Hey guys, title says it all. I'm just looking for some input on these. I tried a search and found a bunch a people saying they were great, but not giving a reason. So I was curious to hear why people like them. Thanks.
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Sadowsky Black Label Flats... Thoughts?
- Thread starter thatbasskid597
- Start date
I have had the 45-105 set on a few basses over the years.
A lot like La Bellas (word is La Bella makes them to Sadowsky specs). Maybe a little brighter and "modern" than La Bellas, but that may be my ears playing tricks on me.
Fat and warm with some high end like La Bellas. Very smooth and have a very "high quality" feel to them.
I have wanted to try the light set, but haven't gotten around to it.
A lot like La Bellas (word is La Bella makes them to Sadowsky specs). Maybe a little brighter and "modern" than La Bellas, but that may be my ears playing tricks on me.
Fat and warm with some high end like La Bellas. Very smooth and have a very "high quality" feel to them.
I have wanted to try the light set, but haven't gotten around to it.
Thanks. I heard that too about LaBella making them. How would you compare them to Chromes or TI's in terms of brightness?
I've used pretty much every brand and gauge of flats and Sadowsky Black Labels are in my top 3. I swing between them and Pyramid Gold flats as my goto string (with TIs on a specific bass). What I like about Sadowsky BLs is that they're mid tension, they have that classic thump when you need it, and also have very balanced highs. One of the best things about them is that they feel so smooth. Kind of like glass. I currently have them on one of my P basses and people comment on my sound all the time. They generally ask about the bass, but what they don't know is that it's the strings making the difference. 
I think of them as Labellas with a bit less thump and a bit more low-mid growl. because of this they sound a bit more 'modern' and are a bit more versatile. The mids are gorgeous and rich, the balance of lows to mids to highs is seamless, and there is just enough top to be very articulate but still sound like trad flats.
I have a set on my '66 P, which has an extrmemly big low end for a P. They punch so hard on this bass it hurts.
Very smooth, too, as mentioned. Luxury strings.
I have a set on my '66 P, which has an extrmemly big low end for a P. They punch so hard on this bass it hurts.
Very smooth, too, as mentioned. Luxury strings.
- Tension between Chromes and TI's
- Low - Mid growl (as much as flats can growl)
- Great thump to carry that low-end goodness
- Smooth feel
I have tried many strings and I can always get a good, non-clank, low-mid action, comfortable setup with these.
My all-time faves for sure.
- Low - Mid growl (as much as flats can growl)
- Great thump to carry that low-end goodness
- Smooth feel
I have tried many strings and I can always get a good, non-clank, low-mid action, comfortable setup with these.
My all-time faves for sure.
I once tried the Sad Blacks 40-100 on my P. Wonderful flats with rich smooth mids for punch and articulation. Between the Sads and the GHS P Flats, I would definitely take the Sads for their tonal qualities, considering the actual difference in stiffness is not night and day.
A set of the Sadowsky Black Label flats came of a used bass I bought right here on talkbass. To me, they feel just like Labella Flats. I've got Labellas on a couple of other basses and if it weren't for the different colored silk, I doubt I could tell them apart from the Sadowsky's. Both the Sadowsky's and the Labellas are highly polished and very smooth to the touch.
I have not tried the GHS P Flats on either on my two personal basses; however, I have played them on someone else's bass once. Based on everything I've read in the last 4 years, it's safe to say the Sad Blacks (made by La Bella) are slightly stiffer than the GHS.
For something less stiff than the GHS, you'd be looking at the Sads BLUE Label, Dunlop and EB Cobalt.
Just realized you're the one with a thread on the Dunlop Flats. I would say they're a better choice for you than the Sad Blacks.
I agree completely. Brand new, the P Flats are just a little bit smoother, but, after a month or 2, they feel almost identical.
Last year, I switched from LaBella flats to Sadowsky Black Label Flats on my old (1961) P-Bass. 40-100 gauge. Unless one of them breaks, I'll never change them again. As One Drop said above, they really are luxury strings. Perfect tone, perfect feel, and perfect tension (for me). I thought they sounded great right out of the pack, but they keep getting better with time.
