Bright(est) flat-wound strings?

[gitman]

There's much discussion here about warm sounding round-wound strings for an acoustic archtop but I'd like to hear your vote for the brightest sounding FLAT-wound strings!

So far the D'Addario Chromes seem to be among the most popular - are there some serious contenders?

I've been using all sorts of Thomastik's for over 30 years so I'm quite familiar with those....

[ThatRhythmMan]

I haven’t tried these in several years, but they might be a possibility.




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[Woodstove]

In my experience, the chromes are the brightest. I tend to use Dogal’s which I find are maybe slightly brighter than the TI’s and with really great feel but less bright than chromes.

[andrew]

Agreed. D'A Chromes are bright, but, like, in a good way.

[JCat]

I got limited experience of different brands, but there are indeed differences in construction as well as string set configuration. Two different sets of "12s" could in fact be significantly different when comparing gauges for all strings included, meaning that total tension will vary depending on brand. "Bright" is an ambiguous word, but if you find that the longer the scale the brighter the tone, then you probably also find that the higher the string tension, the brighter the tone...

A string set got relative high tension if the sum of gauges included in the set is greater than average. Besides, there may be variation in tension due to the physical construction of wound strings.

-Are you looking for bright treble strings, bright middle strings or bright bass strings? Are you looking for bright when new or brightness that lasts?

I'm doing a little test right now. I've got a 25.5 scale archtop with Chromes 12, that are now 15 months old. They have mellowed some, but are still bright imo. In comparison regular nickel wounds would be much too dull by now. Chromes got lasting brightness, if that's what you want.

(When new, round wound bass strings got a very different brightness compared to flats and if this is what you're looking for then flats may not be your ticket)

[John A.]

There's much discussion here about warm sounding round-wound strings for an acoustic archtop but I'd like to hear your vote for the brightest sounding FLAT-wound strings!

So far the D'Addario Chromes seem to be among the most popular - are there some serious contenders?

I've been using all sorts of Thomastik's for over 30 years so I'm quite familiar with those....

Roller-wound strings kind of split the difference between flat and round both texturally and sonically. They're brighter than Chromes (and stay brighter) and have a smoother feel than rounds (though the still have more finger squeak than true flats). I've tried both GHS (which they call "Nickel Rockers") and LaBella (which don't seem to be available anymore); couldn't tell the difference between the two. FWW, I currently use the GHS's, though on my electric semi and solidbodies in 10-46 gauge, not on an acoustic, but I did use them on a Godin Kingpin for a while. I liked them on that guitar.

[gitman]

I've ordered a set of Galli bronze flatwound strings "AJF1260" - will report on the outcome ....

[gitman]

I got limited experience of different brands, but there are indeed differences in construction as well as string set configuration. Two different sets of "12s" could in fact be significantly different when comparing gauges for all strings included, meaning that total tension will vary depending on brand. "Bright" is an ambiguous word, but if you find that the longer the scale the brighter the tone, then you probably also find that the higher the string tension, the brighter the tone...

A string set got relative high tension if the sum of gauges included in the set is greater than average. Besides, there may be variation in tension due to the physical construction of wound strings.

-Are you looking for bright treble strings, bright middle strings or bright bass strings? Are you looking for bright when new or brightness that lasts?

I'm doing a little test right now. I've got a 25.5 scale archtop with Chromes 12, that are now 15 months old. They have mellowed some, but are still bright imo. In comparison regular nickel wounds would be much too dull by now. Chromes got lasting brightness, if that's what you want.

(When new, round wound bass strings got a very different brightness compared to flats and if this is what you're looking for then flats may not be your ticket)

I jumped on the Elferink "Excalibur" model that a fine player from London posted here a couple of weeks ago. That guitar came in last Friday and I've put in some 6 or 7 hours of playtime since- it's a very alive and resonant instrument, with great balance and sustain (X-braced 17" non-cutaway) , it plays easy enough - and loud - with a medium high action and strung with a normal set of bronze 13-56 strings. That's great for strict rhythm work but I find it too bright and "squeaky" for my solo stuff. Therefor my quest for some different strings that produce a softer, more subdued sound while still letting the acoustic qualities of this fine instrument come forth.

