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Post subject: Flatwound string thoughts?
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 9:46 pm
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I been using GHS Precision flatwounds for a while now on several of my guitars 009-042's. What do others think of flatwounds and what sizes do you all use

I also bought two sets of halfwounds to try but have not yet.

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Post subject: Re: Flatwound string thoughts?
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:12 am
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i used flatwounds back in the 60's and early 70's. i loved the fact that they were quiet, and if i recall right, they had a pretty mellow sound to them.

my 2 most recent guitars came with roundwounds. i went to get new strings, and nobody locally carries them. i found them online at elderly music in lansing,mi. thinking of ordering a few sets to try. .09 on the strat,.10 on my nighthawk


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Post subject: Re: Flatwound string thoughts?
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:42 am
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I use D'Addario XL chrome 11's (Jazz Light)on a Gretsch 5120, they keep the finger noise to a minimum and have a mellower sound.


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Post subject: Re: Flatwound string thoughts?
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:56 am
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I use flatwounds (11-49) on my Gibson Johnny A
Great strings with a full rich sound; but they last so little :(

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Post subject: Re: Flatwound string thoughts?
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:55 am
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If you sweat when you play, flat-wounds just aren't going to last nearly as long as round-wounds. My hands don't sweat at all, even under the most extreme conditions (probably genetic), but I haven't used flat-wounds in decades... except... they are all I ever use on my bass guitars. I hate round-wounds on a bass, they tear my fingers to shreds. I don't sweat, but I DO bleed!

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Post subject: Re: Flatwound string thoughts?
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:12 am
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When I used to play in orchestras and wedding bands, I used a 12 gauge set of flats. They were great for no finger screeching among the quick, six string chord changes and the full bodied bass response was always welcome too. Yet, to me, they always sounded dead in comparison to round wounds. Also, I'd be daring if I bent one of the wound strings where it was 50/50 whether they'd faithfully return to pitch. I finally switched to half rounds and they gave me the best of both worlds for all those applications. Nowadays, for my 'general purpose' playing, I only use round wounds.

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Post subject: Re: Flatwound string thoughts?
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:22 am
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CV, my Telecaster bass guitar had them when I got it in 69. The sound was smooth with virtually no growl. Fine for jazz. I had to change to round wounds for rock and roll. Thought about putting a set on another back-up Fender p-bass when I replace it's neck though just for fun,lol. Roto's hopefully. :D

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Post subject: Re: Flatwound string thoughts?
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:55 am
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phreddybee wrote:
i used flatwounds back in the 60's and early 70's. i loved the fact that they were quiet, and if i recall right, they had a pretty mellow sound to them.

my 2 most recent guitars came with roundwounds. i went to get new strings, and nobody locally carries them. i found them online at elderly music in lansing,mi. thinking of ordering a few sets to try. .09 on the strat,.10 on my nighthawk



My Dad used them on his guitar (he played rhythm to my lead) and I couldn't stand them because they sounded dead to my roundwounds. But looking back now.... I realized I always had fresh strings and I don't think he EVER changed his!
I will say, they were like butter, very gentle on the fingers.


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Post subject: Re: Flatwound string thoughts?
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 3:42 pm
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I used flatwounds back in the late 60s -early70s under the mis-guided assumption that smoother strings would be easier to bend.The ones that I used must have been a heavier gauge as they were brutes to bend but lasted for many months and sounded nice and mellow after a few months playing.I've been thinking about stringing one of my Casinos and my John Lennon EJ-160-E with 8-38 flatwounds-if in fact they are made that thin-to get a more lifelike Beatle vibe.

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Post subject: Re: Flatwound string thoughts?
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 4:01 pm
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I used flat wound strings when I was a kid 58/60 but they weren't easy to come by in those days. There was only one little neighborhood store and there selection was prity limited. 8) I know you've all heard the old, We walked 10 miles through 4 ft of snow story. They weren't quite that hard to get. :lol: :lol:
----Danny,


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