flats on a fretless

[Chris Sharman]

I use TI Jazz flats on my fretless Westone Thunder and love the sound. What it loses in top end it makes up for in slideability (is that even a word?). The 18v active boost allows me to compensate, at least in part, for the less-trebly sound of the strings and I do really like the sound I get from it.

When I got the bass and handed it over to Andyjr1515 of this parish to work on it had been wearing rounds for its entire life and had sufferrred serious fretboard damage. Seeing what that has done means I would probably not put rounds on a fretless ever again just for that reason.

End of the day you have to give it a try. These are my first set of flats and they work well for me. Your experience may vary.

[JellyKnees]

TIs... Just do it, amazing strings, expensive but worth every penny!

[stef030]

firstly thank you very much for all the advice given
it has given me lots to think about,
so the bass I am using is a squire vm jazz
it has upgraded p/ups,the action is very low as well
but other wise is standard,the stings I currently use are
extra light gauge strings,not because I bend a lot,but small hands,short fingers,
thanks again
stef

[paul_5]

I put Dunlop flats on my fretless (45 to 105) and they're great. The tension isn't massively different, so I can still play fast funk grooves without undue fatigue. They're not massively dull either, so I can still get quite a bit of 'zing' when I really dig in.

[Paul S]

[quote name='Chris Sharman' timestamp='1482105375' post='3197736']
I use TI Jazz flats on my fretless Westone Thunder and love the sound.
[/quote]

Best value for money fretless out there, imo. Really gorgeous tone.

[jacko]

I have Daddario chrome flats on my fretless alembic and love the feel and tone. Also have la bella deep talking flats on my Kelly acoustic bass which almost give it an upright tone.

[SpondonBassed]

[quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1482003990' post='3196960']
I think what you were trying to say was "...beautifully expressive vibrato...", Jack
[/quote]

I think you mean tremolo. There is a "slight" difference in that vibrato is a modulation of amplitude, not pitch. Call me a pedant, I deserve it.

Edit.

Er... I just looked the two terms up and it seems I am wrong, or at least... not correct. The definitions coming up are varied but I think it is fair to say that this could be a new topic. Look out for a new post entitled; "Are Tremolo and Vibrato not the same thing then?"

Edited December 21, 2016 by SpondonBassed

[juliusmonk]

It's vibrato.

[SpondonBassed]

[quote name='juliusmonk' timestamp='1482323102' post='3199534']
It's vibrato.
[/quote]

Thanks Juliusmonk. It's dealt with here now;
http://basschat.co.uk/topic/297271-are-tremolo-and-vibrato-not-the-same-thing-then/

[Dan Dare]

[quote name='jacko' timestamp='1482244121' post='3198771']
I have Daddario chrome flats on my fretless alembic and love the feel and tone. Also have la bella deep talking flats on my Kelly acoustic bass which almost give it an upright tone.
[/quote]

Yes and yes. I use Chromes on my Yamaha fretless and they sound great and are very nice to play. Tried La Bellas, too and they do give an upright sound, especially if you pick over or near the fingerboard and away form the pickups. Prefer Chromes as they are brighter when you need it and the LBs are now on my P Bass.