Best Flatwound Electric Guitar Strings of 2025

Joseph Hubbard Avatar
Joseph Hubbard
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2025

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Flatwound electric guitar strings are a great option for guitarists who prefer a smoother, more mellow tone. These strings are made by wrapping a round steel core with a flat ribbon of wire, resulting in a flatter surface and less prominent ridges than roundwound strings. This design not only produces a warmer sound, but also reduces finger noise and string squeak. Flatwound strings are often favored by jazz and blues players, but can be used for any genre that requires a more subdued sound. Overall, they offer a unique and versatile option for guitarists looking to experiment with their tone.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

D'Addario XL Chromes Electric Guitar Strings Cover #TOP 1
D'Addario XL Chromes Electric Guitar Strings
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Guitar Strings Cover #TOP 2
Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Guitar Strings
ftb score rating icon 9.8
GHS PRECISION FLATS Flatwound String Set For Electric Guitar Cover #TOP 3
GHS PRECISION FLATS Flatwound String Set For Electric Guitar
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Flatwound Electric Guitar Strings

#TOP 1

D'Addario XL Chromes Electric Guitar Strings

ECG24
ECG24 - Jazz Light
Jazz Light, 11-50
D'Addario XL Chromes Electric Guitar Strings Cover
D'Addario Guitar Strings - XL Chromes Electric Guitar Strings - Flat Wound - Polished for Ultra-Smooth Feel and Warm, Mellow Tone - ECG24 - Jazz Light, 11-50, 1-Pack

D'Addario XL Chromes Electric Guitar Strings are flat wound, providing a mellower tone than round wound strings. The stainless steel flattened ribbon wrap wire is precisely polished for unparalleled smoothness and the warmest tone from an electric string. The proprietary Hex-Core ensures perfect intonation, consistent feel, and reliable durability. They come with a code on the recyclable VCI bag that you can register to earn Players Circle points. Made in the USA.

What We Like
Mellower tone than round wound strings
Smooth, warm tones with unparalleled smoothness
Proprietary Hex-Core ensures perfect intonation and consistent feel
#TOP 2

Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Guitar Strings

P02580
Light (11-50)
Light 11-50
Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Guitar Strings Cover
Light Stainless Steel Flatwound Electric Guitar Strings - 11-50 Gauge

Ernie Ball Electric Strings offer a remarkable playing experience for guitarists. The strings are crafted with a stainless steel ribbon, which not only enhances durability but also reduces unwanted finger noise, allowing you to focus on your sound. You'll appreciate their smooth, polished texture, making them comfortable to play for extended periods. Additionally, these strings deliver a mellow, vintage tone, perfect for those looking to capture that classic sound in their music. With these features combined, you’ll find playing your guitar more enjoyable and expressive.

What We Like
Less finger noise
Smooth playing experience
Mellow vintage tone
Durable construction
#TOP 3

GHS PRECISION FLATS Flatwound String Set For Electric Guitar

Mehrfarbig
Pack of 1
GHS PRECISION FLATS Flatwound String Set For Electric Guitar Cover
GHS Strings Precision Flatwound Strings for Electric Guitar (750), Ultra Light, 9-42

This electric guitar string set features Flatwound Stainless Steel flat wrap and provides a warm vintage tone with smooth feel. The set includes six strings with the gauge of 009/011/016/024/032/042, which is perfect for rock music. GHS PRECISION FLATS is one of the best-selling strings in the world and made in the USA using the latest technology.

What We Like
Provides warm vintage tone with smooth feel
Best-selling strings in the world
Made in the USA with latest technology
#TOP 4

D'Addario ECG24 Flatwound Strings

ECG24
D'Addario ECG24 Flatwound Strings Cover
D'Addario Chromes Flatwound Electric Guitar Strings ECG24 11-50 2 Pack

D'Addario Flatwound Strings are designed for musicians who appreciate a smooth playing experience and a warm, mellow tone. The jazz light gauges range from .011 to .050, making them versatile for various styles like jazz, rockabilly, R&B, and pop. Made with flattened stainless steel ribbon wire, these strings provide a polished surface that enhances feel and sound quality. You'll enjoy the unique damped yet rich tone that only flatwound strings can offer, making them a great choice for both practice and performance.

