Sadowsky "Blue Label" nickels

I took a trip to Bass San Diego this morning to get some strings. I usually use the Sadowsky Black Label nickel 5 string set as i prefer the tension of nickels tuned a half-step down and my bridge can only fit a taperwound B. They were out of the 5 string Blacks, so i went with the Blues.

Chris at Bass San Diego said these Blue Label nickels are "new" and come from a different manufacturer than the Black Labels. I had read that the Black Labels were from LaBella, and Chris wasn't sure where the blue labels came from. Anyone else have any info or experience with these? I feel that the Black Labels lose their "zing" rather quickly and im wondering if the Blues will do the same.

My first impression is that they are a higher tension than the Black Labels. The sound seems "slightly" more robust than the Blacks, but I'm at home, not in a band context right now. So far so good though....

 

Yeah, the high tension was the first thing i noticed. The Blacks definitely win in that category. I had been using plain old D'Addario's forever, but once my only bass became the Brute i had to come up with another solution. No regular B string will fit in the bridge.

 

Wow.. thanks! I didn't know D'Addario had a tapered B!!! That may be my next step. I absolutely love the old-school blue packaged bright D'Addarios. They last forever and just feel "right"...

I can definitely say that after the jam tonight, there is little to no "top end" with the Sadowsky nickel Blues. Much higher tension than the Black label nickels. I really do like the Black labels, they die so quickly though!



EDIT: just checked out bassstringsonline.com

I really had no idea i could get the D'Addarios with a tapered B. Hey mmbongo, you just made my night man! Thanks!!

 

Well, to his point.... he might've felt other brands were "crap". I can say that there are some brands of everyday products not relating to bass guitars at all that i think are "crap". "Toilet-worthy" might be a better term...

Yes, "crap" is in the eye (or hands) of the beholder i guess...

 

So i will say that after a week and a gig of using the Sadowsky Blue Label nickels i can say that they definitely have no top end and are major finger burners with the higher tension. I might as well have been using flats.

I really liked the Black labels... they lose their zing after one gig (IMO), but have a much nicer feel on the digits. The Blues tore my fingers up! Granted, im playing pretty fast rock/punk (kinda) but i think i'm going back to D'Addarios.

NO, wait.. i AM going back to D'Addarios.