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Sadowsky strings: black label vs blue label

#47
Lorenzini said:
Not to derail, but aren't D'Add XL's a Hex Core string?

FWIW, I think one of the things that make Sadowsky strings so good are the hex core, the stiffness, if you will.. Which gives it a seriously clear sound down to the B string.
Click to expand...

perhaps, I don't know for sure...I do like them, however...
from the picture on the front of the packet, the EXP's are definitely hex cores...

Although I don't play a 5-string currently, I did have a 4-banger strung B-E-A-D with D'Add XL's and the B was quite good even on a cheap 34" scale bass...

back to the thread...who's going to a/b the black and blue for us? :)
 
#48
Sadowsky said:
And the winners are:

Stainless:
jazzbo58
funkasaurus
xgabriele
stretchcat
vicenzajay

Nickel:
1kinal
trevorofdoom
nonfatmatt
daveplaysbass
Click to expand...

Awesome!!!

Does anybody know what strings come standard on the Metro UV-70 Ash? I just got mine last week and I'm assuming the strings are Black Label Stainless from the feel, but if someone knows for sure that would make my review more helpful to those reading it.

Sadowsky's reputation for focusing on customers' satisfaction played was an important factor in my decision to buy one. Thanks again Roger!
 
#52
I recently received a replacement set of sbn-100 strings from Roger after having an intonation issue with an older black label set and there is quite an apparent difference. After a quick e-mail, I learned that the black label strings were also revamped. I had a chance to a/b the old and new black label strings and I am very happy with the change. The new strings are a bit less stiff, and out the packaging seem a heck of a lot brighter, which I really dig. I am still very interested in giving the blue label strings a shot, but as of now, the black label are my favorite light-gauge strings.
 
#53
Sadowsky said:
OK guys, I have 10 worthy bassists who will receive strings. Responders who did not include an address or tell me if they wanted nickel or silver were disqualified.

BTW: The Blue Label strings are not available yet in XL length for 35" scale basses. So if you did write me and need XL's, please let me know as I do not have any.

Look forward to reading your reviews.

Roger
Click to expand...

Hi!
I just put Blue Label strings on my 35" MTD535 and they fit nicely! I like their sound, tension and playability very much! :)
 
#54
Sadowsky said:
And the winners are:

Stainless:
jazzbo58
funkasaurus
xgabriele (Now Tony G)
stretchcat
vicenzajay

Nickel:
1kinal
trevorofdoom
nonfatmatt
daveplaysbass
Click to expand...

I would like to point out that I am no longer xgabriele, and am now Tony G. This was a change I made at the request of the sites admins. I will still gladly submit my review of these two type of strings from Sadowsky, but I wanted to make clear that they will not be posted under the name xgabriele, but rather Tony G.
 
#55
good crap, Roger, you are the man!!
i have used your black label strings as the standard on every bass that i've owned for the past few years. i love 'em!
i just got my package in last night... i almost pee'ed my pants!
i'm leaving on a two week tour in January, so i'll set up my Lakland JO with the Black labels, then halfway through, switch to the blues. that should give me a working idea of their sound differences, and also help me to gauge how they handle in the real world. one thing i'll be listening for, in addition to simply the sound differences, is if one dies quicker than the other.
so come January 19th, i should have a full report for you!
 
#57
First Impressions

First of all, thank you Roger for allowing me the opportunity to test drive these strings. Also, I have not really read up too much much on what others have said about the blue label strings, so these are very unbiased observations.

I haven't tried very many strings in my relatively short bass playing career (6 years). I tend to use what I know works and not deviate from it. On my other basses I use either nickel D'Addario XLs or DR Hi-Beams (only on my 4 string J). I have been playing a Sadowsky M5-24 since July and I have never used any strings on it other than the black label stainless steels which I really like for the following reasons:

1. They have a great tight sound on this bass.
2. I like having a tapered B string.
3. They are just long enough that the fat part of the B string doesn't go around the post on the tuner. (I know it doesn't matter, but it does to me :))
4. Competitively priced.

The package from Sadowsky arrived today and I went ahead and installed the blue label package. The first thing that I noticed was that they felt a little smoother on my fingers than the black label set. Once installed, I tuned up and plugged into my Eden CXC110 combo amp.

One thing I quickly observed that the tension seemed lower than what I was used to with the black label strings. However, the B string was still tight and notes all the way up the neck on all strings still sounded punchy with great clarity which is a hallmark of the Modern 5.

These strings seem a little brighter than the black labels and for the lack of a better term - a little "scooped" I guess. They seem ideal for someone into slap bass. The more I play them, though, it seems that the differences are pretty subtle. Overall, I do like the feel and sound of the these strings and I looking forward to giving them a real workout.

I will post a follow up to this review once I have had a chance to record and play out live again with these strings. FWIW, Silent Night, Stylus RMX Jam, and Demo Melody from my MySpace site were all recorded with the M5-24 with black label stainless steels. I'll try to record something soon with the new strings.

Stay tuned. More to come......
 
#58
Thank you, again - I received the evaluation sets and after the shows for this weekend, I will commence an evaluation period.

I can corroborate (even without them on the bass) what Stretchcat mentions about the "feel" of the strings. The Blue label set "feels" a bit smoother to the fingers.

More soon...Jay
 
#59
I also received my sets today (I received a set of the Black Label strings along with the Blues! :hyper:).

I'm crazy busy at work (retail job + holidays = madness) these days, but I should have a review up in about a week.

Thanks again Roger for the opportunity!!! Sadowsky defines customer service in my book. I just got my first Sadowsky (Metro 70's) a couple of weeks ago and I am already saving my pennies for a Metro P/J.
 
#60
played the first show of the tour last night. Black labels were on. black labels were go.
after having used DR Black Beauties (only because they're coated and don't die instantly on me) i had forgotten how high tension the black labels are. it kind of excited me to have them back on because it reminded me of having to fight my instrument (takes me back to my punk roots). soundwise it was on! i love the black label sound! not too boomy with nice growly mids and a nice top but not too much high end. i love the way these strings bring out the mids on my JO. it's crazy awesome.

i'll let you know when they die. i'll promptly change to blue's and give you my review.
 

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