Flatwounds

[D-COOPER]

Hello.Iv just put my first set of flatwounds on my G&L SB2 and iv noticed a huge drop in volume. Is this normal or am i just silly?

[Mr. Foxen]

You'll have much less harmonics going on, and that means higher frequencies where your ears and speakers work best, so it will probably seem quieter. The important bit down low should still be there though.

[zero9]

Don't know what you changed to and from and whether or not the action changed. All being equal, there should not be a significant drop in overall volume. What strings did you change from and to?

[geoffbyrne]

Are you sure you haven't put on strings for acoustic by mistake?

G.

[D-COOPER]

Thanks for the replies.I changed from DR peacock blues which i loved but i wanted to try flats so i bought the Steve Harris rotosound set.They are 50's but
i have altered the setup to suit.I can obviously just up the volume on my amp but i was just wondering if this was an inherent trait of flats? I will give them
some more time before forming my opinion on them.

[chris_b]

If you like the tone just turn the amp up!

[xgsjx]

I changed from DR peacocks to TI Jazz flats & there was no noticeable change in volume. It might be the Roto's tho.

[Conan]

[quote name='D-COOPER' post='971511' date='Sep 29 2010, 11:07 AM']Thanks for the replies.I changed from DR peacock blues which i loved but i wanted to try flats so i bought the Steve Harris rotosound set.They are 50's but
i have altered the setup to suit.I can obviously just up the volume on my amp but i was just wondering if this was an inherent trait of flats? I will give them
some more time before forming my opinion on them.[/quote]

If you raised the action you might find that the strings are now further from the pickups. That will reduce volume significantly....

Just a thought.

[BassBod]

I've noticed that Pyramid Gold flats give a lower output - not a huge difference, but going from nickel rounds to flats, it was lower. I guess the metalic/magnetic composition is different. Great sound though, so I just turn the preamp gain up a bit.

[zero9]

I used to have roundwounds on my P and then changed to a James Jamerson set. Immediately the action increased due to the heavier tension and heavier gauge (I decided not to adjust the truss rod). Also, the JJ set couldn't be used strung through the body but had to go through the back of the bridge. Once I lowered the action as much as possible and dug in a bit more than usual, I got a similar volume to the original roundwounds. You'll need to ensure the strings sit properly in the nut as well (depending on the shape/size of the string guides) as you could potentially lose some volume here.

I'm now playing TI Jazz flats, which are lower tension and require less 'energy' to play.

Edited September 30, 2010 by zero9

[mazdah]

If you are used to a high and high-mid heavy sound, there might be a drop in a volume, because flats are all about fundamental - low end and high mids.
Nothing to worry tho.