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Newb question about flat wound strings

T

Tombolino

Dec 28, 2012
326
17
#1
I have read a lot that flat wounds can sound good for some genres like country. I play in a country band and a rock/funk/blues/reggae cover band. If put on flat wounds, would it it sound not apporpriate/weird for rock/funk/blues?
 
#4
Oren Hudson said:
Just remember that flats were the only strings through at least the 60's and probably beyond, so tons of great rock etc. was played and recorded with them. EQ on bass and/or amp can always influence a sound on any type string.
Click to expand...
Some guys, such as Steve Harris, have signature flatwound strings, so yeah, I totally agree that flats are good for any kind of music.
 
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#5
I've played flats exclusively for so long now that I don't even LIKE playing with rounds! I hate string hiss. Plus, I just love the sound and feel of flats. Give them a try at the very least. Then if you don't like them, go back to rounds. But I think they sound great for country, blues, and rock.
 
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#6
I'm a permanent flatwound convert as of a month ago after flirting with rounds for 18 months.

A couple of pieces of advice for you as a flatwound newbie:
  • Make sure to give them enough time to break in properly, keeping in mind flats do take longer to settle than rounds - even as long as 3-6 months. But once they do settle, they can last for years.
  • Never judge a set of flats before you have a chance to hear them in a live band mix. Flats can sound rather "dull and lifeless" all on their own compared to rounds, but the live mix is where they shine.
 
#7
.. about the only thing to add to all the good info above, is that there can be a great deal of variety in flatwounds, both sonicly and in feel/tension/playability .. lots on here about the specifics of each though, so you may have a little reading ;)
 

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