• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Fretless Club (Part IV)

#5,141
Michael Jewels said:
I haven't used Roto 66s in about 30 years. I liked them, but liked other flats more.

Just yesterday, I put a set of D'Addario Chromes on my Portameto.

I only have about an hour playing time with them, but really like them so far.

Nice feel, and they're darker and thumpier than the Ernie Ball Cobalt flats I had on before them.

Have you ever tried Chromes?

My Portamento.
View attachment 4901364
Click to expand...

I was trying their rounds. Not sure exactly which - but whichever ones Jaco used. Hence the experiment.

I'm not a big fan of Chromes too stiff. I have TI JFs in the case as well, but the fretless Jazz goes so well with rounds , imo.

And yes I agree nice bass! I'd still like to try one of those one day.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Michael Jewels
#5,142
Michael Jewels said:
I haven't used Roto 66s in about 30 years. I liked them, but liked other flats more.

Just yesterday, I put a set of D'Addario Chromes on my Portameto.

I only have about an hour playing time with them, but really like them so far.

Nice feel, and they're darker and thumpier than the Ernie Ball Cobalt flats I had on before them.

Have you ever tried Chromes?

My Portamento.
View attachment 4901364
Click to expand...

I really wanted to try Ernie Ball chromes on my Portamento, but mine is the SRF-706 and they don't make a 6 string set. I looked around and tried to find a 6 string set and couldn't. I ended up trying LaBella Gold Whites which I liked, but they didn't have enough mass and the G and C string higher up were worthless. I ended up putting on TIJF's and will never look back. Those are my favorite on the Portamento.
 
#5,143
nonohmic said:
I'm not a big fan of Chromes too stiff.
Click to expand...
What gauge set did you use? I used to use the Super Soft set (40-60-75-95) but I'd replace the .060 D string with a .055 which made for a nicely balanced set that has just a bit more tension (feel-wise to my fingers) than the TI JFs I have been using for many years, now. I still have an old set that I may put on my (new to me) Guild B-301.
 
  • Like
Reactions: woodyng2
#5,149
BAG said:
I'd like to try some TI Jazz Flats, but at $130 here in NZ I just can't pull the trigger and buy them.
Click to expand...
Try buying a six string set in the USA.

I took my SRF-706 to a local luthier. Repair dude cut me a new nut. He broke the D string. They are Thomastick-Infield Jazz flats. He says... "I slapped another string on there so it may feel different." .... Seriously???? The broken string will end up costing more than the repair.

I did find a single, but one string was $35.00

These strings are amazing and I wouldn't go back.

upload_2022-10-5_16-22-19.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: mjm0, LadyLoveStingRay5 and Michael Jewels
#5,150
Got some new gotoh machine heads for my slightly beat up GWB35 and generally got it slightly more cleaned up and reset up with some new strings and some much needed love.

Some new prosteel 50-145s makes me happy on this beast, lol. This bass has been my main player for a few years now and I don't see it changing anytime soon. At some point I'll have to smooth out the fingerboard but it's all surface scuffing so far.
3919767C-3A3D-43B4-8D18-0A835D315447.jpeg
50FB17BA-2E35-4F0A-98F6-22B4A1A6E1D3.jpeg
A44C05F4-9239-4D32-A676-E1B34DFB8CB9.jpeg
20E376FD-27C6-4CC6-AB7E-180D4F2278D2.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: mjm0, Klangfarbe, JRA and 5 others
#5,151
rutrho said:
Got some new gotoh machine heads for my slightly beat up GWB35 and generally got it slightly more cleaned up and reset up with some new strings and some much needed love.

Some new prosteel 50-145s makes me happy on this beast, lol. This bass has been my main player for a few years now and I don't see it changing anytime soon. At some point I'll have to smooth out the fingerboard but it's all surface scuffing so far.
View attachment 4901624 View attachment 4901625 View attachment 4901626 View attachment 4901627
Click to expand...

Nice! Maybe I missed it but was there something wrong with Willis designed tuners? I personally find the shape makes them slightly obnoxious to use.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rutrho and Les Fret
#5,153
Lujon said:
Nice! Maybe I missed it but was there something wrong with Willis designed tuners? I personally find the shape makes them slightly obnoxious to use.
Click to expand...

I ended up having the shaft on two of the 5 tuners breaking. One broke like six months ago and I replaced just that one.. then the second let go and I opted to replace all of em.

JIO said:
Never tried the Willis-designed tuners, but those Gotoh's are one of my favorites. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I'm not a big fan of the willis knobs, but they worked ok for the most part... I like the Gotohs a lot more though. They feel better and the quality of the worm gear mechanism feels a lot better IMO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thisheregiraffe and JIO
#5,154
rutrho said:
Got some new gotoh machine heads for my slightly beat up GWB35 and generally got it slightly more cleaned up and reset up with some new strings and some much needed love.

Some new prosteel 50-145s makes me happy on this beast, lol. This bass has been my main player for a few years now and I don't see it changing anytime soon. At some point I'll have to smooth out the fingerboard but it's all surface scuffing so far.
View attachment 4901624 View attachment 4901625 View attachment 4901626 View attachment 4901627
Click to expand...

Wow pretty worn board! I guess the d is you favorite string? :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: mjm0 and rutrho
#5,155
T
rutrho said:
I ended up having the shaft on two of the 5 tuners breaking. One broke like six months ago and I replaced just that one.. then the second let go and I opted to replace all of em.


I'm not a big fan of the willis knobs, but they worked ok for the most part... I like the Gotohs a lot more though. They feel better and the quality of the worm gear mechanism feels a lot better IMO.
Click to expand...

They would have to work a whole lot better to justify the looks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rutrho
#5,156
rutrho said:
I ended up having the shaft on two of the 5 tuners breaking. One broke like six months ago and I replaced just that one.. then the second let go and I opted to replace all of em.


I'm not a big fan of the willis knobs, but they worked ok for the most part... I like the Gotohs a lot more though. They feel better and the quality of the worm gear mechanism feels a lot better IMO.
Click to expand...

I love the Willis knobs. I have though about having some made out of aluminum to retrofit some other basses.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kesslari and rutrho
#5,158
BAG said:
I'd like to try some TI Jazz Flats, but at $130 here in NZ I just can't pull the trigger and buy them.
Click to expand...
They're $100 in Canada too, but I think they're worth it. Sound great, easy on your hands, and last forever.

Can't remember if I posted already, but this is my defreted 64 PBass

DSC_0055.JPG


And I just got this late 80s MIJ fretless JB62 that I'm really liking. Never seen an unlined one before, so I snapped this up.

WholeBassFront.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brian D, Matthew_84, mjm0 and 11 others
#5,159
rutrho said:
...
This bass has been my main player for a few years now and I don't see it changing anytime soon. At some point I'll have to smooth out the fingerboard but it's all surface scuffing so far.
...
View attachment 4901626
...
Click to expand...

It certainly looks 'played in'. I've just put a set of ProSteels on my fretless Corvette - looking at yours I might just take them off again. or at least limit Corvette play-time.
If you eventually feel the need to have it 'serviced', I would recommend at least considering the PLEK option. For my fretless Ray it was the best ££ I ever spent.
 
  • Like
Reactions: srayb

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back