What flatwound string do you use/prefer?

jazzbow · #1 04-20-2011, 12:11 PM

Hi fellas.
This is a bit of fun and probably help newbies decide what f/wound to choose.

When you've made your choice explain whether you go by feel, quality or price?

markerhodes · #2 04-20-2011, 12:33 PM

Great poll.
D'Addario Chromes are the *only* flatwounds the local music stores carry. (I've recently started ordering strings online and am open to considering other brands.) My guitar sounds good with them.

wizard3739 · #3 04-20-2011, 01:43 PM

Sadowski flatwound are also very good.

wiz

kris · #4 04-20-2011, 01:51 PM

Thomastik Infeld.

hot ford coupe · #5 04-20-2011, 04:02 PM

I picked the D'Addarios. They sound good and last a good amount of time. I used to use only GHS steel flats in .013 gauge but the lower strings were really dull and lifeless especially the low E. It almost sounded like a tuned thud. I tried some TI strings once but I didn't like them not because they weren't good but because I didn't know what decent strings were supposed to sound like. They were a lot brighter than the GHS strings. Now, I regret that decision not to use them. The only way I can get them now is mail order.

M-ster · #6 04-20-2011, 04:24 PM

I answered D'Addarios, 'cause that's what I'm currently using; but I want to try some of the TI's, since y'all rave about them so much!

Flyin' Brian · #7 04-20-2011, 08:54 PM

I've used both D'Addarios and TIs most of the time, but a friend whose opinion I value highly has just raved to me about Pyramids. So even though they're 25 buck at just strings, I'm gonna give them a try.

jzucker · #8 04-20-2011, 09:03 PM

i'm currently using thomastiks on all my guitars. They are dark and smokey with a '50s vibe to them. May also try the pyramids...

donojazz62220 · #9 04-20-2011, 09:13 PM

Anyone use La Bella??

jd

kenbennett · #10 04-20-2011, 09:33 PM

Among the variety of flat-wound strings, I would choose the same as I would from among the variety of solid state amps: none.

I can't get over people using flat-wound strings because round-wounds hurt their fingers, an excuse I have had to stomach from faint hearted beginners.

If you want strings that sound dull right out of the box choose flat wounds.

If the weight of your amp means more than tone choose solid state.

Myself, I like a hot sound.

D'Addario Chromes are hard to beat for the money. Thomastik-Infeld are worth the money.

hot ford coupe · #11 04-20-2011, 11:35 PM

The main reason I personally use the flatwounds is on my setup, round wounds squeak way too much. My wife is my most trusted critic and she hates the sound of the squeaking coming out of my amp. Unfortunately, at my age, I have to worry about the weight of my amp. I've got way too much arthritis in my lower back and can't lift much over 35 pounds without causing back pain and nerve damage.

brad4d8 · #12 04-21-2011, 07:55 AM

For flatwound, I've generally used TI GB114T, although I keep trying other brands as well.
Brad

mangotango · #13 04-21-2011, 10:57 AM

Have been using TI Benson rounds for a while, as I find that they don't squeak anywhere near as much as others, but still have a "live" enough sound. I still prefer the tone of flatwounds overall for most jazz applications and will change back very soon, once this set is done.

Obviously, I need another guitar so that I can keep one for each type/sound.......

gcb · #14 04-21-2011, 02:02 PM

TI 014 flats in my archtop with built in HBs
TI 014 roundwounds in the one that has a floating HB pickup.

pingu · #15 04-21-2011, 02:36 PM

TI Benson flats 14
nysh ........
also TI jazz swings 13
also nice

For the above pro rounds poster , I use flats to get rid of the dreaded squeeeek not cos round hurt me fingers !

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #16 04-21-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donojazz62220

Anyone use La Bella??

I thought I already piped up -- must have been in another thread.

Not currently, but I have used "La Bella Electric Guitar Black Nylon Tape Flat Wound Medium 6 String, .014 - .067, 800M" for many years. They sound like Guinness Stout!

jazzbow · #17 04-21-2011, 05:37 PM

Well it looks like a two horse race! I've tried pyramid flats which were smooth and quality and more expensive than TI's but I always come back to TI flats!

msr13 · #18 04-21-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizard3739

Sadowski flatwound are also very good.

wiz

I voted for TIs, and use them when I forget to order Sadowsky's. They are cheaper and work just as well, in my opinion.

markerhodes · #19 04-21-2011, 06:10 PM

I am surprised that *only* D'Addarios and TIs have received votes so far. (The tally is 12 of the former and 13 of the latter as I type this.) I'm comfortable with Chromes, but eventually I'm going to have to try the TIs. (Actually, I did once years ago on an Epiphone DOT, but they were suitable for what I was playing so I didn't stick with them. I can't recall how they sounded, though I do remember how they looked and felt.)

