Recommend Replacement for Sadowsky Black Label Flats

[Freekmagnet]

OK, I need a recommendation for some new flatwounds. I like the Sadowsky Black Label Flats, but my two local sources are either gone or no longer stocking them. I have used the following strings:

LaBella DTFs: Love the tone, but the tension was too intense for me.

TIs: Loved the tone, but the wet spaghetti noodle vibe is a buzzkill as far as I’m concerned.

D’Addario Chromes: Too bright and no booty. Might as well be playing rounds.

GHS Precisions: pretty good sound and tension - they just didn’t last very long. The frets wore ridges into the strings and they wouldn’t ring a true sounding note. I guess GHS Imprecisions would be more appropriate.

Any recommendations?

 

[Nighttrain1127]

Ernie Ball Cobalt flats Brighter than the GHS precision flats but not that brite and decent thumb and some growl

 

[Nighttrain1127]

If you do get the cobalt flats make sure you read and follow the installation instructions .

 

[Abner]

I found the LaBella's to be closest to Sadowsky Black Label flats in both sound and feel. So I would stick with LaBellas (makes sense since I heard they were made by LaBella). Try their low tension flats (I have no experience with them personally, just a thought), or perhaps just a lighter gauge.

I can't imagine the Cobalt flats being even remotely similar. (But I've never tried those, either, so...)

 

[michael_t]

Have you considered the new version of the Blue Label Flats? From what I've been reading, the re-designed Blue Labels are a combination of the old Black and old Blue in their tonal character.

 

[Luckydog]

Just go with labella 760FL. They are somewhat lighter than the medium labellas, but still with plenty of serious booty and somewhat close to the now discontinued sadowsky black label flats. The advantage of the labellas over the sadowskys is the greater thumpy attack on the front of the note.

 

[Bassist30]

I know some who like the Fender 9050

 

[michael_t]

Just go with labella 760FL. They are somewhat lighter than the medium labellas, but still with plenty of serious booty and somewhat close to the now discontinued sadowsky black label flats. The advantage of the labellas over the sadowskys is the greater attack on the front of the note.

I tried the La Bella 760FL and the Sad Black 40-100 back to back on my P and found the Sads to have richer mids for better clarity and articulation.

 

[Luckydog]

I tried the La Bella 760FL and the Sad Black 40-100 back to back on my P and found the Sads to have richer mids for better clarity and articulation.

Yes the sads have more mids and are a little more articulate. Ive used both extensiely, and they are great flats. I often prefer the labellas though, primarily because of that distinctive attack when you first hit a note. In a busy mix, that hard thumpy attack can let your bass be heard clearly with authority in the mix...and theres no mistaking its booty-shaking capability.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

If you like the LaBellas, downtune all four a full step. You’ll like them even more.

 

[Sparkdog]

I used to use the Black Label Flats but could never find them when I needed them. Dunlop 40-100 flats is what I replaced them with and turns out they are the closest match to the Sadowskys but are better in every way. I've used all the flats mentioned above too.

 

[skidmarkbass]

I have the La Bella Low Tension Flats on my Stingray and I LOVE them. I like Chromes on my Pbass, but they feel very stiff. I just put GHS flats on a Short Scale Ibanez and they seem OK, not as bright as the Chromes and thats a good thing.

 

[Scarey Larry]

I have used a lot of different flats but not the specific Sadowsky. It think it is a try/decide problem.

The bass figures in the decision. When I find strings I like, I get an extra set. The Fender, EB Cobalt, and Dunlop are not too pricey for a trial run. My personal favorite, on a Geoff Gould, were the Fenders. They seemed balanced sound wise and nice to the touch. YMMV.

 

[Burwabit]

LaBella's Low Tension Flats are a good option... love mine on a 62 AVRI P. Good mids. Not quite as much as TI maybe, but a great balance of tone and tension.

 

[Chrisk-K]

EB Cobalt flats 40 - 95.

 

[Freekmagnet]

Thanks for all the recommendations, guys.

I ended up buying a pack of EB Cobalts ‘cuz it’s pretty much all they had at GC. I guess BSO closed - which is a drag - his showroom was close enough to me that I could run over there and buy the harder-to-find strings.

For the record, I like the LaBellas, but they’re just too stiff. My hands start cramping up. Old age, I guess. I have not tried the LB Low-Tension Flats, but I would like to. I guess the “low tension” moniker scares me off - I really hated the TIs, and I have yet to read a review that does not draw a direct comparison between the LaBella LTs and the TIs.

I’ll keep a lookout for the Dunlop strings. I’ve been reading good things about them. I may have to go down th LA to find a pack.

 

[mccartneyman]

I've been usinf Sadowsky Black Label Flats for some time but switched last year to Blue Label Flats and like them much better. The feel is softer than the Blacks, and I think tone is more balanced between strings. Nice punch. pout EB Cobalt flats on a Squier Affinity P, and I played them on a friend's '62 Reissue P. They sound and feel great to me. Rich tone across all ranges, soft but not too soft. They made that $150 Affinity sound like a "real" Fender.

 

[mikewalker]

A little off-topic, but can anybody say if the Labella Low Tension flats are much lower tension than the new Sadowsky Blue Label flats? ( I can't find the numbers on them...)

 

[Holdsg]

The Labella low-tension flats are most similar to the TI's in tension.
New Sadowsky flats are mid-tension, as are the Cobalts, DRs, EB Group IIIs, Fenders.
Chromes, to me, are high tension flats. me no likey.

that's all based on my experience trying them all over many years.

 

[Laurent]

As others have mentioned the Dunlop flats are truly fantastic both in tone and feel.

Another option is the Ernie Ball Flat Group II or Group III depending on gauge. They're an oldie but a great string. They are stiffer than the Dunlop but they sound great.