DR Hi-Beam Flats vs. Sadowsky Black Label Flats vs. La Bella 760FL

[Ryan Mohr]

I have narrowed it down to these three sets. I would be using the 45-105 gauge with the Sadowsky and DR, as this is closest to the FL gauge.

I am looking for that classic flatwound tone. I need that thump and percussive quality to the sound, but I don't want to play on bridge cables. I would like a lighter tension, and I think these three provide that. I also like a very smooth feel when playing flats. As for the sound, I would like a fat, rich fundamental with punchy, prominent mids and a sweet, clear high end. I'm not looking for zing, clank, or brightness. Just an overall fat, buttery quality with clarity.

Here's an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzyj3Wxhjr4

[Jared Lash]

I went through a similar decision not too long back. I've played other people's basses with flats but this was the first time I was going to string up one of my basses with flats.

I narrowed it down to the DRs and the LaBellas. Truthfully I ended up with DRs just because I got a great deal on them.

Since I haven't compared flats I don't feel qualified to describe tone in any great detail, though I will say they are thumpy.

But as far as feel, they are fantastic and fast. And in terms of tension - I went from Sunbeams to these and while they're a bit stiffer it wasn't nearly the difference I was expecting. The DR flats are easy on my right and left hand. I love the feel of them.

[Caca de Kick]

Well in the last year I've had several sets of the Hi Beam and Sadowsky flats on a few of my Fenders.
The Sadowskys were lighter in tension and had more lively definition in the mids, a very musical string.
The Hi Beams had nothing to do with their name- that's for sure, they were some of the thuddiest and dead sounding flats I've ever tried. And their flexability was pretty stiff.

When I looked at the winding process, the Sadowskys had a little space between the windings, which made sense why they're flexible. But the DR's had no space between the windings and seemed very stiff, I didn't find them very musical.

But on Paul Turner....absolutely love the guys playing. But to me it seems he plays with a very light touch and low action. But no way I can sound like him with my heavy hand and med action, no matter what strings I use.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

I went through a similar decision not too long back. I've played other people's basses with flats but this was the first time I was going to string up one of my basses with flats.

I narrowed it down to the DRs and the LaBellas. Truthfully I ended up with DRs just because I got a great deal on them.

Since I haven't compared flats I don't feel qualified to describe tone in any great detail, though I will say they are thumpy.

But as far as feel, they are fantastic and fast. And in terms of tension - I went from Sunbeams to these and while they're a bit stiffer it wasn't nearly the difference I was expecting. The DR flats are easy on my right and left hand. I love the feel of them.

Thanks for the opinion, I wanted to make sure they were thumpy with the roundcore. Sunbeams are fairly low-tension, so it seems as though the DR flats are about the same tension as normal rounds.

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

Well in the last year I've had several sets of the Hi Beam and Sadowsky flats on a few of my Fenders.
The Sadowskys were lighter in tension and had more lively definition in the mids, a very musical string.
The Hi Beams had nothing to do with their name- that's for sure, they were some of the thuddiest and dead sounding flats I've ever tried. And their flexability was pretty stiff.

When I looked at the winding process, the Sadowskys had a little space between the windings, which made sense why they're flexible. But the DR's had no space between the windings and seemed very stiff, I didn't find them very musical.

But on Paul Turner....absolutely love the guys playing. But to me it seems he plays with a very light touch and low action. But no way I can sound like him with my heavy hand and med action, no matter what strings I use.

I like what I'm hearing about the Sadowskys, but I am concerned they are gonna be too bright.

It's interesting that the DRs have a tighter tension despite having a roundcore.

You think Paul Turner plays with a light attack? From what I have heard, the plays with a very heavy attack. Just listen to that Runaway live track, he is digging in quite hard. I have also read that he uses high action to compliment is heavy attack.

[Mastermold]

I've not had experience with the Sadowskys but have and am using both the La Bella 760FLs and DR Hi-Beam flats.

The DRs are more flexible and smoother (almost no lines between the ribbons). Both are pretty dull and thumpy, which if that's what you want is a good thing. I've personally been using TI flats more however because I get more tone out of them, but that's all personal taste. Either the DRs or La Bella FL set should be fine. I would not go heavier than the FL set on La Bellas however due to their higher tension. The FL set is just right IMO.

[marwady]

You got to try the Sadowskys, now my personal favorite.

See this thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...12#post7397012

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by Mastermold

I've not had experience with the Sadowskys but have and am using both the La Bella 760FLs and DR Hi-Beam flats.

The DRs are more flexible and smoother (almost no lines between the ribbons). Both are pretty dull and thumpy, which if that's what you want is a good thing. I've personally been using TI flats more however because I get more tone out of them, but that's all personal taste. Either the DRs or La Bella FL set should be fine. I would not go heavier than the FL set on La Bellas however due to their higher tension. The FL set is just right IMO.

