Anyone else switched to flat wounds?

Kurt · December 14th, 2003, 09:26 PM

When I first started guitar (about 37 years ago), I played flat wounds and eventually moved to round wounds about 4 years later (not really sure why - probably something to do with a brighter sound). I recently switched back (Thomastik-Infeld) and I like the change quite a bit. Much more punch, easier to get a wide range of dynamics, excellent for chord/melody work, and I love the wound G. If you're looking for a change in your sound, it may be worth a try.

purpletele · December 14th, 2003, 09:35 PM

I agree that you gain some pucnh and they have a unique tone that alot of people like, but they seem to be missing that "Sweetness" and mids I like about Teles.

ComingApart · December 15th, 2003, 02:46 PM

I switched to flats on my tele about a year ago. A string change or two ago I switched back to rounds after I had made some mods to the guitar. I pulled 'em off in short order.
I'm a flats man for sure, and don't see that changing anytime soon.

Bob Mc · December 15th, 2003, 03:23 PM

and go 'round' my archtop; sorta backwards but the PUPs like it better that way.

birddog · December 15th, 2003, 05:18 PM

For your archtop, Galli makes flatwound bronze. Really nice for plugged and unplugged situations.

Kit

Doug R · December 15th, 2003, 07:49 PM

I'm mostly using flats now too.
Ever since I discovered D'Addario Chromes, which go all the way down to 10's in flat wounds, I've been loving the sound and the feel. These have the thinnest flat-wound G-stings I've ever seen - flatter than some nonwrapped solid Gs I've had.
Used to be you had to go real heavy for a good flat wound set, but now I don't have to trade-off the light gauge and easy bending to also have the silky smooth feel and rounded tone. And the wound G-strings hold tune better than unwound Gs do.
Plus, face it, Tele's have all the brightness and Ice-pick trebel you ever need, and usually have to be rolled-off a bit on the high end anyway, so losing a touch of brightness by playing flat wound strings is not really a limiting factor. Just dial in bit more treble than you usually do to compensate.

ashtray · December 16th, 2003, 01:45 PM

I put flatwounds on my '72 tele ('50s reissue), right after I got it. I went to the store to find a set and I was expecting the sales dood to say "flat what?" - but he didn't. Instead he poked around a bit before asking another sales dood if they had any flat wounds. Found a set of 11's (or 12's, can't remember now). Certainly feels different - much easier on the hands, and the treble is certainly rolled off. Very good for jazz I guess, but not so much for rock - just my thoughts though.

Wouldn't do this on any of my other teles though - just tried to give my '72 a bit more of a "vintage" feel. Heck, I'd buy a set of those plastic covered strings if they still sold 'em! Just for kicks though. My regular string of choice is DR pure blues, all nickel.

December 14th, 2003, 09:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kurt Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: MA Posts: 363	Anyone else switched to flat wounds? When I first started guitar (about 37 years ago), I played flat wounds and eventually moved to round wounds about 4 years later (not really sure why - probably something to do with a brighter sound). I recently switched back (Thomastik-Infeld) and I like the change quite a bit. Much more punch, easier to get a wide range of dynamics, excellent for chord/melody work, and I love the wound G. If you're looking for a change in your sound, it may be worth a try.

December 14th, 2003, 09:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
purpletele Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Morgantown,WV Posts: 680 10 Photos	. I agree that you gain some pucnh and they have a unique tone that alot of people like, but they seem to be missing that "Sweetness" and mids I like about Teles.

December 15th, 2003, 03:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,618	I 'flat' my Tele and go 'round' my archtop; sorta backwards but the PUPs like it better that way. __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

December 15th, 2003, 05:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
birddog TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 24	Galli Flats For your archtop, Galli makes flatwound bronze. Really nice for plugged and unplugged situations. Kit

December 15th, 2003, 07:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
Doug R Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Spokane, WA USA Posts: 127	Flat wound strings I'm mostly using flats now too. Ever since I discovered D'Addario Chromes, which go all the way down to 10's in flat wounds, I've been loving the sound and the feel. These have the thinnest flat-wound G-stings I've ever seen - flatter than some nonwrapped solid Gs I've had. Used to be you had to go real heavy for a good flat wound set, but now I don't have to trade-off the light gauge and easy bending to also have the silky smooth feel and rounded tone. And the wound G-strings hold tune better than unwound Gs do. Plus, face it, Tele's have all the brightness and Ice-pick trebel you ever need, and usually have to be rolled-off a bit on the high end anyway, so losing a touch of brightness by playing flat wound strings is not really a limiting factor. Just dial in bit more treble than you usually do to compensate. __________________ It's not getting any smarter out there. You have to come to terms with stupidity and make it work for you. F. Zappa

December 15th, 2003, 02:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
ComingApart Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Southern Arkansas Posts: 216	I switched to flats on my tele about a year ago. A string change or two ago I switched back to rounds after I had made some mods to the guitar. I pulled 'em off in short order. I'm a flats man for sure, and don't see that changing anytime soon.

December 16th, 2003, 01:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
ashtray Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ventura County, CA Posts: 685 4 Photos	flat whats? I put flatwounds on my '72 tele ('50s reissue), right after I got it. I went to the store to find a set and I was expecting the sales dood to say "flat what?" - but he didn't. Instead he poked around a bit before asking another sales dood if they had any flat wounds. Found a set of 11's (or 12's, can't remember now). Certainly feels different - much easier on the hands, and the treble is certainly rolled off. Very good for jazz I guess, but not so much for rock - just my thoughts though. Wouldn't do this on any of my other teles though - just tried to give my '72 a bit more of a "vintage" feel. Heck, I'd buy a set of those plastic covered strings if they still sold 'em! Just for kicks though. My regular string of choice is DR pure blues, all nickel. __________________ "I need another Tele like I need another hole in my wallet."