Are you looking for the Best Strings For Bass Guitar? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Choosing the Best Strings For Bass Guitar can be difficult as there are so many considerations, such as Dunlop, Ernie Ball, D’Addario, GHS Strings, DR Strings, La Bella, Curt Mangan. We have done a lot of research to find the top 20 Best Strings For Bass Guitar available.
The average cost is $27.74. Sold comparable range in price from a low of $16.17 to a high of $44.99.
Based on the research we did, we think Dr Neon Green Bass Guitar Strings NGB-45 is the best overall. Read on for the rest of the great options and our buying guide, where you can find all the information you need to know before making an informed purchase.
20 Best Strings For Bass Guitar (20 Sellers)
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Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Lacks durability
Features:
- For bass
- Nickel plated steel
- Strings with coloured coating, neon green
$19.99
5.0
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality
Features:
- Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
- Stainless steel wrap wire.
- Brighter sound.
$28.99
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Durability . Craftsmanship
Features:
- Hidef neon green series
- For bass
- Nickel plated steel
$36.99
4.5
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Durability
Features:
- Thinnest coating ever!
- Dramatically increases string life.
- Protects strings from corrosion.
$32.99
5.0
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality
Features:
- Stainless steel
- Drop-down tuning (ddt): for dropped bass tunings
- Core hexagonal
$44.99
4.9
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Craftsmanship . Durability
Features:
- Description
- Short scale version d'addario's best selling flatwound bass guitar set
- Ribbon wound and polished for ultra-smooth feel and warm, mellow tone
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality
Features:
- Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
- Precision wound with nickel plated steel.
- Tin plated high carbon steel core.
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Lacks durability . Craftsmanship
Features:
- Stainless steel
- Core hexagonal
- Made in usa
$19.99
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Durable . Well made
Features:
- The 45 to 100 gauge of the super slinky strings is one of the most popular for 4 string bass.
- Rich, balanced sound.
- Made in the usa with a core of high carbon steel tinned plated with nickel plated steel.
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Durability . Well made
Features:
- 45 60 80 100 9050 custom light 45 60 80 105 9050 medium light
- 50 65 85 100 9050 medium
- 55 70 90 105 fender 9050x –>
$29.99
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Durability
Features:
- Model: 3025
- Stainless steel flat wrap on a hex core
- Unique cross-winding process delivers a traditional deep percussive tone
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Durability . Craftsmanship
Features:
- Specifications
- Round wound with great projection
- Balanced tone
$19.99
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality
Features:
- High carbon steel core for superior durability
- Nickel-plated steel wound for powerful tone and sustain
- Developed and approved by gibson master luthiers
$19.99
4.6
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Durability . Craftsmanship
Features:
- Model: ml3045.
- Featuring the air-tight fresh pack, guaranteed fresh from the factory!
- Roundwound nickel plated steel on strengthened core.
$16.17
4.7
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality
Features:
- Fender original bass 7150’s are an excellent choice forblues, jazz, r&b, and classic rock.
- These are the strings that started it all.
- Fender originalbass 7150’s feature a smooth feel and vintage warmththat has become afender tradition.
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Durability . Craftsmanship
Features:
- Power slinkys strings are suitable for players who prefer a 4-string bass game with a heavier caliber.
- Rich, balanced sound.
- Made in the usa with a core of high carbon steel tinned plated with nickel plated steel.
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Durable . Craftsmanship
Features:
- Precision-wound with nickel-plated steel
- Tin-plated high carbon steel core wire
- Bright balanced tone
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality
Features:
- Long lasting
- No loss of tone
- They feature a round core wire and a silver-plated nickel-plated steel wrap
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Craftsmanship . Durability
Features:
- Fender 9120's nylon tapewound are an excellent choice for jazz, reggae, and blues.
- Great tone, great feel and long life are what you get from these unique strings.
- Fender 9120's are a string with a black, flat nylon cover.
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Durability
Features:
- Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
- Handmade in the usa.
