Bass Set-ups

[Bob Faulkner]

I play mainly fretless. I've honestly never changed the setup on my Smith at all. Everything was pretty much perfect. Ken had adjusted the G string to run with much lower action than the rest of the strings which makes the fretless growl from that string really stand out while the other strings have a much more moderate growl but stronger fundamentals. I've found I really enjoy that setup. I'm not a big fan of over the top fretless growl down low but a nice warm, moderate growl accenting the fundamental is a sweet thing. On the higher pitch notes the bright growl really stands out and is perfect.. I've setup all my fretless basses along these lines now.

I use both Smith slick rounds and compressors on my fretless basses. I currently have compressors on my Smith.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

I play mainly fretless. I've honestly never changed the setup on my Smith at all. Everything was pretty much perfect. Ken had adjusted the G string to run with much lower action than the rest of the strings which makes the fretless growl from that string really stand out while the other strings have a much more moderate growl but stronger fundamentals. I've found I really enjoy that setup. I'm not a big fan of over the top fretless growl down low but a nice warm, moderate growl accenting the fundamental is a sweet thing. On the higher pitch notes the bright growl really stands out and is perfect.. I've setup all my fretless basses along these lines now.

I use both Smith slick rounds and compressors on my fretless basses. I currently have compressors on my Smith.

Bob, why do you like these strings over, say, the Stainless Steel Taper Cores?

[Bob Faulkner]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Bob, why do you like these strings over, say, the Stainless Steel Taper Cores?

Well, I like to maintain the integrity of my fingers and my fingerboard as much as possible. Rubbing something that could take the finish off my truck over my beautiful ebony fingerboard is not something I would enjoy doing.

I've found the slicks, and especially the compressors, are much easier on the fingerboard and my fingers while still retaining most of that round wound zing. The compressors are a little harder on the fingers than the slicks, but the gain in tone makes up for it.

The slicks are probably my favorite for pure feel. They make doing slides and deep vibrato on the fretless more comfortable, and also dramatically reduce finger scrape noises. The compressors aren't as comfortable and quiet as the slicks on slides and deep vibrato, but are much more comfortable than round wounds.

Ken shipped my fretless to me with taper core rounds on it. I played it for exactly 5 minutes before I saw the carnage they were releasing on my fingerboard (that 5 minutes was more wear on the fingerboard than the next 5.5 years with slicks) and then went straight to the store and bought the only pack of flats they had in stock. I then spent about 6 months testing different brands and types of flat and compromise strings before I settled on Smith slicks as the best feel and wear vs tone. I've recently started using the compressors and they're great, but I still like the slicks in general. I'm still kinda undecided on which type to stick with.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

Well, I like to maintain the integrity of my fingers and my fingerboard as much as possible. Rubbing something that could take the finish off my truck over my beautiful ebony fingerboard is not something I would enjoy doing.

I've found the slicks, and especially the compressors, are much easier on the fingerboard and my fingers while still retaining most of that round wound zing. The compressors are a little harder on the fingers than the slicks, but the gain in tone makes up for it.

The slicks are probably my favorite for pure feel. They make doing slides and deep vibrato on the fretless more comfortable, and also dramatically reduce finger scrape noises. The compressors aren't as comfortable and quiet as the slicks on slides and deep vibrato, but are much more comfortable than round wounds.

Ken shipped my fretless to me with taper core rounds on it. I played it for exactly 5 minutes before I saw the carnage they were releasing on my fingerboard (that 5 minutes was more wear on the fingerboard than the next 5.5 years with slicks) and then went straight to the store and bought the only pack of flats they had in stock. I then spent about 6 months testing different brands and types of flat and compromise strings before I settled on Smith slicks as the best feel and wear vs tone. I've recently started using the compressors and they're great, but I still like the slicks in general. I'm still kinda undecided on which type to stick with.

Oh well, given the subjectivity of my question, I would expect varying responses on this one.

I personally will stick with the Taper Cores since they bring it all. I'm not concerned about fretboard wear with them; I don't think my playing style would lend itself to the type of abuse you reference. But again, that's why there are all types of flavors out there.

I would love to hear from others about this topic.

[Bob Faulkner]

Well, it's not like I try to squeeze the string through the back of the neck, I play fairly light in fact. But that first 5 minutes the fingerboard looked like I had taken a chisel with a serrated edge to it. Even today you can still see those initial scars. I switched strings then and never looked back. I've gotten to the point now where I don't even like rounds at all, on any bass I play. The compressors are as close to that type of string as I want to get.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

Well, it's not like I try to squeeze the string through the back of the neck, I play fairly lightly in fact. But that first 5 minutes the fingerboard looked like I had taken a chisel with a serrated edge to it. Even today you can still see those initial scars. I switched strings then and never looked back. I've gotten to the point now where I don't even like rounds at all, on any bass I play. The compressors are as close to that type of string as I want to get.

"Fingerboard looked like I had taken a chisel with a serrated edge to it"??? Hmmm, very odd. I could understand some superficial lines left on the fingerboard from the strings, but I've never had the kind of issue you describe.

Is the fingerboard Ebony or other?

[Bob Faulkner]

It's ebony.. Mind you I stopped at 5 minutes, but it was apparent at 5 minutes that several hours of playing would have worn a noticeable trench into the wood. Maybe that set of rounds Ken put on it then were diamond edged or something. I don't know. No other strings I've had on it have ever really worn the board at all. Even now, 5.5 years of playing with slicks later, the board looks like someone buffed it more than any real wear. At the current rate of wear, this fingerboard will outlive me without having to be redressed.