Flat wound strings?

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 18 Oct 2023 3:40 am

I have acquired a nice archtop - a Peerless 'Carlos Ribelli' Manhattan' - that I have restrung with round-wound .053s.

Thinking it would benefit from jazz flat wounds, I looked online. They're fearfully expensive.

Does anyone have a recommendation in this area? What's a reasonably priced yet satisfactory option?

Thanks.

Robert Murphy · Post by **Robert Murphy** » 18 Oct 2023 3:58 am

Short answer, no. I have used Pyramid flats for decades and they are worth every penny at $28 a set. P.S. they last 3 or 4 times longer than an $8.00 set of round wounds.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 18 Oct 2023 4:11 am

Always used D'Addario Chromes 24s on mine...yikes!..used to be $13, 14 tops. Now up to $20. My my.

Anyway, I probably still have 2 or 3 unopened sets that have been on the shelf a few years, but you'd probably rather have some that have been shelved a shorter time.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 18 Oct 2023 5:37 am

Jerry:

One of those sets would be fine - or two. I'm only playing at home these days but, still, there's a bit too much 'zing' with the round-wounds. It sounds nothing like Wes Montgomery!! (Neither do I, of course.

)

Snail-mail would be more than adequate. IS there such a thing now? Let me know what you'd want for them but only if it's not too much trouble, and certainly only when you happen to be passing a USPS. This is of no urgency.

Thanks.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 18 Oct 2023 7:06 am

Flat wounds are easier on your fingers, especially when playing bass guitar.

Erv

Chris Brooks · Post by **Chris Brooks** » 18 Oct 2023 7:17 am

Yes, those Thomastik jazz string sets, for example, are big bucks.

I have always preferred round wound strings on my 7 archtops . . . just my opinion, of course.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 18 Oct 2023 8:46 am

For years, a Gibson Super 400 was my main guitar. Working as a pro backing a significant UK pop star meant playing some rock and roll. I always used round wound and, in fact, found flats dull and thuddy.

Now, though, while this new instrument sounds okay with rounds, I find that I tend to play it rather like a flat-top Martin. I only play fingerstyle (no pick), so this seems a waste.

These days, my calloused have all but gone - these big gauges are hard work!

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 18 Oct 2023 12:10 pm

Sorry Rog. Shoulda looked before I posted. What I have are just partial sets with robbed gauges...won't do you any good. JO.

Jim Kennedy · Post by **Jim Kennedy** » 18 Oct 2023 2:03 pm

Try Web Strings:

https://www.webstrings.com/products/ele ... -flatwound

Their flat wounds are $9.99 a set plus shipping.

I have been buying all of my strings from them--guitar, bass, banjo, and mandolin--for probably 20 years. Great strings at a great price.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 19 Oct 2023 7:25 pm

Roger, I don't know what gauges you're looking for, but I found that there are some decent prices - if you stay away from big names like Fender and Gibson.

S.I.T. flatwounds........$12.99
GHS flatwounds...........$13.12 & $14.49
Rotosound flatwounds.....$17.95

(The Rotosounds might be just what you're looking for.)