Flounds (Rats?)

[Stumbo]

....flats were just about the only choice in strings for a LONG time and a lot of session players, especially in LA used a pick.

Listen to "I'm a Man" by Chicago on the CTA album.
Be sure to turn it up.

 

[JTE]

Listen to "I'm a Man" by Chicago on the CTA album.
Be sure to turn it up.

Turn it WAY up!!!

 

[TheMutt]

I'd say get some rounds that you like and wipe em down with baby wipes. Nice and thuddy in 1-2 applications. It's what I did when I needed a flats sound without having the time to get some and put them on.

 

[Duck off & Fie]

what about tape wound strings? aren't they closer to flats tone wise but still round wound?

 

[greenboy]

Jimmy,

I think I told you about my favorite hybrid strings before, the Ken Smith Compressors and GHS Pressurewound. But neither is especially thuddy unless you get the very thickest gauges. But in trying many different hybrids out, one that came closer to having a feel I liked, and yet are sonically closer to flats, were Ken Smith "Slicks".

 

[Ryan Mohr]

From reading around here, it seems as though the Ken Smith Slick Rounds would be a great fit.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

I didn't care for Sunbeams, but I loved Nickel Lo Riders. Kinda zingy new, but best of both worlds when broken in.

 

[edbutler3]

I didn't care for Sunbeams, but I loved Nickel Lo Riders. Kinda zingy new, but best of both worlds when broken in.

Can you describe what differences you perceived between the Sunbeams and Nickel Lo Riders? I've used the Sunbeams a lot but never tried the others -- but I recently switched from Sunbeams to TI Superalloy, which is a hex-core string like the Lo Riders, so I'm wondering what you think of the round vs hex core thing?

To me it seemed that the hex-core strings had a stiffer feel, which I think I prefer. (I won't be sure until they are fully broken in.)

EDIT: I was actually very satisfied with the Sunbeams. The switch to TI Superalloys was just an experiment -- I've always gotta try new things even if I'm already satisfied with what I have. :-/

 

[jasper383]

Fender 8250s are nickel over a round core, too. Very vintagey once broken in.

In my experience, nothing sounds like flats. Old rounds with the tone rolled down, close, but not there.

 

[jasper383]

Could anyone send me a sound clip of flats played with a pick?
I might be a convert if you do...

Any McCartney.

 

[Ryan Mohr]

Have you tried the Fender 7150M set? Mellowest rounds I have ever played.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Can you describe what differences you perceived between the Sunbeams and Nickel Lo Riders? I've used the Sunbeams a lot but never tried the others -- but I recently switched from Sunbeams to TI Superalloy, which is a hex-core string like the Lo Riders, so I'm wondering what you think of the round vs hex core thing?

To me it seemed that the hex-core strings had a stiffer feel, which I think I prefer. (I won't be sure until they are fully broken in.)

EDIT: I was actually very satisfied with the Sunbeams. The switch to TI Superalloys was just an experiment -- I've always gotta try new things even if I'm already satisfied with what I have. :-/

I found the Nickel Lo Riders were warmer, punchier and deeper than the Sunbeams.

 

[JimmyM]

Wow, thought this thread died a month ago Thanks for the suggestions, guys...I'll look into it more tonight when I get back.

 

[PluckyThump]

what about tape wound strings? aren't they closer to flats tone wise but still round wound?

Nope! I can't speak for other brands but the Dean Markley SR2000s I have on my Lakland right now are twang city. Tons of upper mids, fret clanks galore and horrible intonation on the B string. Haven't tried them with the band yet, I bet they'll cut through well, but I won't buy them again just because of the bad B.

I didn't care for Sunbeams, but I loved Nickel Lo Riders. Kinda zingy new, but best of both worlds when broken in.

+1 DR Nickel Low Riders are my favorite so far, will probably go back to them since they are the devil I know and I can't afford to keep experimenting!