SIT powerflats

[onda'bass]

Got a set today and so far these are exceeded expectation. They are looser than my beloved chromes and not as bright initially. Gotta love the purple silk will update after some playing. Some more.

 

[michael_t]

Got a set today and so far these are exceeded expectation. They are looser than my beloved chromes and not as bright initially. Gotta love the purple silk will update after some playing. Some more.
View attachment 7056485

I would call that "deep wine". Very classy! If only they came in 40-100!

 

[onda'bass]

They play nice for their gauge. Crazy low setup with these.

 

[michael_t]

They play nice for their gauge. Crazy low setup with these.

I use the SIT Power Wound Nickels 40-100 and now have a set of the Power Steels 40-120 on order. It would be nice to keep it consistent. I'm fussy that way.

 

[lastminute]

How is the sound on these? More modern or more vintage voicing?

 

[onda'bass]

Based on unplugged so far, modern sound for sure. The highs are like chromes but smoother, fendery but there is something all their own. Their feel is what I am impressed by, they are more supple than most flats and much easier to play as a result. I'll report back after I plug in!

 

[Stan_da_man]

Foundations are the best roundwounds available on the market today IMO.

 

[onda'bass]

I am going to echo Stan, theses are the best flats I have used. They feel and sound nice with no mud or woolyness especally on the B string. Still very clear tones down low with just the right amount of highs. The mid range is fat and punchy (for a flat) no flub. As I play them I'd consider them a low tension flat, I went up a gauge as this is the only choice they offer and I'm not complaining. These strings are very supple and breath wonderfully when played. I think i have a new favorite lol

 

[michael_t]

Foundations are the best roundwounds available on the market today IMO.

As I play them I'd consider them a low tension flat, I went up a gauge as this is the only choice they offer and I'm not complaining. These strings are very supple and breath wonderfully when played...

Sounds to me like SIT has followed the same formula for the Power Flats as the Foundations, ie thinner hex core wires to achieve flexibility and suppleness. That's the same formula used by Dunlop for their Super Brights and flats.

 

[michael_t]

@onda'bass, thanks to you, I'm starting to get the itch to try them! The deep wine silk is very inviting. And the 45-105 set is listed for only $34.99 at Strings By Mail.

 

[michael_t]

Foundations are the best roundwounds available on the market today IMO.

I happen to have two brand new sets of the Foundations Stainless Steel 45-125 in my personal stock, which were originally meant for my son's Ibanez. Meanwhile, I have a set of the Power Steels 40-120 on order. Maybe I should try them both so I can do a comparison.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I am using SIT on two of my basses the PF on my fretless Jazz. They are really great for the price. I was coming off of Dogal flats and really noticed no difference in quality/sound. Been using the powersteels on my SR Special and really liked those too. Just ordered the 50-110 because the 50-105 were not enough of a workout. But yea, for the price and as much as I change strings, SIT ftw.

 

[MCF]

I use the SIT Power Wound Nickels 40-100 and now have a set of the Power Steels 40-120 on order. It would be nice to keep it consistent. I'm fussy that way.

Power Steels for the win!

 

[michael_t]

I am using SIT on two of my basses the PF on my fretless Jazz. They are really great for the price. I was coming off of Dogal flats and really noticed no difference in quality/sound...

I've read a few of your posts raving about the Dogal. So this says a lot about the SIT.

 

[MCF]

I am using SIT on two of my basses the PF on my fretless Jazz. They are really great for the price. I was coming off of Dogal flats and really noticed no difference in quality/sound. Been using the powersteels on my SR Special and really liked those too. Just ordered the 50-110 because the 50-105 were not enough of a workout. But yea, for the price and as much as I change strings, SIT ftw.

They are a great company. I’ve used them for years on my acoustic guitar. I started using them on my basses about six years ago and now they’re pretty much all I use with a few exceptions for specific tone for certain songs.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I've read a few of your posts raving about the Dogal. So this says a lot about the SIT.

I still LOVE the Dogal Carbonsteel rounds. They just have a magical zing, for the first few weeks. No other strings could replace them, but after the inflationary hikes, as much as I change my strings, I may buy them once a year, for a special treat. Now, the Dogal flats are crazy expensive and I thought I would never find anything similar, but the SIT PF are pretty darn close. Just not sure how long they will stay snappy compared to the Dogal flats.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Foundations are the best roundwounds available on the market today IMO.

I tried them last month and took them off after 5 minutes. They were way to light, low tension....

I just wanted to see how the Foundations compared to Dogal Carbon rounds. Now, if the Foundations came in a medium 45-105 instead of a Medium/light 45-105, we may have had a winner.

 

[LHbassist]

I bought a set a few months back, and put them on one of my Sire V7's. I think the strings sound, feel and play just fine. I was not pleased with one thing- the low 'B' seemed to be an obvious D'Addario Chrome .132. All the strings had purple silks, but the low B has blue silk. I do not really care for the Chromes low 'B.' I'm not 100% sure on this- but it looks like SIT may have purchased some single 'B' strings to fulfill orders. Possibility that they once used blue silk, I just don't know. After playing them for a while, then comparing the bass with my other V7 with a year old set of Ernie Ball Slinky flats- also with purple silks- I took the SIT's off, and put the more than a year old set of Slinky flats back on. They sound, feel, and still ring and punch just like when I put them on.
I'm not in any way bashing the SIT's. I just prefer the Slinkys.

 

[michael_t]

Possibility that they once used blue silk, I just don't know...

Now that you mentioned, I vaguely do recall reading about these flats having dark blue silk in the past. I would guess it's a case of SIT trying to use up their own old stock of low B's. I know for a fact SIT does manufacture their own strings, so I would strongly doubt it's the D'A Chrome .132.

 

[LHbassist]

Now that you mentioned, I vaguely do recall reading about these flats having dark blue silk in the past. I would guess it's a case of SIT trying to use up their own old stock of low B's. I know for a fact SIT does manufacture their own strings, so I would strongly doubt it's the D'A Chrome .132.

As mentioned, I did like the strings, but picking up the Maple necked V-7 with the nearly new SIT Power Flats, and then switching to the V7 with the ebony board and a pretty well gigged set of Slinky flats, just sealed the deal for me. We all have our preferences... as an example, I think the DR Legends flats are a beautifully made set- but they are not my desired sound, and the feel was also not to my liking. The 'Holy Grail' Thomastiks, were excellent- but far too light tension for me. My preferred sets on my 'Davenbacker,' G&L L-2000 Tribute and a few other Fenders, are the Fender 9050 series. I dig the 'ML' sets.
I do play my other basses strung with Chromes, Rotosound flats, and LaBellas, and all of them feel and play just fine- I just love those two sets, the EB's and the Fenders.
On my own builds- modern fives- like the one in my avatar, I use SIT Stainless rounds. Great strings.