What We Like
Smooth feel
Warm, mellow tone
Versatile for various genres
High-quality stainless steel
#TOP 5

D'Addario Guitar Strings - XL Half Rounds Electric Guitar Strings

EHR310
Silver
D'Addario Guitar Strings - XL Half Rounds Electric Guitar Strings Cover
D'Addario Guitar Strings - XL Half Rounds Electric Guitar Strings - Semi-Flat Wound - Bright Tone, Smooth Feel, Reduced Finger Noise - EHR310 - Regular Light, 10-46

D'Addario XL Half Rounds Electric Guitar Strings are a combination of round and flat wound strings, providing a smooth feel, reduced finger noise, and tone comparable to round wound strings. The stainless steel wrap wire is finished with a centerless grinding process. The proprietary Hex-Core ensures perfect intonation, consistent feel, and reliable durability. The set comes with a code on the recyclable VCI bag for earning Players Circle points. Made in the USA.

What We Like
Combination of round and flat wound strings
Smooth feel and reduced finger noise
Perfect intonation, consistent feel, and reliable durability
#TOP 6

Thomastik Jazz Swing Series Guitar 6 String Pure Nickel Flat Wounds E, B, G, D, A, E Set (JS112)

JS112
Natural
Thomastik Jazz Swing Series Guitar 6 String Pure Nickel Flat Wounds E, B, G, D, A, E Set (JS112) Cover
Thomastik Jazz Swing Series Guitar 6 String Pure Nickel Flat Wounds E, B, G, D, A, E Set (JS112)

The Thomastik Jazz Swing Guitar Strings, also known as the Thomastik Jazz Swing Series Guitar 6 String Pure Nickel Flat Wounds E, B, G, D, A, E Set (JS112), are specifically designed for semi acoustic and acoustic jazz guitars. These strings offer a mellow timbre, producing a warm and smooth sound that is perfect for jazz music. The flat wound design ensures a comfortable playing experience, reducing finger noise and providing a smooth feel under your fingertips. With the Thomastik Jazz Swing Guitar Strings, you can achieve a rich and expressive tone, allowing you to fully explore the nuances of your jazz guitar playing.

What We Like
Mellow timbre
Flat wound design
Perfect for jazz music
#TOP 7

Pyramid Gold Electric Flatwound Med 11-48

EG-Gold 011-048
Chrome,Gold
Pyramid Gold Electric Flatwound Med 11-48 Cover
Pyramid Gold Electric Flatwound Med 11-48

The Pyramid Gold Electric Flatwound Med 11-48, also known as the Pyramid Gold Flatwound, is a set of electric guitar strings handwound in the old tradition. These strings feature a chrome nickel flatwound construction with a 100% nickel wrap, providing a smooth feel and warm tone. With gauges of 11-15-20w-30-35-48, these strings offer a balanced tension and comfortable playability. The flatwound design reduces finger noise and produces a rich, mellow sound, making them ideal for jazz, blues, and other genres that require a vintage tone. The Pyramid Gold Flatwound strings are perfect for guitarists who appreciate the craftsmanship of traditional handwound strings and seek a warm, smooth sound for their electric guitar.

What We Like
Handwound in the old tradition
Smooth feel and warm tone
Reduced finger noise
#TOP 8

GHS Brite Flats Guitar Strings 700

GHS BF 700
Pack of 1
GHS Brite Flats Guitar Strings 700 Cover
GHS String - Brite Flats Flatwound Guitar Strings - Extra Light - (Model: 700) - 9-42

The GHS Brite Flats Strings are designed to enhance your electric guitar experience. These flatwound strings are micro-ground, providing a smoother surface that not only feels great but also produces a brighter tone. You can enjoy a sound that is similar to traditional flatwound strings but with added brightness, perfect for players seeking clarity in their music. The light gauge of 009-042 ensures that you can bend notes easily, making it convenient for various playing styles. Whether you're strumming chords or playing solos, these strings can elevate your performance.

