Sadowsky Strings - good or bad?

[machine gewehr]

Once I bought these Sadowsky Bright Nickels.

On the package it was written:The best you've ever played.

For the first time in my life,a package was not lying.

 

[BluesyCat]

No change to the flats. No way I can make those any better!!

Roger

That's it. I've read enough and I'm convinced now. I'm going to try your flatwounds. I've never tried any flatwounds yet 'cause I've been putting it off for the longest time trying to figure out which ones to buy. They will go on my Fender '62 reissue p-bass. I know I will not be disappointed.

 

[BluesyCat]

Update:
Yep. I have them now and I LOVE them. Sadowsky's flatwounds are FABULOUS strings. NO need to try any others! They really deliver the vintage tone that I was looking for.

 

[Bassman8416]

I did the same with my Metro and loved the sound. I just bought some of Roger's new blue wrapped stainless steels but haven't tried them yet as I had just put on my last set of the gray wraps for a gig on friday.

I just took my new Metro Home the other day.....the Most amazing Bass I have ever played, and I can actually say I own it....that being said,"Which Sadowsky Strings are on the Metro 4 string I took home on Thursday"? I Love the sound,feel, gauge, everything.I'll e-mail Roger or Kevin but i figured since we are here talking about it, figured I would throw it out there.

 

[medawc]

I've just put on my bass my first Sadowsky Nickel 40-125 strings. EADG strings sound brilliant, but... the B string is COMPLETELY dead! Sounds very dull, way different than the rest.
Anyone experienced such problem?

 

[Sadowsky]

I've just put on my bass my first Sadowsky Nickel 40-125 strings. EADG strings sound brilliant, but... the B string is COMPLETELY dead! Sounds very dull, way different than the rest.
Anyone experienced such problem?

Sorry about this. Just send us an email with your address and we will send you a replacement B string.

Roger

 

[jacobmyers]

I just installed a set of these on my Hohner PJF1 (fretless with passive "PJ" pickups). I had to make some saddle and truss rod adjustments because the string tension is lower than the Ernie Ball flats that were on before. My first impression is that I like the tone of these better than the EB. I replaced the tone capacitor (with a 200V 0.051uF Micamold paper-in-oil) and most of the wiring (just before I installed the strings) so that may have had an effect on the tone, too.

Unfortunately, though, something happened to half of the humbucker when I was replacing the leads (with 18AWG silver-plated copper like I used in the rest of the instrument) and I can't get continuity. Maybe I melted it, maybe the coil end got pushed down inside the bobbin. It's wax potted and I don't feel like melting it apart at the moment.

With the single coil J p'up, which used to be very nasal, the open notes sound like a spinet piano. They have a harmonic content that only sounds "right" when the string is exactly in tune. I'm not sure if that's the strings or the capacitor but it's cool. When fingered, they have a nice "mwah" and there's just a touch of the "roundwound zing" (which should calm a bit as the strings settle in).

I went downstairs intending to just finish the setup and go back to bed for a bit. I ended up playing for an hour and a half. I'm anxious to hear what they do when I get that humbucker fixed (or replaced).

Interesting strings, Sadowsky!

 

[medawc]

The B string replacement have just arrived... with extra whole new set! Thanks to Sadowsky, it's best customer service I've ever seen!
The new B sounds good. It seems that bad one was only a single incident, that sometimes happens even in best companies.
The strings (Nickel 40-125) are quite soft. Nice for playing agressive metal "finger slap" and tapping. On my bass they expose higher mids a little, what adds some warwick-style growl.

 

[fourstringbliss]

Sadowsky flats are my favorite string ever!

 

[msiddall]

4 people replied to this thread since Roger posted..

Five actually!

I think it is great that Roger is here in the forum. It shows that he is truly concerned about customer care which I find to be a rare commodity in today’s business world. His hands-on approach should impress customers, potential customers, and Sadowsky employees alike. Being proactive is an essential aspect of great leadership and management style; because of this I am quite sure he possesses many other great qualities as well. I am willing to bet that Sadowsky continues to produce great products for many years to come.

Just yesterday I had my 1991 Yamaha TRB-5P setup with Sadowsky strings. This will be my first experience with any Sadowsky product but I am already impressed with the man and the organization.

