Why do jazz guitarists use flatwound strings?
Flatwound strings are wrapped in a flat wire, producing a more mellow, duller tone, favoured by straight-ahead guitarists, such as Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell.
Can you put flatwound strings on an acoustic guitar?
They’re also polished out to make them even smoother, which gives them a silky feel to go with the rich, mellow tone they produce. No wonder lots of musicians swear by them! Like other strings for acoustic guitar, flatwound strings are available in different weights to suit your personal preferences.
Are flatwound strings easier?
Obviously, whether one feels better than the other to you is subjective. Some bassists prefer the extra bit of friction that roundwound strings offer, especially if their hands get sweaty while playing. Other players may appreciate the smoother feel of flatwounds, especially when playing over extended periods.
What do Flatwounds feel like?
The feel of flatwounds is often described as fast and slick — if you’re used to playing roundwounds and switch to flatwounds, you may even find yourself overshooting note slides until you recalibrate for the faster feel. Obviously, whether one feels better than the other to you is subjective.
Do flatwound strings sound different?
Whether you play bass with your fingers or with a pick, roundwound bass strings sound brighter than flatwound bass strings. Roundwounds have a more even balance between low-end thump, midrange character, and high-end detail, relative to flatwounds.
What do flatwound strings sound like?
Flatwounds are also much quieter, noise-wise than roundwound, which pick up every nuance. Because of the smoother surface, they make very little finger squeak when moving your fingers up and down the strings. This can be especially helpful when recording if you’re trying to get the cleanest possible take.
Why do jazz players use heavy strings?
Jazz guitarists use heavier strings partly because of tradition, a supposed increase in tone, and because they’re supposed to be able to emulate a horn section better. Another reason is that jazz guitarists don’t bend or use vibrato as often as what’s seen in other genres.