Sadowsky flats vs. La Bella

[Volume4]

Nice review!!

I have then on both my basses now

 

[bassman_al]

thanks for a great thread!

 

[lowendfriend]

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?

I liked the heavier set better...especially the B.

 

[Joebone]

Thread revival.

Am now trying out a set of the Sadowsky .45-.130 flats, on a Sadowsky P/J. To calibrate, I usually favor R. Cocco nickelrounds, have kept a 4-string P/J strung with TI jazz flats for about 4 years (once my main axe, but now rarely used). and have used LaBella flats (and a lot of different rounds) in the past. The Sadowsky came with Sadowsky nickelrounds, but one of them was bad, and I frankly prefer the Coccos. I was about to buy a set of Coccos, but then decided to try the Sadowsky flats, somewhat out of laziness as the bridge was already set up for the exposed B-string core used by Sadowsky, and because the local bass bistro was out of Coccos.

I'm blown away by how good these strings are, particularly on this bass! On the Growlometer, they are real close to the TI's and leave the La Bella's far behind. On the Thumpometer, they approach the La Bellas and leave the TI's behind. The tension is somewhere between the La Bellas and the TI, which seems like a pretty good place. Surface feel is a wee bit grabby, but I'm loving the reduction in fret noise on slides. So it's like Sadowsky found a sweet spot relative to the other market leaders, and I like it. And the B-string is righteous and incredible, although I wonder if their .125 B-string might be a tad more continuous with the rest of the set.

The kicker is that these have a quickness of attack that I've never found in any flat other than the TI. AND they seem to have the pitch clarity and stability, particularly evident on chords and triple-stops, that I've only otherwise found on the R. Coccos, which is the main reason (along with great tone) that those have been my favorite strings over the last few years. AND when I favor the J-pickup and dial the tone control down by 60-70%, I get a sound with upper-mid bark, snarl and attitude that works great on Jaco-like staccato lines, which I love to have in my arsenal but can't get from all strings or all axes.

All in all, a great balance of virtues. I'm going to get a good set-up and stick with these over rehearsals/gigs in the coming month and then re-evaluate, but I can't wait to play them in familiar contexts with others. Excellent strings!

Revival/Update.

I ended up putting this 5-string Sadowsky Flat set on a 34" 5-string Lakland fretless prototype. 1 MM pickup (Nordstrand), the original Bartolini 3-way pre, ebony lintless board.

Magic…pure magic. It's gotta be a least 2.5 years since I did this, and I am way way happy with the sound and feel, and they are aging nicely. Have not gigged this bass much in last 6 months but for a while I was playing it every day (and still pick it up several times a week - would practice with it daily but really slammed by the day gig right now). Sadowsky says not to run these body-through, but my tech did run the B-string through the body, and so far, no problems.

I've bought another set of these for if/when I start having failures on this existing set. But they are absolutely fabulous on fretless - mwah and expression up the ying-yang, and a range of tones, near the bridge, that on aggressive finger style can sound like that late'70's brit-Pop flats-on-a-stingray-with-a-pick sound.

Amazing, amazing strings!!!!!! Thank you, Mr. Sadowsky!!!!!!

 

[Doner Designs]

I may be mistaken, but doesn't LaBella manufacture the Sadowsky strings?

The world of flats could be a lot simpler if we knew who makes the private label strings and how they differ from those offered by the maker under their own brand name.

I do wonder why Sadowsky and other similar find it necessary to offer strings with their name on them. Maybe they are custom gauges?

I would be surprised if even Fender makes its own strings (unless they own a string company, which they probably do come to think of it).

 

[michael_t]

The world of flats could be a lot simpler if we knew who makes the private label strings and how they differ from those offered by the maker under their own brand name... ...I do wonder why Sadowsky and other similar find it necessary to offer strings with their name on them. Maybe they are custom gauges?

I've had two experiences regarding how two sets of strings made by the same manufacturer can have two different personalities according to different specs.