V/R
Mark

 

[session man]

I have just orderd three sets of their light wound strings for my J bass because I cannot get the gauges that I want here in the UK. I use DR on my other five string bass but prefer the lighter guage for my J bass for slapping. I will write a review once they have arrived.

 

[ubado]

Good

I've just strung up a set of Sadowsky SBF45B flats. Found they have a dramatic volume loss on 5th (B) string. (I've adjusted just about everything to alleviate this .... all with no true results). A bit inconsistant string tension/feel from string to string. However the (B) feels great! The Harmonics are a wonder! ... super clear.

Honestly for the price ($40+) I'd have to pass when purchasing another set; unless you can pick some up here on TB slightly used for less ... then get-em.

For those who looking to use Sadowsky flats on their 4-stringers ... I'd imagine they'd be great (since the biggest downside of these strings is the volume loss on the B-string)

 

[Big Red Bass]

I have purchased several sets of the stainless steel, SBS40B & SBS45B, and the bright nickel, SBN40B & SBN45B. The stainless steel strings IMHO are decent strings. The bright nickel would be the best strings I have ever played but the B strings did not not tone wise to the E, A, D and G. I was very disappointed. The B strings to me all sounded dead. But my choice for 4 string sets is the Sadowsky bright nickel.

 

[ubado]

I have purchased several sets of the stainless steel, SBS40B & SBS45B, and the bright nickel, SBN40B & SBN45B. The stainless steel strings IMHO are decent strings. The bright nickel would be the best strings I have ever played but the B strings did not not tone wise to the E, A, D and G. I was very disappointed. The B strings to me all sounded dead. But my choice for 4 string sets is the Sadowsky bright nickel.

Exactly my feel on the flat 5'vers .... the "B" is rather lack-luster.

 

[Sadowsky]

Good

I've just strung up a set of Sadowsky SBF45B flats. Found they have a dramatic volume loss on 5th (B) string. (I've adjusted just about everything to alleviate this .... all with no true results). A bit inconsistant string tension/feel from string to string. However the (B) feels great! The Harmonics are a wonder! ... super clear.

Honestly for the price ($40+) I'd have to pass when purchasing another set; unless you can pick some up here on TB slightly used for less ... then get-em.

For those who looking to use Sadowsky flats on their 4-stringers ... I'd imagine they'd be great (since the biggest downside of these strings is the volume loss on the B-string)

We had one customer who complained of a bad B string from our last batch of flats and he said the replacement we sent him was perfect.

Just email me with your address and we will send you a replacement B string.

Roger

 

[ubado]

We had one customer who complained of a bad B string from our last batch of flats and he said the replacement we sent him was perfect.

Just email me with your address and we will send you a replacement B string.

Roger

Thank you Roger, for taking notice of my disappointment in the "B" string; and for your dedication to customer satisfaction.

I've emailed you my address.

Eventhough it's just a string ... taking the time to insure my satisfaction has bowled me over.


(take that; other string brands )

 

[JerseyRich78]

We had one customer who complained of a bad B string from our last batch of flats and he said the replacement we sent him was perfect.

Just email me with your address and we will send you a replacement B string.

Roger

This is why you have so many people that love your company and are loyal to you for life.

A class act!

 

[number six]

Well this thread looks the closest to what I'm after . . .

Have a vintage J5 alder with ebony board with Sadowsky nickel strings which have been great. The 'B' is a very natural extension down, not like other 5's I've played.

I recently put Fender flats on my MIJ Fender J4 and fancied trying Sadowsky flats on the J5.

So what's the lowdown on that 'B'? I'd expect it to be a bit muddier being a flat but what about 'natural extension' down from the 'E'?

Is it a case of 'try them and see' being the only option? I'm in Oz so exchange rates can kill . . .

Thanks TBers.

 

[pickles]

I think the Sadowsky flats are LaBellas (they don't seem exactly the same as the 760FLs, but very similar), and if they are, I expect the B string would be great. I have a set of 5-string 760FLs on one of my basses and the B string sounds a lot like the E, and plays solid an true to the 8th fret or so. Its an impressive low B.

 

[T-MOST]

Choices... thats what makes the world go 'round.