DR Legend Flatwound Strings: String Review

        This review marks another step in the journey to find the ultimate flatwound guitar string. Today we will asses the DR Legend flatwound strings FL12 .012-.052 for electric guitar. The test subject is a 2012 Fender Telecaster MIM with '52 style appointments: ash body, maple fingerboard, brass barrel saddles and vintage output pickups.
     

Reading the information on the package of strings one will learn all about the unique approach DR has to string making; the strings are handmade and are wound over a hexagonal (versus round) core wire. This handmade quality leads to a very consistent string feel and an incredibly quick stretch time (regarding time required to stay in tune). The hexagonal core is different in that the mellow tone of the flats is complemented by excellent articulation. DR states that the hex core string is a little brighter and tighter than a round core and this is especially apparent in chording situations; less of the loose feel.
     The DRs strung up very well on the Tele; the large .012s were not too big for the saddle grooves, nut slots or tuning posts (vintage split style). After about an hour they were settled into tune nicely and sounded with their "initial edge" for about 2 days. The texture of the string is smoother than D'Addario chromes but a little rougher than the Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Swing strings.
     Plugging into my Fender '65 reissue Princeton Reverb and playing the strings I realized a more mellow tone than the chromes as well, more like the sound of the '60s. Both pick and fingers feel good against the strings and tonal balance from 3rd to 2nd (wound to plain) strings is not overly noticeable.
     After 2 months the strings are still holding strong and mellow, the treble strings are just barely starting to show some fret lines. I will continue to play these until the trebles are done for (and I may actually just replace those two and keep the 4 wound strings on). Overall, I rate these strings as better than the Chromes and not quite as good as the Jazz Swings; I will start calling these a "poor man's Thomastik". I recommend you give them a try.