What are flatwound strings?

Skel · #1 04-16-2006, 09:39 AM

I already know I'm going to get ripped apart for this thread, but searching isn't always as easy as people think - it's very difficult sometimes to find answers to simple questions. Also I don't think it's that bad to have something of interest to people float by again sometimes.

What are flatwound strings? I can't imagine anything about a round string being flat. If somebody could just tell me the make up of flatwounds verses roundwounds I would really appreciate it.

Thanks - Skel

Jazzin' · #2 04-16-2006, 09:43 AM

They are round like every other string, it's just that when you slide your finger along the string, it's smooth.

Skel · #3 04-16-2006, 10:14 AM

I just googled this; the outer winding on flatwounds *is* flat, or "ribbon like" and apparently, is stainless steel wrapped around a stainless steel core. On roundwounds, the core is stainless steel, but the winding is continuous round and could be made of stainless steel, nickel, nickel alloy, bronze, etc. Roundwounds are brighter and flatwounds are more mellow sounding.

fazzball · #4 04-16-2006, 08:18 PM

Ive been getting terrible blisters from my roundwounds lately as have only recently picked up my bass again for the first time in years. Would flats be easier on my fingers? by fingers i dont mean the fretting fingers by the way, im talking about down the pickup end of town.

Skel · #5 04-16-2006, 08:56 PM

I don't know, but hopefully somebody with flatwound experience will pipe in and inform all of us.

Jazzin' · #6 04-16-2006, 09:04 PM

I think its pretty much the same. You shouldn't chose strings based on how many blisters they give you. You will get over the blisters. Find a string that sounds best for you.

#7 04-16-2006, 09:05 PM

In terms of abrasiveness, flatwounds will be easier on your fingers. Many flatwound strings have higher tension than roundwounds, however. You should choose based on the sound you like.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #8 04-16-2006, 09:19 PM

Hope this helps:

Minger · #9 04-16-2006, 10:02 PM

Reminds me of the strings on DBs...probably because they are.

Man, I need to get a set of flats...

Geezerman · #10 04-16-2006, 10:27 PM

flatwounds are great, but the tension is just as hard on your fingers. Try both types, there are tons of advantages and disadvantages to each.

Stanley Design · #11 04-16-2006, 11:01 PM

I decided flats were for me because of these reasons in order.

The tone
The feel
They last a lot lot longer
They taste good in a nice marinara!

fazzball · #12 04-16-2006, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by appler

In terms of abrasiveness, flatwounds will be easier on your fingers. Many flatwound strings have higher tension than roundwounds, however. You should choose based on the sound you like.

yea of course, but sometimes you have to allow for both. I mean when i get unbearable pain with an hour left in the gig and have to either start using a pick or play with my pinky finger you have to start looking at other alternatives.

Think flats would be good for SRV type blues covers?

JJd2sc · #13 04-16-2006, 11:45 PM

I think flats would work very well for SRV tunes, fazz.

flatwoundfender · #14 04-17-2006, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazzball

yea of course, but sometimes you have to allow for both. I mean when i get unbearable pain with an hour left in the gig and have to either start using a pick or play with my pinky finger you have to start looking at other alternatives.

Think flats would be good for SRV type blues covers?

I'm pretty sure they're what Tommy Shannon uses, and most blues bassists.

BadB · #15 04-17-2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geezerman

flatwounds are great, but the tension is just as hard on your fingers.

True, but there are low tension flats strings, such as Thomastik-Infeld. Sound good, too.

fazzball · #16 04-17-2006, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJd2sc

I think flats would work very well for SRV tunes, fazz.

thanks for the help

borden · #17 04-17-2006, 01:06 AM

Brad Maestas · #18 04-17-2006, 01:53 AM

Great replies Alvaro and borden!

Andy73 · #19 04-17-2006, 02:38 PM

So if I understand correctly that "in general" flatwounds are higher tension, could that help tighten up the sound of a B string?

Joe P · #20 04-17-2006, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geezerman

flatwounds are great, but the tension is just as hard on your fingers...

NO! Not T.I. Jazz Flats!

I can hardly think of switching now - those T.I.J.Fs just feel wonderful to me. ..And let me tell you:
they're in no-way just for 'mellow music'! AAAND they're not high-tension.
They're so smooth to the touch - and low-tension - that you can count the frets
'bumping' under your finger when you do a slide.

I play raucous stuff on mine - tons of gain and compression and fret clatter;
if I set up the tone on roundwounds to have as much lovely, raucous clatter as I do
with my Jazz Flats, there'd be WAY too much finger squeek-noise!

ALSO! ("but wait: that's not all!")... I used to have a problem with the sound of the low-B
string on my less-than-high-end, 33"-scale bass - I mean BAD non-musical harmonics;
every note on the string sounded like a 'wolf tone'. With the TIs, it was an instant-fix;
my low-B sounds great now in all pickup configurations!

Give'em a try. Just whip-out your eighty dollars, and give'em a try.

Joe