Solo Bass 55?

[cfsporn]

I recently got my first fretless bass (1995 Fretless MIJ Jazz) and I was wondering what strings to use. Normally, all my basses are strung with Rotosound Swing Bass 66s as I love their ability to generate sparkling highs without sounding nasal. However, their ability to chew up metal frets will mean that they will wreak havoc on my unfinished fretles rosewood fingerboard. I have heard that Rotosound Solo Bass 55s retain a lot of the high end sparkle while not tearing a fingerboard to shreds. Since they are relatively rare (none of the NYC guitar shops that I frequent carry them, including GC) I have not found that many reviews for them. Have any TB users tried these strings, and if so, what did they think?

On another note, can anyone recomend other strings that would seem to fit my requirements (good high end, not nasal low end, won't tear up a fingerboard).

Thanks in advance!

 

[NightDonkey]

Hi C
I have used everything after years of searching out strings fit my bass' personality I have recently settled happily with Thomastik jazz roundwounds. On my fretless mij jazz (dimarzio jazz hum canceling) and my Warwick fretless corvette. They are super comfortable and appear to be kind to my fingerboard. If you have a rosewood fingerboard any roundwounds will chomp it up. I'm on my second neck for my mij jazz 1987. Read some reviews on the Thomastik jazz. They also last a long time. A lot longer than any other brand I've sampled. They are pricey. I shop around on eBay and other online sources. $60.00 seems to be about the best price out there. Rotosounds are nice but start to lose that snap very early in their short life. I also use Thomastik jazz flats on my 76' Ric 4001. Not dull, dead or thuddy. Not snappy either but great definition and can last a year(haven't had them that long let).

Good luck

Mike

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

The Solo Bass 55's and other "Pressure Wound" strings will cause less / much slower fingerboard wear on a fretless.

I haven't used the 55's, but have used Compressors (Pressure Wounds from Ken Smith) for a while on my unfinished ebony board fretless (I ended up switching to rounds and have been using them since and they really don't dig up the ebony all that much).

This picture kinda gives you an example of how the outer windings look... they are less aggressive than the standard round wounds since the outer windings are more rounded on the surface. Less finger noise on these too... The picture is of "Ken Smith" strings... Round Wound / COmpression Wound (Pressure Wound) / SLick Round (half-rounds)... Very similar on the 55's.... (workin on getting pictures like this of various strings.

 

[markanini]

If you like RS 66 on fretted I bet you'll like 55's on fretless as well. They easily outshine any other non-round I've tried in the harmonics department, mega lively. The saying goes as long as the outer profile is flat there shouldn't be a concern about fretboard wear. GHS pressurewound are nice as well warmer overall but certainly deliver the roundwound growl.

 

[the low one]

I tried them and they caused just as much wear as rounds.