La Bella RX Nickel vs SIT Powerwound Nickel

[eeyorebass]

Hi all,

Can anyone compare these two strings, La Bella RX Nickel and SIT Powerwound Nickel? I got an SX medium scale PJ a few weeks ago, and it's time to get rid of the factory strings.

I'm happy with the GHS Balanced Nickels I have on my jazz, and I've enjoyed GHS Pressurewounds in the past, to give you an idea of the tone I like, not too bright, rounded top end and good articulation. If either of those came in a medium scale, I'd be set. I'm intrigued by the La Bella RX because I wonder if their "Focused Set Design" is anything like the balanced construction of the Balanced Nickels. I also see a lot of good reviews of the SITs as a not-too-bright, well balanced nickel round. I suppose medium scale boomers are sort of in the running, too, but I'm looking to branch out from GHS. (Mostly for the novelty, and each of these other sets is a few dollars cheaper.)

Thanks!
Jeremy

 

[michael_t]

I have no experience with the La Bella RX Nickels, but have been very happy with the SIT Power Wound Nickels, which would fit the description as being "not too bright, rounded top end and good articulation". They also have a nice low-mid grunt, sort of like the Boomers, if you push them hard enough. You can get a 4-string set of the SIT for $18, vs. $24 for the LaBella.

 

[TomB]

I've lately been using Labella RX Nickels. They do meet your sonic description above, IMO. They have a soft feel but are not floppy. Their B-string is exceptional if that matters. I can compare them favorably to lots of roundwounds but have never tried SIT. I also have spent a lot of time with Pressurewounds - great strings.

 

[eeyorebass]

I have no experience with the La Bella RX Nickels, but have been very happy with the SIT Power Wound Nickels, which would fit the description as being "not too bright, rounded top end and good articulation". They also have a nice low-mid grunt, sort of like the Boomers, if you push them hard enough. You can get a 4-string set of the SIT for $18, vs. $24 for the LaBella.

Where are you finding the SITs for $18? The only place I see the medium scale set is on the SIT website, where it's $22.99.

Thanks!

 

[michael_t]

Where are you finding the SITs for $18? The only place I see the medium scale set is on the SIT website, where it's $22.99.

Thanks!

Strings By Mail. The medium-scale set is not officially listed on their website, but it's a simple matter of emailing Matt at [email protected] and ask him to special order the set you need. SBM is based in Michigan and SIT in Ohio, so it shouldn't take long for them to order them in.

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[eeyorebass]

Strings By Mail. The medium-scale set is not officially listed on their website, but it's a simple matter of emailing Matt at [email protected] and ask him to special order the set you need. SBM is based in Michigan and SIT in Ohio, so it shouldn't take long for them to order them in.

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Thanks! I'll send them an email. I'm still curious about the La Bella's, but they can wait for the next change.

 

[eeyorebass]

Bumping my own thread for a follow up. I had the SIT Powerwound Nickels on for nearly a year and recently switched them for the RX Nickels.

The RX Nickels are lower in tension (I had to adjust the truss rod), and they do have a slightly softer, more flexible feel. It's not night and day, and they are far from floppy. The RXs also feel more balanced sting to string than the SITs.

Both sets sound very good in their way. The SITs are a more straight ahead nickel round. They remind me of DR Nickel Low Riders. They have more present highs and more "crunch" than the RXs. The RXs have a smoother tone, more like GHS Balanced Nickels or DR Sunbeams. The RXs feel more like the Balanced Nickels than Sunbeams, though.

I hope this helps someone!

 

[nonohmic]

I stumbled onto the RX nickels cause they were one of only a few string sets that are .100 in medium scale. Love them! And they last quite a while.

 

[Lo-E]

And they last quite a while.

They sure do! I remember trying them a few years ago and being surprised by how long they lasted.

Nice all-rounder strings. I've never tried SITs.

 

[steamthief]

I've had a set of the 45-105 SIT on my Spector for about nine months, I like them, smooth tone and feel. Not as much tension as the Cobalt rounds on my Fender, but not at all floppy. I'm fixing to order a 45-100 set for the latter.

Haven't tried the RX, but I did like the previous version of LaBella nickel rounds that came strung on the Spector from the factory. As eeyore noted above, I remember the highs being less present than the SIT.