The first set of flats I ever tried on my Fender J was the D'Addario Chromes (40-60-80-100), which started out alright but eventually turned rather unbalanced tonally with a thuddy E and a twangy G. Then I tried the Fender 9050L (45-60-80-100), also manufactured by D'A, and learned that, although they do have certain family resemblance, the 9050L was a better match for my J both in terms of tone and playing feel.

Meanwhile, my Fender P wore the La Bella 760FL for the first 3 months. I do love the combination of P + La Bella for the classic thump, but just out of curiosity, I decided to try the Sadowsky Lite (40-60-80-100) to see if there is enough difference between the two. Again, coming from the same family, they do share a lot of similarities, but slightly different personalities according to their specs. I actually like the Sadowsky better for my P both for tone and overall playing feel, though the differences are subtle.

 

[One Drop]

The world of flats could be a lot simpler if we knew who makes the private label strings and how they differ from those offered by the maker under their own brand name.

I do wonder why Sadowsky and other similar find it necessary to offer strings with their name on them. Maybe they are custom gauges?

I would be surprised if even Fender makes its own strings (unless they own a string company, which they probably do come to think of it).

Lot's of information already in this thread that explains the differences between LaBella and Sadowsky strings.

Many reasons to relabel or reformulate strings and sell them under another brand name.

-create a string better suited or optimized for a certain instrument

-make money on accessories

-increase brand recognition by having your name appear on string shelves and displays, and on websites and online searches.

 

[babaseen]

Great thread...thanks

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

I'd like to give thanks as well. I think I'll try out the Sads. I really like the 760FS but sometimes foolishly wish for a bit more growl and attack. Chromes are too much for me, so if the Sads are in between... could be a winner.

 

[michael_t]

I'd like to give thanks as well. I think I'll try out the Sads. I really like the 760FS but sometimes foolishly wish for a bit more growl and attack. Chromes are too much for me, so if the Sads are in between... could be a winner.

My post above (#46) was from Dec 2015. Unfortunately, the Sadowsky Black Label Flats have since been discontinued. If I were to be looking for something similar in tonal character, I would try the Dunlop Flats.

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

My post above (#46) was from Dec 2015. Unfortunately, the Sadowsky Black Label Flats have since been discontinued. If I were to be looking for something similar in tonal character, I would try the Dunlop Flats.

Thanks for making this clear. Luckily I already found this information somewhere else and did order some good old Labella 760FS.

By the way, I do like the Dunlops as well.

 

[mojomike001]

I find the Sadowski Blacks and LaBella Flats to be very similar to the touch. Both are very smooth and highly polished. If it weren't for the color or the silks, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart. Can't go wrong with either. Used Sadowski Blacks are probably somewhat in demand. I bought a used set last year here on Talkbass for something I built. I doubt I'll ever take them off.

 

[michael_t]

I find the Sadowski Blacks and LaBella Flats to be very similar to the touch. Both are very smooth and highly polished. If it weren't for the color or the silks, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart. Can't go wrong with either.

I tried the La Bella 760FL (43-104) and Sadowsky Black 40-100 back-to-back on my P bass. While they did look and feel similar (both made by La Bella), I found them to have very different tonal characteristics. I personally liked the punchy clarity of the Black Label's midrange character better than the tradition thump of the La Bella.

 

[mojomike001]

I tried the La Bella 760FL (43-104) and Sadowsky Black 40-100 back-to-back on my P bass. While they did look and feel similar (both made by La Bella), I found them to have very different tonal characteristics. I personally liked the punchy clarity of the Black Label's midrange character better than the tradition thump of the La Bella.

Just curious, were both sets new?

 

[michael_t]

Just curious, were both sets new?

Yes.

 

[vanderbe]

I've tried many different flatwound strings. I've used Sadowsky and Chromes and prefer them over Labella as the low E was just too dead and thuddy for my taste. I'm currently using Pyramid Golds as I was seeking something just slightly less bright for traditional jazz ensemble. I'm digging the Pyramid Golds! This flatwound review by Ed Friedland is excellent for insights.
The best flatwound bass strings 2021: how to choose the right flatwounds for you | Guitar World