Flatwound in general are a revelation - especially low gauge ones with a plain G. Distorted, they sound so clear and free of pesky harmonic content, which makes them focused. Mark Speer of Khruangbin is someone to look into who’s taken advantage of that sound.

@siscoismyhomey

3 жыл бұрын

I have flats on a 335 copy and they are just awesome! I was hesitant about them at first because I read many claims that they're not versatile, I've found the exact opposite actually. I also really enjoy bending them too, it feels weird playing rounds less than 11s for me now.

@zhou_sei

2 жыл бұрын

i honestly had no idea people held this opinion... i was just thinking about how flatwounds reduce the beautiful harmonic content which is why i will never try them, and then someone comes along and blows my mind hahaha , "pesky" harmonic content is not a phrase i ever imagined existed. but this is why art is so amazing, everyone has their own idea of what is the best and diversity is some oh yah good good shit (my long way of saying "to each, their own!") cheers.

@garfield4863

2 жыл бұрын

mark speer is the first guitarist ive been motivated to emulate

I play extreme metal and use flat wound strings and have been using them since idk, about 1993... they're great.

What about my hero Peter Green? He didn’t play flat wounds but man....he got so many tones out of that 59 by rolling the volume knobs..BB said something like he was the only guy around that made him sweat or gave him chills

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Yep, always loved that he chose to have only out of phase!

He is just such a remarkable player as well

In September I put flatwounds on a tele I built absolutely love the sound and feel of those strings.

@TeleCaster66

2 жыл бұрын

I use flats on my Tele too, Curt Mangan 9's with a plain G. Super nice!

phenomenal. always loved these sorts of sounds and could never pinpoint how to get them so thanks

Loving these videos man

This is awesome, man, thanks so much for sharing! I recently tried flatwound strings on my PRS just for fun and was completely blown away. As you say, it make you adapt and try new things in ways you never thought of. So cool!

Terrific! I’m here for the playing!

Nice heads up on this amazing sound.

Another great vid, Josh. Cheers

Excellent, and very informative. Getting that sound from a solidbody electric opens those styles up to players who don't want to cope with a big hollowbody. Sliding rather than bending is a very different sound to what has become thought of as 'the' blues sound.

100% agree

@nyambe

3 жыл бұрын

With the 14s? lol should try that on your channel

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah man, I just love the change of headspace

@southernpride2003

5 ай бұрын

@@JoshSmithGuitar On my homemade electric guitar I use flatwounds always have always will I use la Bella jazz flats 9 Guage flatwounds with a wound g from another la Bella flatwound pack but for the 2 high strings I take a 8 Guage string pack so I can bend easily my style is country blues rockabilly and bluegrass you can probably tell by my profile Luther Perkins is my guitar hero

What a beautiful clean sound I’m in love ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Josh nailin' it....!

So SWEET!!!

So cool we can watch a guy like this show us his playing when not on an album and talk about these things. The one thing the internet made better.

Great video, Josh!

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

Such crisp tone...that guitar is gorgeous....huge tv yellow/butterscotch fan...love the look, the tone...everything!

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

Wow man thanks so much for this lesson ... very cool

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

Sounds killer Josh

Thank you for the T-Bone things!!! hugs.

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Any time!

Keep it up man.

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do!

I put flat wounds on my Rick 360/6 to tame the jangle and can make it sound like a jazz box. Fun

What people EXPECT from that kind of sound is the music you played. What I WANT to hear is how could that sound be incorporated into hard rock or metal or something other. Fantastic playing my man. That's some serious skill! :)

@strummer511

2 жыл бұрын

Check out Joe Gore's channel, tonefiend. He's exclusively flatwounds, I believe, and he gets gnarly with fuzz and stuff.

i bought this kids lessons,,hes great...

I really like the sound of that Ronin guitar. The last few videos with it sounded great. Especially into a clean amp.

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Cool, thanks!

I wonder if you ever jammed with Kid Anderson. He has some choice out of phase sounds, too. Excellent stuff, Josh.

tal farlow & herb ellis . . . i want a rig-rundown for what the old guys used . ..

Wow!

Great video !! Amazing playing too. What kind of old-style amps are you referring to ? Which amp did you use for that video ? Peace from France.

