Rounds or Flats on a fretless??

[AllenBass7]

just picked up a fretless neck for my jazz.

put a thick pair of rounds on it and i'm already noticing small lines in the ebony...

roundwounds + fretless=no no?

are flats the typical type of string for a fretless??

i'd like to keep this neck looking new as long as possible

 

[GianGian]

Flats will obviusly damage less. I think that they are pretty much the fretless standard, not sure about it. Put some epoxy over the wood, use rounds, and sound like Jaco.

 

[Woogles]

Maybe try stainless steel rounds because i heard that they were smoothers. Not 100% sure tho.

 

[gmstudio99]

I've had rounds on my fretless J for years...the lines appeared at first, but they aren't getting any worse. I love the sound so I'm not too uptight about the neck. it's been fine.

 

[Visirale]

I used flats for a while but they sounded so boring to me. I put rounds on and it really brought the bass to life. I love it. But then again my fretless has ebonol FB and I could care less if I damage it, haha.

 

[gold_member_321]

All depends on how hard you play. I have seen some guys go years without any sort of resurfacing of the fretboard. I prefer flats anyway.

 

[Dr Illing]

Stainless flats are a bit of an in between sound, that you might be looking for.

 

[gold_member_321]

I used flats for a while but they sounded so boring to me. I put rounds on and it really brought the bass to life. I love it. But then again my fretless has ebonol FB and I could care less if I damage it, haha.

I would be surprised if you could damage it at all. Ebonol is almost the same material as a bowling ball is made out of. I agree though, rounds really do add that extra punch on the low end and a hell of a lot more muah. I guess I'm a boring kinda guy though.

 

[envika]

I would be surprised if you could damage it at all. Ebonol is almost the same material as a bowling ball is made out of. I agree though, rounds really do add that extra punch on the low end and a hell of a lot more muah. I guess I'm a boring kinda guy though.

The thing with ebonol is that even though rounds can't damage it, it'll start to lose its gloss very quickly, and it's hard to get it back.

 

[Toronto Bassist]

I've heard that Fender's nylon tapewound strings do the trick ok with fretless.

 

[kesslari]

I like the sound of rounds. I'm using Ken Smith Compressors, which are slightly smoother than regular rounds, and therefore easier on the fretboard.
I'm very happy with the sound.

 

[Mark Wilson]

Rounds all the way.

 

[Linkert]

Half-rounds!
Very fair to your fretboard but still have some brightness to your tone.

 

[StyleOverShow]

Depends on the type of sound you are looking for.

I just picked up a 77 Ripper and put Jazz 77's on it. They are smooth and thick enough to get over some of the rash on the fretboard from the previous set of roundwounds.

They definitely aren't bright but I'm using this bass in a straight ahead jazz band.
My MM Sterling adds growl when needed.

 

[Fender32]

Persoanlly, I only like the sound of roundwounds on a fretless. Very little "mmmmwwwwaaaaahh" to be had from flats, IME .

 

[Mutant Corn]

http://www.daddario.com/DADProducts.aspx?ID=3&CLASS=ACCA

Love those.

 

[Linkert]

http://www.daddario.com/DADProducts.aspx?ID=3&CLASS=ACCA

Love those.

Have those on my fretless and fretted Expensive strings if you ask me, but totally kick ass!

 

[Rocksolid]

I have D addario Chrome Half Rounds on mine and love them. Lots of tone and gentle on the FB.

 

[Dbassmon]

Ebony will last many many years with round wound strings. Get the sound that expresses you musicality. If round wounds get the sound you like, use them. No other string, flat, or ground wound will sound as growly and zingy.

If the fingerboard needs dressing every 5 years... so be it.
If 25 years down the road you need a new fingerboard... so be it.

No guarantee, we could all be dead tomorrow. Live a little!

 

[spade2you]

Again, depends on the tone you're looking for. I use rounds and nylon flats. I don't use nickel/steel flats because I'd rather focus on either extreme.

The wear depends just as much on technique and usage as it does strings. Considering most bassists only use a fretless on occasions, fingerboard wood and/or string choice isn't going to make much impact. I personally play fretless about 99% of the time currently. On my basses with rounds, ebony is the minimum and if I'm ordering something custom with the intention of using rounds, I will get a coated fingerboard or an acrylized/stabilized fingerboard for maximum durability.