Flatwound vs Roundwound Strings on an Archtop Jazz Guitar | Acoustic & Electric Test

[@rockerbuck967]

Your playing was so good, I forgot why I clicked on this video :) I thought about trying flatwounds on my Gretsch, but after watching your video and quite a few others, I think I'll stick with roundwounds. They're a better fit for me. Thanks for making this video!

[@adrianmolinamusic]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate it. Flat strings are very famous among players and maybe they deserve a test to check (if necessary) your preference.

[@Svatopluk]

Well done. I have (and have always had) flatwounds on my Gibson ES-175. I played a funk gig with this guitar someone in the band told me my guitar sounded 'dead' or 'the strings sound old'. I tried to explain that is just a possible tone on an electric. Nevertheless, I'm tempted to try rounds; or maybe half-wound or ground-wound strings. Have you tried those? What I find is 'that sound' (an arch top with flats) almost 'makes' me play a certain way because that (glorious!) vintage tone.

[@adrianmolinamusic]

Thank you. No, I don't think I've tried them yet. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with your choice of tone (Gibson ES-175 with flatwounds) but it is also true that it may not work as well as others options for different situations.... If I were you in this Funk gig I would use Rounds and experiment with bridge and mid positions because at the end of the day.... I love the Gibson ES-175 and I want to bring it to all the gigs! 😉

[@jazzey69]

I use Thomastic Enfeld 11`s swing guitar strings ..love them...try them Adrian...:-)

[@adrianmolinamusic]

Thanks! I have been using Thomastic electric guitar strings for a long time and love them too.

[@busterfoxx]

Thanks for the video. I can't decide which set to get: flat or round wound 12s? My last set were a Nickel flat wound size 12. I play jazz lead with a pick, funk rhythm with a pick, and also do finger picking and plucking using my hands. I like the darker George Benson tones for lead but prefer the bright clean sounds for funk rhythm. I play a semi hollow accoustic guitar through a Boss GT100 and never use an amp.

[@adrianmolinamusic]

You're welcome! If I were you I would use flats to play this kind of stuff on a semi hollow so you'll have a nice traditional jazzy sound in the neck, a crispy funk sound in the middle and also a very nice note definition and clarity for your finger picking moments. I hope you find it useful. Cheers!

[@busterfoxx]

@@adrianmolinamusic thanks for your advice. I've gone with 12s, flat wounds, and they feel wonderful. It seems though my effects pedal almost completely shapes the tone and little I do in terms of pick up selection, pick thickness etc significantly impacts the tone.