Sadowsky Blue Label Stainless Steel... yes!!
 

I just wrote this up in another thread but I feel that it deserves its own thread. ;) I had to switch from flats to rounds for my cover band because flats just weren't cutting it for some of the songs we're now doing. I've been using flats religiously for a very long time, and as much as I love their benefits, some songs really need that roundwound bite. So... I just recently compared 3 sets of strings: DR Hi-Beams, Sadowsky Blue Label SS, and D'Addario XL nickels. I strung each set onto my MIA P-Bass and played through several songs. Here's my simple take:

- The D'Addarios were easy to play, nice tension, easy on the fingers, but were missing some of that zing and punch I was looking for. I can see using them on another bass for specific songs, but I cannot see using them all night on the same bass. They were just a bit too dull for the funkier stuff we're doing.

- The DR Hi-Beams have the zing, but were missing that nice mid growl I like in a string. Even my preferred flats have better mids to cut through the stage sound. And they also felt a little on the cheap side. I'm not really sure why, they just seemed rough on the fingers and a little gritty (in touch). I definitely wouldn't be able to use these all night for all songs. The missing mids just won't work on stage for me.

- The Sadowsky Blue Label SS... all I can say is wow! I unfortunately feel like such a fanboy (and I don't like that ****), because I've been praising their Black Label Flats for a couple of years, I'm almost embarrassed to admit that these rounds blew me away! But all I can say is try them if you're looking for some nice bright rounds that have zing, mid range growl, nice top end, very pronounced low end, and a nice low tension that makes it easy to bend, pop, etc. They're just all around a great string. I will easily use these for every song. The nice thing is that when you roll off the tone knob, they become deep and punchy, but then just a bit more tone, and they're zingy with a bit of twang. Perfect all around!

I should really become their sales rep because I'm a huge fan! lol Seriously, for me to find my favorite flatwound and roundwound from the same company is very uncommon. But I'm pleasantly surprised!

I really liked the Blue Label nickels I tried out. But I don't like Sadowsky's pre-packaged gauges and they won't sell singles, nor do they offer a .135 so I can't use them.

Nice strings, though.

Yes, it would be nice if they had more gauges, but my preference is .40 - .100 so I suppose I got lucky with them. ;)

Agree, the blue label ss are great strings. They lasted longer than any other string I've used besides flats of course, and sound killer on my MV4.

I prefer the feel of DRs though.

Yeah, I can understand being drawn to a good feeling string. That's generally why I prefer mid-tension and smooth flats. But in my case, with this cover band, sound will always win over feel. We play mostly upbeat dance music, but with a mix of classic rock and ballads, and these strings can really do it all with just slight turns of the tone knob. I love that! The problem I have with the DRs is that the tone knob barely makes a difference on stage because of the mid scooped strings. They just won't cut through the mix with this kind of music.

DR Hi Beams felt a little on the cheap side???? They seemed rough on the fingers and a little gritty in touch?!?!?!?

Blasphemy

:)

With that said, I have no experience with any of the Sadowsky strings but there seems to be a lot of love for them around here. I'm noticing that DR is more of a love/hate thing for a lot of people nowadays....kinda like Rotosound.

Best low B in the business......well at least in my experience. That tapered B is nice and clean.

+1

but I do love the Sadowsky's!

I love sadowsky's blue label nickels!

Remember, I'm primarily a flatwound user, so most rounds are going to feel rough and gritty (Rotosounds are the worst, IMO). ;) The DRs felt more like that than the Sadowsky's when doing the comparison.

Yes, it's just that the general feeling of most on Hi Beams is that they are some of the smoothest stainless steel rounds out there. Perception is an amazing thing!!

So then you can just imagine how the Sadowsky's feel if I thought those felt better. :)