It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site!
On Saturday I entered my local guitar emporium and purchased a set of flatwound strings.
Guitar is a Gretsch which I had previously played with Super Slinkies, so moving up to 11's was a big step.
Overall impression is good, the guitar seems to play better, as if it was designed for bigger gauges, although I'm not sure if that is in my head.
Never used flatwounds before and at £18 a set it's a bit steep, but I rarely break strings so they should last a while before I need to change them.
Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
For those vintage rock n roll tones then flatwounds is the way to go, although I hear B Setzer plays 10's and regular wound - I think Jimmie Vaughan now uses flatwounds
Calling JM expert @meltedbuzzbox
But retro vintage then yes it can be a great option
Check out my YouTube channel for videos of luthier-built and vintage guitars!
Luthier Stories - My series of interviews with some of the world's greatest guitar makers
Setzer, again IIRC, doesn't use flatwounds but likes old strings - he's gigging with strings many people would have thrown away.
When you think of early rocknroll and Chicago blues those were flatwounds, maybe with a plain G once people twigged to that. I guess pop of The Beatles era, etc. Does seem an obvious thing to do if you are chasing those kind of tones.
So some notes and most chords will sound different but the "don't need to change them" advantage would only apply to half the strings.
I may well be wrong but that's what I'd understood.
Always sounds great though and his playing is just superb. One of my favourite bands of recent years without a doubt.