|  | | 
03-13-2011, 04:14 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NYC | | | Sadowsky flats vs. La Bella
Sign in to disble this ad
I have the standard gauge labella flats on a jazz style bass right now. I like them but would like a bit more growl and complexity to the midrange. I've seed description of the sadowsky flats as sounding very close to the labellas. Others say they are brighter and noticeably different. Looking to get more direct comparisons - if you've tried both let me know what you think. Please don't suggest the TI's - the low tension of those is not for me. |
03-13-2011, 04:15 PM
|  | OVNIFX
EXAR pedals rep for North & Central America | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: PDX, OR | | | I may be mistaken, but doesn't LaBella manufacture the Sadowsky strings? |
03-13-2011, 04:20 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NYC | | Quote:
Originally Posted by bongomania  I may be mistaken, but doesn't LaBella manufacture the Sadowsky strings? | Thats what I gather from reading posts here. I'm wondering if the sadowsky's are any different. |
03-13-2011, 05:10 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Durham NC | | Yes, La Bella makes the Sadowsky flats, to Sadowsky specs.
They are different; the Sadowskys are brighter, more like Chromes, to my ears. If you married La Bellas and Chromes, that is what I hear.
I could be wrong though, strings are funny. People can hear huge differences between Ernie Ball flats and Chromes, or the new Fender flats and Chromes, and I can't at all. So, I may not be the best authority.  |
03-13-2011, 07:09 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario | | | Also aren't the Sads nickel vs the La Bella's SS? |
03-14-2011, 05:54 PM
| | Dry and Heavy | | Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Swiss Alps | | Quote:
Originally Posted by bassboysam Also aren't the Sads nickel vs the La Bella's SS? | No, both are SS. I have a feeling the alloys are different, the wrap colours are not the same.
I find the Sadowskys are growlier, and a bit brighter than LaBellas in a similar guage. Chromes emphasize slightly higher mid frequencies than the Sads, IMO.
Both can cut better than Labellas, which are thumpier than the other two, but they cut in different ways. |
03-14-2011, 07:57 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Coeur d'Alene | | Quote:
Originally Posted by One Drop No, both are SS. I have a feeling the alloys are different, the wrap colours are not the same.
I find the Sadowskys are growlier, and a bit brighter than LaBellas in a similar guage. Chromes emphasize slightly higher mid frequencies than the Sads, IMO.
Both can cut better than Labellas, which are thumpier than the other two, but they cut in different ways. | +1
Sadowskys have the most "growl" and "grind" of any flat out there IME. Sads almost sound like rounds in a flats package to me.
Sadowskys also seem to be much more flexible than LaBellas to me.
__________________
"Resentments are the rocket fuel that lives in the tip of my sabre." |
03-14-2011, 09:01 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NYC | | | Thanks
Sounds like the Sads are what I'm looking for - la bellas with more mid growl. For those that have used these strings: which gauge did you use and how was the feel in terms of tension? |
03-14-2011, 09:03 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Coeur d'Alene | | | I used both available gauges. I preferred the .40-.100 light gauge, but I like the heavier .130 low B much better.
__________________
"Resentments are the rocket fuel that lives in the tip of my sabre." |
03-14-2011, 09:12 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NYC | | Quote:
Originally Posted by CapnSev I used both available gauges. I preferred the .40-.100 light gauge, but I like the heavier .130 low B much better. | What's the difference in sound and feel between the regular and light gauges? |
03-14-2011, 09:21 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario | | | where can you but them? Juststrings doesn't carry Sadowsky... |
03-14-2011, 11:23 PM
| | Dry and Heavy | | Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Swiss Alps | | | I've only played the 4 string .105 set. Honestly I can't say much about the tension, they feel like the LaBella FL760 set to me, but I'm not too sensitive to tension differences.
I got mine from an eBay seller, cheapest I found them. I have 2 basses with them and they are both a few years old now; they can do the Motown think and they can rock pretty hard, too. Very versatile.