- A new standard of tone.
1. Dr Neon Green Bass Guitar Strings Ngb-45
Product Details:
Dr neons are super bright color coated strings that sound clear, bright and musical. players love the bright neon colors and their remarkable sound. super bright in daylight and under stage lighting, dr neon is 100% black light reactive and glow strongly under uv lighting. neons are the first coated string to make no apologies. while neons last as long as a coated string should (three to four times as long as uncoated strings) they sound as good, or better, than uncoated strings.
Specifications:
Reviews:
I initially bought these strings because my daughter thought they were "cool" and would look good on my solid black bass. And yes, they do really "pop" on stage and can really be seen from a good distance. What I have found is that the quality of the tone these strings produce is excellent! Great quality tone from top to bottom. Our sound guy had to completely EQ my bass on the board because of the richness of the tone. They react well when I want them to, and provide a long and steady tone when I need them to sustain. You will get many compliments on their color, but will be pleasantly surprised by their quality and consistency. I will be buying more when the time comes.David
DR NEON HiDef green bass SuperStrings medium 4-string review: ACTIVATE! These strings grab a LOT of attention from the peanut gallery, so prepare to get plenty of compliments (I was quite surprised to not get jeered by the old war horses; EVERYBODY loves these things). They glow quite well under a black light, but you'll need a lot of it to work; during one show, a single 20w bulb on my mic stand just couldn't compete with the relatively low stage lights it was up against. The strings don't sound particularly different from anything I've used in the past, and feel pretty good to the touch, but I had quite a bit of experience with Elixir bass and acoustic strings before hand, which have a similar texture. Just be warned that these don't feel like metal at all. I had my first set of these for about 8 months before my E string (really?!) broke, right down at the bridge over the saddle. I was miffed, but I was impressed enough with the strings to order a second set. The wear and tear on the coating wasn't really that bad, and I use a pick 80% of the time. So yeah, buy these if you want a really great gimmick that's surprisingly functional.Thomas Caja
I just purchased the DR Neon Green strings and installed them on my Fender P-Bass. I have never used DR's before so I didn't know what to expect.They are very bright and seem to be wound well. I'm still stretching them out so I haven't played too much with them, yet. From what I can tell, they sound very good and bright- haven't plugged into my Ampeg yet. As for the reviews that say that they are hard on the fingers- maybe people who haven't developed caluses on their fingers (who don't play often) think that. They don't feel any worse than anything else. Actually, I think they feel even slicker than the Ernie Ball strings I usually use, but I have always applied Fast Fret to my strings. I guess time (and many gigs) will be the ultimate decision maker for me on these. From what I can tell, these should work-out very well. I think they are a little pricey, but they are a novelty string. I can't wait until my upcoming show!! 🙂Frobie
2. Ernie Ball 2842 Regular Slinky Stainless Steel Bass Strings, 50-105
Product Details:
Ernie ball 2842 stainless steel bass guitar strings regular slinky 50-105 produce a bright, clear tone and long lasting string life. the stainless steel wire wrapped around tin plated hex shaped steel core wire creates a lively string that lasts a long time. made in the usa with specially formulated alloys for long life and maximum vibrancy. gauges 50-70-85-105.
Specifications:
| Gauge | 50, 70, 85, 105 |
| Wrap Material | Stainless Steel |
| Construction | Round Wound |
| Scale Length | Long Scale (Standard) |
| Length (Ball End to Taper/Silk) | 37 inches / 94 cm |
| Length (Total) | 48 inches / 121.92 cm |
| Silk Details | No silk at either end of the string |
| Core | Hex Core |
| Anchor | Ball End |
| Coating | Non-Coated String |
Reviews:
Well worth every penny! Tight punch and great jass, funk, rock tone. Remarkable ClarityPete-7wmWX
First time I've used these strings and so far so goodAdam P.
Ernie Ball to bardzo miłe struny, zażynam je niestety w 2h ale ten komplet był pod projekt 🙂 Polecam ogólnie!