What We Like
Smoother playing experience
Brighter tone quality
Easy note bending
Comfortable feel
#TOP 9

Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Guitar Swing Series 6 String Set

JS110
Nickel
Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Guitar Swing Series 6 String Set Cover
Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Guitar Swing Series 6 String Pure Nickel Flat Wounds E, B, G, D, A, E Set (JS110)

This Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Guitar Swing Series 6 String Set is a popular choice among guitar students and professionals worldwide. The set includes six strings with gauges of .010, .014, .018, .023, .033, .044, and is made of pure nickel flat wounds. This genuine Thomastik-Infeld product is designed for electric guitars.

What We Like
Used by students and professionals worldwide
Includes six strings with gauges of .010, .014, .018, .023, .033, .044
Made of pure nickel flat wounds
#TOP 10

Pyramid 413 Heavy Flatwound Strings

Chrome,Gold
Pyramid 413 Heavy Flatwound Strings Cover
Pyramid Gold Heavy Flatwound Electric Strings 13-56

Pyramid Heavy Flatwound Strings are designed for electric guitar players who appreciate quality and tradition. The gauges range from 13 to 56, providing a versatile setup that suits various playing styles. Made with chrome nickel flat winding, these strings deliver a smooth feel and a warm tone, enhancing your playing experience. The handwound craftsmanship reflects an old-school approach, ensuring each string is made with care. The 100% nickel wrap adds durability, helping your strings last longer while maintaining excellent sound quality. With these features, you can enjoy improved playability and a richer sound.

What We Like
Warm tone
Smooth feel
Durable construction
Versatile gauges
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you use flatwound strings on an electric guitar?

Yes, flatwound strings can be used on an electric guitar. They offer a smooth texture and reduced finger noise compared to regular roundwound strings. Flatwound strings combine the classic Slinky tone with the playability of a traditional flatwound, making them a popular choice for guitarists.

2. What are flatwound guitar strings good for?

Flatwound guitar strings are particularly suitable for jazz and blues guitarists who desire a warm and rich sound. They are also a great option for players looking for strings that cause less finger fatigue during extended playing sessions.

3. Are flatwound strings harder to play?

Flatwound strings are generally thicker, with the smallest gauge being around .11. This can make the playing experience feel more similar to acoustic guitar strings. As a result, bends and vibrato may require more effort compared to thinner gauge strings, such as .09. It may take some adjustment for players accustomed to lighter strings.

4. Do flatwound strings sound better?

Flatwound strings have a unique sound profile with reduced high-end frequencies and an emphasis on mids and lows. Bassists playing genres like rock, punk, and pop often prefer roundwound strings for their increased presence in a mix. However, for genres like reggae, R&B, and jazz, the smoother and warmer sound of flatwounds is often more desirable.

5. Do flat wound strings buzz less?

One advantage of flatwound strings is that they produce less finger noise, allowing bass players to play more quietly and with greater control over their sound. Additionally, flatwound strings tend to have a longer lifespan compared to roundwound strings, making them a popular choice for players seeking durable and long-lasting strings.

Editor's Notes

During our flatwound electric guitar string research, we found 24 flatwound electric guitar string products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 30,898 customer reviews through our big data system to write the flatwound electric guitar strings list. We found that most customers choose flatwound electric guitar strings with an average price of $21.62.

The flatwound electric guitar strings are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of flatwound electric guitar strings, including D'Addario, Ernie Ball, GHS Strings, Thomastik, Pyramid. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Joseph Hubbard Avatar

Joseph Hubbard is a music producer and runs a musical instrument store in Chicago. Joseph is happy to help others choose the instrument that best suits their needs. He loves everything related to music and often publishes articles related to music on key websites.