It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 26 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 10:51 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:25 pm
Posts: 432
My dad tells me its getting harder to find Flatwound strings. Does anyone know why? Thanks


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 2:47 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
Roundwounds are far more popular, and usually cheaper. They outsell flats by probably 10 to 1, if not 20 to 1. Most major makers have at least 5 different varieties of rounds for every variety of flat they make. Rounds almost always (but not always) have more sustain and more upper mids when new and even when well broken in. Certain styles such as rock and fusion benefit from the roundwound's brightness, responsiveness and inherently longer sustain. Round players notice almost immediately when they are losing any brightness or sustain and replace the set almost immediately which is another part of the reason rounds outsell flats by such a large margin.

People who play flats often gravitate toward the stainless flats that have an incredibly long life such as those from Labella, Thomastik-Infeld, DR or GHS. These sets can last practically indefinitely. The Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats actually sound better to me after they settle in for a couple of months, but that is sort of an exception. The TI Jazz Flats are a different animal entirely from about any other and I'm sort of reluctant to lump them with the other flats. TI's flats are sort of between a flat and a round in feel and tone.

Since rounds sell faster and most shops have been reducing inventory on accessories and even on instruments kept on hand, the slower selling flats are indeed harder to find because when they sell that last flat set that has been in stock for months, or in some cases a year or more, they just don't reorder the product that is going to sit there a long time.

The people who do use flats are usually more experienced players or players who record a lot. These players often do what I do and order several sets at a time from a discount online supplier, or they have an artist endorsement deal and get more sets sent to them free than they can possibly use.

String selection is a very personal decision for a bassist and I use both flats and rounds on different basses. So depending on the sound I want I pick the bass with the string set I want to play at that time. I'm currently using four different string sets on four different basses and three of them are loaded with flatwounds.

A newer hybrid type called "Groundwound" is a good compromise too. Actually the Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats are more of a groundwound than a flatwound in my opinion.
I've been using the TI Flats for about 5 or 6 years and they are truly an amazing string. They are also ridiculously expensive in the USA right now with a street retail of (gulp) $123.99 but I bought several sets years ago before the price got so high and I've still got some left.

Guitar Center in Charlotte, NC keeps exactly zero sets of flats in stock, or at least when I'm there. There are two local shops, one of which stocks Fender flats and the other shop keeps no flats.

I order stings online usually and shop around for the best price. Often the online string specialty dealers beat the local shops and even Guitar Center by enough to make shipping worthwhile.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 3:38 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:54 am
Posts: 438
Location: Alabama, Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, Mississippi and Tennessee seasonally
Good Post, Dave...


My own playing style since 1963 dictates that I use flats. My primary choice is the GHS M3050, 45-105 long scale set and I have a couple sets that are at least 15 years old and show no signs of giving up. Just routine cleaning with a damp cloth now and then and then drying with another cloth, keeps them 'singing'. No significant fret wear and no splinters in the fingers as compared to rounds.

My local music store always has GHS flat's in stock and they sell well around here.

_________________
PaducahLuke

Fender Power Jazz Bass Special
Fender Standard Jazz Bass
Fender Standard Precision Bass
Schecter Diamond Series Stiletto Elite 5
Ibanez SR600
Ibanez GSR200
Bassman 250-210
Peavy MAX115
Peavy MAX115 (II)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 6:14 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:20 pm
Posts: 164
Location: Kuwait
You can get a variety of flat wound strings online, assuming you can't find them locally which is my case. Sometimes they're much cheaper online, but that changes often.

_________________
Ramblin' all day and night.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 4:42 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:01 am
Posts: 2842
Using flatwounds to me is all about the music you do. If it calls for flats then do it man!!!! More power to you!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:25 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2011 5:26 am
Posts: 253
Round wounds don't really exhibit more sustain than flats, in my experience. Attenuation of the highs is also far less noticeable than you'd think... Rather than a sharp loss of highs, it's more a soft-knee smoothing. It's also easy to hear less high end because of the reduction ofTFF'st and finger noise.

As far as i know, TI Jazz Bass flats are not "groundwounds" (also known as half-rounds, constructed with round windings on a hex core but then ground flat on the outside... The TI Jazz sets are flat windings on a round core), and sell for around 50 dollars for a 4-string set. The biggest advantage to the TIs when compared with other brands is the extremely low string tension. They are very easy and comfortable to play, and they do last for years.