I think they are very popular with session guys, they record beautifully. |
03-14-2011, 11:37 PM
|  | Junkyard Scout | | Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Dominican Republic | | | I buy all my sadowsky strings direct from them, they have an online shop on their website...
__________________
Proudly using Musicman basses, vintage ibanez copies, and custom builds.
Amps: Ampeg b15n + Acoustic 370
Cabs: mesa 1000 + Ampeg Heritage 410
I stomp on EBS, EHX, and MXR pedals.
|
03-15-2011, 09:10 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Coeur d'Alene | | Quote:
Originally Posted by basss What's the difference in sound and feel between the regular and light gauges? | The light gauge is a looser feel (obviously), but I personally don't think there is much of a tone difference.
__________________
"Resentments are the rocket fuel that lives in the tip of my sabre." |
03-15-2011, 04:26 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario | | | Ha! so I go to order a set from Sadowsky and they want to charge me $19 to ship 1 package of strings....found another set at bassemporium $37.99 (that's just the shipping!!!)
forget it, i'll stick to my La Bellas. |
03-15-2011, 07:27 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: NYC | | Quote:
Originally Posted by bassboysam Ha! so I go to order a set from Sadowsky and they want to charge me $19 to ship 1 package of strings....found another set at bassemporium $37.99 (that's just the shipping!!!)
forget it, i'll stick to my La Bellas. | Their shipping is a bit pricey! I paid $7.something for priority mail from brooklyn to queens. The subway would have cost $4.50 though. I paid an extra $2.50 to get them shipped to my door. |
04-12-2011, 07:43 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, UT | | Since this is the most recent thread regarding Sadowsky Flats, can I link to my new thread here? You've convinced me to try these strings, now I can't decide how to string them up. There are no directions on the package, but I know it's a no-go with the Labella's. Sadowsky Flats - Tapered B-string strung through body?
Also, in response to the shipping complaints, www.basssandiego.com mailed me my set for $3. I doubt they would ever charge more than $5 flat rate. Those guys are great.
Last edited by kai_ski : 04-12-2011 at 08:34 PM.
|
04-12-2011, 08:15 PM
| | Registered User
Managing Editor, Bass Guitars Editor, MusicGearReview.com | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by kai_ski Since this is the most recent thread regarding Sadowsky Flats, can I link to my new thread here? You've convinced me to try these strings, now I can't decide how to string them up. There are no directions on the package, but I know it's a no-go with the Labella's. Sadowsky Flats - Tapered B-string strung through body? | I'm using Sadowsky XL flats on my Lakland 55-94, 35" scale, strung through the bridge, and the B is not too long this way. I'm very pleased with the strings -- punchy, lots of bottom and just enough snap. Nice tension, too, but I never had a problem with the way TIs feel. Mush less stiff than Chromes. I have Labellas on my Hofner but that's not a fair test of tension.
__________________
Lakland 55-94D, Steinberger XL-2, Hofner Icon, Kala U Bass, Stagg EUB, Line 6 Studio 110, Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 112T & NEOX 112T.
|
04-12-2011, 08:28 PM
| | | | The thing that bugs me the most about being a bass player is how much it costs to try out a new set of strings. I know flats last forever, and once you settle on a pair you like the cost is minimal, but it's so expensive to try a set out if you don't like them.
__________________
Washington State Bassist Club #40, Wood Matters Club Member #18
"If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy"
|
04-12-2011, 08:57 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bend, Oregon | | Quote:
Originally Posted by prd004 The thing that bugs me the most about being a bass player is how much it costs to try out a new set of strings. I know flats last forever, and once you settle on a pair you like the cost is minimal, but it's so expensive to try a set out if you don't like them. | I come from the double bass world so to me buying a set of BG strings is like buying a candy bar at the grocery store. The only difference between strings and Hershey bars is you can sell the stings on TB if you don't like them and recoup at least half of your money.
__________________
John
When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water...
| | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off | | | |
