Flatwound break-in time

[JCat]

Strings mellow with age, there's a loss of top-end brightness. This is applicable not only to round wound strings, but applies to flatwounds as well. Strings mellow with playing hours, but also with time in storage when strung up. Some players prefer the brightness of fresh strings, some prefer the mellow sound of matured, broken-in strings.

-Do you think that flatwounds need some time to mature when strung up?
(Break-in time probably depends on how much the guitar gets played. I like to assume that all guitars get played every day )

Flatwound strings sound and feel best

• when fresh
• after a few weeks
• after a few months
• after a year

It could be assumed that some brands/constructions need more time than others, depending on type of core (round or hex), wrap material (nickel or steel) etc.
-What are the reasons behind the mellowing? Is it just the tone that transforms, or is it also a matter of less tension? If so, do you think that brightness correlates to tension?
(-When you rate and share your verdict on flatwound sets, do you refer to fresh strings or when broken-in?)

[garybaldy]

The second question is: Once they've reached their best, how long does that period last?

[John A.]

Exactly how long depends on the string, but none of the ones I've used have needed as long as a few weeks to sound good. I'd say the initial brightness wears off with within a few hours of playing. After that, it's a matter of how long they continue to sound good (some last longer than others). For me, feel is best for all strings when brand new. It takes maybe 15 minutes to stretch them in and get them to hold tuning, then it's all downhill from there. The question (for me, anyway) is how long does it take for the feel to degrade to the point of needing replacement

[AllanAllen]

Flatwounds sound and feel best

• Correct

[mr. beaumont]

I think about 2 good hard hours of play and the initial zinginess is gone, for me at least.

I usually change my flats once a year, whether they need it or not.

[spencer096]

my last set of TI's needed a few days to break in...didn't seem to have that issue with previous sets. it was so weird i thought i might have been counterfeited. but theyre exactly what i expected now.

was usually a few days to a week for labellas, pyramid or dogal.

[skiboyny]

Depends on the string. TI good to go out of the box for me. Chromes take a while to get right real zingy for quite a while.

[mikeSF]

I suggest a 5th option, "they sound dead all the time".

[SOLR]

I suggest a 5th option, "they sound dead all the time".

Oddly enough, on a Premier Guitar interview interview Gilad Hekselman mentioned he was using Ti Bebops "because they kinda feel old as soon as you take them out of the pack" I guess YMMV..

For me it depends, Ti Jazz swings feel good after a few hours , GHS feel good right away but then get dull fast unfortunately, Chromes take a while but on at least on one archtop I like the difference, a more subtle mix of the electric + the wood tones.

S

[skiboyny]

It could be assumed that some brands/constructions need more time than others, depending on type of core (round or hex), wrap material (nickel or steel) etc.
-What are the reasons behind the mellowing? Is it just the tone that transforms, or is it also a matter of less tension? If so, do you think that brightness correlates to tension?
(-When you rate and share your verdict on flatwound sets, do you refer to fresh strings or when broken-in?)

I think "most of" the mellowing is from skin oils, dirt etc. I haven't noticed much difference in tension, new compared to old, and I do tend to be hyper sensitive to tension. Different guitars respond differently to tension, but this would be evident immediately with new strings. I think I would submit a verdict on flatwound sets based on broken in sound. More importantly how long they last producing what is to me "good sound"

[Marty Grass]

I think about 2 good hard hours of play and the initial zinginess is gone, for me at least.

I usually change my flats once a year, whether they need it or not.

Yep. Don't fix what ain't broke. Flatwounds don't trap as much gunk on them and don't have as much surface area for metal deterioration.

[deacon Mark]

I think the Ti flatwounds I have on my Super 400ces are 2 years old and intonate fine. So should I change them, me thinks only if I want to use different strings. I might be inclined to go to the Daddario half rounds I use them a lot on my acoustic too they don't sacrifice too much in zing.

[JCat]

Thanks for your replies,
Fresh D'Addario Chromes are indeed very bright. My impression is that most people like them better after a month or two...Not only do they sound more mellow, they also feel more mellow...maybe tone and feel are inseparable...

[JCat]

The second question is: Once they've reached their best, how long does that period last?

Exactly! -Maybe it depends on flatwound type and brand? Some strings may be worth waiting for?

[kris]

I use GHS Pat Martino 16s over 2 years without any problems.

[GuyBoden]

I use GHS Pat Martino 16s over 2 years without any problems.

Kris, do you play mostly by picking the strings with your fingers and no nails?

I play by picking with fingers and no nails, but I find that the tone is very dull with flat wound strings, so in recent years I've been using round wound strings for more brightness.

[kris]

Kris, do you play mostly by picking the strings with your fingers and no nails?

I play by picking with fingers and no nails, but I find that the tone is very dull with flat wound strings, so in recent years I've been using round wound strings for more brightness.

I play with my fingers but with very short nails.I have very weak nails and they rub quickly.

[GuyBoden]

I play with my fingers but with very short nails.I have very weak nails and they rub quickly.

Kris, excellent, that's very nice playing, I too prefer playing finger picking than a plastic pick. My style uses all five fingers, picking with no nails, so a duller sound than nails. Also, I've not got your high level of playing ability.

Guy playing Green Guitar.

[jumpnblues]

Very nicely played.

[chris32895]

I find it takes at least a couple days for the sticky coating feeling that most flats have on them to wear off.

[Doctor Jeff]

The second question is: Once they've reached their best, how long does that period last?

I don’t know, but some of mine are going on years since I put them on. Will report back when they lose their thunk.

[Doctor Jeff]

I play with my fingers but with very short nails.I have very weak nails and they rub quickly.

Nice playing, and I love your sound.

What guitar is that? You may have posted about it before, but would like to see a pic of it in more detail.

[JazzNote]

I like the sound & feel of the strings (TI flatwounds) best when they are new. A conversation i once had about this topic with Pat Martino revealed that he liked the strings best when they are "in the middle"* (of their lifespan i guess).
*his own words

[JCat]

I like the sound & feel of the strings (TI flatwounds) best when they are new. A conversation i once had about this topic with Pat Martino revealed that he liked the strings best when they are "in the middle"* (of their lifespan i guess).
*his own words

Thanks JazzNote,

-Do you know what string set Pat used?

[JazzNote]

Thanks JazzNote,

-Do you know what string set Pat used?

Here's what he listed on his webpage: Sponsor Links