Flat wound strings

eliot-ness · #1 August 15th, 2007

About 50 years ago I bought my first guitar, a 'Framus'. Never learned to play it, but, on the advise of a professional guitarist I had it strung with 'Framus Black Rose' strings. These were wound with what appeared to be flat bronze wire. I remember they were very smooth, no buzzing and easy on the fingers. Does anyone know if these strings, or similar, are still availlable? and if so does anyone on the forum use them and what do they think of them.

?

Thanks in advance. Tony

si16 · #2 August 15th, 2007

I don't know about the Framus strings but it is certainly still possible to buy similar types of strings, they're normally known as flatwound strings. I think there's also an 'intermediate' string known as roundwound.

As you say they are much easier on the fingers and they produce a particular tone which is probably much the same as you remember. The tone they produce is very popular with jazz players.

lorispencer · #3 August 15th, 2007

i use D'Addario Chromes on my hollow bodies and are happy with them. there are others as well. if you search in the thread area you should find a good recap of flatwound and ribbon wound strings that someone did a while back.

lorispencer · #4 August 15th, 2007

here is the thread on flat wound strings. this is very good

eliot-ness · #5 August 15th, 2007

Thanks for the replies and info guys and for the link Lori. A very comprehensive comparison test there. Now I have to find a NZ supplier.

Tony

Andy S · #6 August 16th, 2007

I put some D'Addario "Half-wound" strings on my Ibanez. They don't have that true Jazz tone to them, but still allow some twang to come through. Also, when I had the regular D'Addario XLs on , since it's a hollow body, the little screeching sound you sometimes hear when the finger isn't completely lifted during a chord change, well, it was a bit louder than usual.

That has pretty much disappeared since I switched to the half-wounds.

Some guy I know says that a lot of swing/rockabilly players just use regular strings and let them get old and dull to get that sound. Well, these definitely didn't have a dull sound when new (or even now). They are quite clear but just not quite as bright as the regular XLs.

Just my opinion.

ociaby · #7 August 17th, 2007

I live in Wellington and buy all my guitar strings on ebay. There's lots more selection than in any New Zealand music store. I use D'Addario FlatTops - EFT16. Hardly any screeching when you slide on the low strings. Most excellent.

eliot-ness · #8 August 18th, 2007

Some great feedback, thanks guys and gals. Went along to the local guitar shop today, always a dangerous thing to do but I came out with two sets of D'Addario strings, One extra light phosphor bronze wound semi flat accoustic for the Ibanez and A set of Chrome ribbon wound light guage jazz for the Ashton. Now to try them.
Thanks again for all the help. Tony

(Had to leave behind a beautiful Fender accoustic but may go back when the wife's not with me)

Lcjones · #9 August 18th, 2007

Hey elliot,

I use Pyramid brand nickel flat wounds on my Rickenbacker. Excellent tones. Fine strings and last for a seriously long time. They are rather expensive per pack. However, because of the life span, it's less expensive than stringing up my acoustic for a year.

**
LC

generaldefault · #10 August 23rd, 2007

I've used flat wound guitar strings on bass for awhile, but now my fingers are tougher and I like the brightness of roundwounds.