Strings with least Mwah for fretless?

[thabassmon]

Hi All

I am looking for recommendations for strings that have the least mwah sound on a fretless 4 string, as that is a type of sound I do not want.

I am thinking either La Bella 760fx deep talking flats or La Bella Low Tension Flatwounds. But I am curious if D'Addario Chromes would be ok, I know they start off bright, hopefully they die quickly. I haven't used them more than a decade so I really remember how fast they die.

 

[Docduval]

High tension flats, probably?

 

[rodl2005]

Chromes start off bright but do dull off nicely.

 

[ardgedee]

I am looking for recommendations for strings that have the least mwah sound on a fretless 4 string, as that is a type of sound I do not want.

Mwah is a function of the string interacting with the fretboard at the finger, rather than the type of string you're using. Raise the action and there will be less of that interaction. Picking closer to the bridge will also reduce mwah.

 

[mcnach]

Mwah is largely a setup thing. A high tension string will minimise it, as it doesn't vibrate as wildly. But basically, if you have too much unwanted mwah, increase the relief/action.

 

[OldShark]

I'd say the type of string does matter, too.
I had the same set of Chromes on my Sire V7 Fretless since I bought it years ago, and that gave me a rather "mwahless" tone: Some mwah when I want that, particularly on the highest string, but otherwise it would mostly sound as a fretted bass with flats when played without slides and vibrato.

When using rounds, even an old set of D'addario XLs, it's hard to play without mwah. The setup is rather identical.

I generally am very content that two such rather different sound goals can be used with the same bass and a rather identical setup.

 

[brstma]

I find that labella deep talkin tape wounds on my fretless have less mwah and more of an upright sound

 

[Iristone]

High tension thumpy strings, slightly higher action, pick a bit closer to bridge. I'd pick 760FL over 760FX over either of your other choices.

 

[RicoTheBassMan]

Wait. No mwah on a fretless?!! Raise the string height and use Chromes. This is a sad day....

 

[Element Zero]

D’Addario Black Nylon tapewounds are pretty dark sounding. LOVE the texture of the tape on them. It’s ALMOST like paper.

It’s mostly setup though.

 

[Stewie]

I use GHS Precision flats 45-105 and keep the action a little higher. The G in particular has to be up or it will do that nasty “mwah” stuff

 

[Lo-E]

In no particular mwah order:
Flats<rounds
Stiff<flexible
High tension<low tension
More neck relief<less neck relief
High action <low action
Playing softly<digging in
Playing near the bridge<playing near the fingerboard

In regards to how much each aspect affects mwah, in my experience:
Technique > setup > string type

 

[Lo-E]

I use GHS Precision flats 45-105 and keep the action a little higher. The G in particular has to be up or it will do that nasty “mwah” stuff

Mwah only has nice things to say about you.

 

[burgerdj]

DR Legends and slightly higher action. In my experience, the Legends have zero top end right out of the box, but really solid low mids.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

But I am curious if D'Addario Chromes would be ok, I know they start off bright, hopefully they die quickly

The worst of the jangle goes within days, but the bright element stays for weeks / months. However the tone knob does a good job of shutting that up as much as is needed without swallowing up the real character.

 

[Maxcat17]

Mwah is a function of the string interacting with the fretboard at the finger, rather than the type of string you're using. Raise the action and there will be less of that interaction. Picking closer to the bridge will also reduce mwah.

1000%

 

[JazznFunk]

Mwah is a function of the string interacting with the fretboard at the finger, rather than the type of string you're using. Raise the action and there will be less of that interaction. Picking closer to the bridge will also reduce mwah.

True, but strings will also enhance or dull that characteristic. The recipe for the OP should be high action, extra relief in the neck, and a set of notoriously dark flats.

 

[Jazzdogg]

I've used TI Jazz Flats on my fretless basses for about three decades. No mwah unless I play to deliberately achieve that sound.

I have Dogal Hellborg rounds on one of my fretless basses, and the buzzy mwah sound is much more present and conspicuous, and takes more effort to control. After playing Helborg rounds, my other basses are free of unintended mwah, and are effortless to play.

Full disclosure, I play double bass and electric bass. In consequence, I am probably much less concerned about low action than most of the electric bassists I know; higher action can help ameliorate unintended mwah significantly.

 

[thabassmon]

Thanks for the comments, I do have a high action (I actually don't like low actions) and an old set of Thomastik Jazz Flats on it. I have the tone fully closed.

I don't pluck near the bridge, I pluck (depending on what sound I am trying to get) from over the fingerboard to about where a precision pickup would be.

I did try D'Addario Nylon Tapewounds, and I thought it was ok, and they looked cool. I could get it be very voice like in the middle range, it sounded like rubber bands in the upper register.

That why I was thinking the La Bella Deep Talking Flatwounds or the Low Tension Flatwounds, that kind of thump would make it less likely to go mwah.

 

[MrAB4003]

Thanks for the comments, I do have a high action (I actually don't like low actions) and an old set of Thomastik Jazz Flats on it. I have the tone fully closed.

I don't pluck near the bridge, I pluck (depending on what sound I am trying to get) from over the fingerboard to about where a precision pickup would be.

I did try D'Addario Nylon Tapewounds, and I thought it was ok, and they looked cool. I could get it be very voice like in the middle range, it sounded like rubber bands in the upper register.

That why I was thinking the La Bella Deep Talking Flatwounds or the Low Tension Flatwounds, that kind of thump would make it less likely to go mwah.

I replaced the stock Chromes on my Sire P5 fretless with these:

Deep Talkin’ Bass® Flats

Since the 50s and 60s, La Bella Deep Talkin’ Bass Stainless Steel Flat Wounds have been the choice of professional bass players and remain the standard

www.labella.com

I love Chromes, but they didn't have the tension that I wanted for my fretless.