GHS Pressurewound VS. SIT Silencers

[funkyjudge]

Short answer: you're over-reacting. That said, changing strings and trying other brands is totally cool! I do it pretty regularly.

Long answer: PW's aren't one of our top selling sets, this is true. However, since we changed the winding length they've been selling pretty well, mainly because a larger group of folk can now use them on 35" scale basses. There are other sets I'd discontinue over these.

As long as the Balanced Tension Nickels aren't one of those sets that you'd consider discontinuing! They are the only roundwound strings that I will use. I do love your PWs and also have played GHS Precision Flats on a few basses over the past decade.

 

[funkyjudge]

Round Core Boomers, Pressurewounds and the new Balanced Nickels - that's all I need. You have my permission to discontinue any of the rest.

Add Precision Flats to that list and I'm good with it!

 

[michael_t]

I realize this thread was started back in 2017 and has been in a peaceful slumber for over 2 yrs since the last post, but instead of starting up a whole new thread, I've decided to awaken it so I can simply continue from where it was left off.

GHS Pressurewounds have been my #1 go-to and always-come-back-to since 2015. Plenty of the roundwound tone (which I need), but with a smoother surface feel than a typical roundwound with less finger noise (which I want). Just what the doctor ordered - a perfect prescription!

Now, here's the reason for this post... After years of being curious, I finally have a chance to try the SIT Silencers for the first time. The light set (40-60-80-95) went on my P bass this past Friday to see if they can be a second option for me with the same prescription, ie a roundwound tone with a smoother feel.

I hope to keep them on my P bass at least for the next few months, or even longer, so I can post my findings here from time to time.

The only comment I'd like to make for now is this: I, like a few others who already said earlier in this thread, don't like the name "SIT Silencer", either. Sounds to me like "sit down and be quiet".

NOTE: "A roundwound tone with a smoother feel" - some of you might be thinking of Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. They do get a lot of love around here, but I've read enough about them to know they're not for me personally. So, I'd like to stick with "Pressurewounds vs. Silencers". Thanks.

 

[J-Mags]

How do you like the light Pressurewounds? I've got a bass that likes light strings, but not as light as it has on it right now (some execrably tiny D'Addarios), and I'm trying to find some strings for it. The 44-102 actually sounded and felt a bit too dense for me, but I can't imagine a 40 sounding like a bass string. That's probably what's on there now.

I ordinarily go for roughly 45-105, but on this bass, the low strings of regular Boomers and med/light Pressurewounds both seem giant and constipated. I imagine that in rounds I'd be looking for a 45-100 set.

 

[michael_t]

How do you like the light Pressurewounds? I've got a bass that likes light strings, but not as light as it has on it right now (some execrably tiny D'Addarios), and I'm trying to find some strings for it. The 44-102 actually sounded and felt a bit too dense for me, but I can't imagine a 40 sounding like a bass string.

I love the PW L7200 (40-96) for playing comfort without feeling too loose or floppy. My 65-yr-old hands aren't what they used to be, especially after four trigger release surgeries (two on each hand).

Going from the ML7200 (44-102) to the L7200 (40-96), I don't feel I lost anything in terms of tonal quality while gaining in playing comfort. I personally don't buy into the notion "thicker strings provide thicker tones".

 

[e-flat]

I enjoy the sound of the SIT Silencers significantly more than the light Pressurewounds when I compared them, but the Pressurewounds were slicker and less grippy (once cleaned). The Silencers would be a real favorite of mine if the surface wasn’t so grabby.

 

[michael_t]

I enjoy the sound of the SIT Silencers significantly more than the light Pressurewounds when I compared them, but the Pressurewounds were slicker and less grippy (once cleaned). The Silencers would be a real favorite of mine if the surface wasn’t so grabby.

Funny you should mention the "grabby surface" of the Silencers. I was caught off guard a bit by their sticky feel when I first put them on (after a thorough wipe-down with an alcohol wipe). It actually reminded me of the GHS Brite Flats (half-rounds/groundwound), although the Silencers are not nearly as bad.

I've never experienced this "stickiness" with the PWs.

 

[michael_t]

I enjoy the sound of the SIT Silencers significantly more than the light Pressurewounds when I compared them...

I specifically chose my P bass to try the Silencers on as I have never been 100% satisfied with its sound with PWs. The mid crunch of Alloy 52 seems to be almost too much for this bass as it can sound "messy". To me, a P bass should sound punchy and warm with a smooth midrange, and I like what I'm hearing so far from these Silencers based on some casual noodling at home for the last few days.

We'll see how they do in a live band setting, hopefully this coming weekend...

 

[michael_t]

Here's my best attempt at taking close-up shots of Silencers and Pressurewounds. Smart phone cameras do have certain limitations, but hopefully good enough for visual comparison between the two...

Silencers on my Precision:

Pressurewounds on my Jazz:

 

[michael_t]

Well, it's only been two weeks since I put the Silencers on my P bass. But I can already tell they're not for me. The sticky feel persists in such an unpleasant and distracting way it's driving me absolutely crazy. And nothing unique or special about their tonal quality, either. No thanks!

Back to the Pressurewounds I go...

 

[Ricky Rioli]

it's only been two weeks .... I can already tell they're not for me ....

Two weeks sounds like giving some new strings a more than reasonable opportunity to impress you. A couple of times I've whisked the new strings off after just half an hour, and when I tried to give DTFs a second chance recently, I didn't even get as far as changing the G string before I gave up. So congratulations on giving them a proper chance!

 

[michael_t]

Two weeks sounds like giving some new strings a more than reasonable opportunity to impress you...

Every time I try a new set of strings, I would like to give them at least a couple of months. The only other string I gave up on within the first month was the GHS Brite Flats (Alloy 52 half-rounds/groundwound), and the Silencers reminded me too much of them the way they felt under my fingers.

As you can see in the two pics I posted earlier, the outer winding on the Silencers are not nearly as consistent and smooth as the Pressurewounds.

 

[michael_t]

Here's a footnote to finish my (short) story with a positive note...

I was so disappointed with the Silencers I decided to send my feedback to SIT through the "Contact Us" link on their website. Surprise, surprise... I received a response within half an hour from a rep who agreed the Silencers did get mixed reviews - "some love 'em, some hate 'em". He then offered to send me another set of their string of my choice free of charge. So I asked for a set of the Foundations Stainless Steel 45-125 set for my son to try on his Ibanez.

I do have to give them full marks for excellence in customer care!

 

[fishdude101101]

I'd order a set of pressurewounds, but the 5 srring set only comes in a gauge that is too heavy for me. If the 102 E set came with the 128, I'd order a set.

 

[michael_t]

I'd order a set of pressurewounds, but the 5 srring set only comes in a gauge that is too heavy for me. If the 102 E set came with the 128, I'd order a set.

You can always order the ML7200 (44-102) and a single 128B. I've used the L7200 (40-96) with the 128B and they worked fine as well.

 

[roccobass]

Had a dead string in each of two different SIT packs. That was enough for me.

My first venture several months ago with Pressurewounds was very satisfying. That set is still on the bass and I immediately bought a back up set. These are on my fretted Jazz coupled with passive Bart 94J pickups. They’re great.

 

[fishdude101101]

You can always order the ML7200 (44-102) and a single 128B. I've used the L7200 (40-96) with the 128B and they worked fine as well.

Makes the cost a bit high I think.

 

[michael_t]

Makes the cost a bit high I think.

Whenever I need custom sets and singles, I get in touch with Jason at Fret Nation ([email protected]). He's always been helpful in putting together package deals for me. You might want to ask him what he can do for you.