Sadowsky Flats vs D'Addario Chromes

lavaman67 · #1 12-05-2009, 08:08 AM

I've been using Chromes for about three years now. No complaints at all, great string. I think I am just looking for to shake things up just a bit. Does anyone have any direct comparison between the Chromes and the Sadowsky Flats? Please keep this thread to direct comparisons between these two strings. I have tried almost all the other brands of flats with the exception of Sadowsky and that's why I have been using Chromes for the last three years. Any insight would be appreciated.

DavePlaysBass · #2 12-05-2009, 09:24 AM

My experience is with the Group Three Ernie Balls 50-105 which I believe are the same as Chromes. The Ernie Balls have a round wound like clank that I did not really want in a set of flats. The still had the quick decay like a flat, it was the initial attack that some round wound like snap or fuzz around it.

In contrast, the Sadowskys have an upper mid definition that is hard to put words on. They sound like flats with a little more definition. Kind of like TIs in the upper end of the spectrum but a bigger bottom than the TIs. I much preferred them over the EBs. The EBs down low would have this trebly "fuzz" even on the low notes that I did not find all that musical.

**lowendfriend** · #3 12-05-2009, 04:59 PM

I started with the Sadowsky flats and haven't changed them yet....I love 'em for feel and sound. Especially now that I learned to setup intonation on strings properly.

One Drop · #4 12-06-2009, 04:04 AM

I prefer the greater definition and growl you get from their mids over the high mids presence of Chromes.

Also, Chromes seem to dull out more after a long while than Sadowskys, which also sound rounder with age but keep the growl and aggressive qualities that lakes them so sweet to listen to.

But in the end it's a voicing preference; I would say both do a great job at being modern versions of trad thumpy flats.

**WoodyG3** · #5 12-06-2009, 11:10 AM

It's been a while since I've played Chromes, but one thing I like about both strings is that they have nice highs. I think the Sadowsky strings are a little growlier, the Chromes a little more present in the highs. I'm going by memory, so this is FWIW.

One Drop · #6 12-06-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodyG3

It's been a while since I've played Chromes, but one thing I like about both strings is that they have nice highs. I think the Sadowsky strings are a little growlier, the Chromes a little more present in the highs. I'm going by memory, so this is FWIW.

Gab124 · #7 12-06-2009, 01:34 PM

which one is higher tension in comparable sizes? For instance, chromes 50-105 and sads 45-105.
I have had the chromes on for months now, and just ordered a set of sads just to see what else is out there.

lavaman67 · #8 12-07-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gab124

which one is higher tension in comparable sizes? For instance, chromes 50-105 and sads 45-105.
I have had the chromes on for months now, and just ordered a set of sads just to see what else is out there.

+1! Tension, feel? Any additional feedback is welcome.

Gary Lynch · #9 12-07-2009, 09:06 AM

I love Chromes. On sale for $24.99 too! Great strings for the price. I'll try Sadowsky someday. A player has to try and be open about strings. But it sure cost a fortune to try all of them!

lavaman67 · #10 12-07-2009, 05:22 PM

Bump for the Monday evening crowd.

Gab124 · #11 12-07-2009, 05:32 PM

still watching, and still waiting for my sads to come in

I will say this though, even if they are on par with my chromes from tonal standpoint, if they are more slick in feel I will be very happy. The chromes to stick a bit to the fingers......

lavaman67 · #12 12-08-2009, 06:05 PM

Evening Bump.

One Drop · #13 12-09-2009, 04:13 AM

Only from memory, the tension is about the same on both. I've never A/bed a set so I can't say so definitely.

pgbassman · #14 12-09-2009, 04:28 AM

I use XL chromes and was wondering the same thing so thanks for starting the thread. I find it hard to believe that Sadowsky, Lakland, etc have there own string manufacturing facilities, they have to be using another string company to produce their strings for them and then label them with their brand name. Anyone know the answer to who they use?

Gab124 · #15 12-09-2009, 04:35 AM

reading some of the other threads it seems labella makes sadowsky strings to his specifications. Apparently there are only a few actual manufacturers around.

Deep · #16 12-09-2009, 08:16 AM

For instance. GHS makes all of Lakland strings. The Joe Osborn Flats are GHS Precsion Flats. The SS are Super Steels and the Nickle are Boomers. They actually all sound great on the Laklands.

Jehos · #17 12-09-2009, 11:14 AM

I'm a recent flat convert who just got a set of Sadowskys to replace a set of Chromes.

Chromes:
- MUCH brighter, they're almost roundwound bright.
- A bit lower tension
- MONSTER silk on the ball end--I switched to Sadowskys because they didn't fit in the tailpiece of my Warwick. If you have a bass that is really tight on the bridge end in terms of what strings will fit, beware that Chromes might not fit at all.

Sadowsky:
- Much closer to a traditional flat sound, although still some mids there.
- Tapered ball ends, they'll fit anything
- Higher tension than the Chromes, but not a lot higher
- My E-string broke as soon as I tuned it up. I realize that's probably just a bad string, but it means I didn't get to really play them last night when I put them on. I've got to wait for another set to get shipped out from NYC since there aren't any dealers around here that stock them.

In terms of the feel sliding up and down the string, they're both about the same. I never felt like the Chromes were grippy, they're actually MUCH smoother than a new set of XL Nickelwounds that I usually use. The Sadowskys aren't as bright in color as the Chromes, and they have a nice medium gray silk around the tuning peg ends that probably matches most basses better than the purple on the Chromes, if you care about that sort of thing.

blowinblue · #18 12-09-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jehos

My E-string broke as soon as I tuned it up. I realize that's probably just a bad string, but it means I didn't get to really play them last night when I put them on. I've got to wait for another set to get shipped out from NYC since there aren't any dealers around here that stock them.

Interesting. I use Sadowsky flats on three of my basses. All purchased from Bass Emporium. The first set I purchased (regular length) was for a 5-string Elrick. I loved them, but the silk on the B-string rested on the nut. Keep in mind that Elricks are 35" scale without string-through-body bridges. I emailed Roger and like the stand-up guy that he is, he sent me a new X-Long B-string absolutely free.

Next I purchased a couple of 4-string sets for my Stambaugh P-bass. In both sets, the D string was about 2 1/2" shorter that the other strings in the set making it impossible to get enough wraps around the post. The D strings sounded dead, as well. Once again, an email to Roger resulted in replacement strings at zero charge. What a classy guy. Having said all this, I'm wondering if LaBella is not giving Sadowsky strings the same attention to QC that they give to their own. I hope that's not the case.

Anyways, Roger is great to deal with and I really dig the Sadowsky flats. But enough about me.

M. M.

Jehos · #19 12-09-2009, 04:23 PM

Yeah, I actually e-mailed Alex (the web storefront guy) explaining what was going on, I'm sure I'll get some kind of good answer. I do have to say that I really did dig the tone of the 4 of 5 strings that ended up on my Warwick.

One Drop · #20 12-10-2009, 01:00 PM

Only Sadowsky flats are made by LaBella, the rounds are made by another string manufacturer. There is a lot of info in the Sadowsky string thread here.

They aren't simply re-branded but are made to his specs.

Lakland JO flats are merely rebranded GHS flats, though. Great strings in any case!

There are in fact many more string makers these days than in the past, but of course many brands do not make their own but have arrangements with other companies. But the old canard that all strings are made by just a few string-winding companies is bollocks.