I used Gretch flatwound on all my guitars back in the 60's for playing slide, they worked well because of the nois, didnt like them much for regular playing, they hurt my fingers if I used them all night.

One thing to keep in mind is that flatwounds are going to exert a great deal more tension than roundwounds due to the significantly thicker core wire.

I discovered this the hard way when I threw some flats on my MIM strat and the whole bridge assembley pulled up about 1/2" from the body! Also had to do a major neck tweek.

Flats also don't have the same crispness or nearly the amount of sustain as rounds. I've come to enjoy flats on a couple semi-hollow bodies but not on strats or teles as a rule.

One compromise worth cehcking out would be Daddario Half Round strings. They basically take a round wound string and grind down and polish the wrap wire. You get the benefit of less "squeak" while not sacrificing as much tone and sustain.

Cheers,

john.

I've tried half rounds--just couldn't get used to the feel of them, but they keep making them, so somebody must like them.

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