Sadowsky Flats: Who uses them and what do you think of them?

madbassplaya · #1 09-25-2009, 08:05 AM

I tried to order a set from Roger and they were sold out, but am about to try and order another set.

What do you guys like about these strings?

How's the tension?

How do these strings sound to you?

ErnieD · #2 09-25-2009, 08:30 AM

I just bought used/like new 5 string set from a TBer, got em in mail couple days ago. Just don't know what bass I'll put em on yet. Either Skyline's Jobo 5er, rosewood board (currently has Sunbeam nickels) or 55-02D w/maple board ( currently has DR BB's).

I've only used Chromes flats in the past. Leaning to putting them on the Jobo jazz but we'll see. I'd like some feedback here as well to better know which bass these strings will work best on.

lavaman67 · #3 09-25-2009, 01:28 PM

I have been playing Chrome flats for several years now too and Ed Freidland suggested that I try the Sadowsky Flats a few months back. I still haven't pulled the trigger on a pack because Sadowsky is out and so is the Bass Emporium, so I keep using that as an excuse. I really like the Chrome flats for the most part, but Ed felt I would like the Sadowsky's even more. He told me that the Sadowsky's are a great string, a little high tension, but you can use a lighter set. They are fairly bright at first, like Chromes, but over time they cure to perfection and last for years.

mongo2 · #4 09-25-2009, 02:02 PM

Who manufactures Sadowsky flats?

lonote · #5 09-25-2009, 02:13 PM

I have the set that were on my DarkStarred Artcore when I traded for it. They are okay but nothing to write home about. They remind me of Chromes but are a bit "twangier" IMO. I haven't felt the need to replace them on my Artcore so they can't be too bad.

lavaman67 · #6 09-25-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongo2

Who manufactures Sadowsky flats?

La Bella last I heard.

jasper383 · #7 09-25-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lavaman67

La Bella last I heard.

They are very different from the La Bella flats, though. the Sadowskys are very much in the brighter, Chromes style of flats, rather than La Bellas, which are more traditional sounding.

jasper383 · #8 09-25-2009, 07:18 PM

There are several shops on Ebay which have them in stock.

lavaman67 · #9 09-25-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper383

They are very different from the La Bella flats, though. the Sadowskys are very much in the brighter, Chromes style of flats, rather than La Bellas, which are more traditional sounding.

Hey Jasper,

What's your direct comparison of Chromes and the Sadowsky flats?

Thanks.

**lowendfriend** · #10 09-25-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

I tried to order a set from Roger and they were sold out, but am about to try and order another set.

What do you guys like about these strings?

How's the tension?

How do these strings sound to you?

I've been playing Sadowsky Black Label Stainless for about 5 months....

THey are a little brighter than some flats...my only other reference so far is Rotosound LD77's which are a bit thumpier but on a differnt bass (Dean Acoustic/Electric.)

I use Roger's on my Warwick Corvette $$ 5 String. If you are looking for a 5 string set, he's got one of the few B's tapered for a narrow bridge saddle slot used on $$'s.

Just played an outdoor gig with Peavey TMAX and 1x15 and I was mowing grass a hundred feet away with the B and E especially.

Tension is Mama Bear....in the middle. The only way I can describe well I guess is the B is not floppy and I have kinda high action and I'm not killin my fingers.

jasper383 · #11 09-25-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lavaman67

Hey Jasper,

What's your direct comparison of Chromes and the Sadowsky flats?

Thanks.

The Chromes, to my ears, retain a "ping" way up high even after they are broken in well. The Sadowskys don't have that, but otherwise they sound pretty much the same.

I currently have the 40 gauge Sadowsky set on my 5 string Ibanez fretless, and the 45 gauge set on my SR5, and both have been on there for a while. This is what I hear.

I have never tried the 45 gauge set of Sadowsky flats, and I imagine that's their best selling set.

**ExaltBass** · #12 09-25-2009, 09:10 PM

I've had Sadowsky flats (.040-.100) on my fretless Jazz for almost 2 years now and I love their feel and the fact that, although they have the flatwound sound, they possess more of a harmonic envelope and don't go to thump right away. They're smooth as anything I've played and the tension just 'feels right' to me. Highly recommended IMHO... BTW - I'm not a fan of TI Jazz Flats FWIW.

One Drop · #13 09-26-2009, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExaltBass

I've had Sadowsky flats (.040-.100) on my fretless Jazz for almost 2 years now and I love their feel and the fact that, although they have the flatwound sound, they possess more of a harmonic envelope and don't go to thump right away. They're smooth as anything I've played and the tension just 'feels right' to me. Highly recommended IMHO... BTW - I'm not a fan of TI Jazz Flats FWIW.

That's a great way to explain what I hear, too. The biggest diff between them and the Labella flats is the amount of thump (less) and the amount of growl (more). The Chromes on the other hand have more pronounced high mids, which gives them an unique voice, IMO.

What knocks me out about the Sads is the balance of clarity and weight I can get with each note. I've been fooling around with foam mutes on my J and the results are incredible with the Sadowskys, just so much character and sonic texture to these strings.

FWIW I like Chromes on a P more than on a J, and vice-versa for Sadowsky flats, but that's neither here nor there.

madbassplaya · #14 09-26-2009, 07:27 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I am a rounds player but was wanting a bit thicker sound without all the string noise.

**BluesyCat** · #15 09-26-2009, 07:31 PM

LOVE Sadowsky flats!!!!!!!!!! They make my Fender American '62 reissue come alive and bring on that Jamerson / Motown sound!! They feel great too.

madbassplaya · #16 09-27-2009, 07:18 PM

Well, I ordered a set today, so now we'll have to wait and see.

bassdoubler · #17 09-27-2009, 07:32 PM

I rocked a set on my '69 P-bass for almost 3 months and decided to go back to TIs....the tension is nice and they feel great but there's way too much trebly zing that happens and doesn't go away (even after breaking them in). I switched them over to my '69 fretless P-bass and liked the sound for a while but eventually switched them out for TIs again. The tension is pretty similar, but to me the TIs not only feel better but sound so much fuller....a lot more fundamental....maybe it has to do with the round nickel core or the TIs....

One Drop · #18 09-28-2009, 12:37 PM

I don't hear the zing with my fretted bass, but the highs do give them a lot more bite live than Labellas, for instance.

With a sponge mute they sound so great, too.

GeneralElectric · #19 09-28-2009, 12:50 PM

Anyone know if the Sadowsky flats come in a heavy 4 string gauge?

nemo · #20 09-28-2009, 12:54 PM

I use Sadowsy flats .45 set for about year and they are excellent. I also have Chromes, LaBella Deep Talking flats and TIs.
In my book Sads are at the top, then DTs, TIs and Chromes.
Sads are the smoothest feeling of the bunch, tension is just in the middle, comparable to DT. Soundwise they are similar to DT but with more clarity but still thumping. Chromes have some clank on the high-mids that I don't like and TIs are too low tension.
Sads are zingy at the beginning but after couple of weeks they ripe to the excellent balance of thump, clarity, richness, right tension and baby-butt smooth feel.
They have tapered B string that I sometimes throw in for BEAD tuning and this string is usable as well, in line with the rest of the set.

I can't recommend them enough.