella or GHS tapes. They bring out the "mwah" sound and are brighter sounding than other tapes I have used.
I have also used TI Jazz flats on my fretlesses. Expensive, but last for years and have a unique sound.
There are a few online strings stores you can shop, and many here use juststrings.come and basstringsonline.com, to name a couple. Shop around and read reviews on the string sets you would like to try.
The best strings to try first are the ones you currently use on your bass/basses.