[Woody Sound]

Maybe the "ground" wounds? (AKA "Half" Round.)

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[JCat]

I jumped on the Elferink "Excalibur" model that a fine player from London posted here a couple of weeks ago. That guitar came in last Friday and I've put in some 6 or 7 hours of playtime since- it's a very alive and resonant instrument, with great balance and sustain (X-braced 17" non-cutaway) , it plays easy enough - and loud - with a medium high action and strung with a normal set of bronze 13-56 strings. That's great for strict rhythm work but I find it too bright and "squeaky" for my solo stuff. Therefor my quest for some different strings that produce a softer, more subdued sound while still letting the acoustic qualities of this fine instrument come forth.

I haven't had the opportunity to play that guitar, but it looks nice. 25" scale, floating DeArmond pickup.

For the record, an electric archtop got two dimensions of sound; a mix of acoustic tone plus amplified tone. The balance between the two is a matter of amp volume setting and projection, (i.e the relative position of the listener). When you are playing unplugged, the acoustic tone is all there is. In a situation when the amp and speaker is the primary sound source, the player, you, will always hear some acoustics, especially high frequencies...

Assume a set of round wounds; when new you will hear lots of acoustic high frequency "fizz" that projects over the amplified sound (the player hears it, but not the audience in the back row). But as strings are mellowing there's a gradual shift in balance between acoustic and amplified tone and the player perceives a certain loss of acoustics (sometimes for the better).

Flatwounds on the other hand are more consistent over time, they won't mellow as dramatically as round wounds do (for better or worse). The history of flatwound strings for the guitar coincide with the development of the guitar pickup and amplifier (and in particular the development of the bass guitar). Prior to this point in time, archtops used to be all acoustic and strung with round wounds (which makes sense, imo). Bronze strings got less magnetic strength and therefore weaker electric output...

The player's preference and attitude regarding string type and "brightness" is much a question about if he plugs into an amplifier or not...

[JCat]

...I played my 15 months old Chromes unplugged for a change (I always plug in), and I have to say I much prefer the acoustic sound now, compared to when strings were new...

Flats mellow too, but in another way, less dramatic than rounds. If you prefer a mellow sound, you'll have to be prepared to wait for a few months. Players that prefer the brightest possible tone would have to replace strings every few weeks, but most keep flats on much longer than that.
Flats are more expensive than rounds, the upside is that you don't have to replace them as often. Regardless, some players find that they have to endure a period of overly bright strings until they become sweet and mellow (and eventually overripe). For real; some players prefer pre-dulled strings...

[Sigmund451]

It sound like you are familiar with them but Id personally revisit the TI Bebops. After the first couple of days they get pretty quiet for a roundwound and you still get that color and texture of rounds with a lot less noise.

[DawgBone]

...I played my 15 months old Chromes unplugged for a change (I always plug in), and I have to say I much prefer the acoustic sound now, compared to when strings were new...

Flats mellow too, but in another way, less dramatic than rounds. If you prefer a mellow sound, you'll have to be prepared to wait for a few months. Players that prefer the brightest possible tone would have to replace strings every few weeks, but most keep flats on much longer than that.
Flats are more expensive than rounds, the upside is that you don't have to replace them as often. Regardless, some players find that they have to endure a period of overly bright strings until they become sweet and mellow (and eventually overripe). For real; some players prefer pre-dulled strings...

I like the LaBellas cause they seemed to stay brighter longer than some of the other commonly found flatwounds IME.

[omphalopsychos]

Dogal expressive jazz flats are the best.

[gitman]

Dogal expressive jazz flats are the best.

I've didn't find these but others : DOGAL "Nightclub Extraflats", also a (bronze) flat-wound with a round core. The most expensive set yet, must be really special.
OK, flats last longer than roundwound strings but still, hmmmm.....

Nightclub Extraflat