Poll - Do you use Roundwound or Flatwound Strings?

**dinot** · 02-01-2013, 03:33 AM

I'm intrigued to see how many people use flatwounds, because now jazz guitarists tend to use roundwounds if they want a modern tone.
I'm not saying one is better than the other, and I don't care, just want to make the poll and see what's is more used by the forum users

Also, if you use 7 string guitar, please say it (I want to know that too!)

Thanks!

**kris** · 02-01-2013, 04:08 AM

I do not care about "moderne tone" and use flatwounds on my arch-top.Simply I like these strings.

**Laro** · 02-01-2013, 04:21 AM

Flatwound on electric, roundwound on acoustic.

**Webby** · 02-01-2013, 04:23 AM

Depends on the guitar. Flatwounds on all of my electric jazzboxes, but Phosphor Bronze Roundwounds on my acoustic archtop.

**Frank67** · 02-01-2013, 04:41 AM

Mostly flats for jazz, rounds for accoustic and rock.

**jazzuki** · 02-01-2013, 06:34 AM

Half-rounds on both arch-tops.

**Bill C** · 02-01-2013, 06:46 AM

polished rounds (similar to half rounds) - fairly bright but less squeak than rounds

**xuoham** · 02-01-2013, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by Bill C

polished rounds (similar to half rounds) - fairly bright but less squeak than rounds

Good to know, i'm considering half rounds, i never tried.
No "half round" option in the poll, uh ...

**dinot** · 02-01-2013, 08:59 AM

Sorry, it doesn't let me add the option now.

**Woody Sound** · 02-01-2013, 11:01 AM

Roundwound. Although I like the sound of flats, I always found the wound strings to be out of balance with the plain E and B. The plain strings are brighter than the wound ones.

**docbop** · 02-01-2013, 11:09 AM

I prefer the sound of roundwounds and tend to use them, but do have flatwounds from time to time and the lack of string squeak can be addicting.

**willschmid97** · 02-01-2013, 11:37 AM

Haha, I am a Trombonist, but also do use roundwound strings. I used to use flatwounds, but after a while, I thought they sounded a little too dead for my taste. I always prefer acoustic over electric (flattop and archtop), but play electric regularly, probably perform more on electric. I think roundwound strings get me closer to an acoustic tone on my electric guitars, which I like.

**henryrobinett** · 02-01-2013, 11:43 AM

Roundwound. I have used flats from time to time. Never really liked them and felt guilty because I was supposed to. But I never liked the feel or the sound.

**beardog** · 02-01-2013, 11:50 AM

I tried my first set of flats a month or so back and really like them. I might even try a set on a 60's gibson heritage dreadnougt I have

**DocSobers** · 02-01-2013, 12:11 PM

Flatwounds 12s on my jazzbox and simi-hollow; roundwound 11s on solid body. Acoustic has phosphor bronze 11s with a plane 18 for my 3rd string. Don't like my 3rd string wounded on acoustic. Plus I like to bend that 3rd string sometimes.

**Gabe** · 02-01-2013, 12:52 PM

I like pro steel roundwounds, I used to use flats but I was never totally happy with them.

**wintermoon** · 02-01-2013, 01:02 PM

hate the dead sound of flats
rounds 100% of the time for me. I like a little sparkle to my sound that flats don't have.

**dinot** · 02-01-2013, 01:47 PM

I love the feel of flatwounds (except for bending), but prefer the sound of roundwounds. Yes, I use 7 strings :P

By the way, we have two trombonists, we can already make a big band

**Carpal55** · 02-01-2013, 03:22 PM

Solid top floating PU wasn't getting me exactly what I wanted with flats so switched to rounds. Markley Blue Steels with wound G, now a happy camper...

**ooglybong** · 02-01-2013, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

Roundwound. I have used flats from time to time. Never really liked them and felt guilty because I was supposed to. But I never liked the feel or the sound.

Guilty, yeah. You should be ashamed of yerself, Henry!

**ooglybong** · 02-01-2013, 03:29 PM

Flatwounds on my archtops.
Rounds on my rock/fusion guitars.
Half-Rounds on my 335.
High-tension nylon strings on my classicals.

**Jazzchief1** · 02-01-2013, 04:18 PM

Rounds if I want a brighter sound and want to do some bending. Flats for more mellow stuff and easier on my fingers.

**=DK=** · 02-01-2013, 06:28 PM

I've never really done much bending, and I've always preferred the feeling of flats. I just don't get why people say they
sound "dead".

**KennyH** · 02-02-2013, 03:32 AM

Keep it flat and thick for that smooth, mellow, full chordal melody sound.

Keep it round and thin for that defiant, loud, crunchy, squealing rock and blues-rock sound.

**Franz 1997** · 02-02-2013, 07:45 AM

Flatwound 12s for straight ahead stuff

Flatwound 11 E, A & D plus plain G, B E for 335/ bending- not dead-sounding if the eq is right, IMO, and reasonable ''jazz'' sound.

Not quite sure what's 'modern' about rounds...they were available in the 60s....anyway, whatever works for you.