I've been playing my freltess for a little over a year now. I usually play an hour a day, I do lots of slides (Mick Karn's basslines). Around two months ago I changed stock roundwounds for Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky, because they felt really worn even I gave them a good clean. They felt great but few weeks after breaking those in they already started feeling really sticky and extremely unpleasent to play. I cleaned them but it didn't help at all. It feels as if they're about to cut through my fingers. Is that possible they're already dead?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Unplayable roundwounds
- Thread starter Freakyman
- Start date
I use extra slinky on most all of my fretless basses.
I haven't had any go sticky on me, maybe skin chemistry? have you had issues with other string types? nickle vs stainless vs coated vs whatever?
I like em' dead, I don't change them unless they break. maybe they will get a sympathetic wipe down if I polish the geetar.
I have only had one QC issue with Ernie Ball in many decades of use (short scale E in a long scale pack)
I haven't had any go sticky on me, maybe skin chemistry? have you had issues with other string types? nickle vs stainless vs coated vs whatever?
I like em' dead, I don't change them unless they break. maybe they will get a sympathetic wipe down if I polish the geetar.
I have only had one QC issue with Ernie Ball in many decades of use (short scale E in a long scale pack)
How clean are your hands when you’re playing and do you wipe the strings down from time to time?
I'm guessing the Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky you were referring to is this one:
This is a stainless steel roundwound set, and in case you aren't familiar, stainless steel strings tend to have a slight drag on finger movements.
The following nickel Hybrid Slinky set shouldn't have the same sticky problem as the stainless steel version:
Just my 2 cents...
Last edited:
Which strings were you using on your fretless prior to putting the new ones on?
There’s no single best string. There are a lot of options. If you don’t like the way your strings sound or feel when they age it’s time to replace them or try a different brand.
I play steel strings since my sweat seems extra corrosive and wears strings out fast. Helps a lot.
Strings are a personal journey of preference. It’s possible they are already dead. It’s also possible you just don’t like them. That’s fine. Remember what it was you didn’t like about them and try and avoid strings with similar construction/attributes in future. Also remember what you did like so you can seek that out and explore sets that might do that better for you. Also note that sometimes the sum is greater than its parts and a bass just needs certain strings to play and sound like you want it to even if those strings aren’t your usuals. It happens sometimes. At roughly $20-30 a set strings are a relatively cheap way to explore different sounds and feels.
Last edited:
One of my best friends has acid pouring from his hands. Kills a new set of strings writhing 20 minutes. Every time.
I tried a set of Rotosound Jazz bass flats and surprised at how bright they were. They more like a ground wound. There is space between the winds so they're not completely flat. Very smooth.