3. Dr Nob-45 K3 Neon Orange Bass Strings – Medium (45-105)
Product Details:
Dr neons are super bright color coated strings that sound clear, bright and musical. players are falling in love with the bright neon colors and their remarkable sound. super bright in daylight and under stage lighting, dr neon are 100% black light active and glow strongly under uv lighting. neons are the first coated string to make no apologies. while neons last as long as a coated string should (three to four times as long as uncoated strings) they sound as good, or better, than uncoated strings.
Specifications:
| Full Set Material | Nickel Plated |
| Winding | Round Wound |
| Core | Hex |
| Scale Length | Long |
Reviews:
I bought these strings on a whim for an Ibinez SR405, and never regretted it. I get the full range of authoritative tone I get from any other strings (better than many, and much better than some). For the price of a set of strings, I get a set of strings and free stage presence. My best friend and guitar player, who despises flashy gimmicks, had to admit they sounded good. The only possible downside is that the brightness of the strings can make it difficult to see fret markers, so leave yourself some adjustment time between putting these strings on your bass, and doing any gigs with them. Oh, and the coating will come off, so just be careful when you are threading them through your bridge, and know to expect it if you use a metal pick.CJ
These strings perform perfectly for me at a half step down with a comfortable, not too lose, feel. The glowing is admittedly much better with a blacklight but they are super bright under normal stage lights too. As always they stay in tune incredibly well but Ive come to expect that from the folks at DR. I bought these for my Dean Z because I have used DR strings forever and thought i would be safe with the glowing jewels. Boy was I Right! The coating is super comfortable if just a little weird feeling at first. Initialy I felt that they would be slow feeling until I got em on and they proved just as fast and responsive as a non coated string. The best points about these strings is that they have a very crisp punchy tone without sounding dull at all, and underneath the coating lies a genuine handmade DR string! They warn that care must be taken when stringing through the bridge so as not to scrape off the coating, and while i did feel this was possible I had no problem running through the bridge on my bass which is similar to a standard P-bass bridge. I suppose that this would be most basses however my others have a different type of bridge where this is no issue at all. The only reason I dont give em a 10 is because the warning bothered me for about 5 minutes, which never happened with any other DR strings. These Neon strings are a super value because they give you a fantastic tone that is sure to last a long long time, and they friggin glow! normally I would expect something like this to be a gimmick but was surprised to find that they are really awesome strings with the bonus of looking killer on stage.
I have these orange strings on my 5-string metallic navy blue Ibanez Soundgear, and the contrast of the bright orange against the the dark blue is visually stunning. I've received a lot of compliments, questions, and "concerns" about the appearance of the strings. This is something different and flashy that you can do for your bass to add a bit of flare, and it will draw attention. I've heard everything from, "That looks so cool!" to, "What possessed you to do that?" 🙂 I like the appearance, the tone is good, and that is what matters. The strings work as advertised – black light reactive. I don't move around on stage that much, so these strings added stage presence to my performance because they glow under the black lights. Typical round wound string tone. Since the strings are coated, they will last longer than non-coated strings, so use these for practice, rehearsal, performance, jams, etc. I like the strings a lot, and I want to experiment with the different colors that are available.groovydaddy
4. Cleartone Emp Bass Strings – Medium
Product Details:
Silky feel, brilliant tone, and incredible string life. gauges – 45-65-85-105 medium gauge cleartone coated bass strings are made of nickel-plated steel over a hex core. a unique treatment called emp coats the entire string with an ultrathin protective film. it's the thinnest coating ever applied to bass strings (less than one micron!) and will withstand more abuse from hard strumming than coatings 1000 times thicker! emp ensures longer string life by protecting strings from corrosion due to skin acidity, salt, and moisture without compromising feel and sound. made in the usa. features thinnest coating ever! dramatically increases string life protects strings from corrosion withstands hard strumming this is high-tech you don't have to understand to appreciate. order a few today.
