Big Daddy from Motown Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 What are you using and why? I've been using DR Sunbeams but am open to suggestion..I don't play a lot of fretless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottle12am Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Usually I just pick up what's available, but last time I grabbed some RotoSound 77's. Disappointed. If sworn with their roundwounds (for my fretteds) for years and was always pleased. But the 77's weren't as bright as I had hoped, plus they were extremely tight and did a number on my bass' neck upon installation. I had to do spinal cord surgery with the truss rod, which I hate doing (and never had to do with the installation of strings before). "Women and rhythm section first" -- JFP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danzilla Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 I prefer D'Adario HalfRounds on my fretless Jazz. If they're not available, my second choice is Ken Smith Compressors. "Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) NEW band Old band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 I am now using Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats for my fretless. They are great! But if you are looking for the Jaco fretless sound, you might want to try something else. Jaco used round-wounds with epoxy on the fretboard. If you want a roundwound sound but are concerned about wear on the fretboard you might want to try GHS Brite Flats or GHS Pressure wounds. One of those is a little brighter than the other but I forget which at the moment. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Daddy from Motown Posted February 23, 2006 Author Share Posted February 23, 2006 I just put a set of the Jazz Flats on 1 of the (fretted)P basses. I think i like them, haven't used them on a gig yet. I like that they have a tone all their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil W Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 I like the roundwounds on fretless - and it's pretty much all I play. I use DR HiBeams or Lo Riders 105-45. I just get the ebony board sanded down every few years. It lasts pretty well for saying it's the only bass I use. http://philwbass.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBFLA Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 TI Jazz flats normally, but right now I'm using TI SuperAlloy's. They are roundwounds, but the windings don't seem to be as pronunced and the tone is less bright than the TI Jazz Rounds I used on my Moses necked fretless. Jim Jim Confirmed RoscoeHead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 I've been using roto 77's on my Carvin fretless but I'm going to switch to Dadario Chromes soon...got them on my Jazz - very nice. 1974 Fender Jazz 2003 Musicman StingRay 2006 Gibson LP Studio VM Carvin DCM1000 amp GK 410 SBX Cab SansampPBDDI Ampeg B100R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlrush Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 I have an American Jazz fretless that I've owned for about a year, and I have D'Addario Chromes Ribbon Wound on them now. They're ok, but I'm still looking. I'd like to have some flats on it and may try the Chromes flats. In a previous thread Jeremy C said they are some of the brightest flats, and that sounds like the way I'd like to go. It's just that flats seem to take the mwah out of fretless, but I hope the Chromes flats don't. Hey Jeremy, are the TI's bright. Is that what you like for fretless? Visit my band's new web site. www.themojoroots.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 I've been using Ken Smith Pressure Wounds (I think that's what they're called). They give a lot of the brightness of rounds, with a much smoother texture. Easier on fingers & board. They also seem to last forever--I've had mine on for 2 or 3 years now & don't need a change. They are getting funky, though; I look at the strings & see where I play a lot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArwinH Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 I'm using the labella tapewounds that came stock on my bass, and I have no plans to change...probably not for 5 years or so. I can actually get a prety close aproximation of the jaco tone with hand placement. And it does a very nice upright like sound. www.myspace.com/movementwithoutmotion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Father Gino Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Assuming you want rounds, my 2¢ would be on TI jazz rounds. They're very low tension and light gauge but they're not too thin sounding. They're lovely to play with relatively low action and a light touch on a fretless board. You can mold the tone with your left hand. They're not overly bright/zingy sounding and mellow nicely with age. OTOH, if you've never tried flats, they're pretty cool too and I'd second the TI flats. Many similar qualities to the rounds but deeper, more fundamental, less sustain and well more flatter. But they're not dead thumpy flats though they turn into great dead thumpy flats after a few years. Then again, TI Super Alloys are nice also. Higner, more normal tension and gauge and their sound is sort of in between the first two. Jeez, I should get a job with Thomastik. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo-London Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 DR Sunbeams are my fav for solid bodied fretless. I like the light gauge too for extra feel (40 - 100). Davo "We will make you bob your head whether you want to or not". - David Sisk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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