Club Sadowsky!!!

[Vic]

I use Slinkys on my p bass and Rotosound 66s on my Lakland. Anyone have experience with either of these on their Sadowsky?

I got a set of the RS66's with the sole intent of trying a set on one of mine, but haven't had the chance yet. I remember how well they worked on my old J basses back in the 70's and 80's, and wanted to revisit them. I'll post up when I do, but it may be a month or so before I do (long story).

 

[Killerfridge]

I thought I would just throw this in here - Too Young To Die - Bass Groove - YouTube

Just a quick clip of my Metro in action

 

[rulyongo]

I use Slinkys on my p bass and Rotosound 66s on my Lakland. Anyone have experience with either of these on their Sadowsky?

I tried Slinkys on my Sad Pj, and honestly don't remember if I liked them, I used Rotosounds and loved them, but still prefer Blue label Ss...

 

[Vic]

I thought I would just throw this in here - Too Young To Die - Bass Groove - YouTube

Just a quick clip of my Metro in action

Nicely done, and you gotta love Jamiroquai!

 

[metalstorm]

If you look really closely, you can see the sadowsky headstock make an appearance.

Latest band:

Killing Me Sof-tly - YouTube

 

[Joelc73]

While we're on the topic of strings, can anyone speak to the similarities/differences of Sadowsky flats vs. D'Addario Chromes?

I've never used the Chromes but I can tell you I absolutely love the Sadowsky flats. I had them on an NYC PJ5 and thought they were as good or better than the TI flats that I used before.

I would highly recommend them.

 

[roadkill2309]

Nicely done, and you gotta love Jamiroquai!

+1 and +1 on Jamiroquai. Runaway's one of my fave songs.

 

[ElMon]

I use Slinkys on my p bass and Rotosound 66s on my Lakland. Anyone have experience with either of these on their Sadowsky?

So far I'm really liking the 50-135 set of Slinkys on my alder/braz rw PJ5. Similar tension to the chromes that I usually have on there, and in general a very balanced set from top to bottom. Not 100% sold on the slap tone however, but that COULD be because I'm only an occasional slapper who normally likes flats!!!

While we're on the topic of strings, can anyone speak to the similarities/differences of Sadowsky flats vs. D'Addario Chromes?

I give a slight edge to the Chromes for their IMO better B string clarity, their slightly higher tension, and slightly brighter tone. The Sadowsky strings are excellent, but I greatly prefer the Chromes.

 

[NOLA Bass]

On the subject of strings, I love the Sadowsky blue nickels.

 

[BluesyCat]

On the subject of strings, I love the Sadowsky blue nickels.

Thank you- I thought I was the only one after reading the previous posts.

 

[P. Bass]

While we're on the topic of strings, can anyone speak to the similarities/differences of Sadowsky flats vs. D'Addario Chromes?

Can only speak to 4 string Chromes ECB82 (105-50) & Sad' SBF45 (105-45). Chromes are stiffer & somewhat brighter but break in (tonally) nicely after a few weeks. I like the stiffness because I play forward of the bridge pup a lot with a fairly percussive attack to get the notes to pop a bit ("old skule" flat wound approach). The chromes have a prominent fundamental that makes them sound more "full bodied" & "heavier". The Sadowsky 45's have a nice growl on the low end & a very balanced tone/sound over the 4 strings but slightly less "weighted" than the chromes. The stiffness & "edge" of the chromes take patience to get used to. You'll probably find the Sadowsky 45's a comfy fit from day 1.
IMO the Sad' 45's are the most suitable for someone who wants to maintain a more "calculated" round wound approach to attack & fingering etc. BUT.....
B.
PS: On any flat - before stringing the bass, unwind the strings & run the length of the string with a wet spot of rubbing alcohol on a cloth by pinching it around the string. It'll remove all the manufacturing residues.

 

[J. Brooks]

While we're on the topic of strings, can anyone speak to the similarities/differences of Sadowsky flats vs. D'Addario Chromes?

I had both Chromes and Sadowsky flats on the same Sadowsky p bass for periods of time. The Chromes I used were light gauge and the tension was a little lower than Sadowsky standard gauge flats. The Sadowskys were smoother and shinier, totally even up and down the neck and across the strings, medium (aka perfect) tension. Chromes, a little rougher feeling, duller color and a slightly brighter tone in the upper mids. The Sadowsky flats are versatile, excellent strings. They actually sound similar to my current broken-in set of Sadowsky blue nickels. I might choose the Chromes if I played rock with a pick all the time but for versatility and musicality the Sadowskys win for me, great finger style sound, good with a pick, really nice for slap. FYI I never tried Chromes standard gauge 50 - 105

 

[J. Brooks]

On the subject of strings, I love the Sadowsky blue nickels.

Agreed. These sound great. I love when they are well broken in, perfect old school sound.