Specifications:
Reviews:
Prior to playing Cleartones, I played GHS and Ernie Ball. Not a thing wrong with the strings, aside from the fact that they wore out incredibly quickly. I used to work as a salesperson at Guitar Center and I've played on almost every string sold at GC. I will only play Cleartones on all of my guitars now. They don't go dead as quickly as your standard DR's or Ernie's, etc. They hold their sound throughout the duration of their life, and you'll notice a drastic change in the tone when they wear out, unlike other strings that lose their tone consistently every time you play. I've had a set of cleartones on since June 13th (today is 7/5) and I've played six shows and had 8 or 9 practices in that time span. The strings still have the same tone as they had the day I put them on. I am also a stickler for maintaining my guitar, and I try to wipe the strings off as much as possible after I play. If you play consistently on stage and find yourself replacing low-end strings every couple weeks, make the investment and purchase the Cleartones. Just as a comparison, three packs of Ernie Ball's last three months if you play for two hours a day. One pack of Cleartones will last that three months and will cost less in the long run than buying three packs of Ball's.
My personal favorite coated strings, they have a great balanced tone perfect for rock and roll. They last forever, and keep their tone for months even with heavy playing. They have a warm low end and snappy responsive highs. I typically don't like coated strings as I find they impede my playing, however these strings feel like there's nothing there! These are truly excellent strings. This is an Employee review by Cgray at Sam Ash store 57Moose
I really like the tone and flexable feel of these strings. They have a good sound that does sound to bright or feel to slick, unlike elixers. I will probably purchase again if i find a great deal on them but unfortanatly i didnt get my moneys worth because the g string broke in two weeks. The only other thing i didnt love is that the big e string has so much wrapping at the ball that i had to jam my pin in a little more than was comfortable to hold it in. All in all the positives outway the negatives, the biggest thing to improve on would be durability.tyrw21
5. Dr Ddt5-45 Drop Down Tuning 5-String Bass Strings – Medium (45-125)
Product Details:
Dr's ddt line was specifically designed to enable players to maintain stable and consistent tuning under any alternate tuning situation. ddt strings go right into tune and lock in. dr strings has formulated specific technologies to enhance the performance and tone with dropdown tuning strings. dr strings believe ddt's are the first guitar and bass string sets specifically designed to work for drop tunings. they are so stable it is almost eerie. af0stable, accurate, clearddt strings go right into tune and lock in.be surprised how little adjustments you make.
Specifications:
Reviews:
Earlier this year I purchased my first 5-string bass and was disappointed with the loose tension of the floppy B string, I purchased these strings because I thought since they were designed for drop down tuning that they would provide better tension on the B string. And they did just that. Perhaps not as much as I would prefer, but they did out perform the stock string set by far. The WOW factor for me was the tone that the DRs produce right out of the package. Being a Classic rocker, these strings produce that bottom end that is so prevalent in that genre. I was so impressed with the tone that these have become my preferred string set for my 4-string P-bass (the 4-string set of course). If you are looking for a good bottom end tone, give these DRs a try.eehackett
normal installation, no stretching needed, tune to desired tone, and away you go, ive tune these up on my 5 string Squier deluxe active jazz bass played for a few hours put it back in the case played it the next day and its still in tune, sometimes longer even after a couple of days and it still stays in tune, for me "thats purfect", EASYbob24raw
6. D'addario Ecb81s Xl Chromes Bass Guitar Strings, Short Scale
Product Details:
Ecb81s, a short scale version of d'addario's best-selling flatwound bass strings, are known for their warm, mellow tone and smooth polished feel. chromes deliver a deep, rich low bottom end which makes them the flat wound choice of jazz, r and pop musicians. fits short scale basses with a string scale length of up to 32 inches. they are wound with flattened stainless steel ribbon wire which is polished to an incredibly smooth surface. delivering a distinctive damped, but tone-rich sound that only flatwounds can produce, d'addario chromes are the world's most popular flatwound strings. short scale version. d'addario's best selling flatwound bass guitar set. ribbon wound and polished for ultra-smooth feel and warm, mellow tone. fits short scale basses with a string scale length of up to 32 inches. string gauges: wound .045, .065, .080, .100.
