Detail 01
Flatwound
The wrap is a flat ribbon, not round wire. Smooth under the fingers, much less squeak, and a darker attack.
Product detailSKU #1274115037062
ThomastikJS111 Light Flatwound Jazz Swing Electric Guitar Strings
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Flatwound electric guitar string set in light gauge, from Thomastik's Jazz Swing line. For players who want a smooth, dark string with low finger noise.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Archtop and hollowbody players chasing a traditional jazz tone
- Anyone who wants near-silent position shifts on wound strings
- Players who dislike the abrasive feel of roundwounds under the fingers
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Players who want bright, cutting attack and harmonic sparkle
- Heavy benders — flats resist bending more than roundwounds at the same gauge
- Anyone restringing monthly; the cost per change is high
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Light gauge
Lower tension than medium flats, easier to fret and bend. Still stiffer than a roundwound set of the same gauge.
Detail 03
Jazz Swing line
Built around archtop and hollowbody tone: fundamental-heavy, rolled-off top end, quick note decay.
Detail 04
Full six-string set
All strings replaced together. Mixing flats and rounds across a set gives inconsistent feel and output.
Detail 05
Price per set
Several times a standard roundwound set. Flats hold their tone far longer, so changes are less frequent.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Expect a truss rod and intonation check; flats pull differently than roundwounds
- 02Nut slots cut for heavier strings may cause buzzing or tuning slip
- 03Tone control and amp settings usually need rebalancing toward brighter after switching
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Will flatwounds work on a solidbody?
Yes. They will make a Telecaster or Jazzmaster darker and smoother. Nothing about a solidbody prevents flats; it is a tone choice, not a compatibility one.
02Do flatwounds last longer than roundwounds?
Generally yes. The smooth surface traps less sweat and grime in the winding, so tone holds longer. That is the main argument for the higher price.
03Are these hard to bend?
Light gauge helps, but flats feel stiffer than roundwounds at any given gauge. Wide bends take more hand strength. Blues-heavy players often prefer rounds.
04What gauges are in the light set?
Thomastik's light Jazz Swing set runs lighter than their medium, but confirm the exact gauges on the package before committing if you need a specific top string.
