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SIT Bass Strings

#61
I bought a set of the Silencers a few months ago but haven't tried them yet. I wanted to try them because I've used flats almost exclusively over the last 35+ years and only recently started experimenting with strings other than flats. Since the Silencers are advertised as a "semi-flat" string, I thought they could be right up my alley. But I'm seeing these references to them being a "bright" string that keeps their round wound tone for a good long while -- and all that makes me want to leave them in the drawer.

Anybody care to chime in on just how flat these "semi-flat" strings are? I'm getting tired of changing strings lol.
 
#62
Selim said:
Anybody care to chime in on just how flat these "semi-flat" strings are? I'm getting tired of changing strings lol.
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They're what I would consider "semi-round" in a similar way the GHS Pressrurewounds are, meaning roundwound tone with a smoother feel.

The Silencers being nickel-plated steel semi-rounds, I would imagine they wouldn't be all that different from the Nickel Lo-Riders you're already trying.
 
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#63
Think I’ll stick with these lo riders for awhile. Stop changing strings so you can just focus on playing music..

I am doing some shows with an artist this summer where I have always used flats, but I want to try doing it with round wounds this time. Not looking for the round that is a direct replacement for flats (the round that sounds closest to a flat), just a round sound string that can handle the music requirements (reggae).
 
#64
michael_t said:
I just wish the Power Wound Nickels came in my preferred gauges. They come in 40-60-80-95 and 40-60-80-100, but not in 40-55-75-95.
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Several years ago, after considerable badgering from the RickResource Forum, John Hall admitted that one of the companies that made Rickenbacker's bass strings was... SIT. And, while he wouldn't admit that D'Addario was another of his string suppliers, he didn't deny it, either. Rick's bass strings are 45-55-75-105, which isn't exactly what you want; and you might get a D'Addario-made set, but...:whistle:
Also, IIRC, Rick's long discontinued Light Nickel Rounds might have been 40-55-75-95 (or 96?). I had them on my old 4001 for a long time - and liked them a lot - but, the last set I have is sounding awfully moribund...:(
 
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#65
Could someone share the winding length? Are they around 36/37" where the winding would stop short of the tuner peg on a Fender-style bass, or are we looking at 38" where you'd have some of the string around the post?
 
#67
Well, it's been a year and a half since my last post above, but I wanted to revisit this thread as I finally have a chance to try a whole new set of SIT strings on my Yamaha TRBX505.

Power Wound Nickels 40-60-80-100, plus the PWN exposed-core 125B (.125PC). They replace the Rotosound Ultramag (Alloy 52 roundwound) 40-60-80-100 and the GHS Progressive (Alloy 52 roundwound) exposed-core 130B, which were on this bass for the last 6 mths.

No silk = cleaner and more neutral appearance.

SIT PWN on 505 231122_1.jpg


The setup was a breeze. No truss rod tweak needed (expected), and no intonation adjustments required (unexpected). Just put them on and go!

One thing to note is the exposed core on the PWN is slightly shorter than the exposed core on the Progressive. The PWN actually fits better on this bass as a result with only about a quarter inch of the exposed core extending beyond the saddle. And the B sounds nice and clear with very good definition and even sustain.

SIT Power Core 125B_3.jpeg




SIT PWN on 505 231122_2.jpg


I will report back once I have a chance to put them to the test in a live band setting. So stay tuned... ;)
 
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#73
michael_t said:
Well, it's been a year and a half since my last post above, but I wanted to revisit this thread as I finally have a chance to try a whole new set of SIT strings on my Yamaha TRBX505.

Power Wound Nickels 40-60-80-100, plus the PWN exposed-core 125B (.125PC). They replace the Rotosound Ultramag (Alloy 52 roundwound) 40-60-80-100 and the GHS Progressive (Alloy 52 roundwound) exposed-core 130B, which were on this bass for the last 6 mths.

I will report back once I have a chance to put them to the test in a live band setting. So stay tuned... ;)
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A quick update...

Two weeks with the Power Wound Nickels, and I'm quite happy with the way they have done so far. Just spent the weekend with the full band, and they didn't disappoint. I thought my bass sat in the mix very well with a punchy presence and clarity without being too up-front or "in your face" - just the way I like it.

I do like the exposed-core 125B on this particular bass of mine. The low notes ring out strong and clear with very good definition and sustain.

As far as all-purpose nickel rounds go, GHS Bassics and DR Nickel Lo-Riders have been (and will continue to be) my top two choices, but I'm happy to have these PWN's as a third option, not to mention they're a great value considering they're priced lower than either the GHS or the DR.

I like them enough to stick with them for a while and see how they age...
 
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#74
Funny, as a home solo player, I found the power wound nickels ho-hum on the TRBX504, went back to the Pure Blues. I can't comment on the B of course--but sounds like you felt the rest of the strings were as good? I do like Nickel Lo-Riders, and also Roto Nickel 66s. Will add GHS Bassics to the "to be tried" list.
 
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#75
SharpCat said:
Funny, as a home solo player, I found the power wound nickels ho-hum on the TRBX504, went back to the Pure Blues. I can't comment on the B of course--but sounds like you felt the rest of the strings were as good?
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For me it's how my bass sits in the band mix, not necessarily how it sounds at home thru my practice rig. The PWNs did deliver in that regard. They may be fairly generic and neutral on their own but I thought my bass sounded good within the band context.
 
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#78
Doug Bright said:
Which SIT RW nickels feel the smoothest on the fingers and has the least finger noise?
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I've been pretty happy with the Power Wound Nickels the way they feel under my fingers.

I've also tried the Silencers in the past. They're supposed to be smoother than rounds, but I found them very sticky and unpleasant like half-rounds/groundwound.

Haven't tried the Foundations Nickels, though.
 
#79
michael_t said:
I've been pretty happy with the Power Wound Nickels the way they feel under my fingers.

I've also tried the Silencers in the past. They're supposed to be smoother than rounds, but I found them very sticky and unpleasant like half-rounds/groundwound.

Haven't tried the Foundations Nickels, though.
Click to expand...
I had the same experience with silencers.
 

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