Flat wound strings?

[FrankenFretter]

I'm thinking about trying some flat wounds on my Epi Flamekat (http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=15989&highlight=Epi+Flamekat). I know they're normally something associated with jazz style, but does anyone here use them, and if so, what are your thoughts and what styles do you play with that particular guitar? My brother loves flat wounds for bass; he says they really cut through in the mix when playing live. I don't have any plans to play live anytime soon, but I am still interested in possibly trying out the flats. It would mostly be for rockabilly/surf/psychobilly stuff.

Any input is appreciated! Thanks!

[Eric]

I've only ever heard of flatwounds on bass, but I'm curious to hear what others have to say.

[FrankenFretter]

I've only ever heard of flatwounds on bass, but I'm curious to hear what others have to say.

A guy I met who plays slide says he likes flats because you don't get that scratching sound when you slide up or down the fretboard that you get with normal strings. That is one thing that makes me want to try them.

[Heywood Jablomie]

I use flats sometimes on my Dot - D'Angelico 10s on it now. Of course, the plain strings are the same as in any set, but the wound strings are somewhat softer, less twangy sounding than round wound, emphasizing the E and B, which I kinda like, especially for rhythm. If you listen to some early Beatles stuff, you'll be hearing a lot of flat wound strings.

[FrankenFretter]

I use flats sometimes on my Dot - D'Angelico 10s on it now. Of course, the plain strings are the same as in any set, but the wound strings are somewhat softer, less twangy sounding than round wound, emphasizing the E and B, which I kinda like, especially for rhythm. If you listen to some early Beatles stuff, you'll be hearing a lot of flat wound strings.

Thanks, buddy! That helps. I found some for about $7 per set, so I may just give them a try.

PS- Still looking forward to a jam session soon. I'll be in touch!

[Retro Hound]

In one of the Legends of Surf Guitar CDs from Rhino, one of the people says that what makes the surf guitar sound is flat wound strings. Of course another says it's the type of amp and another says it's the type of guitar (Fender Jaguar)

[msteeln]

I use flats on everything, guitar, steel guitar, bass, and would use them on drums and keyboards too (:poke) if I played them. I just don't get along with rounds and havn't tried semis yet. Besides, Jimmy Vaughn is now a convert to flats, nuff said.

[FrankenFretter]

I use flats on everything, guitar, steel guitar, bass, and would use them on drums and keyboards too (:poke) if I played them. I just don't get along with rounds and havn't tried semis yet. Besides, Jimmy Vaughn is now a convert to flats, nuff said.

Interesting. Do you feel that you're missing any brightness with the flats?

[LeadedEL84]

I can see using them to get a really fat and dark jazz sound. I would use them for that. If I had a dedicated hollowbody for getting that sound and had plenty of other guitars to cover everything else it would be a cool option. That would be my only use for them. Other than that I hate flatwounds. To me they are the darkest,deadest sounding strings with little dynamics. They feel good when sliding but are too stiff and lifeless for me. I like the treble and vocal like dynamics of round wound strings. That is my very biased opinion. I have tried about every brand and style of string (outside of super expensive or exotic) on the market through the years. I have been using D'addario XL/EXL rounds for like 10 years and that is all I want. I might sub GHS, Dean Markley, Fender Bullets, or Gibson bright wires if I had to. But I always go back to the D's. I have a strong preferance for strings. I would not discourage you from experimenting with the flats for the $7 though. I'm sure you have plenty of other axes to cover your treble needs. :)

[R_of_G]

Marc Ribot uses flatwound strings for some projects, particularly the Postizos stuff.

I use them on my ES-135 and really enjoy the sound and the playability. While I don't play slide guitar, I do use a lot of slides and slurring of notes in my phrasing (a la Frisell) and I've found this much easier to do with flatwounds.

There is definitely a difference in terms of loss of treble, but when I want a tone with more highs I have my strat.

[hubberjub]

I used to use Thomastik-Infeld flatwounds on my Heritage Eagle (big honkin' jazzbox). I describe the sound as 'mellow'. I put a set on my Strat a few years back and was not impressed with the results. Currently, my Eagle is set up with half-rounds which I like because the bass string have a little more chime.

[R_of_G]

I put a set on my Strat a few years back and was not impressed with the results.

I experienced the same thing. Loved the way they sounded on the ES-135, hated the way they sounded on the strat.

[msteeln]

Do you feel that you're missing any brightness with the flats?I'm not big on the brightness factor (as long as there is sufficient clarity and enuf shimmer), and go for a more mellow/spooky sound that flats provide. Hard to fully describe... I think they provide more tone, but it's certainly not popular with those seeking high dynamics or wishing to replicate the more conventionally heard or classic sounds of the post mid 60s.
I'm so used to my sound that I don't miss anything, but often miss what other players are lacking with their choice of a brighter tone.

I recently let a friend put his favorite GHS wounds on my Strat, but I soon got weirdly depressed about it and began ignoring that guitar. Last week I whipped my flats back on. I'm a happy Strat'er again! We flat lovers are a small but dedicated bunch.

[FrankenFretter]

I'm not big on the brightness factor (as long as there is sufficient clarity and enuf shimmer), and go for a more mellow/spooky sound that flats provide. Hard to fully describe... I think they provide more tone, but it's certainly not popular with those seeking high dynamics or wishing to replicate the more conventionally heard or classic sounds of the post mid 60s.
I'm so used to my sound that I don't miss anything, but often miss what other players are lacking with their choice of a brighter tone.

I recently let a friend put his favorite GHS wounds on my Strat, but I soon got weirdly depressed about it and began ignoring that guitar. Last week I whipped my flats back on. I'm a happy Strat'er again! We flat lovers are a small but dedicated bunch.

From what I've heard so far, I think it's definitely worth trying some out. Might be good for what I'd like to use this particular guitar for. And it would be nice to add another flavor to what I already have available to me with my other guitars.

[msteeln]

From what I've heard so far, I think it's definitely worth trying some out. Might be good for what I'd like to use this particular guitar for. And it would be nice to add another flavor to what I already have available to me with my other guitars.I think most are too quick to dis the difference instead of working with the difference to find a workable use because the change is so startling from what they're used to. Giving it time, trying different brands and guages if needed, not trying to force styles on them that they naturally can never do, exploring new styles and techniques, will help in showing the benefits of flats.
If that doesn't suit you, give the semis a try before jumping back to wounds.

[FrankenFretter]

I think most are too quick to dis the difference instead of working with the difference to find a workable use because the change is so startling from what they're used to. Giving it time, trying different brands and guages if needed, not trying to force styles on them that they naturally can never do, exploring new styles and techniques, will help in showing the benefits of flats.
If that doesn't suit you, give the semis a try before jumping back to wounds.

Fair enough. I have noticed that the "extra light" gauge of flats is an 11. Right now I have 9s on the 'Kat, and they feel like cobwebs, so heavier strings might be a good change.

Maybe this is a dumb question, but how do you string with half-rounds? Meaning, how do you keep the flat side up? It's probably simpler than it seems, but to me it seems like they're going to want to spin when you wind them.

[msteeln]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but how do you string with half-rounds? Meaning, how do you keep the flat side up? It's probably simpler than it seems, but to me it seems like they're going to want to spin when you wind them.First, let me say this :spank
They all are round just like any string, they just have the outer edge taken down, all the way around. Flats I think, start off ribbon-like and are wound onto the round core as such, but the others start off as regular wounds and end up thru the process without the external rounded edge.
You won't have any problems, upon buying your first example you'll go :thwap