new to fretless - string recommendations to start?

[richntiff]

I have a fretless 4 string on its way to me - standard scale. I have not played fretless before - I'm looking for recommendations for a good starter set of strings to throw on it (the bass is used, I'd like to change out the strings right away). Do I need to go with coated, or are flats ok (it's a maple board)?

thanks in advance for any suggestions for a good middle of the road string to try out!

 

[Jon Moody]

Honestly, whatever you want.

Flats, tapewounds, etc.. are gonna give you more of that percussive punch and decay that many covet as "how to sound like an upright."

Roundwounds - of any kind - will take you the opposite direction, with a ton of sustain and "mwah" that many attribute to the sound of a fretless. They ARE definitely harder on a fretless fingerboard, however it's nothing to really worry about. At all.

For you, I'd start with a set of strings that you're already familiar with and using currently, so you can start to hear/understand what your fretless sounds like, and then go from there.

 

[Paulabass]

Use what you like, because it's just voodoo/ugly rumor that rounds will kill your bass. If you don't like the wee tiny marks makes the strings make on your fingerboard, give it a light sanding once every 25 years.

 

[michael_t]

Here's a post by @trothwell in another thread. GHS Brite Flats (Alloy 52 groundwound) on a fretless Jazz:

I think they're good strings. I personally tend to like more of the so-called "mwah" on a fretless bass, which I don't get as much of as I would like from the Brite Flats, but they help achieve a good fretless tone otherwise. Here's a sound clip of them on a fretless Fender Jazz bass:

 

[michael_t]

If you decide the GHS Brite Flats as heard on the clip above are not round-ish enough for your liking, then I would recommend the GHS Pressurewounds. The same Alloy 52 (nickel-iron) for the wrap wire but "rollerwound" (compressed into an oval shape) instead of "groundwound", they would take you closer to the roundwound territory without going all the way.

 

[JRA]

whatever you want.

Use what you like

 

[Masterpoet]

I'm using D'Addario Black Nylon Tapewounds on my fretless. Very smooth on your fingers and neck. Long scale Med. gauge 50 65 85 105 works well for me. It's a James Jamerson Motown sound. Thumpy and loud with my system but I'm wondering if there is a brighter sounding safe string I could be using. I'm paranoid of dinging my neck.

 

[richntiff]

awesome - thanks all! I'll probably start with some rounds or maybe the GHS Brite Flats. Was looking at the LaBella Deep Talking Flats - but maybe that's too thumpy for me. I tend to like definition in my tone....

 

[Cheez]

I like Labella white nylons. They are smooth and very flexible. And, fwiw, I used round wounds on my fretless for at least five years. They caused very minimal wear to the fingerboard.

 

[Epitaph04]

Ive been liking DR sunbeams on mine. I believe they are Tony Franklin's string of choice as well.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

DR Sun beams

 

[mmon77]

I'll 3rd the DR Sun Beams.

 

[Element Zero]

I'm using D'Addario Black Nylon Tapewounds on my fretless. Very smooth on your fingers and neck. Long scale Med. gauge 50 65 85 105 works well for me. It's a James Jamerson Motown sound. Thumpy and loud with my system but I'm wondering if there is a brighter sounding safe string I could be using. I'm paranoid of dinging my neck.

Try Labella White nylons. Brighter sounding than the d’addario Black nylons but less tension.

 

[silvertone]

I have a vintage Modulus Bassstar Fretless J with Flats and a Squire VM with Black Nylon Tape Wounds.

IMHO - the feel of the tapewounds is smooth and nice - but ultimately you want TONE and feel is not as critical as sound.
I recommend flats over tapewounds for tone... I always use D'Addarios.

 

[Tom Howland]

I've been playing fretless for over 20 years. And spent way to much money on strings. My top 5.
1-TI-J344 Jazz Flats.
2-La Bella- Black Nylon.
3-DR-Sunbeams.
4-La Bella- White Nylon.
5.Ken Smith-Compressors.

 

[BobDeRosa]

Honestly, whatever you want.

Flats, tapewounds, etc.. are gonna give you more of that percussive punch and decay that many covet as "how to sound like an upright."

Roundwounds - of any kind - will take you the opposite direction, with a ton of sustain and "mwah" that many attribute to the sound of a fretless. They ARE definitely harder on a fretless fingerboard, however it's nothing to really worry about. At all.

For you, I'd start with a set of strings that you're already familiar with and using currently, so you can start to hear/understand what your fretless sounds like, and then go from there.

Great advice.

 

[Steadfast]

Last night I slapped on a set of Ernie ball cobalt flats.

DO IT!!!!!!!!

 

[ELG60]

I've been very satisfied with the EB Cobalt Flats on my daily player, and have the TI's on my 64. Can't find fault with either of them. I have a set of TI's which I will put on my fretless eventually .

 

[gitfiddl]

I use D'Addario XL rounds on both of my fretless basses. One has an ebony fingerboard, the other purpleheart. I haven't noticed any major wear issues over 10+ years.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Ive been liking DR sunbeams on mine. I believe they are Tony Franklin's string of choice as well.

DR Sun beams

I'll 3rd the DR Sun Beams.

My fretted basses are never picky with strings. I have never had to remove a set from a fretted bass. My fretless is a whole other story. I have pulled brand new strings off my fretless because they just did not sound right. The number one choice for me is, by far, DR Sunbeams. They are pretty much all I put on my fretless these days.