Hi Josh. Thank you so very much for putting your perspective/taste forward. You are one of the few of my musician heros I would actually love to meet and pick your brain. You get the jazz influence on blues like TBone and Hendrix myxing their Lydians. Please please please please please please please 🙏 would you do more videos on melting pot players, Cropper, Womack, Yates, Dupree, Hendrix etc - rhythm, doowop history swing jive jump, James Brown through to raffial Sadique, guitars, amps, settings all of it. Please please please please please 🙏 (don't go......I love you so 🛐🕺🦹)

I run chrome 11’s on my Fender Sixty-Six and I’ve never had a better sounding jazz/blues machine

great tone, great licks! Q: why wind the bridge pickup warm instead of just using a tone circuit to roll off the high end? would give you more options, no? You can always easily get rid of too much treble, but you cannot add treble that is not there if you were to ever want a bright tone for something.

@Drunken_Hamster

Жыл бұрын

It's in the bridge position. It'll have plenty of treble.

T-Bone Walker's out of phase pickups were no accident - one of the pickups on ES-5 guitars is deliberately wired out of phase (usually the lead pickup, sometimes the middle pickup). The individual pickup volumes on an ES-5 allow you to mix in that out of phase flavour. A lot of T-Bone disciples played ES-5's too, and went for that OOP sound - dig 50's recordings by Jimmie Nolen for some pretty extreme OOP quack!

Flatwounds save fretwear too, I always wondered why ross emery used them on his acoustic twel!ve string back in the day, fifty years later I found out,,,lol, l never cared for the lack of crispy highs and fwappy sound flats sounded to my ears but you make em sound great josh.btw I first saw you play with my old label mate Randy california with spirit at musicians exchange in early ninties. I played a lot with nadaoka.you came a long way Josh,way to go man

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Nadaoka!!! Nice. I remember playing with Spirit!!!!

when i started playing a family friend let me borrow his old gibson hollowbody and it had flatwounds. i thought these are great! easy to slide your hand over the strings and powerchords sounded awesome.

Damn that some good playing, sounds so sweet. I could not help but notice the dust covers on your small monitors have dents, I know a trick to fix them fairly good. Take some sticky tape, like packing tape, adhere on to centers of the dents, then yank swiftly, but gently, they will pop out sometimes nicely. :)

@liquensrollant

3 жыл бұрын

Vacuum cleaner! I can't remember whether I tried it myself, my memory's not what it used to be....

@freddymclain

3 жыл бұрын

i know that you can repair holes in a speaker with Elmers glue and toilet paper. Works great.

Recently bought a D'Angelico Deluxe DC which had the pickups accidentally wired out of phase. The store apologized and said they'd order new pickups and wiring and I thank you but NO! Sounds amazing.

Sounds so good! I got a pair of Gold Foils from 'At the Creamery' about a year ago that I still haven't gotten the nerves up for installing, but I'm curious about one thing: do you or anyone here know how they react to different resistance? I thought it would be interesting to install a switch that switches between the normal 250k and, say, 200k or 150k for a dark tone

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Not sure actually, sounds like a good project.

As Ginger Baker would say, "he got time!" amazing intro..

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you think so!

Sir you're a great player, can u please give me an advise how to play your style?

I have really liked the out of phase sounds on many Blues records, even though it’s only recently that I have put together that’s where the sound comes from. I’m going to add a switch to my P92 Tele. Love it with gain. It’s cool 😎 -- 14’s Flat Wound? Wow! Hard to image? I would love to try 11’s...maybe?

@Thoracius

Жыл бұрын

Just take some time to set up your guitar when you step up to higher guages. Higher guage strings allow you to set the neck with less relief and lower action. Playing heavier strings with a perfect setup is a dream -- so much easier and cleaner to play... unless you love bending whole tones, which is what you lose.

Hey josh love what you’re doing ! Thank you What software are you using for recording / mixing ?

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Pro tools

Is out of phase between two single still hum cancelling?

One of the Fender early days factory regulars and consultants, Gene Galien let me play his SG with flat wounds. Worst guitar experience of my 54 years of playing. Hated it. Hated the feel of the neck, the frets, the body, neck angle, etc... I especially the strings. REALLY hated that Gene made it sound so beautiful. Like you do.

Curious on running 14’s with your scale length and your tuning? I will run 12’s on a Tele but use Eb which is sweet. Running Alnico 2’s as well.

It wasn’t until about 4:30 that I realized in the background was this mechanical kinda of oscillating squeaking noise and I had to pause the video to see if my rig was catching some interference lol.