Could you compare the tone a little more or is it really that similar? Dull and thumpy is what I'm looking for, I just don't want complete mud.

Are the D and G strings fairly dull from the start on both sets? Some flats I have tried a really imbalanced where the G string is super zingy and the other three are progressively thumpier.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by marwady

You got to try the Sadowskys, now my personal favorite.

See this thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...12#post7397012

Thanks! Any chance you have tried the La Bellas, which I think are fairly similar to the Sadowskys from what I have heard.

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by Ryan Mohr

Could you compare the tone a little more or is it really that similar? Dull and thumpy is what I'm looking for, I just don't want complete mud.

Are the D and G strings fairly dull from the start on both sets? Some flats I have tried a really imbalanced where the G string is super zingy and the other three are progressively thumpier.

Well in my experience both are zingy to start out and take at least a few weeks of daily playing to settle down. That's what you get with stainless steel flats. The La Bellas, for example, took a few months before the D and G were where I wanted them. But you can always roll off the tone to compensate in the meantime.

[marwady]

Originally Posted by Ryan Mohr

Thanks! Any chance you have tried the La Bellas, which I think are fairly similar to the Sadowskys from what I have heard.

I have a P bass w/LaBellas. Major thump but not as much definition.

To me, the Sads have the perfect blend of thump and point.

YMMV

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by Mastermold

Well in my experience both are zingy to start out and take at least a few weeks of daily playing to settle down. That's what you get with stainless steel flats. The La Bellas, for example, took a few months before the D and G were where I wanted them. But you can always roll off the tone to compensate in the meantime.

Cool thanks, I know the D and G will always be a little zingy with SS flats, but I'm trying to minimalize that. I'm pretty set on the La Bellas because I found a place that sells them for $26.

Originally Posted by marwady

I have a P bass w/LaBellas. Major thump but not as much definition.

To me, the Sads have the perfect blend of thump and point.

YMMV

Gotcha, well I will be putting this on a P bass so I'm going for thumpy and vintagey. If I was gonna put flats on a J bass I think the Sadowskys would be better.

[pickles]

Originally Posted by Ryan Mohr

Thanks! Any chance you have tried the La Bellas, which I think are fairly similar to the Sadowskys from what I have heard.

They're close but a little different. The sadowskys are a little clearer and cleaner, the 760FLs are a little earthier and meatier. Real close though.

I like the 760FLs a tiny bit better.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by pickles

They're close but a little different. The sadowskys are a little clearer and cleaner, the 760FLs are a little earthier and meatier. Real close though.

I like the 760FLs a tiny bit better.

Thanks, I think I'm gonna go with the La Bellas for that "classic" P bass with flats tone. I may have to try the Sadowskys on one of my J basses sometime.

[jasper383]

Doesn't La Bella make the Sadowsky flats? They would be more similar than different despite differing specs, wouldn't they?

[lowendfriend]

Sadowsky makes the only tapered B 5 string set I've been able to find. Expect my first set of Black Label XL's any day now. I agree with the earlier poster....wonderful customer experience dealing with Sadowsky.

If anyone else makes a taperped B set of flats, please let me know.

Have not seen tapered B's from Labella.

[wateroftyne]

Here's a vid of my P with five-year-old 760FLs. The amp is set pretty flat.. it might give you an idea of how that combination sounds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO2nalyeAsQ

I love these strings. I don't find them muddy at all.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by wateroftyne

Here's a vid of my P with five-year-old 760FLs. The amp is set pretty flat.. it might give you an idea of how that combination sounds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO2nalyeAsQ

I love these strings. I don't find them muddy at all.

Sounds great! I'm definitely going with the La Bellas.

[pickles]

Originally Posted by lowendfriend

Sadowsky makes the only tapered B 5 string set I've been able to find. Expect my first set of Black Label XL's any day now. I agree with the earlier poster....wonderful customer experience dealing with Sadowsky.

If anyone else makes a taperped B set of flats, please let me know.

Have not seen tapered B's from Labella.

I have a tapered .128 labella flat right here ... ordered it as a single to go with 760FLs and it sounds awesome.

[wateroftyne]

Originally Posted by Ryan Mohr

Sounds great! I'm definitely going with the La Bellas.

Thanks!

[lowendfriend]

Thanks, pickles!! Great to know of another! Not always easy to find info like that when u need it! I just got my Sadowsky Black Labels and I'm really diggin' 'em. Nice and thumpy but also with decent mid's a an interesting G that may be just 'cause it's new, but brighter than most flat G's unlike my rotosound 77LD's.