Re: Flatwounds on an Eastman MD315
When I got my mandolin (not an Eastman MD315) I tried Elixir Nanos and Thomastik Infeld "Starks" and if I never tried the flatwounds I'd have been happy enough playing the Elixirs. They sounded fine and felt OK. But after just a few minutes with the Thomastiks I'd not be willing to put anything else on my instrument.
They do have the easy on the fingers feel everyone is mentioning but mostly they just have a round, full, smooth tone that I love. I'm tempted to say they sound as smooth and easy to play as they feel. And they don't ever seem to wear out, the last longer than Elixirs or anything else.
But I think that smooth, round tone is something not everyone is looking for from a mandolin. They're probably not going to bark or chop aggressively for something like bluegrass rhythm playing. It's a very refined, melodic tone.
The first man who whistled
thought he had a wren in his mouth.
He went around all day
with his lips puckered,
afraid to swallow.
--"The First" by Wendell Berry
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