Flatwound strings, coating?

morrisonhendrix · #1 08-16-2010, 03:53 PM

I'm new to flatwounds. I got a used Fender Mexi Jazz with some kind of flatwounds on it. Problem is, my fingers get kind of sticky sometimes and I can't slide on the strings. It's almost like rope burns. I've used fast fret on them, but it's like there's a coating that doesn't let it absorb into the string and the fast fret will come off onto my fingers and eventually I'm back to not being able to slide on them.

Help a flatwound idiot out. Are there other flatwounds that don't have this problem, or are they all like this?

dudeitsaninja · #2 08-16-2010, 03:57 PM

GHS makes good flatwounds, i have them on my fretless and i don't have any problems with them. Or you could try the Thomastik-Infeld jazz bass strings. They're pricey but they are definitely worth it. I use them on my 6-string and they sound amazing.

morrisonhendrix · #3 08-16-2010, 04:02 PM

So no stickiness that you've experienced with those? Thanks for the tip.

dudeitsaninja · #4 08-16-2010, 04:06 PM

no stickiness. but the GHS has some coating on it, which may have been from the manufacturing but i dont know. I just wiped the strings down and it was fine from then on.

morrisonhendrix · #5 08-16-2010, 04:49 PM

Ok. Thanks. I meant to mention that the Jazz bass is a fretless.

Krucial · #6 08-17-2010, 05:39 AM

The stickiness you discribe tends to be a personal thing.
I found the GHS precision flats not pleasant to play slides, because of the burnings sensation. It's not that bad, but as the sound also didn't work with my bass, I exchanged them for the Chomes.

Fast Fret kind of works but feels unnatural.

What I realy would like is flats (or even better tapewounds!!)with the coating of Elixers. Do they exist?

morrisonhendrix · #7 08-17-2010, 10:27 AM

I don't know if those exist or not. I appreciate your input.

jb63 · #8 08-19-2010, 11:36 PM

I like this solution to sticky feeling flats...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNJ1g...eature=related

**BLDavis** · #9 08-20-2010, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jb63

I like this solution to sticky feeling flats...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNJ1g...eature=related

Crisco or Wesson Oil? She dosen't say.

camiloochoa · #10 08-20-2010, 06:51 AM

I use sadoswsky flats, and when the strings are new i kinda feel them sticky, but as you use them, that sticky feeling just go away completely (1-2 weeks or so of consistent use), i dont know if maybe it's the same with your strings, are they new??

morrisonhendrix · #11 08-20-2010, 02:10 PM

"...i dont know if maybe it's the same with your strings, are they new??"

Yeah, that could be. I don't know for sure. I certainly will not be trying the fried chicken suggestion in the video. ;-)