New Strings for Fretless. NOT flat wound or Nylon!!!

[zawinul]

ok just to bug you bassheads again

looks like I need new strings

Want bright bouncy, funky strings fro my fretless. not flatwound dull ****, or nylon

don;t want my freless to sound like a double bass .... want lots of treble and harmonics etc


OK so currently Rotosound steel=, light gauge, need heavier gauge but think Rotosound not very er um 'refined' ... prepared to spend a bit more cash to get right thing...


So good quality bright strings any suggestions please!!!


cheers for all your help in earlier post much appreciated !!!

[Grangur]

Tony Franklin advocates using roundwounds on his fretless. I guess there's nothing to stop you doing that too. You just. Need to accept that you may get more board wear than with flats.

[franzbassist]

Have you actually tried La Bella white nylon flats? Plenty of brightness from them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNdiB2gAUSA

Tony Franklin uses DR Sunbeams btw.

[ezbass]

Well, you could use Ernie Ball Cobalt flats, they're pretty zingy, for flatwounds. But if you're dead against flats, then any roundwound will suffice; I always liked D'Addarios.

[Trueno]

I've always used roundwounds on fretless. Currently have Warwick EMPs on my Thumb BO. Never worried about chewing up the board. Always had ebony boards. Does leave a few marks but after a while the marks don't get any worse. Tried flatwounds, halfrounds and tapewounds... but never liked the sound. The bass is there to be played... so go for it.

[BigRedX]

La Bella Steels.

[dannybuoy]

Half rounds? I recommend the Status ones.

Pressurewounds (SIT Silencers perhaps?) for something a bit brighter.

But if you don't mind grazing your fingerboard and fingertips, roundwound steels will sound pretty lively!

Edited September 28, 2016 by dannybuoy

[Marc S]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1475101444' post='3143151']
Half rounds? I recommend the Status ones.

Pressurewounds (SIT Silencers perhaps?) for something a bit brighter.

But if you don't mind grazing your fingerboard and fingertips, roundwound steels will sound pretty lively!
[/quote]

I've never used half rounds myself, but was just wondering whether you'd considered them? Might be worth a try?
I recently re-strung a bass with some [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]D'Addario heavy gauge round wounds, and am quite pleased with them.

Good luck with your search, and don't forget to let us know how you get on - particularly if you use half rounds
Maybe one day I'll get round to trying some myself [/font][/color]

[dannybuoy]

I have some on my fretless; ridiculous amounts of mwah with a low action, as smooth as flats but a bit more lively!

[Trueno]

Yes.. forgot to add... let us know what you decide on and what you think. I always try to keep an open mind...

[Marc S]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1475136636' post='3143255']
I have some on my fretless; ridiculous amounts of mwah with a low action, as smooth as flats but a bit more lively!
[/quote]

Thanks for that Dannybouy. I've heard others say similar positive things about half rounds.
For me, Flats always seem too high tension-wise, and I feel my left hand drag too much for my liking. I've got TI Flats on my fretless, so they're nice & low tension, but still don't feel quite as comfortable to play as rounds...

Let me know what you think re tension Dannybouy - I'd be interested to hear

Cheers

[zawinul]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1475136636' post='3143255']
I have some on my fretless; ridiculous amounts of mwah with a low action, as smooth as flats but a bit more lively!
[/quote]

some what? name names please!!

[zawinul]

I think I'll go roundwounds just not rotosound this time.. they tend to go 'funny' quickly... thanks for all the input peeps

Now to choose which !??/

[zawinul]

anyone used D'addario Flex Steels , look super bright and bouncy!! ?

[MoonBassAlpha]

Have you considered the finish of the fingerboard? A harder coating than the bare wood will make whichever strings you use sound more zingy and bright.

[chevy-stu]

Ive just put Picato half rounds (or ground wounds as they used o be called ) on my cheapie Warwick fretless... can't stand the dullness of flats, but don't wanna kill the still good fretboard.. Seem a great compromise from an initial 20 second pluck