flats vs rounds -- a fretless study

I'd say on a fretless that flat wounds would be more friendly to the wood than round wounds - but, then again I've never owned a fretless bass - so, what do I know - lol...

With a fret'ed bass I prefer flat wounds myself.
 
I have flats on the EB -- and agreed -- there is some noticeable damage to the fret board from the rounds the previous owner had on it.
some use a THICK GLOSS (Joco) to protect the wood ....

this having to be the THICKEST Ive seen..................almost looks like some sort of plastic insert.......
 
I use flats on my old fretted bass, I would think they were the obvious choice for fretless.
 
I have a mix....some round some flat---I tried the "Half" rounds didnt like them.....they were "sticky" to me
Also have one P/J Peavey with Tape wounds (talk about a THUD Hammer)
Peavey Dyna Unity.jpg
 
Usually I end up letting the BASS tell me what it likes---I had flats on my T-40.......and Tapes......couldnt really get some of the tones I WANTED.......I put rounds on it and IT MAKES GREAT TONES now-- looking back I guess peavey DESIGNED it to have rounds........and it prefers them for sure.
 
Usually I end up letting the BASS tell me what it likes---I had flats on my T-40.......and Tapes......couldnt really get some of the tones I WANTED.......I put rounds on it and IT MAKES GREAT TONES now-- looking back I guess peavey DESIGNED it to have rounds........and it prefers them for sure.
That’s a wise plan of action. My frankenjazz fretless has flats, the Michael Kelly Dragonfly had half rounds but didn’t play nice with them. Thanks to Adrian, it now has tapewound strings which it loves. The D’Angelico has flats and I’m considering tapewounds for it. My only fretted bass has halfwounds and sounds amazing. Finally, the parts caster p bass has flats and they are perfect for it. I do believe the bass chooses the string.
 
MOST welcome glad ya like them--- you know bass strings are good for life so DONT THROW YOUR OLD ONES OUT -- you might find a better "fit" for them down the road-----
Say @fretless ..........have a I got a project for you ------ keep checking the BASSMENT for a new "bass" thread soon (day or too the paints wet) ;)
 
 
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