Like Sabre Lane, I waited far too long to try flat wounds. IMO, you have nothing to lose but a pile of fret rattle and finger squeak, and everything to gain in tone, versatility and comfort. Try Juststrings.com for good price and fast service.

_________________
Jim Bordner
Gravity Music - www.gravitymusic.com
Composer, producer, Egnater Artist


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:04 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:20 pm
Posts: 263
Location: Rhode Island
I have always been a flatwound player. Tried round wounds once. I didn't like the feel & the sound difference wasn't enough to make me trade the feel. I use D'Addario Chromes. I have been tempted to try the Thomastik strings but the price tag stopped me. Maybe I should take Brother Dave's advice & Bite the bullet & buy a set.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:06 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:33 am
Posts: 4583
Location: North of Pittsburgh
He's tempted us all. I'll probably give in too.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 9:46 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2011 5:26 am
Posts: 253
BPGoalie wrote:
I have always been a flatwound player. Tried round wounds once. I didn't like the feel & the sound difference wasn't enough to make me trade the feel. I use D'Addario Chromes. I have been tempted to try the Thomastik strings but the price tag stopped me. Maybe I should take Brother Dave's advice & Bite the bullet & buy a set.


You should. My first set of flat were Chromes because I like their guitar strings so much. But the difference is string tension and tone with the TI's is worth every nickel.

_________________
Jim Bordner
Gravity Music - www.gravitymusic.com
Composer, producer, Egnater Artist


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:30 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:20 pm
Posts: 164
Location: Kuwait
I've used flats for a while now cos of the style of music I play and the fact that they feel great. I've used (and still do) Fender 9050 flats, D'Addario Chromes and La Bella flats and each one brings a whole new character to the basses they're on, but I have considered TI flats and might give them a shot if I feel the need for change or buy a fourth electric bass.

_________________
Ramblin' all day and night.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:14 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
I said the TI JF344 set is more like a groundwound in feel, but I agree they are not a groundwound. They don't feel as smooth as a ribbon wrapped string like the Labella Deep Talking sets or the GHS Precision Flats which are more traditional. The problem I get into with the TI JF344's is when switching an instrument setup with any other set to one with the Jazz Flats on it, I have to watch myself or I will overplay them. They require a very light touch due the low tension. Also for people that drop tune, they are not a good choice either. But if you play in standard tuning, a really unique string that nobody else can match.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 1:14 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Sat Sep 04, 2010 11:21 am
Posts: 256
Location: Guam
Was a roundwound guy when I started because I knew less than nothing about bass guitar. Read for years about the flat and grounds and tapewounds and all these other things. I got a gift card to Amazon (of all places, this is where I picked up my first flat set) and decided, hell, why not, I'm gonna try some flats. I knew I like the Steve Harris sound, and the color of the silks was pretty cool. On top of that, the Steve Harris sig flats were the cheapest on Amazon. So I ordered them up. Slapped em on, tuned it up and BUTTER! I'm in love. My fingers love me for it, my bass is a new animal. When it's time to replace the current set (starting to like having the more ringing, newer string sound, but don't worry, my back up old workhorse POS still carries rounds that are have as many years as I've been playing), I may go with the standard RotoSound set. I like Rotos. Just my 2.243 cents.

_________________
Liam

-Candy Apple Red Precision Bass (Maple fingerboard) carrying Rotosound Steve Harris Strings
-1980-something Bentley Series 10
-Fender Rumble 15


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 3:12 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 12:50 pm
Posts: 292
I use LaBella flats 109 set on my Pbasses. They sound great, and look great, and feel great.

I even threw flats on my strat and SG guitar!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:18 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 4:04 pm
Posts: 388
Location: Lititz, PA
Another TI Jazz Flat user here. Flats and P Basses are, without a doubt, an excellent match.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does anyone still use Flatwound ?
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 2:56 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2011 2:21 am
Posts: 84
Location: The Netherlands
I use flatwounds on my fretless Jaco Pastorius tribute.

I don't want to destroy the fretboard (or the finish on the fretboard).


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 26 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: