Fretless Question

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Heather Kulaga

Hey Tim, I'm going to try out the Slick Wounds next time I order some string sets - sounds interesting, thanks for the advice!

You can order directly from Ken if you can't locate otherwise. Let us know what you think.

[Bob Faulkner]

I play using Smith compressors on my BSR4EG fretless. The slap sound off a fretless is very different than what you get from a fretted instrument. it sounds a lot less metallic (imagine that!). I slap on my Smith all the time. I wouldn't worry about hurting the fingerboard by playing various styles. Fingerboard wear is an issue to be conscious of over the long haul. I try to avert that by using Smith compressors on my basses. They aren't as smooth as the slicks, but they also sound far more like round wounds than the slicks do.

[Jason Mendelson]

awe yea slappin and tappin on the frettless FTW!!!!

I do it all the time on my BSR6EG Frettless...

If you are worried about the fingerboard, use compressors as stated...

Flatwounds are such a bummer to play, they are super tight / stiff... sound like a rubber band... if you want your smith to sound dead, then play flats on it... (im sure it will still sound good, but eh,,, not my thang...

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Jason Mendelson

Flatwounds are such a bummer to play, they are super tight / stiff... sound like a rubber band... if you want your smith to sound dead, then play flats on it... (im sure it will still sound good, but eh,,, not my thang...

"Sound like a rubber band"? Yep, but remember, the sound desired is in the ears of the artist. James Jamerson NEVER changed his strings, but he was James Jamerson and you knew it when you heard any tune he played on.