Seeking SIT information: Silencer vs. PowerFlat

Dincrest · #1 02-20-2007, 12:50 PM

Hi all,

As some may know, I adore SIT Silencers strings. I love the feel, tone, tension, etc. I've tried SIT Powerwounds and Powersteels, but those were kinda "eh" to me, but the Silencers are like a really plush string.

However, in my uncontrollable urge to want to try every string known to man, I'm now intrigued by the SIT Power Flat strings. I hear they're not a true flat, but situate themselves between Silencers and true flats. That, and the PowerFlats are a good deal cheaper on JustStrings.

So anyone who's played both, how would they compare in terms of tension, texture, tone, and life? I've heard tension is on the high side, but that allows for low action.

If PowerFlats enable minimal fret noise and a smooth, round, thuddy bottom, I'll be a happy camper. Anyone try slapping on Power Flats? I love the tubby slap tone from the Silencers. When it comes to tone, I'd rather have the thuddy bottom than the clacky highs. (The Roto nickels I have on my bass now sound quite good slapped, but are taking forever to lose the sizzle.)

I know the answer will be for me to try a set myself and I do plan to. I just like to gather opinions to make a more informed decision.

James Hart · #2 02-20-2007, 01:03 PM

The Silencers felt like Nickel Rounds to me.... no real flatness at all. The Powerflats were sold to me as true flats... later I found out they were ground flat.

They are a little stiffer than the silencers

They have a killer darkness to the tone... very warn with a touch of thud.

Here are some slap tracks I recorded with the powerflats.

Fretted 5 string
same bass

Dincrest · #3 02-20-2007, 01:13 PM

Thank you James. That's what I was looking for. That slap tone is so dead sexy.

I play a '97 Warwick Corvette with the wenge neck, so the tone's naturally hi-fi/compressed with some clack, so I loved how the SIlencers really smoothed out and fattened the tone and reduced the fret noise.

Seems the PowerFlats may do that even more. And hearing that they're stiffer, the first thing that comes to my mind is "comfortable action."

James Hart · #4 02-20-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dincrest

And hearing that they're stiffer, the first thing that comes to my mind is "comfortable action."

They are playable.... I think the D'Addario Half-Rounds are a little looser and more expressive... but lack that killer dark thump of the Powerflats.

James Hart · #5 02-20-2007, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dincrest

That slap tone is so dead sexy.

and thanks! I have LaBella flats on the bass now and I think I may have to put the powerflats back on it. They are killer strings

Dincrest · #6 02-20-2007, 01:40 PM

I prefer a bit more tightness (especially for lower action.) Otherwise loosey goosey strings buzz out of control for me. One reason I really disliked GHS Boomers was because they felt too spongy for me.

**craigb** · #7 02-20-2007, 01:41 PM

I've been using primarily SITs for the last year or two and generally drift back-and-forth between Silencers and Power Flats.

Tension-wise the Power Flats are definitely higher. I use .45-.105 Silencers and .45-.100 Power Flats to get roughly equivalent tension feel between the different strings. I tried the .50-.105 Power Flats the very first set I bought and they were the proverbial bridge cables to me - for the first time ever I took strings off because they had too much tension.

Texturally the Power Flats feel like a flat to me. They are grabby when new until your fingers polish them down. Silencers feel mostly like roundwounds to me (a nice smooth roundwound as opposed to a rough one).

Sonically it's a fairly big step. I find Silencers to be basically rounds with reduced finger/fret noise. But still very bright. PFs are much darker. They definitely have thud on the attack and a throaty/grunty quality to the sound. I recently moved back to PFs on one of my fretted SB-2s because the Silencers were too bright for me on that bass.

I can't say much about slapping because I can't/don't. Lately I'm really liking the thicker/darker tone of the PFs.

bassbully43 · #8 02-20-2007, 06:27 PM

I am a SIT user as well and was a long time silencer user until i changed from a classic rock band to a mod/rock band. I love the feel of the silencers and in the classic rock band they ruled really well when they broke in. I need more clank and growl now in my mod/rock so i use nickel brights by SIT now. The power flats i used on my P/J bass and they have a good tone but i dont like high tention strings so i went back to reg old nickels...they do sound great thou as in all SITs last forever.

chilliwilli · #9 02-20-2007, 06:48 PM

can sit flats be string through body?

James Hart · #10 02-20-2007, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilliwilli

can sit flats be string through body?

I have strung my 5 string through it's bridge with powerflats.

jady · #11 02-23-2007, 12:08 AM

Hey James, where is a good place to get SIT 5 string sets, most of the links I find for dealers only carry 4 string sets. I am looking for some powerflats to put on my new Bee!!!!

James Hart · #12 02-23-2007, 12:13 AM

www.sonicstrings.net

if he doesn't list them, just email. Once a special order is placed, it becomes a regular item on the site

Tell Chad I said Hey!

Dincrest · #13 03-02-2007, 02:25 PM

Well, I just got a set of PowerFlats (45-100) and put them on my bass ('97 Warwick Corvette Standard)... and have been jamming on it for the last couple of hours.

I know what you folks mean about flats being initially grabby at first, but I love that. One reason I wanted to try something other than Silencers was that they got really slippery. I love these strings much much much better than the Rotosound RS66LDN "Pure Nickels" I had on it before.

The feel is amazing. I find these strings more responsive to me than those Rotos and my hands feel less strained after extended playing. My 'Vette isn't the best ergonomic bass, but these strings vastly compensate for that. Maybe my fingers have just gotten stronger. Either way, the tension is fine.

As for the tone, dark, thumpy, bassy and without all that clanky fret noise. That low E is DEEP; I can only imagine how deep a low B PowerFlat would be. Much different animal than those Rotos, which had a LOT of high end. I've never had a tone like this on a bass before. It will take some getting used to, but because the feel/tension of those strings is nice, I'll get used to it.

I was playing with the pre on my Warwick and I'm starting to really dig the pre now (I used to hate it), because these strings are great.

The slap on the low E is flabby, but I love the grunty-ness when I slap on the A and D strings.