Specifications:
Reviews:
All my basses have flat wound strings on them. Recently I purchased a 1956 Danelectro bass reissue. It is a short scale bass. I needed flat wound strings and D'DDARIO ECB81S Chromes light strings are what I chose to string it with. These strings are great. They feel right. They give me good tension. The bass sound and plays great. Game over. I may never need new strings, but if I do, I will put the same strings on this bass.1234niles
7. Ernie Ball 5-String Slinky Bass Strings Super Long Scale
Product Details:
Super long scale slinky bass sets are round-wound for maximum clarity and serious punch.these are longer to fit 35"+ scale basses. each bass string is manufactured with the finest and freshest raw materials in the beautiful coachella valley of southern california. the list of endorsers for ernie ball slinky bass strings reads like a who's who of top selling artists.
Specifications:
Reviews:
Good quality strings with reasonable pricebhanotemaha
Good alternative to expensive MTD strings. I'd recommend them to anyone who doesn't need anything fancy but has a 5-string with a 35" scale. Can't really go wrong here. Matches MTD's recommended gauges for their Kingston line but half the price. No brainer. Made in USA. Sounds good. Probably won't last much longer than any other strings, but for the price, who cares? You gotta pay a little more for Super Long Scale, but that's what you get with basses over 34".
Overall: These are, hands down, the worst strings I've ever purchased in my 33 years as a full-time musician ! They didn't even make it through 1 gig ! They were literally dead…like cardboard after a couple sets. I changed them out with my old strings (which sounded way better) and finished my gig… Never againRay
8. Dr Bass Strings Ddt Drop Down Tuning 55-115
Product Details:
Nothing drops like a spider from its web (drop or not!) the first thing you will notice about drs ddt strings is that they go right into tune and lock in. players say they are "so stable it is almost eerie." now you can stand and deliver in tune notes at lower pitch that are clean and clear. expect more and get more. change tunings and be surprised how ddts lock right in. be surprised how little adjustments you make. ddts deliver far more than just heavy gauges.
Specifications:
| Product Dimensions | 6 x 0.4 x 6 inches |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color Name | Silver |
| Hardware Interface | USB |
| Scale Length | 34, 35, 36 |
| String Gauge | Heavy |
| String Material | Nickel Steel |
| Number of Strings | 4 |
| Musical Style | Rock, country, heavy metal, thrash, punk |
| Proficiency Level | All |
Reviews:
I just received these today (3-8-13, not from musicians friend) and was very excited about them. I play in a heavy metal band that tunes to CDCF and my ernie ball super slinky 45s weren't cutting it, so I ordered these. I started putting them on and the tone was great. Once I put on the 4th string (C), it was just about tuned and it snapped. Maybe this was a fluke, but for someone that plays shows, this is completely unacceptable. To have a string designed for low tuning, not be able to tune to C is just ridiculous. No way these would tune any higher. I would avoid these. I ordered Ernie Ball power slinky 55s (same gauge as these DDTs)Cbass419
Sound: great sound. these strings are pretty bright sounding which is what i like, they almost sound like stainless strings, i dont know if they are but in drop c they sound very clear. Features: seem to have a small outer winding so that they are smoother than more rugged strings. Ease of Use: these strings are just like they say super stable so you can drop your action and play fast. Quality: the only problem i have with these strings is that the E string broke on me at the saddle of the bridge. it might have just been a lemon or something but i was in drop C so it didnt have hard tension on it and shouldnt have broken even with heavy picking. this was about two weeks after they were strung up. Value: these strings are expensive but then again theyre hand made so. . .
Really recommend these strings my bass has that twang I've been searching for but without taking anything from the deep basses sounds you want from your bass. When you are stuck in a groove these strings give you so many options to play around with sounds. I bought them for C standard tuning but I've been so happen with them I have learnt half my set list to suit these strings now just for an excuse to use them more. I will be buying more 100%Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.