I've spent the past week learning that chorus from 4:35 and I can almost do it... Ruling!

Earl Hooker used them too!

@joshsmith Are you familiar with the"half out of phase"? If not, you might wanna check the Bill Lawrence wiring for the telecaster.

@marionrains5000

3 жыл бұрын

I believe that’s just out of phase with a certain capacitor value wired in line. You can recreate that 1/2 oop with your tone knob.

@joeowl

3 жыл бұрын

@@marionrains5000 Yep! As you can see here, I suggested it and Dirk Wacker made a nice column abou it www.premierguitar.com/articles/22967-mod-garage-the-bill-lawrence-5-way-telecaster-circuit

Let's be honest Josh, any pickups or strings are gonna sound sweet in your hands.

Flatwounds are where it’s at

can someone pls tell me songs that have that intro and phrasing 3:17?

Flats are OK, just depends on what kind of sound and feel you want ... OOP is fab, though. Been digging that sound since James Burton with Ricky Nelson, and Ian and Sylvia ...

Swingin’ Swagger

I will reconsider out of phase sounds after listening to this... in my guitar it sounds very weak.... I do use wimpy strings, though

@riniones

3 жыл бұрын

@@GCKelloch thanks for your advice, it sounds like the way to go... I haven't dealt with the wiring myself as the phase switch came from the factory as is... it's a late 70s Music man Sabre with active pickups. What you describe may also be what you can find on the Gibson L6s with the Bill Lawrence pickups? Thanks again

Hello Josh, what brand of strings are you using? are they are pure nickel ? thanks

👍

love flats on my bass but never tried on guitar. i know Buk says most of his guitars are strung with flats so there must be something to it for that classic sound. are flats harder to play/grip/bend at all?

@freto_cognito9001

3 жыл бұрын

They do feel a little stiffer than "regular" strings. This is due to the flat ribbon winding being made out of stainless steel as opposed to nickel plated steel. The added steel also makes them a little hotter on the pickup because there's more magnetic attraction. That being said, the biggest hurdle is over-shooting your left hand because the friction is so much less. You'll try to slide 3 frets up the neck and you'll likely end up at 4. It's kinda funny actually.

@marionrains5000

3 жыл бұрын

@@freto_cognito9001 dadario chromes are stainless steel. Thomastik infields (and others too I think) are nickel wrap ribbons. Thomastiks are orders of magnitude better. But order at least a size up because they’re lower tension.

Josh, your channel has started off top-notch; it's been really, really good. The only thing off is that in the last few videos there's been this high-pitch buzzing kind of sound throughout the duration of the video, and in this one too. Just letting you know so you can fix it. Damn good job otherwise!

@andrewculhane9082

3 жыл бұрын

I believe it may be the reverb, which seems quite high.

@S1MN05

3 жыл бұрын

Gear makes noise 🤷🏼‍♂️

Man, I can feel sweet pop of the attack of those notes in my finger tips like the juiciest bubble wrap.

Weird cool guitar!

Man, I usually skip extended intros before info, but that was so good

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

I appreciate that!

redwood body!

Yup... sounds pretty cool. Gonna have to cut another nut and order up some flats. Don't think I'll be buy'in new pickups though. Confused about an out-of-phase option. Wonder if a modeler could replicate that vibe? Maybe a robot could pick it!

Hi, i would like to try out some flat wounds, any recommended brands/sets? - cheers

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

I like pyramid flatwounds

@zombeer8340

3 жыл бұрын

@@JoshSmithGuitar alright, thx 👍🏼

The explanation of Out Of Phase by Josh is incorrect. When OOP the sine waves between the neck and bridge cancel the majority of the signal. You’re only getting part of the signal....essentially the difference which is created from the pickup locations. Which creates a quacky tone all 50’s junkies crave

@joeltunnah

3 ай бұрын

Correct, but 50s "quack" like a Strat isn't actually out of phase.

You’re such a freakin badass....

Great content! Please do something about that rhythmical squicking noise, it's super distracting! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Yep, It won't happen again.

Jimmie Vaughan is right in the wheelhouse here. Flatwound for days

@southernpride2003

5 ай бұрын

That and they feel good on the fingers I can play for hours and not get tired cuz the flatwounds strings and they don't really have that annoying finger squeaking noise

Josh, is Clint Strong on your radar?

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Heck yeah! Merle!

