Too many DOA flats...

[WoodyG3]

I've probably just had bad luck, but I have certainly gotten quite a few flatwound string sets with 1 or 2 completely dead strings in the last 4-5 years. I'm talking about a string that has half the volume of the others and sounds completely dead. I don't know if there's something wrong with the winding or the core has a kink in it somewhere or what.

I've only very rarely has this happen with rounds, so I'm wondering if I've just had bad luck, or whether this happens more often with flats for some reason. The string manufacturers involved have always been good about replacing the dead string, BTW.

What do you guys think? My bad luck or something that just happens more often with flats?

[Pilgrim]

Gee, that seems odd. I'm a Labella flats fan and I haven't had a bad string in the half-dozen sets I have bought in recent years. I've read a few threads where someone had a bad Labella string, so they're not immune from the problem. I have also used single sets of GHS flats, Chromes and Roto flats, but have not had problems with any of them.

I know you're an experienced player - might it be something to do with install technique? I don't know.....

[warnergt]

I installed a new TI Jazz Flat that had too much zing.
It sounded more like a roundwound and kind of the
opposite of what you are describing.

[testing1two]

I had a bad habit for years of twisting the first wrap of the string around the post by hand instead of using the tuning peg. That put a twist in the string that led to all sorts of odd problems from a chorused effect to poor intonation to a dead string.

Warnergt, my set of TI flats were very similar to yours. But the brightness sounded surprisingly good to me so I ran with it. After playing a 4 set gig and some practice time, 3 of the 4 strings have settled down but the A string is still almost as zingy as a roundwound. Now I don't know whether I want the A string to settle down or the other three to liven up.

[markanini]

IME any non-round set is more susceptible to DOA. A solution might be solvent soaking(ie denatured alcohol)

[WoodyG3]

I don't think I have twisted or bent the string when installing. I try to be careful about that.

markanini, your idea is interesting. Why would a new string benefit from a solvent soak? It shouldn't be a dirt or grime issue when the string has just come out of the pack.

As I said, I never got anything but total cooperation from string manufacturers on these issues. One company sent me two full packs when all I needed was one replacement string.

[One Drop]

Do you bend and kink the string ahead of the place you cut it? Apparently flats are very difficult to make and are more prone to unwinding, so crimping is recommended.

[Jay2U]

I had a strange experience with Fender 9050 flatwounds. After a about two weeks the D string hardened. It produced unwanted harmonics and became unplayable. I treated it at a high temperature, in order to relax the metal structure. This helped for about two weeks. Then the problem returned. Apparently this string hardened because of the constant tension. I put on another set of 9050's and exactly the same happened. Since then I use d'Addario flatwounds, which don't have this problem.