9. Ernie Ball Super Slinky Bass Strings
Product Details:
Blissful brightness, brilliant balance. the ernie ball super slinky 2834 nickel bass guitar strings are infused with world class ernie ball quality, because it matters. if you're already an ernie ball fan, then these strings are perfect as a replacement set. but if you're simply up for trying something new, the ernie ball guitar strings are certain to give you some extra sonic flair. plus, designed specifically to give you immersive tonal brightness, impeccable balance, as well as crystal clear bass tone, the super slinky strings deliver a sound worthy of true legends. better still, they will arrive to you in element shield packaging which protects them against humidity, meaning they are fresh and ready to play. exceptional tone, fantastic feel – it's time to refresh your worn out strings with undeniable quality.
Specifications:
Reviews:
what can i say, i have been using Ernie Ball Slinky's for almost twenty years.and would not think of any other string. they are so flexible, i think i am using regular guitar strings. it doesn't take a Hercules to pull the strings down to the frets. and they always have the sound i am looking for. look, i am going to shoot straight. most musicians are not rich.and struggle until that day(if it ever comes) we get discovered or finally break through. most of us don't. so, if i can get a string that allows me to do what i can with a bass, and sound like the most expensive bass ever made, at a price where i can eat dinner that night,that's a win-win. so whether i am playing for a bunch of my friends, or playing in some major concert venue.i will continue to use Ernie Ball products.david
I've used Ernie Ball guitar strings for quite a while now, so when I got myself a bass I immediately knew I would try their bass strings as well. So far, so good. I'm just as happy with the bass strings as I have been with the guitar strings. Excellent brand; great quality and value.lumina_racer
Nice, lightweight strings with a good feel and excellent durability. The Slinky series give a great bright sound to the player, which is great for overall sound of the instrument. This lighter gauge I recommend for some of my beginner and/or younger students, especially while developing grip and finger strength. Postage from Artist was of course, super fast. Service is generally excellent, and while I have had some issues with their own brand products in the past, they've always played straight and fairly.
10. Fender 9050m Stainless Flatwound Bass Strings – Medium
Product Details:
Warm tone and smooth fingering from a light-gauge, flatwound string. gauges: 55-70-90-105. fender has been an instrument of choice for many of the greatest musicians since 1946. fender's popularity through the generations is a result of their design innovations and commitment to quality. these long scale electric bass strings reflect this legacy and are worthy of the fender name. attention to detail and the finest materials ensure that you will get the best feeling and greatest sounding replacement strings, set after set. fender stainless 9050m bass strings are flatwound for a warm, rich tone.
Specifications:
Reviews:
The search is over. I've tried Ernie Ball, Chromes, and Thomastik and each and every one of these had aspects that I did not like. Either there was too much brightness, little balance, too much mids, bad feel of the strings, or overall tone that did not hit the sweet spot. Mind you those are also quality strings, but they do not shine like these Fender 55's. The search is simply over. The balance is just there. You don't have overwhelming frequency peaks with these strings because they sound even across the spectrum. Ernie Ball is sticky feeling and too bright for my style (which is amazing for some people, Im very impressed with Ernie Ball as well it just doesnt suite my style, these are almost tied with Fender), Chromes are peaky in the mids, and Thomastiks are too flabby and 'tubby' sounding. This is my top recommendation for strings and I think roundwound players should give them a shot.Bass hobbyist
These are long scale pure nickel round wound strings. They sound great; warm, mellow, but still well defined. Very old school. I use them on all my basses; long (34) and short (30.5) scale. The only caveat for using them on short scale basses, is that the larger diameter (low E) may not fit in the center hole of the tuning peg. In that case, just be sure to leave enough of the smaller diameter "core" to fit into the center hole, then wind the rest around the peg. Took me a while to discover these strings, but these are all I use now.Bassman
