Roundwound / flatwound strings

andershp · Post by **andershp** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 2:36 pm

I have just read that there are both something called roundwound and flatwound strings, so the question is what the pros and cons of both types are?
At the moment I use the Rotosound 10's, but I can't really figure out if they are roundwound or flatwound? (sorry if that's a dumb question)

Julian · Post by **Julian** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 2:42 pm

flats are a deader, more jazzy sounding string. My friend used them on his Jaguar when he had a surf band. Worked quite well.

rounds are brighter. More for rock.

GHS Nickel Rockers are groundwound, so they are round but with the sides a little flattened. So you get a little of each.

This wikipedia article is actually very informative.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strings_(music)

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 2:44 pm

All wound strings have a central core around which another material (nickel, in the case of electric guitar strings) is wrapped.

In roundwound strings, the nickel that wraps the core is round, which means that the end result is a string with notches. This is the most common type of guitar string and is found on at least 95% of guitars.

In flatwound strings, the nickel is flat, like a ribbon. The result is a smooth string. Flatwound strings are found on orchestral string instruments.

Generally, roundwound is brighter and snappier, flatwound is bassier. The feel is very different too. Flatwound strings are more commonly used in jazz than any other genre.

Here is the wikipedia page detailing the differences

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strings_(music)

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 2:45 pm

Haha, beaten to it. Completely and utterly.

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 2:45 pm

What he they said.
Flats are also gentler on your frets and fretboard...

andershp · Post by **andershp** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 3:01 pm

flats are a deader, more jazzy sounding string. My friend used them on his Jaguar when he had a surf band. Worked quite well.

rounds are brighter. More for rock.

How jazzy?

And how are they combined with singcoils and fuzz?

Are they are lot different and does it require any adjustments for changing from roundwounds to flatwounds? If not I may just try them out, since the description sounds interesting.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 3:38 pm

Most flatwounds are heavy gauge only though you can get light ones, I think D'addario Chromes come in 10s.

I started using flats on one or two of my electrics a few years back but couldn't come to grips with it all the time. I'll think it's nice all day but then I miss roundwounds the next day. I do use them on both my basses at all times though.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 3:39 pm

Do flatwounds generally have a longer life than roundwounds?

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 6:30 pm

andershp wrote:How jazzy? And how are they combined with singcoils and fuzz?

Are they are lot different and does it require any adjustments for changing from roundwounds to flatwounds? If not I may just try them out, since the description sounds interesting.

No difference in setup at all; unless changing gauges might cause you to do some adjusting. Nothing out of the norm though.

They're fine with singles and fuzz, just have a darker character than rounds do. If you like a dark tone, it'll work just fine for ya.

BacchusPaul wrote:Do flatwounds generally have a longer life than roundwounds?

Kinda. The metal doesn't last any longer, but, generally if you prefer flats, you prefer a dull, dark tone... your tone isn't going to degrade much over time. With rounds the main thing you start losing is the brightness... so you change them to get it back. If you didn't want it in the first place, there's no reason to change them.

Will · Post by **Will** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 6:52 pm

Flats last quite a bit longer. Dirt and oil from your fingers doesn't build up on them as much and some use a stainless steel wrap that doesn't corrode as fast as nickel.

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 7:05 pm

andershp wrote:How jazzy? And how are they combined with singcoils and fuzz? .

I've flats on my jaguar with singles.
Honestly they don't sound very different from old strings. By the time you've put some overdrive on it no-one will notice the difference.

I love the feel though.

Will · Post by **Will** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:18 pm

andershp wrote:How jazzy? And how are they combined with singcoils and fuzz?

Flats work great with fuzz because the darker, more fundamental tone lets the fuzz track better. If you think about a classic spaghetti western guitar tone, that's it.