What strings and gauge for a Godin A4 fretless?

[Paul The Walrus]

Hello all,

This is my first post on this forum.

I recently bought a used Godin A4 fretless - this older model, without the electric pickup and with thumbrest:

However, I don't like how it sounds. The strings are flatwound, but they may be too old and the gauge feels like 45-105, I think. It has absolutely no "mwah", and it sounds like an electric bass. My Cort SJB6FX fretless sounds better, with very slight mwah and lovely double bass sound (it has 50-110 Rotosound flatwound strings).

I'd like to restore the A4 sound, and I wonder what strings I should put ont it. I saw on Godin webstite that the actual A4 fretless is factory set with D'Addario Chromes .045-.100 Super Long Scale.

I also read several topics on this forum and I found some A4 owners happy with these strings models:

Thomastik JF364
La Bella 750N Black Nylon

I aim to have some mwah, with slight double bass sound.

I'm used to strong gauge, I'll surely have to lower it, but I'm ok with that: sound is top priority.

So what strings, what gauge, what scale (long or superlong) would you advise?

Thank you very much!

 

[thisheregiraffe]

Howdy,

Nice bass! I would love to get myself an A4 someday. Wish I had bought one back when the prices were more favourable...

Those definitely look like Chromes in your picture, and the more recently produced A4s that I have tried in stores all had Chromes, so I will just go ahead an assume that what you read on Godin's site is correct. The stock strings are most likely the ECB81SL set.

I assume they go with the super long set because, even though it's a 34" scale bass, they want the extra winding length because of how the strings fit in at the bridge. Can you post a picture at the headstock? How much clearance is there between the nut and where the silks start? It might not actually be necessary to use super long winding strings.

For example, here's a picture of a new A4 on a Reverb shop. There quite a bit of clearance there, and I think most brands regular long scale strings would be fine instead of super long.

As for string recommendations: I rather like Chromes when they're new, so perhaps a fresh set of Chromes would be worth considering. Deader Chromes probably won't give you much mwah, but newer ones will have some of it in them. I'm also a big fan of the Ernie Ball 'Group' flats (not the Cobalt/Slinky flats!). Finally, setup is another consideration aside from the strings that is important for getting that mwah tone.

 

[Paul The Walrus]

Hi,

Thank you for your answer.
The A4 on the picture is not mine actually, it's a picture found on internet. And I don't have the bass at home now, it's at a luthier because of strange volume issues (strings don't have the same volume... perhaps some individual transducers are defective? I'm awaiting for his feedback). And I'll take the opportunity to ask for a new set up.

I think I've read somewhere superlong scale has a different feeling (it feels stronger), I wonder if that's true.

I will keep you informed!

 

[michael_t]

I think I've read somewhere superlong scale has a different feeling (it feels stronger), I wonder if that's true.

"Super long scale" strings on a 35" scale bass would feel "stronger" or "tighter" with more tension than "long scale" strings on a 34" scale bass due to the increased scale length on the bass itself.

It's the scale length of the bass that determines how the strings would feel. "Super long scale" strings on a 34" scale bass would have exactly the same tension as "long scale" strings on the same 34" scale bass as long as the brand/type/gauges are the same. The string's "winding length" (actual length of the string from the ball end to the end of the full winding at the tuner end) would only affect how they fit on a particular bass depending on its design.

 

[Alain Bass]

Hello all,
Thomastik JF364
La Bella 750N Black Nylon
Thank you very much!

Both are good choice. I had them on my fretless. The La Bella 760 sound better but the gauge is stronger. You could have a look too at the D'Addario nylon.
Probably nylon strings will give you a better Double bass sound than the metal one like the JF364.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

I really like the D’Addario tapes. They also come in a super long set if you want to stick with the longer winding length: ETB92SL.

 

[Paul The Walrus]

Thanks for your answers, very usefull since you can't try the strings before buying.
A4 i an (electro) acoustic bass, will I hear the fingers slide with nylon? Not as much as with roundwounds I guess.

 

[Alain Bass]

A4 i an (electro) acoustic bass, will I hear the fingers slide with nylon? Not as much as with roundwounds I guess.

Exact. Nylon will probably be the one that finger slide will be heard the less.
Me and a friend tried the 750 and 760 on a Taka TB 10, and we found that the 750 to loose a lot of what makes the sound of the 760 interesting. But the gauge of the 760 is quite heavy. I tried also the D'addario, had them on my Taka just a month ago. now I put back the 760 because my action is very low and the 760 fits better for that. It's a too long time I tried the 750 to remember the sound they had and compare them with the Dadda. But as me and my friend didn't
enjoy them a lot after having the 760, I think you should try the D'addario. But it's just my 2 cents.

 

[Paul The Walrus]

wow! La Bella 760N are .060, .070, .094, .115. I wonder if it would suit suit my A4 (even if it does with your Takamine) and its nut.
I think I'll choose nylon strings anyway. D'Addario or La Bella, but La Bella seem to have huge positive feedback.
Will keep you all informed ASAP!

 

[Alain Bass]

760 will fits on your A4, I have them on my Leduc Ubass, but however they are strong gauge.
Not sure the Dadda in XL are still available.

 

[GTHintz]

You might like Sadowsky black label flats. Or any Sadowsky flats. I played the round wound and always thought they'd be well suited for a fretless which at the time I didn't have. Great fundamentals but definitely can be expressive.

 

[Paul The Walrus]

Hi, I Think I'll choose the d’Addario tapes ETB92. Of course I'll post a feedback soon.
I didn't know the Sadowsky, I'll keep them in mind for an electric (fretted) bass I plan to string with flats.

 

[Paul The Walrus]

Hi all,
First of all, sorry for the delay. The preamp of my bass had to be replaced, and it took some time.
I am very happy with my new strings (d’Addario tapes ETB92). Nice sound. Perfect feeling (strong enough, no « chewing gum »). I Will test them live soon.
That was a blind purchase so thank you all for your advices!

 

[sunbeast]

For future reference, I love Ernie Ball Cobalt flats on my A4 Ultra fretless. Can’t recall what set, but can measure if desired. I’ve had the same set on for a year and a half or so and still get amazing depth and mwah. Perfect combination in my opinion for these basses.

 

[Paul The Walrus]

Hi, yes that would be interesting to know what set, as this topic could be an inventory of beloved sets on A4. Thanks in advance