@seannolan2259

3 жыл бұрын

There’s some grainy KZread footage of him doing a masterclass at a music college in the 80’s which is just astounding I think..anyway, enjoying your stuff josh!!

I accidentally ended up with an out of phase, souped-up 2005 Epi LP. I switched the pickups to a Seymour Duncan humbucker-sized P-90 in the neck and a Gibson Burstbucker in the bridge. Terrible choice as the neck is like twice as hot as the bridge. But somehow I ended up with an out of phase middle position. Idk if I somehow I put the P-90 in wrong because the polepieces are right down the middle... Either way, I think I'm sticking with it for now. Really adds a lot of tonal possibilities and it's really most apparent if the pickups are both maxed out. If you roll one of them off it's like the other pickup completely takes over. Could have something to do with me also wiring it up classic 50's style.

@juka421

3 жыл бұрын

If you like it you should keep it that way, but if you all yiu need to do is switch the negative and positive leads to either one of the pickups

Aaaaand I just fell down a Lonnie Johnson rabbit hole... HOLY SMOKES.

Soup with your fingers in it. Makes a lot of difference. LOL.

The way this man just casually bends gauge .14 flatwound strings is just mind bogling

@southernpride2003

5 ай бұрын

Time and practice

jazzz

Did you tour with Saadiq about 15 years ago?

@JoshSmithGuitar

Жыл бұрын

Yes, for a long time.

@whototeru

Жыл бұрын

@@JoshSmithGuitar OK, thought I recognized you!

What is that at 5:55?!?!?!?!?!?

@southernpride2003

5 ай бұрын

It seems like Robert Johnson their red hot

I HATE the out of phase option on guitars for live use, you hit it accidentally and your sound is off, and there are enough challenges on a gig. But I do have the option on one guitar for the Peter Green stuff, it is a creative choice, but live - NO! FWIW You sound great with that guitar Josh :-)

14 gauge strings😬😬?!?!

@musicplaylists59

3 жыл бұрын

14 gauge flatwounds have more tension compared to 14 gauge roundwounds as well lol but they do feel really smooth and pleasing to play on

@marionrains5000

3 жыл бұрын

@@musicplaylists59 depends on the brand. Dadario chromes certaonly have additional tension, but the king of strings thomastik infields have significantly less. Thomastiks are also nickel. Heavenly.

@musicplaylists59

3 жыл бұрын

@@marionrains5000 yes those are the ones i use as well, they are very nice to play i agree. the gauges are different to chromes aren't they, the bass strings being thinner compared to the treble strings than with chromes. and also the Thomastiks have a round core instead of hex core, which apparently gives a smoother tone.

Unless one pickup is wired "backwards", or its magnet(s) are flipped, it's not actually out of phase.

Lol I thought he said 14 gauge Strings???

@JoshSmithGuitar

3 жыл бұрын

Indeed!

it's no secret- bigger strings=bigger sound. Stevie played .11's, but he tuned down a half step so he could ben 'em.

@deansley174

3 жыл бұрын

No, he played 13s mostly. You're another one of those that spew nonsense and present it as fact.

@southernpride2003

5 ай бұрын

​@@deansley174 Actually he used 17s later

You are one of my guitar heroes, so I am sorry to say that this statement "Out-of-phase" is SO wrong, but it is a very common mistake. If you use 2 standard PU´s and choose the middle position on the PU switch, you will get both PU´s in parallel, but they are NOT out-of-phase. If you use 2 8k PU´s, you will measure 4k, because they are wired in parallel, and they will sound different and thinner. If you want real out-of-phase coupling, one of the PU´s need to be reverse wound, and that is a whole other sound. Peter Green actually got that by accident, in that he once got one of his PU´s rewound, and it got reverse rewound. It was also mounted the wrong way around, but that doesn´t matter to the sound at all. That is only a visual thing. It is possible to buy reverse wound PU´s, but not many guitarists use them. If you have a set of real out-of-phase PU´s, like for instance the Bare Knuckle Peter Green Blues set, it is possible to dial in the out-of-phase sound gradually, by lowering the volume knob on one of the pickups slightly. When you use only one of the PU´s, the sound the same no mater if they are reverse wound or not. Fender makes a SRV Strat PU set, with a reverse wound middle PU, that also gives HB noise reduction in the middle PU switch postions. That is the true story about out-of-phase.

Wait, you mean to tell me _I_ _can_ sound like that if I buy a certain guitar? My life of practice has been in vain...