Roundwounds on a Fretless?

[climber]

Been using rounds since I made my first fretless in ‘77. Until recently it was Ken Smith. Tried a bunch of different brands but now it’s Elixer fretted and fretless.

 

[Kenny056]

When I purchased my only fretless, I guess I just assumed it would come with flats. I've experimented with flats a couple of times over the years, but never found any that I really lived with. Had the LTD come with flats already on it, I probably would've just left them on there. To my surprise, it had rounds. I couldn't tell you what kind, but they sound great, so I'm leaving them. Maybe it will require some maintenance in the future, but doesn't everything?

I dig em. I use em.

 

[KJMO]

I certainly think it can chew up your fretboard (I have pics if you don't believe it). Elixirs are a lot smoother, so perhaps that would mitigate a fair amount. I also think flats are a lot more conducive to sliding around the way you should on a fretless. I've never had trouble getting mwah with flats. I just make sure the relief is non-existent or flat and action is low. Tapewound are another option. If you get one made with rounds it might get you closer to rounds than flats. Obviously, do what you want, but I speak from the point of view of someone who sees a fair number of nice basses people "customize" except I'd say more like abuse.

FWIW, I received my fretless used with rounds on it, and it had lines scraped in the shape of the wire. Material would have to be taken off to fix it. The guy I bought it from was a very good player. Idk, but I think it’s fair to say rounds can damage your fretboard, and perhaps there is a way to play that would not cause damage, but I also know it can happen even with good technique. I think it’s something to be aware of, but it’s obviously owners choice.

 

[nonohmic]

There’s this beautiful sweet spot just when the rounds die on a fretless. Only lasts a month or so though

 

[-Asdfgh-]

TI Jazz rounds might not be tonally what everyone is looking for, but they are relatively easy on a fingerboard. Some of the tapewounds that are a plastic wrap around a round can work. They aren't completely a round sound, but not a flat either. Cobalt flats can sound like rounds, although mine have gone black/rusty and sound like traditional flats after 5 years of light use.