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!
