Flatwound strings

[MWH]

So,  whilst every bass guitar i have has flatwounds,  if you put them on a typical six stringer, just cos i like the feel of the flatwound strings, will they  ''bend'' like wire wounds, then again it's the single core strings that get all the ''bending''  what if if i put 11 gauge flattys on ?, i like a mellow tone. Getting back into guitars so don't have oodles of knowledge,, answers on a postcard ?

[bottomofthebarrel]

I use flats on guitar (and bass) and will never go back to rounds on any instrument. Flats feel good, rounds don't. Each to their own, I guess.

[MWH]

Thanks,  nothing like using strings that suit the individual,   do any of you guys have enough knowledge  to say which makes of flatwound strings  have what kind of sound, who's are bright ?,  or who's are mellow ?,   which to avoid,  etc.

[leftybassman392]

I used to use flats on my jazz guitar (a Heritage 175 clone). They suited the music I was playing on the instrument and felt good to play. Definitely worth considering if you are looking for a smooth tone.

No good for metal though.

[Silvia Bluejay]

I have no experience of guitar flatwounds, but on bass I like D'Addario Chromes, because they're both bright and compliant, even on a 5-er. You could do worse than ping @D'Addario UK a PM (probably best on BC rather than here) and ask for info and advice. I imagine others such as LaBella may have guitar versions of their flats? Perhaps a visit to their websites might yield some info too.

[EdwardMarlowe]

First experience of flats is with a Brandoni P bass clone I bought a couple of years ago. Lovely stuff; I'll certainly consider trying them for guitar in future. 

[Wylie]

On 10/09/2018 at 10:32, MWH said:

So,  whilst every bass guitar i have has flatwounds,  if you put them on a typical six stringer, just cos i like the feel of the flatwound strings, will they  ''bend'' like wire wounds, then again it's the single core strings that get all the ''bending''  what if if i put 11 gauge flattys on ?, i like a mellow tone. Getting back into guitars so don't have oodles of knowledge,, answers on a postcard ?

You won't get the bending without exceptionally strong fingers. But the tone--nothing like it, for my money.

[MWH]

On 28/02/2019 at 17:11, Wylie said:

You won't get the bending without exceptionally strong fingers. But the tone--nothing like it, for my money.

Wow !,   activity on this site,  thank-you so much.  Cunning  plan no. 53,   I'm having a custom made  guitar built,  a fairly simple  designed  solid body job, but with a 52mm  nut / wide neck to get my bass playing  fingers in.  So like the basses I wanted flatwounds,   but don't know if  they should be 9's  or  10's  or  11's,  the lighter ones might be the starting point,  would they all sound the same though ?, ignoring the  "bending".

[Skinnyman]

I have an Epi Es175 which I have string with flats. They suit the guitar perfectly and give me that smooth jazz tone I wanted. I don't think I'd like them on my Stratocaster though

[Wylie]

MWH, the flats on my Epi Les Paul are 10s and the low E and the A string are very fat. Also, the 3rd is wound, which suits me. Really happy with how these D'addarios sound.