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Rounwound for fretless

Discussion in 'Strings [BG]' started by rafunk, Nov 20, 2005.

  1. Nov 20, 2005 #1
    rafunk

    rafunk

    Sep 18, 2005
    Valencia, Spain
    This is my first post here, mostly because it's not easy to me write in English.

    Well, the fact is because I play mostly funk and rock, but I like very much play fretless, and I prefer the sound of Round that the sound of Flat. Last two years I used D'Addario EHR Half-round, but have been discontinued, and the new ones, ENR, I don't like the feel. Then, I tried the GHS Presurewound :hyper: ¡wonderfull!, but these are the only 2 I have tried.

    The fingerboard of the 2 fretless basses I have is pau ferro without finishing (Sterling and Warmoth), and I would like very much advices about round (or half, or whatever) strings not agressive with the fingerboard, and a good sound. A good example of a bassist I like the sound is Tony Franklin.

    Thanks. :cool:
     
  2. Nov 20, 2005 #2
    Vorago

    Vorago (((o)))

    Jul 17, 2003
    Antwerp, Belgium
    Well, from what I've gathered, it's a very bad idea to use roundwounds on an unfinished fingerboard.

    If you want to use rounds on a fretless, the neck has to have an epoxy finish. This way you wont tear up the wood.

    Then again, I'm no wood expert, so maybe the wood of your fingerboard is strong enough to go with the rounds, but I doubt it.
     
  3. Nov 20, 2005 #3
    Figjam

    Figjam

    Aug 5, 2003
    Boston, MA
    I use rounds on my mtd kingston fretless which has an ebonol board which is quite hard, i wouldnt reccomend rounds on a sterling.
     
  4. Nov 20, 2005 #4
    rafunk

    rafunk

    Sep 18, 2005
    Valencia, Spain
    Thanks!

    But I don't explain very well before: the strigs half-wound (or whatever other kind) also welcome. At least, the strings D'daddario EHR did a 0 % of wear in the fingerboard of my Warmoth, during 2 years of a use about, let say, 1 hour/day. So, I can expect there are more strins (not flat) no agressive with the fingerboard.

    Thanks again!
     
  5. Nov 20, 2005 #5
    James Hart

    James Hart

    Feb 1, 2002
    Beemerville.nj.us
    metal on wood... round or flat the wood will loose.

    I've used stainless rounds on raw rosewood without issue... but that is because I play with a light touch on the board and I stay away from across the string vibrato.

    Coated or not, a heavy hand and bending notes like you are Eric Clapton will chew up a board very quickly.

    Also, fingerboard resurfacing and eventually fingerboard replacement are commonly done by luthiers

    Rafunk: If half rounds did nothing in 2 years, rounds played the same way should barely score the board.

    String it with what will get you your tone :bassist:
     
  6. Nov 20, 2005 #6
    christobass 416

    christobass 416

    Sep 30, 2005
    new jersey, USA
  7. Nov 20, 2005 #7
    tplyons

    tplyons

    Apr 6, 2003
    Madison, NJ
    +1 on every account. My fretless is bare rosewood, no finish, with nickel rounds. After about a year, very little wear and it gets more play time than any other bass.

    Light touch, and a proper vibrato will ensure the livelihood of your bass.
     
  8. Nov 21, 2005 #8
    bgavin

    bgavin

    May 3, 2001
    Orangevale, CA 95662
    I switched from flats to DA EXL-220 rounds on my J-fretless, and it has started eating up the board. However, tone and mwah are excellent.

    I have just swapped the TI Flats and EXL-220 between my P and J-fretless. The rounds give my P a clarity it has been missing with the flats.
     
  9. Nov 21, 2005 #9
    beam

    beam

    Dec 29, 2002