The Fretless Virgin

[RevDoc]

After years of fretted playing with roundwounds I've acquired my first fretless. an Aerodyne Jazz with a graphite neck. This incredibly photogenic bass has arrived with strings of unknown make, age or quality (trimmed with yellow thread) and I'm seeking advice on a fresh set of strings.

So, fretless sages, what might you suggest for a first time flatwound buyer?

 

[Gorn]

You don't have to use flats if you don't want to, but Labella makes a fine product.

 

[Killing Floor]

Partial to D'Addario Chromes, black package XL. Use whatever gauge you would buy for round wound. Highly subjective. Don't worry that the tone is a little more mellow with flats. They will keep your fingerboard in a happy place forever. My very old maple P fingerboard has survived nicely with these. Tape wound basically sound like plucking rubber bands so don't bother. There are nearly a handful of actual bass guitar string winders in the world. You could 'almost' assume that every string "made in... " is made in the same OEM house but that does not mean they have the exact same spec. Play around with different brands. Try the same brand you already like.

 

[arbiterusa]

I only use flats on fretted basses. I frankly don't like the sound on fretless.

That being said, my two favorite flats are Fender 9050s, and Thomastik flats. The Thomastiks are like playing with kite string, no tension, but a great sound. The Fenders are like playing strings made of rebar, but sound fantastic.

 

[Killing Floor]

Corrected. I meant D'addario XL Chromes ECB82 Flatwound! They come in a black sleeve.

 

[trothwell]

I like GHS Brite Flats on my fretless bass, a groundwound string.

For actual flats on fretless, I have liked Rotosound 77 and Thomastik Infeld.

 

[RevDoc]

You don't have to use flats if you don't want to, but Labella makes a fine product.

Thanks, I was perusing those online. I think I want flats, but I will have to try them all as I can afford to.

 

[RevDoc]

Partial to D'Addario Chromes, black package XL. Use whatever gauge you would buy for round wound. Highly subjective. Don't worry that the tone is a little more mellow with flats. They will keep your fingerboard in a happy place forever. My very old maple P fingerboard has survived nicely with these. Tape wound basically sound like plucking rubber bands so don't bother. There are nearly a handful of actual bass guitar string winders in the world. You could 'almost' assume that every string "made in... " is made in the same OEM house but that does not mean they have the exact same spec. Play around with different brands. Try the same brand you already like.

I can't say I'm certain I don't want to explore a rubber-band sound, but perhaps staying with the familiarity of Rotosound would be a good idea.

 

[underwhelmist]

First time flats user and fretless novice here, I recently put GHS Precision Flats on and I like ‘em!

 

[RevDoc]

I only use flats on fretted basses. I frankly don't like the sound on fretless.

That being said, my two favorite flats are Fender 9050s, and Thomastik flats. The Thomastiks are like playing with kite string, no tension, but a great sound. The Fenders are like playing strings made of rebar, but sound fantastic.

Kite string? Color me intrigued. I'm fairly astonished at the ease of play with the strings that came with this bass.
I'd never picked up a fretless before this bargain sort of fell in my lap, and never realized how effortless the fingering could be.

 

[RevDoc]

First time flats user and fretless novice here, I recently put GHS Precision Flats on and I like ‘em!

Thanks, I've always relied on GHS when the string budget was thin.
What surprised you most about picking up a fretless?

 

[underwhelmist]

Thanks, I've always relied on GHS when the string budget was thin.
What surprised you most about picking up a fretless?

How bad my intonation was! Or more specifically how being just a small distance off the correct position makes a big difference to the sound. I’m getting better but I’m not there yet

 

[JRA]

So, fretless sages, what might you suggest for a first time flatwound buyer?

first time? then why bother trying to choose a flat wound string? wouldn't that make two variables (fretless and flats) about which you have little-to-no experience? if you're used to rounds: i'd advise starting with what you know and like and then see where you want to go from there.

good luck with your fretless playing!

 

[two fingers]

How are you gonna come here and call your bass "very photogenic" and not include some photos????

 

[RevDoc]

Because it's very photogenic.
Whether you are looking at it or not.
But since you asked...

 

[RevDoc]

How bad my intonation was! Or more specifically how being just a small distance off the correct position makes a big difference to the sound. I’m getting better but I’m not there yet

Same here, it's a whole new world!

 

[Element Zero]

Thomastik Infeld Jazz Rounds. You. Will. Be. Astounded.

 

[RevDoc]

Ooow, I like being astounded!
I just wish astonishment were a bit cheaper....

 

[RevDoc]

first time? then why bother trying to choose a flat wound string? wouldn't that make two variables (fretless and flats) about which you have little-to-no experience? if you're used to rounds: i'd advise starting with what you know and like and then see where you want to go from there.

good luck with your fretless playing!

Sound advice JRA, Thanks. I've a spare set of rounds that I will be trying out over the next few days but I'm in the mood to explore all kinds of possibilities, now including kite strings and rubber bands.....

 

[Joebone]

Sadowsky flats. Tonally, on the thump/songful spectrum, they are closer to the Thomastik Infeld jazz flats - which are very songful - then to the LaBellas that preside over the thump end of the spectrum. But tension is moderate (the TIs are pretty floppy), and songfulness and thump are both available, especially after a few months of use. DR flats are also a good, middle-of-the-road choice. I have both of these on different fretlesses, but the Sadowskys are on the fretless basses that I use the most - they really go great on fretless. Give some thought to your touch - if you have a heavy touch, then the TIs may not be great - although I find that expression comes more easily with lower tension - and expression is what fretless is all about!