Flatwound String Jaguar Revelation

[Elliot]

So I put some D'Addario flatwound Chromes 12s on my Fender Jaguar (loaded with Curtis Novak pickups, BKP don't make Jaguar pickups).  What a revelation!  No buzz, almost immediate tuning stability (always a problem on a Jaguar) and the brightness of the Jaguar pickups + the 1 meg pot are perfectly offset by the mellow nature of the strings.  Plus the sustain problems of the Jag have gone as the thick strings carry the tone.  The  24" scale also works perfectly with the 12s - and the rhythm circuit sounds like a Jazz guitar - great for chords

I had heard that Leo Fender designed the Jazzmaster/Jaguar with flatwounds in mind and having tried them, I think flatwounds do seem to bring out the best in the guitar.

[Frank]

Sorry but I'm going to have to make a formal demand for sound clips here. That's just the way it's got to be.

[nfe]

I've a mate who always plays with flatwound 13s on his jaguar and his guitar sounds are great.

This band: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC-vMpjocCs&feature=relmfu (can't find linkable studio recordings in the 30 seconds I looked).

[Elliot]

Yeah! I like that - good stuff  :P

[jpfamps]

There's some great Youtube footage of Joe Pass playing a Jag live from the mid 60's. Sounds great (mind you it is Joe Pass playing...).

Jimmie Vaughan uses flats on a Strat and gets a great sound.

I've not the cojones to try this......

Does anyone know when round wound strings became the norm?

Presumably in 50s everything came with flats on?

[Frank]

I read a Jeff Beck interview, apparently when he was recording his Cliff Gallup tribute album he told his roadie to go and buy some flatwound strings, the response was "do you want me to fetch a doctor too?"