ilovefuzz.com

I've had flatwounds on my Ric 330 for a little bit now. Not sure how I feel about them. I dont dislike them or love them. Wondering if I should try some TI flats or the Ric compressed wound strings. Most of the other threads I see on the net discussing flats are of people going for the "vintage 60's vibe." Was just hoping to get more opinions here from the ILF brethern.

Would someone humor me and offer an in depth explanation on the pros/cons of flats vs. rounds or compressed wounds.

Yes, you should try TI flats.

I can't tell you the benefits of roundwound strings.

I certainly can't tell you the benefits of compression wound strings. (Anything billed as a "compromise" never actually is.)

I probably can't even tell you the benefits of flatwound strings.

I can tell you why I use 'em though. I like flats because I hate finger squeak. I prefer a less bright tone. I get more of the fundamental and less of the overtones. I play a lot of slide and like the way the slide works well with the wound strings (again, less string noise. So, I don't have to hear the slide as it moves along the string). I play heavier gauges and don't bend much. So, I don't really worry that the strings feel stiffer. I like the feel of nickel too. Softer than steel. I think that's it for now.

Nailed it.

I also feel that flats get a slightly smooover and more even response out of fuzz, rather than the squeaky shrieky thing rounds tend to do.

Achtane wrote:Nailed it.

I also feel that flats get a slightly smooover and more even response out of fuzz, rather than the squeaky shrieky thing rounds tend to do.

The fuzz thing is why I love them on my bass. I prefer rounds for clean tone but flats into fuzz is so much cooler.

I tried putting flats on a danelectro and it sounded great, but the low E string broke at tuner and the flat started unwinding. I don't know what I did wrong. I put it through the tuner and when it started to wrap around and crimp, the winding at the point of crimping just snapped right off :c

HLEP

I hate how they feel on bass. They can sound good though, depends on your setup. They can sound pretty dark and muffled too. I've always wanted to try a happy medium though

Achtane wrote:Nailed it.

I also feel that flats get a slightly smooover and more even response out of fuzz, rather than the squeaky shrieky thing rounds tend to do.

I gave up and realized I need to change my DR Flats that have been on for 8 years... I bend the shit outta them and they wore a groove... Everything Chank done said up thur is what I said too... I play on a P-Bass DLX and can make them bright or dull but keep it Dub Styleee...

I like flats

but I also like the vintage 60s vibe

I like flats on bass.
I like rounds on guitar.

Flats are darker, with less pick attack. But the difference is almost negligible IME. It's all feeling.

our frontman started putting Flatwounds 013s on his Les Paul... i expected it to be muffled, but it's actually pretty great

i probably couldn't use them, i like spank

WayToHip wrote:I like flats on bass.
I like rounds on guitar.

Flats are darker, with less pick attack. But the difference is almost negligible IME. It's all feeling.

+1 flats on bass, rounds on guitar.

In onomatopoeia:
Roundwound strings have a boing to them. Flatwounds have a phoing to them.

In plain terms:
Flatwounds have a beefier, naturally compressed sound.

Flats also dont eat up your fingers nearly as much; particularly on bass, and especially with a fretless neck.

thanks for the responses!

Chankgeez wrote:Yes, you should try TI flats.

I can't tell you the benefits of roundwound strings.

I certainly can't tell you the benefits of compression wound strings. (Anything billed as a "compromise" never actually is.)

I probably can't even tell you the benefits of flatwound strings.

I can tell you why I use 'em though. I like flats because I hate finger squeak. I prefer a less bright tone. I get more of the fundamental and less of the overtones. I play a lot of slide and like the way the slide works well with the wound strings (again, less string noise. So, I don't have to hear the slide as it moves along the string). I play heavier gauges and don't bend much. So, I don't really worry that the strings feel stiffer. I like the feel of nickel too. Softer than steel. I think that's it for now.

well this just convinced me to ditch my regular strings and get some flat wounds

Definitely gonna order some TI Swing 11s. Also now curious about the GHS nickel rockers and burnished nickel rockers.

I can't stand them. I find them dull and lifeless. I prefer a bright, articulate style, though. TEHO.