SIT Power Flat Bass strings, tension, character?

[Bob Gollihur]

I've been enjoying the SIT Silencers on a couple of my basses, and as a result am curious about their flats vs. Thomastic and D'Addario Chromes flats. Anyone with some experience to share, compare and contrast to other flats if you can. TIA>

 

[Pbassmanca]

I just came across this old thread. I'm curious about buying a set of the set Power Flats, as they are reasonably priced and seem similar in construction to most other flatwounds. Although I'm curious whether they're on a hex core or around core?

 

[michael_t]

Although I'm curious whether they're on a hex core or around core?

Both their SS and the NPS rounds are hex core, so unless otherwise specified, it's safe to assume their flats are also hex core.

 

[JamesBass78]

Old thread I know but wanted to add my two cents. I have these SIT power flats on my Coop P Bass with Fralins and I love these strings. They have all of the qualities of chromes, roto flats, and Ernie ball flats as a brighter flat string but they really have a great growl and cut through to them and I’m able to hear the articulations of the notes I play in an almost orchestral way. Punchy string that can darken up when you roll the tone off. I’ve read that they are a flatter version of half rounds but I’m not getting that grabbiness that I’ve read ground wounds. Outstanding string and it’s a match made in heaven for the 70s rock and jazzy stuff I love to play. Kudos to SIT!

 

[michael_t]

They have all of the qualities of chromes, roto flats, and Ernie ball flats...

How do the SIT Flats compare with those three mentioned in terms of stiffness/flexibility? I've noticed they only come in one set of gauges, 45-65-85-105-(130), which they call "light".

 

[JamesBass78]

How do the SIT Flats compare with those three mentioned in terms of stiffness/flexibility? I've noticed they only come in one set of gauges, 45-65-85-105-(130), which they call "light".

For the past year I’ve been on a rampant quality control tour of all sorts of strings - flats being the favorite. Re: tension my initial impression is the power flats are lower than rotos which I found rough, slow and virtually unplayable. SITs are slightly higher tension than chromes and which are higher than Ernie balls. The Ernie balls to me were kind of like crappy rounds with a flat feel. I really like chromes but the sit power flats have something extra tone and punch wise. Maybe because they are groundwound but they lean way more to the flat end than rounds. I recommend giving them a shot and at $30 range they are competitively priced. I also have fender flats and while they are a bit lower tension the SIT string responsiveness and tone wins!

 

[michael_t]

Maybe because they are groundwound but they lean way more to the flat end than rounds.

As far as I know, they are a true stainless steel flatwound, not groundwound.

SIT Silencers are slightly flattened NPS roundwound.

 

[JamesBass78]

As far as I know, they are a true stainless steel flatwound, not groundwound.

SIT Silencers are slightly flattened NPS roundwound.

Cool I thought that might be the case they aren’t grabby like I’ve heard of groundwounds. Whatever the case may be these strings rock!

 

[HaphAsSard]

I used a set of S.I.T. Power Flats some ten years ago; they were groundwound; then, about 4 or 5 years ago, I read Jason of Fret Nation mentioning how they've changed them and now make them as true flatwounds.

 

[Eikari]

These strings are pretty seclusive in Europe. Do they have silk, and if so; what colour do they sport?

 

[michael_t]

These strings are pretty seclusive in Europe. Do they have silk, and if so; what colour do they sport?

I've read somewhere on TB that they come with blue silk at both ends. But that was probably 5 yrs ago.

 

[JamesBass78]

I've read somewhere on TB that they come with blue silk at both ends. But that was probably 5 yrs ago.

Dark blue silk

 

[Robert Bass]

Blue silk at both the tuner ends and the ball ends.