Sadowsky Modern with DR Fat Beams ?

[Frank Kreber]

Hello,

At the moment my Sadowsky Modern is strung with the Sadowsky Blue Label stainless steels. I like them but the hex core makes them a little bit stiff so I want to try the Fat Beams and expect a broader, more singing tone because of the round core.
- Would you choose the 125 or 130 B string (I tend to 125) ? Why?
- Is it true that that the string action of round cores has to be higher compared to hex ( Some guy told me the round core means more oszillation which leads to more string buzz with a low action)?
- Or do you have a better idea than the Fat Beams? ( I play Blues/ Rock/ Jazz/ Soul: 80 % fingerstyle, some palm mute or slap but no plek)
Unfortunately I have a nickel allergy

Looking forward for your opinion!

 

[michael_t]

I've tried both the Fat Beams and the Sad Blue SS on the Ibanez SR1205E. I liked the FBs better for playing comfort (less stiff) as well as smoother surface texture.

The Sad 130B is taperwound, correct? I would go with the Fat Beam 125 because it's non-tapered and my experience tell me lighter non-tapered B's actually sound better.

Hex-core strings, being generally stiffer than round-core ones when comparing the same gauges, do allow a lower action without fret buzz. That said, the Fat Beams are slightly stiffer than either the Sunbeams or the Hi Beams because they're "slow wound" with extra tight outer winding. The Fat Beams I tried were 40-60-80-100-125 and I didn't have to raise the action (medium-low) after trying the Sadowsky 45-130T.

 

[Frank Kreber]

The Fat Beams I tried were 40-60-80-100-125 and I didn't have to raise the action (medium-low) after trying the Sadowsky 45-130T.

Hello Michael,
Fine that I can benefit from your experience. Yes, the Sadowsky Blues have a tapered 130 - normally I don t like the 130s but this one is an exception. B and E are very powerful and precise. IMHO A to D lacks of that singing quality I mentioned, they are a bit to clean. I know that build, wood and PU position are important factors, but strings are too often more or less forgotten in TB discussions.

 

[KellyC]

I just tried Fat Beams for the first time this week on a Fender P/J.
They sound very full on the P pickup, but I find that they are missing some punch and mid-range on the J pickup. My ears are shot, so it's likely that my deafness to certain frequencies is impacting what I'm experiencing, but they aren't nearly as bright and full as the year old GHS Boomers that came off of it. I feel like I have to play the strings harder to get them to sing.

Is this something that others have experienced? Is this the typical difference between nickel vs stainless wound strings? Did I maybe get a bad set of strings?

I hope someone here can help me understand what I'm experiencing with these strings, and share a remedy if there is one.

 

[michael_t]

I just tried Fat Beams for the first time this week on a Fender P/J...

...they aren't nearly as bright and full as the year old GHS Boomers that came off of it...

Is this something that others have experienced? Is this the typical difference between nickel vs stainless wound strings?

New Fat Beams not as bright as one-yr-old Boomers? That's a new one for me. No, I haven't experienced that. And no, that's not the typical difference between nickel and stainless steel; if anything, it's usually the other way around.

 

[KellyC]

New Fat Beams not as bright as one-yr-old Boomers? That's a new one for me. No, I haven't experienced that. And no, that's not the typical difference between nickel and stainless steel; if anything, it's usually the other way around.

It's the oddest thing, only explanation I can come up with is that it has some lower frequencies than the Boomers that cover up the mids partially due to my ears being washed up.

 

[31HZ]

I use either Pure Blues or HiBeams on my NYC Satin M5, with a .125 B string. Some basses seem to need a .130, but not the M5. IMO.