JJMononoetoe Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Hello there, I have a question about the Epiphone Zenith Fretless bass guitar. I was really interested in this bass guitar (it looks and sounds beautiful!), but then started looking up some stuff about fretless guitars. I've read that on fretless guitars the strings have a tendency to damage the fretboard over time. I think Jaco Pastorius called it "eating up the fretboard". Now, I only intend to use flatwound strings on this bass (once I own one). I've read it isn't as bad with those strings. Still, it has me a little worried. What can I expect with this bass guitar? Does it require a lot of maintenance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfox14 Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Certainly flat-wound strings will not damage the fretboard nearly as much as round-wounds would. What wood is the fretboard? Ebony is the best and hardest wood typically used for fretboards, next best would be maple. Rosewood does not hold up as well. When you play your bass as much as Jaco did, I bet you'd get a lot of ruts in the FB, but that means hours of playing everyday over years. I wouldn't worry too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daryl M Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 The bass comes with LaBella 760N Black Nylon strings, which I love. I've been gigging every weekend with this bass for a year and I've noticed no wear at all. This is the most fun bass I've ever played. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJMononoetoe Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 Thank you for your response. I looked it up. The fretboard is made of rosewood. Is it a really big difference? Can damage be prevented by using flatwounds (which I will) and using a light touch? @Daryl M: Huh? Black Nylon strings? That's certainly interesting. How does that work with the magnetic pickups? :o (I'm thinking of 'nylon' strings as those on classical guitars) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daryl M Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Thank you for your response. I looked it up. The fretboard is made of rosewood. Is it a really big difference? Can damage be prevented by using flatwounds (which I will) and using a light touch? @Daryl M: Huh? Black Nylon strings? That's certainly interesting. How does that work with the magnetic pickups? :o (I'm thinking of 'nylon' strings as those on classical guitars) They sound amazing. I love the nylons on this bass. I play bluegrass and this is the only bass I've ever played that gives me the sustain of an electric with the percussive 'thump' of an upright. Check out this demo from youtube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramone57 Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Thank you for your response. I looked it up. The fretboard is made of rosewood. Is it a really big difference? Can damage be prevented by using flatwounds (which I will) and using a light touch? @Daryl M: Huh? Black Nylon strings? That's certainly interesting. How does that work with the magnetic pickups? :o (I'm thinking of 'nylon' strings as those on classical guitars) the outer wrap is nylon, the core is steel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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