Fretless String Shootout - Ernie Ball vs Thomastik

[Huw Foster]

 

 

In case you needed a niche video about two brands of strings on a converted fretless Schecter Stiletto Custom 5.

 

Gear used:

• Schecter Stilleto Custom 5 converted to fretless by Varcoe Guitars https://www.instagram.com/varcoeguitars/
• Ernie Ball Custom Gauge Electric Bass Strings - 5 String 45-130 Flatwound
• Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flat Wound Super Long Scale (JF 365)
• Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Bass
• Noble preamp

 

Tabs & tracks available on https://www.patreon.com/huwfoster

 

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:36 Demos

3:52 Impressions

6:01 Isolated clips

10:17 Final thoughts

Edited August 20 by Huw Foster
correcting timings in video

[itu]

That is done in a good, repeatable environment, and I am pretty sure, you can add nickel roundwounds to the test. That would widen this interesting comparison.

Edited August 16 by itu

[fretmeister]

I love those EB flats. Such a great string.

[PinkMohawk]

With the caveat that I'm not at all a flats guy, I found myself enjoying the TI's more than the EB's. I liked the extra midrange and the definition that they brought to the tone compared to the EB's. 

[Hellzero]

Very well made comparison, congratulations.

 

You can also try the ultra expensive Dogal Perfect Pitch Hellborg Bass Flat Wound strings for an even lower tension than the Thomastik's JF and they also are nickel ones.

 

Be warned that the low B is a pain in the derrière to fit to almost any bridge (and never cut them before mounting otherwise the core will slip inside...).