Gauges 046-063-080-102 Fretmaster bass strings were designed in response to a growing demand from today's pro bassists for a string that provides the power, tone, and feel that they need, without the usual fret damage caused by ordinary round wound strings. Fretmaster bass strings incorporate a proprietary burnishing process which compresses the wrapping over the fretboard area only. The full, round windings are left over the pickup area. The result is a smooth feeling bass string with that full, rich piano tone of a superior round wound. Round over the pickups for that bright sound but burnished ever so slightly over the fretboard. Round Wound sound — Flat Wound feel. Fretmaster gives you all the tone but none of the fretwear.