Grassie Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Hi everyone, Bought a VM Jazz fretless last year, and would like some advice on strings. I've been playing it with some stainless roundwounds on for a while, but have just taken them off as 1) they are as dead as a dodo, and 2) they have started to mark the ebanol fingerboard. Now, as I understand it, flatwounds won't make a mess of the fingerboard, but will I get the same sound as I do with rounds? I love the tone the late, great Mick Karn got from his bass and would be happy if I could get close to that sound, but I'm doubting I could do it with flats. Don't fancy ground/halfwounds as I don't want to bugger the fingerboard any more. I appreciate that this thread has probably been started before, but I would love to hear your opinions on this.... Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 If you want a roundwound fretless sound like Mick Karn, then you're going to need to use roundwound strings. Nickel strings will be slightly less abrasive on the fingerboard. Strings are a very personal choice and you may have to try lots of different ones before you find the right balance of sound versus fingerboard wear for you. I'd start by looking at a set of Pedulla Nickels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Flats will NOT sound like roundwounds. Great if you love that tone, avoid otherwise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I recently put Thomastik-Infeld Jazz flats on a fretless. Amazing sound, super-mwah, I even have to roll off the treble to get "that" sound! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconic Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I have Nylon Tru-Bass on my VMJF and love the sound....another way to go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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