Your fretless string of choice?

[Michael Harrison Jr.]

I love my fretless bass. I was very fortunate that my first Private teacher was a big fretless fan and got me interested in it very early. Unfortunally he had moved out of town before I purchased my first fretless so I never thought to ask him the important question of what strings he used. I always loved the sound his fretless had.

Since then, I've tried many strings and to be honest, so far none of them have risen above "just average" status to me. So what I want to know is what you all use as your favorite fretless string.

I'm looking for a string not too much bite to it. I really want a great "mwhaa" fretless sound. For example, I really love the fretless sound in Without You from Rent: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pO1N7lcXkU&feature=related

(I did a concert tribute of Rent a couple of years ago I just really was upset I couldn't get the fretless tone I wanted back then.)

Any suggestions?

[Tim Bishop]

Can you tell us more about your fretless bass (make, woods used, fingerboard wood, electronics, etc.)? Maybe a flat-wound string would give you what you are seeking?

For me, I use Smith Steel Taper Core Mediums and find I have all the flexibility I need through EQ (if needed) to dial-in the tone I am looking for; edgy or mellow.

More important to me would be the construction and set-up of the bass: Utilizing specific tonal woods that worked for me. Oh, and an ebony fretless fingerboard for sure. Just my personal preference for fretless or fretted, however, unplugged you can really hear what a fretless bass can bring (i.e. that certain "mwhaa" factor you might be looking for).

A good fretless is hard to find and if you are fortunate to locate "the one"; keep it!

[Bill Bernhard]

I switched to Ken Smith Compressors on my fretless 5 about a year ago. Very happy with them, very responsive in feel and tone, without a lot of hashness.

[Michael Harrison Jr.]

My fretless is an Ibanez GSR200 Lined Fretless. Basically an "el cheapo" but I really like it. I tried flatwounds, but most of the ones I've tried have just sounded too heavy and dead to me.

[Bob Faulkner]

I use Smith Compressors.. I've also been known to use Smith slicks (currently on my Smith fretless). I'm moving to the Compressors exclusively though.. You get most of the round wound zing, but they're much easier on the fingerboard.

Here's my take on string types (focusing on Smiths)

Slicks give you a little more round wound zing than flats, and virtually no fingerboard wear.

Compressors give you almost as much zing as round wounds, and less fingerboard wear, but they do still wear more than slicks.

Rounds give you the best zing, but the most fingerboard wear.


As far as finger/playing comfort:

Slicks barely exhibit any finger wear. Slides are smoother than rounds, but your fingers can tend to "stick" to the slick metal surface..

Compressors are harder on the fingers than slicks, but no where near as rough as Rounds. Slides are generally smooth on these.

Rounds are hardest on the fingers, slides can be like rubbing sand paper..

[Michael Harrison Jr.]

Hmm...looks like the compressors seem to be the string of choice here. Think I'll have a go at them. Never tried KS strings before though. Not sure if anyone even sells them around here so I'll have to order them. I'll let y'all know how it works out when I get them though.

[Tim Bishop]

Order your strings directly from Ken. Give KSB a call; they'll fix you up.

[Bob Faulkner]

Definitely order from Ken, Price is good and if you order 2 packs and mention the forum they'll pay the shipping!

[Jason Mendelson]

My Ken Smith BSRE6G Frettless has rock masters on it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he5Guh6E3GQ

[Tim Brosnan]

I just put a set of Rockmasters on my Fender Jazz with DiMarzio ultrajazz pickups. These are great strings! Very smooth for a stainless steel string, and they provide a fatness I haven't heard with any other.

I haven't put them on my fretless yet-a Fender Jazz with DiMarzio Model J's but I will be next time I need to restring it. I can only see them sounding great on that bass as well.