 

[Fran Diaz]

Blair has written a great comparison of both strings. The text in bold shows the reason why I chose to keep having the Sadowsky flats as my favority strings. For me they have the perfect tension, tone and feel and they last a long time.

Can only speak to 4 string Chromes ECB82 (105-50) & Sad' SBF45 (105-45). Chromes are stiffer & somewhat brighter but break in (tonally) nicely after a few weeks. I like the stiffness because I play forward of the bridge pup a lot with a fairly percussive attack to get the notes to pop a bit ("old skule" flat wound approach). The chromes have a prominent fundamental that makes them sound more "full bodied" & "heavier". The Sadowsky 45's have a nice growl on the low end & a very balanced tone/sound over the 4 strings but slightly less "weighted" than the chromes. The stiffness & "edge" of the chromes take patience to get used to. You'll probably find the Sadowsky 45's a comfy fit from day 1.
IMO the Sad' 45's are the most suitable for someone who wants to maintain a more "calculated" round wound approach to attack & fingering etc. BUT.....
B.
PS: On any flat - before stringing the bass, unwind the strings & run the length of the string with a wet spot of rubbing alcohol on a cloth by pinching it around the string. It'll remove all the manufacturing residues.

 

[P. Bass]

Blair has written a great comparison of both strings. The text in bold shows the reason why I chose to keep having the Sadowsky flats as my favority strings. For me they have the perfect tension, tone and feel and they last a long time.

Fran, you're gonna get me to put my Sad'45's back on if you keep talkin' like that.
There is something very seductive about the sound of them.
B.

 

[barks]

I generally prefer a round wound string and my favourite have been Sadowsky Blue Label nickel 45-105 for quite some time now.
I prefer them to be broken in rather than zingy fresh too. At rehearsal last night with my rock band the Sadowsky RV4 was just sounding brilliant with the blend just favouring the neck pickup slightly and the bass boosted slightly. The strings must be at least 6 months old now. Felt and sounded great.

I also have a 57 reissue Fender P Bass that currently is strung with Sadowsky flats. These are really good even sounding strings and have a nice solid feel. I am sure I could leave these on for ever, although I may revert back to a used set of Blue rounds if I was going to use the P Bass on a gig. I haven't tried Chromes.

I did have TI Jazz flats on my Sadowsky bass for a while. Sounded great but I prefer the round wound feel. As I have another Sadowsky (MV4) on order I may well give the flats another go on my current bass and have rounds on the new one.

 

[Fran Diaz]

Fran, you're gonna get me to put my Sad'45's back on if you keep talkin' like that.
There is something very seductive about the sound of them.
B.

Just do it, let your fingers get used to the different feel. I tried to get the 'Chromes thing', I tried hard...and I failed

I do love your tone, but I didn't get the same out of the chromes, it might be my ears or maybe the calluses in my fingertips from playing DB, but they sounded a little bit too harsh for my taste and the tension by the bridge pickup was a little tighter than what I like.

 

[Fran Diaz]

I loved the Blue nickels on my NYC J4 and although I'm a die hard Sadowsky flats player, I always keep a pre-cut, pre-installed set of Blue nickels at hand just in case I want to hear more of that roundwound noise (and I say it in a possitive way).

I generally prefer a round wound string and my favourite have been Sadowsky Blue Label nickel 45-105 for quite some time now.
I prefer them to be broken in rather than zingy fresh too. At rehearsal last night with my rock band the Sadowsky RV4 was just sounding brilliant with the blend just favouring the neck pickup slightly and the bass boosted slightly. The strings must be at least 6 months old now. Felt and sounded great.

I also have a 57 reissue Fender P Bass that currently is strung with Sadowsky flats. These are really good even sounding strings and have a nice solid feel. I am sure I could leave these on for ever, although I may revert back to a used set of Blue rounds if I was going to use the P Bass on a gig. I haven't tried Chromes.

I did have TI Jazz flats on my Sadowsky bass for a while. Sounded great but I prefer the round wound feel. As I have another Sadowsky (MV4) on order I may well give the flats another go on my current bass and have rounds on the new one.

 

[Limeman]

I like the black label nickels a lot. I'd like to try the black SS next.

+1... I'm right there with you! I'm a died-in-the-wool EB Slinky user (for over 20 years now), have tried the Sadowsky Blue Nickels, but didn't find them quite my cup of tea. Recently I put a set of the Sadowsky Black Nickels on my MV4 and so far I'm really enjoying them.

 

[P. Bass]

Just do it, let your fingers get used to the different feel. I tried to get the 'Chromes thing', I tried hard...and I failed

I do love your tone, but I didn't get the same out of the chromes, it might be my ears or maybe the calluses in my fingertips from playing DB, but they sounded a little bit too harsh for my taste and the tension by the bridge pickup was a little tighter than what I like.

One of these days I'll find a good song to do an overdub w/both sets of strings w/the same bass & preamp settings & not tell y'all which is which & let you comment on the sound of the strings.
B.