Okay, I am a new player and this is my first set of flat wounds. I was wanting to try flat wound strings for a while.I was curious about how they would sound and play. I know professional players who have shared their recommendations with me, and read review from other players on sites such as "Talk Bass". The price was right so I took a shot. I play a Squier Jazz 4 string, and an Ibanez 305 5 string in our band Soylent Dream. When I got my flats I had to wait a couple of days to put them on my Squier. I was too busy playing to change and break 'em in. What I liked when I took them out was that the ends had different colors on them to make them fool proof to put on. The green silk ends were in pretty good shape. When I put them on my 4 string Squier, I was instantly blown away. If you've never played flats before, it's different. The string feel like silk thread under your fingers. The tone and shape of the sound is warmer and richer. Some round wounds feel a little too bright and almost pitchy and cold. This is different. There was no deadening or flatting out in the mids and highs that I thought there might be. I found they were still very crisp. The set I ordered was 105 to 50 and they are stiffer then a round wound. But after a little playing and getting them broken in they hold tune and can be bent and hammered pretty hard. When you first play them you have to get used to how easily your fingers slide, and you can hit on the fret wire and miss your notes getting a buzz. They can take a beating. I am a finger style player, not a picker. The style of music I play is heavy psychedelic rock. Though I am influenced by guys like Steve Harris and Geezer Butler, but am also a big fan of 70's soul and reggae so BB Dickerson and "Family Man" Barret are huge influences too. For me these flats are amazing. The sound fits my style of playing and I have to say, I want to try these on my 5 string.
11. Ghs Stainless Steel Precision Flatwound Electric Bass Strings
Product Details:
Specifications:
| Full Set Material | Stainless Steel |
| Winding | Flat Wound |
| Core | Hex |
| Scale Length | Long |
Reviews:
I had Ernie Ball Cobalts on my '78 Fender P-bass for over a year. I've never had flat wounds on any of my bass guitars in my 35 years of playing so I wanted to try a set. The Balls were gauges 100 to 45 so I chose GHS set 3025 (95 to 45) to compensate for the increased tension of flats. But I liked the idea of still having a 45 G-string. The lighter gauge flats still had increased tension but only slightly. I've read about giving these strings a "break-in" period but they sounded really good right out of the package. So far I've had them on about a month and I'm very happy with them. They feel and sound amazing. Nice full low end across all 4 strings. These are keepers for my P-bass.Hutch
I put these on an acoustic-electric bass in an attempt to get a warmer tone that may be closer to tapewound strings with the durability of flats. I would describe the finish on these as satin. I'm sure that there are others on the market that are more polished, but these are comfortable and attractive strings. The silks on these extra-light gauge are purple. With flats, you have more tension than your average round wounds, that is the reason I went with a lighter gauge as to not put extra tension on the neck. The sound is very warm with the E string being not much more than a thump. They seem to be well made and I've only had them on for a week or two, but enjoying them.Matt
Started playing electric bass back when flats were all there was. At that time Fender flats were the best and were used on so many 1960's recordings. They just stood out in the mix. I started using round wounds in 1972, but I always said at some time I'd again have a spare bass with flats. In 2019 I got my spare, for nostalgia, and put Fenders on, but their magic was gone, nowhere near the sound of that 60's punch. When I tried the GHS', there it was and I'm grateful. If you want to re-create that vintage sound, use these.bassman_bob1224
12. Ernie Ball 2838 Slinky 6-String Long Scale Bass Strings
Product Details:
With decades of precision engineering, class-leading quality comes as standard. the ernie ball slinky 6 string long scale bass set are made out of a smooth nickel plated wire, wrapped around a steel hex core. by keeping your frets in check using softer metals like nickel, less servicing will be required to keep your bass feeling right underneath your fingers.
