Flatwound strings

[ImmortalSix]

I just put a set of flatwounds on my 335.

I've never used them before --- anyone else use flatwounds?

What sounds do these really nail?

 

[drp555]

Re: Flatwound strings

I have flatwounds on my hollowbody. I use them for jazz. They're very mellow and smooth, and reduce the squeaky sound of fingers sliding over the strings. A good example would be Pat Metheny's tone, or maybe George Benson. I think they sound better in thicker gauges: I usually use 10s on all my electrics, but use flatwound 12s on my hollowbody. I don't like them for rock or really any style other than jazz. But, then again, I've only tried them on full hollowbody guitars.

Another thing, unlike roundwound steel strings, I've never noticed a huge difference between a new set and an old set of flatwounds. YMMV of course

 

[jeremy]

Re: Flatwound strings

i have an old guild thinline hollowbody with a p90 in the neck that i put flat wound 13's on. its my 'jazz' guitar even though i cant play jazz. it sounds very smooth and fat

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Flatwound strings

I have flatwounds on my hollowbody. I use them for jazz. They're very mellow and smooth, and reduce the squeaky sound of fingers sliding over the strings. A good example would be Pat Metheny's tone, or maybe George Benson. I think they sound better in thicker gauges: I usually use 10s on all my electrics, but use flatwound 12s on my hollowbody. I don't like them for rock or really any style other than jazz. But, then again, I've only tried them on full hollowbody guitars.

Another thing, unlike roundwound steel strings, I've never noticed a huge difference between a new set and an old set of flatwounds. YMMV of course

I have noticed a huge increase in string tension. I got 11's, and I usually play 11's (wound 3rd) on my 335, as well as my Strat, so I wasn't expecting a big change in playability, but the change was remarkable.

I had to drop the guitar 3 half steps to get comfortable. I ended up bringing it back up to just 2 half-steps, but the point remains, it was a huge change in string tension. I'm a very bendy player, so I was a little...incapacitated :laughing:

I reckon there's a little bit of a learning curve with flats, huh?

 

[drp555]

Re: Flatwound strings

yeah flats definitely take a while to get used to. Bending is considerably tougher, but that's not a problem for more traditional jazz playing. I'd be interested to see if there's anyone who uses flats for blues or rock

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Flatwound strings

I'd be interested to see if there's anyone who uses flats for blues or rock

There was somebody doing it just this week :laughing:

 

[theodie]

Re: Flatwound strings

I have noticed a huge increase in string tension. I got 11's, and I usually play 11's (wound 3rd) on my 335, as well as my Strat, so I wasn't expecting a big change in playability, but the change was remarkable.

I had to drop the guitar 3 half steps to get comfortable. I ended up bringing it back up to just 2 half-steps, but the point remains, it was a huge change in string tension. I'm a very bendy player, so I was a little...incapacitated :laughing:

I reckon there's a little bit of a learning curve with flats, huh?

Oh yeah, flat wounds carry alot more tension. I have never tried them on guitar but, I love them on bass myself!

 

[claydots]

Re: Flatwound strings

Try D'Addario Jazz Lights. They are about a 10 gauge set of strings. Much easier to bend and play.

Flats do jazz well and they just nail surf on a Strat.

Listen to some early Jefferson Airplane if you want to know how they sound on a hollowbody. I love them on a 335.

 

[tehsuperfox]

Re: Flatwound strings

I have used flatwounds on fully and semi hollow guitar, and though I kept them on the hollowbody, I switched to rounds with my semi hollow. Flats can be nice, but I just prefer the sound and feel of rounds - and I'm a jazz player FWIW.