JonnyPac · #20 04-21-2011, 08:57 PM

I'm using round-wound these days. I like GHS... I'm going to try GHS bright flats 11's. Might be Goldilocks.

pollysurfs · #21 04-21-2011, 10:35 PM

my first hollowbody, was a gretsch g5 electro... was set up to play with flats open d, not sure what make worked well in that tuning, but when i got my el rey it was strung with rounds, the local music shop only carries fender flats, and those made a great improvement. a recent order to elderly, i purchased some thomastik jazz swings, havent strung up with those yet. price and quality review from elderly, whom i respect made the buy. there are more expensive but will they improve. i'm quite happy with those fenders right now. started leaving extra string wind so i can switch out without wasting, and experiment

Moonray · #22 04-22-2011, 07:32 AM

La Bella's 20PH. 15-56
I raved about these on a previous thread.
...If you want clear bass notes..not a "thud" check 'em out.
I've used them for over 10 years.
BTW: How come LB's weren't included in your list?...After all,
I believe they were pioneers in flats for guitar/bass guitar...and probably
were manufacturing for other brands back in the 60's.......
Just saying...

kenbennett · #23 04-22-2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pingu

TI Benson flats 14
nysh ........
also TI jazz swings 13
also nice

For the above pro rounds poster , I use flats to get rid of the dreaded squeeeek not cos round hurt me fingers !

The ubiquitous squeak... Makes me wonder what a violin would sound like with round wounds.

hot ford coupe · #24 04-22-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenbennett

The ubiquitous squeak... Makes me wonder what a violin would sound like with round wounds.

Like a violin that needs some oil.

Norman931 · #25 04-23-2011, 10:53 AM

I use TI Jazz Swing flats on my Godin Kingpin. I like the sound and feel of them both acoustic and electric. Chromes are good strings, too, and would probably be my second choice. I tried the LaBella tapewounds and absolutely hated the sound I got from them (rubber band on cigar-box), but to each his own.

fumblefingers · #26 04-23-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hot ford coupe

I picked the D'Addarios. They sound good and last a good amount of time. I used to use only GHS steel flats in .013 gauge but the lower strings were really dull and lifeless especially the low E. It almost sounded like a tuned thud. I tried some TI strings once but I didn't like them not because they weren't good but because I didn't know what decent strings were supposed to sound like. They were a lot brighter than the GHS strings. Now, I regret that decision not to use them. The only way I can get them now is mail order.

i love the TI Benson's, round or flat.

i have never had a problem ordering through juststrings.com , BTW. i always order at least 2-3 sets.

cmajor9 · #27 04-23-2011, 11:48 AM

I voted for Thomastiks, because I use GB flats on my archtop; I really like the sound and the way they feel. But if possible I would have voted for both, because I use D'Addarios on my thinline Epi, which I use for both jazz and blues.

Haven't tried Sadowskys, but I'd be interested to hear from someone who does what they think of them. Also haven't tried Benedetto strings, which I understand are made by La Bella.

cmajor9 · #28 04-23-2011, 11:50 AM

PS - If you think TI Bensons are expensive in the US, try buying them in Europe; the 'regular' price is around € 26 (about 37)!

hot ford coupe · #29 04-23-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fumblefingers

i love the TI Benson's, round or flat.

i have never had a problem ordering through juststrings.com , BTW. i always order at least 2-3 sets.

Thanks for the heads up. The set I'm using now is actually the Chromes .010s I throw away the .010 and use the .014 as the E. For the low E I use a .056 out of a set of Chromes .013. The sound is really incredible but I haver to buy 2 sets of strings. That's actually more expensive than buying one set of the Benson TIs which is really kind of wasteful.

John Link · #30 04-23-2011, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzbow

Hi fellas.
This is a bit of fun and probably help newbies decide what f/wound to choose.

When you've made your choice explain whether you go by feel, quality or price?

My favorite is La Bella Tape Wound (which are flat wounds, they just use black nylon tape outer wrap rather than metal). The 14 gage strings feel like 12's. The sound is dark with very little overtones when the tone control is only slightly rolled back and they yield a very percussive sound. Each note stands out more clearly when playing a chord. They give you extra E & B strings in the set and they also last way longer than any other strings I have used. My second choice would be Newtone Archtop strings.