Flatwound Strings: Sadowsky vs. Dr

[Scarrsese]

I hate that sticky / "cat tongue feel" of a string.



What string has a smoother feel?

Whats the tension like?




Thanks!

[lmfreeman9]

These two strings are very similar and little has been written here about the DRs.
I have used them both and prefer the DR's which have less tension and better thump.
It's close though and both strings have a smooth feel, similarly priced, the Sadowskys have slightly better highs.

[rheohead]

I am very interested in some more opinions this subject. I've been playing TI Jazz Flats for over 20 years on various basses ('69 Precision, '74 Jazz, 1984 Alembic Distillate, +...). I'm about a week away from picking up a Lakland 44-02 (w/Bartolinis) deluxe and the first thing I'm going to do is replace the roundwounds with flatwounds. I've narrowed it down to Rotosound 77s, the DR Hi-Beam flats and the Sadowsky flats.

Any wisdom/experience/opinions on feel and tone would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Scarrsese for bringing this up!

[UncleFluffy]

Tried the DRs and they're the smoothest (to the touch) flats I've ever tried. Haven't tried the Sadowsky's though so can't compare with those.

[Scarrsese]

Cool, thanks for the input. Imfreeman9, I assume you were talking about the .105 gauge for both sets. I would have went DR., but they only have one gauge. So I'm trying the Sadowsky flats 40-100, which might feel a little more comfortable to be.

I'll post when I string up the ray.

[Scarrsese]

Ok, sounds sacrilegious rite? Ray+Flatwounds=not a stingray?

Totally crazy. They add a fender-like roundness to the stingray sound. They are surprisingly bright & clear for flats. ( I think because of the steel vs nickle )

Bonus

#1 Absolutely no signature "growl" of the Stingray has been lost.
#2 You can't hear your fingers on the strings as much

More bright then month old super slinkies right off the bat. They are not as slippery, but you will have that because of more surface area contact with your fingers vs roundwounds. ( also because of the steel)

I recommend steel flats as an alternative to nickle wounds for punch clarity.

[CapnSev]

Flats on a Stingray are fantastic IMO. I wouldn't worry about "blaspheming".

[5string5fingers]

+1 I actually hate the tone of rays with nickels or SS strings. With flats they song sound as sterile and brittle. It gives them more balls and punch.