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Post subject: strings for fretless jazz
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 10:25 am
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I am relating my personal experiences with different string makers, and how they sound/play on an active Jazz fretless.

Fender:
I like the stock Fender strings because of the tapered end on the E and B strings. Overall they sound and play well and are usually cheap compared to other string choices available. I think they are have more mid-range compared to DRs.

DRs:
So far except I like these the best sound wise. I had the Marcus Miller ones. What I don't like about these strings are a) lack of tapered ends on E and B and b) the B string is a little flabby for my taste. My background is in string bass, so I tend to play a little more firmly than some players, and I find the B string to be a little too loose. This might be a better set for a 35" scale, but of course the Fender is only 34." One other thing about the DRs: they are hard on fingers and on the bass. I noticed when I first got them that I had to build up my callouses to play them carefully. Please note I am not a noob, as I have been playing for over 30 years, but there is something about the winding on these strings that seems to cut right through a callous, and unfortunately a fretless fingerboard, so buyer beware.

GHS Boomers:
I had these on a while back and they are what you'd expect, bassy but bright. I also felt that of the strings I've mentioned so far that they had the stiffest core and required the most exercise to finger. Soundwise I would put them on a par with the Fenders, but again no tapered ends on the E and B.

D'addario Chrome Flats:
I haven't used flats since Rotosound came out, and once I put these on I remembered why I switched. These are expensive strings and are very dark. I usually play with my amp set to flat and the controls on the bass all the way up (except volume). I was shocked by the total lack of top end on these strings. We're talking Jamerson on depressants here. They are very comfortable to play and very quiet but hell they are flat. I do like the gauges of the set and the B string is stiff enough for more aggressive playing. The only reason I put these on is that the DRs were chewing a hole in my fingerboard and I wanted to do something to preserve the neck. All this being said, I cannot recommend these strings for any reason. They are too expensive (double the cost of a Fender set at Guitar Center), do not have tapered ends, and are only suitable for playing funerals.

Conclusion:
Long story short, if you got the dough, callouses and 10 coats of epoxy on your neck, I would recommend the DRs. Again, the Fenders are very good too but the DRs really sing on an active bass.


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