Silencer Semi Flat Guitar Strings

Silencers sit between a roundwound and a flatwound. Our compression winding process flattens the wrap into a smoother playing surface, which kills most of the squeak you get dragging fingers along wound strings, without the tonal trade-off of a true flatwound. You keep the brightness, attack and sustain of a roundwound and lose the noise.

That makes them a favourite for recording, where finger noise on a close-miked take is a real problem, and for anyone who simply prefers a faster, smoother surface under the hand.

Choosing a gauge

In standard tuning, .010–.046 (Light) is the standard and the most versatile. .009–.042 (Extra Light) is the easier bend for lead work, and .009–.046 (Rock-N-Roll) keeps that light top while adding weight underneath. .011–.050 (Medium Light) adds tension across the set for heavier rhythm playing and lower tunings.

The 12-string set

The 12-string Silencer set was developed decades ago with Rickenbacker for their 12-string guitars, and it has stayed in the line ever since. The gauge pairings are chosen for string-to-string balance on vintage-style 12-strings, giving you the chime those instruments are known for with a smoother, quieter feel. S.I.T. Strings is not affiliated with Rickenbacker® or the Rickenbacker Guitar Company.

Gauges

SL marks a semi-flat Silencer wound string. The 12-string set is listed in pairs.

How Silencers compare to our other electric sets

Silencers are the quiet middle ground. Power Wound Nickel is the standard roundwound and the usual starting point. Power Steel Stainless is brighter and more aggressive, Power Groove Pure Nickel warmer and more vintage. CRT Coated Nickel adds corrosion resistance for longer life, and Power Flat flatwounds go furthest toward a smooth, mellow response.

Made in the USA.