NE1 try Flatwounds for a Strat?

[MetalManiac]

I have Flatwounds on my two Hollows- Thomastiks, but recently installed D'Addario Chromes on a Strat( 10 gauge). Although you won't be doing super fast runs ala Malmsteen with these strings ( they are stiff and tight, although they do break in -get more pliable- to some degree after some playtime), they impart a deep rich dark tone to a Strat guitar that already has good sound .Perfect for clean complex riffage in the jazzy sense.;

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: NE1 try Flatwounds for a Strat?

I had them on my Jaguar and dealt with it for a few months; also Chromes, 11s or 12s? I hated them more than just about anything. Just not a match for my playing style, they just sounded like mud and felt like power lines.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: NE1 try Flatwounds for a Strat?

I've only played flats on a fretless bass. Hated how they felt on that. Something about the super smooth feeling makes them feel sticks.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: NE1 try Flatwounds for a Strat?

I had them on my Jaguar and dealt with it for a few months; also Chromes, 11s or 12s? I hated them more than just about anything. Just not a match for my playing style, they just sounded like mud and felt like power lines.

YUp- them 11's have got to be guy wires. 10's are stiff enuf. Also found these Pyramid Golds-probably among the best of the best Flatwounds, and priced accordingly @ about 20 bucks a set.;

Also very much interested in these Pyramid Pure Nickel Strings for a more rich and organic sound ( silver plated Steel), but at 18 bucks a set, it's a bitter pill to swallow.;

So ended up getting the Fender Pure Nickel for 6.99 (each for two sets) :

and also saw these Pyuramids at about 8-9 bucks a set plus shipping;

I am seeing that many if not most companys make Ncikel strings ( SIT Powrweounds, R. Cocco, etc).

The best reviews come from these Thomastick "Blues Sliders a5t 20 bucks a set, althouhg not sure if they are Nickel wound;

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: NE1 try Flatwounds for a Strat?

I probably still have my set curled up in a box somewhere. They probably sound the same now as they did ten years back, when I latched on to that particular fad (as it still is for Offsets, I think.) Figured the Jaguar scale would ease the impact of the heavy guage; no dice, all they inspired in me is more respect for those who had to deal with that BS in the fifties/sixties.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: NE1 try Flatwounds for a Strat?

I know you guys are going to get mad at me, but if you want your strings to feel right, ekspecially with heavy gauge strings, you have to get custom sets so the gauges/tensions are right. The string manufacturers have their gauges totally jacked up. You gotta use www.stringtensionpro.com and input the string length from BALL to TUNER for each string on your guitar for the scale length in order to get the right tension readings - and then be able to select gauges that are all in the ballpark of each other.

Look what happens if I put Daddario 11 Chromes on my LP:

0.0110 in. 25.39 lbs
0.0150 in. 29.31 lbs
0.0220 in. 39.29 lbs
0.0300 in. 39.84 lbs
0.0400 in. 36.17 lbs
0.0500 in. 27.31 lbs

Look at the tensions for effs sake! Of course they're going to feel horrible.
Now look at the tensions if you customize some 11 chromes for an LPs string length:

0.0110 in. 25.39 lbs
0.0140 in. 25.53 lbs
0.0170 in. 26.10 lbs (plain steel)
0.0240 in. 26.13 lbs
0.0350 in. 27.64 lbs
0.0500 in. 27.31 lbs

Now that's playable.

Go ahead and get mad at me and tell me how scale is saddle to nut, but you be wrong. I've done several tests already and spoken with Daddario about it. Pitch is saddle to nut, tension is ball to tuner.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: NE1 try Flatwounds for a Strat?

Kenny Vaughan uses flats on his teles. Great player, great tone.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: NE1 try Flatwounds for a Strat?

Interesting idea, I've never even considered flats on a guitar. (Love them on a P-Bass)

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: NE1 try Flatwounds for a Strat?

I've done it on my 66 strat. Sounded dead on like the record for just a few choice specific songs. Like Jimi Hendix' Fire.

The Beatles used Pyramid Flats on their guitars. It's that last secret sauce for certain songs. But not practical for everyday use.