Ken's Corner (Bass Forums Sponsored By KSB)

Go Back   Ken's Corner (Bass Forums Sponsored By KSB) > Electric Basses > Smith Strings

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-27-2008, 08:28 AM
Michael Harrison Jr. Michael Harrison Jr. is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 01-25-2008
Location: Orlando
Posts: 18
Michael Harrison Jr. is on a distinguished road
Default Your fretless string of choice?

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=-pO1N...eature=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?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-27-2008, 03:26 PM
Tim Bishop's Avatar
Tim Bishop Tim Bishop is offline
Senior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 02-25-2007
Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 1,274
Tim Bishop is on a distinguished road
Cool Fretless?

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!
__________________
Tim Bishop


Last edited by Tim Bishop; 01-27-2008 at 03:43 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-27-2008, 07:09 PM
Bill Bernhard's Avatar
Bill Bernhard Bill Bernhard is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 02-24-2007
Location: Daytona Beach, Fl
Posts: 11
Bill Bernhard is on a distinguished road
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-28-2008, 07:23 AM
Michael Harrison Jr. Michael Harrison Jr. is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 01-25-2008
Location: Orlando
Posts: 18
Michael Harrison Jr. is on a distinguished road
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-28-2008, 11:37 AM
Bob Faulkner's Avatar
Bob Faulkner Bob Faulkner is offline
Senior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 01-22-2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 282
Bob Faulkner is on a distinguished road
Default

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..
__________________
Proud original owner of a 2001 Ken Smith BSR4EG lined fretless.

My band's site:
Delusional Mind
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-28-2008, 06:04 PM
Michael Harrison Jr. Michael Harrison Jr. is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 01-25-2008
Location: Orlando
Posts: 18
Michael Harrison Jr. is on a distinguished road
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-28-2008, 06:34 PM
Tim Bishop's Avatar
Tim Bishop Tim Bishop is offline
Senior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 02-25-2007
Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 1,274
Tim Bishop is on a distinguished road
Cool Order from Ken.

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

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-29-2008, 04:31 PM
Bob Faulkner's Avatar
Bob Faulkner Bob Faulkner is offline
Senior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 01-22-2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 282
Bob Faulkner is on a distinguished road
Default

Definitely order from Ken, Price is good and if you order 2 packs and mention the forum they'll pay the shipping!
__________________
Proud original owner of a 2001 Ken Smith BSR4EG lined fretless.

My band's site:
Delusional Mind
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-30-2008, 12:12 PM
Jason Mendelson's Avatar
Jason Mendelson Jason Mendelson is offline
Posting Member
 
Join Date: 01-27-2007
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 118
Jason Mendelson is on a distinguished road
Send a message via AIM to Jason Mendelson Send a message via MSN to Jason Mendelson
Default

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he5Guh6E3GQ
__________________
Thump_
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-03-2008, 09:29 PM
Tim Brosnan Tim Brosnan is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 09-20-2007
Location: Cape Cod
Posts: 3
Tim Brosnan is on a distinguished road
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:39 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2007 - Ken Smith Basses, LTD. (All Rights Reserved)