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Sadowsky strings: black label vs blue label

i've ordered my first sets of sadowsky strings ever like a month ago..
the seller said it was lost in the mail and came back and he reshipped it via priority and still not arrived well passed the expected delivery date..
now the seller isn't replying to me at all :hmm:

Did you order them from Sadowsky or somewhere else?
Please resend your correspondence to me. I'll make sure it gets taken care of.

Roger
 
*Got my replacement Black Label D string today to replace the one that I had with a gap in the wrap. When I grabbed the package out of the mailbox I noticed that it felt a little thick and heavy for being just one string. Low and behold when I open it not only do I find a brand new Black label D string but there is also a brand new set of Blue Label strings. :hyper::hyper::hyper:

*Sadowsky definitely has me string business from here on out. Looking forward to trying the Blues and seeing which I like better. Thank you Roger!!! :D:D:D
 
I've got Blue label Nicks on my Sadowsky and Blue label SS on my Spector. I've had them on the Spector for about a month now. The E string changed character (less bright) but still sounds good. It's been two weeks now and the remaining strings still sound bright. Is this normal or did the E-string mellow-out too soon?
 
The E string is the first to go a lot of the time no matter what the string set is since we bassists tend to use it the most, and rest our thumbs on it when not playing it. That's a lot of extra grease in the windings.
 
+1 plus the windings are bigger/more abrassive on your fingers = more dead skin/goop ect... yeah, E & low B strings always go first for me.

I'm no pro but I've been playing long enough to know when something is not right. I replaced the E string with an OLD Ken Smith SS I had just hanging around. The set is now balanced in tone and brilliance. The Smith E string has more low-end also. The Sadowsky E string appears questionable. :(

I'll replace the set tomorrow.

I'm not looking for a replacement -- just stating the facts.

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+1 I don't think ALL Sadowksy E stings are questionable... matter of fact I've gone through a buncha sets with the E string sounding super bright

I didn't say "ALL".

I stated "the" Sadowsky E string appears questionable.
"The" Smith E string is balanced with the rest of the Sadowsky set.
BTW, the SS strings only had about 10 hours play time on them.

My Sadowsky Blue nickels are smokin'! I've had these on about five months now.



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I decided to remove the s-steel strings all together. I'm going to use nickels on this bass instead. I just ordered two sets of Sadowsky Blues: 4-string nickels and 5-string nickels.

FWIW: During my dilemma, however, I discovered that Ken Smith Rock masters (SS) and Burners (N) strings are nearly identical to Sadowsky Blue labels. They are identical is looks, feel, and tone! I've always liked Smith strings. The only drawback of the Smiths Burners is the orange silk--the Sadowsky blue looks awesome.
 
They're about as different as two strings could possibly be.

+1 I dig them both, but still think the DR Hi Beams are the greatest thing to ever happen to the bass guitar!

The Blue's are tighter tension, and have a MUCH higher upper mid content. They are aggressive and they growl quite a bit. I like them very much on my MV5, and it makes that instrument (relatively heavy solid ash and single coils) just snarl and growl.

The DR Hi Beams are very smooth, and have a bit of a dip in the upper mids, which allows the very crisp and pure upper treble to really shine. They are moderate tension, which I dig a lot, and they last a LONG time (i.e., they keep that 'second stage brightness after the initial sizzle wears off for longer than any other string).

So, the Sadowsky Blues are tight feeling, they have a typical stainless steel 'feel' (i.e., a little rough), LOT's of upper mid growl, and a full, deep low fundamental. They last a moderately long time for me. If I had to describe them in a word or two, it would be 'aggressive and big sounding'. To me, they give you 'more' of what the DR Lo Riders are.

The DR Hi Beams have a bit of give to them, have a very smooth feel (closer to nickel strings than most stainless brands), have a nice fat low end and a beautiful upper treble response with a bit of a dip in the upper mids. They last a ridiculously long time for me. If I had to describe them in a word or two, it would be 'smooth and articulate'.

IMO as always. I will continue to use both the Hi Beams (45-125, and the Sadowsky Blues (45-130) at this point.
 

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