Specifications:
| Gauge | 32, 45, 65, 80, 100, 130 |
| Wrap Material | Nickel-Plated Steel |
| Construction | Round Wound |
| Scale Length | Long Scale (Standard) |
| Length (Ball End to Taper/Silk) | 37 inches / 94 cm |
| Length (Total) | 48 inches / 121.92 cm |
| Silk Details | No silk at either end of the string |
| Core | Hex Core |
| Anchor | Ball End |
| Coating | Non-Coated String |
Reviews:
Still playing with other brands to see what i like but i've always gone with this brand in the past (4 and 5 string bass). I've only had my 6 string for about a year (ibanez BTB686SC terra firma) i didn't notice any rattle or anything after a small adjustment to my bridge. I wouldn't call these special but they work just fine.Weston
I just started playing 6 string bass guitar. I do care about tension and sound of low B string since I have played 5 string bass. It sounds wonderful. The "new string sound" lasts very long.(I tried DR, but its "new string sound" went off quickly.) I do have fast and agressive slap style, and It has nice mid on string itself. The Nickel feels kinda rough, but guys. this string is chipper than any other strings but sounds better!! you have to try it.Chi-Hoon Kim
13. Gibson Brite Wire Electric Bass Strings, Long Scale, Light, 45-105-Gibs-Sbg-Lsl-1
Product Details:
The heart of your tone. the gibson brite wire light bass strings provide players with legendary quality right at their fingertips. experience a rich, powerful tone that oozes with sustain, thanks to the nickel-plated steel design. what's more – this is a tone for life. the durable, hex-core construction ensures your tone can flourish for countless performances. and they're crafted and tested by master luthiers at gibson's esteemed usa factory, ensuring that coveted gibson personality decorates your playing. because, with gibson, you don't just hear the difference. you feel it, too.
Specifications:
Reviews:
14. Ghs Ml3045 Boomers Medium Light Electric Bass Strings
Product Details:
Ghs has been manufacturing high-quality guitar strings since 1964. professional musicians and amateur hobbyists who want great sound from their strings turn to ghs for a wide variety of tones and they're popular among gearnuts bassists. whatever your tastes from bright crunching rock to a mellow bluesy sound there's a set of ghs string that's right for you. the goal at ghs is to provide players around the world with strings that consistently exceed expectations.
Specifications:
Reviews:
My Mitchell MS450 (single cutaway LP style guitar) came with D'Add's, which sounded decent. When I switched them out, I went with the GHS 10's on a hunch based on things I've heard. Great move! Nice, brilliant tone, rings out for eternity if you let them! I have heard that the GHS 9's are really good on Strat style guitars, so GHS might be my go to on my Squier Strat Classic Vibe next string change.Joe
I used 11's from D'Addario for years and I would break a string consistently for every show that I played. I do not know why I kept with D'Addario for so long. I figured I needed to have a heavier string gauge for durability and better tone. Searched around and came across these strings in the heavy gauge, and I could not be happier with them. These strings have great sustain, are durable, do not corrode as quickly as other brands I have used in my professional career playing music, and, despite their heaviness, are easy to play in standard tuning. Along with playing well with a pick and fingers, these strings also sound terrific when playing slide. You can get the same great tones out of these strings that Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks have with their lighter gauges, as well as channeling the fat tones that you hear from Duane Allman from the Fillmore East show. Great Garcia tones can come from these strings as well. Basically what I am saying is that you can still get those classic guitar sounds on these heavy strings without feeling like your losing tone or playing opportunities utilized by the players that inspire you who may use lighter string gauges. These strings also (as far as I know) have a round core instead of a hex core. I think that might be a reason why these strings have so much sustain, especially when you have some distortion or overdrive keeping them warm while playing lead. If you are on the fence about getting these, I recommend you give them a try just see how they work for you. They are no that expensive and its worth it to figure out what works for you as a player. Feeling confidence in the gear you use is so essential to being comfortable on stage. Buy a pack and see what happens. You might find yourself just what you've been looking for.JFromJUNCO
I used to use Boomers for about 10 years, on all my electrics (9s). Until arthritis started creeping in. Switched to EB slinky 8s, and playing became much easier. Everything still had a huge sound, but previous order added a test set of the Boomer 8.5s for my Gibson Les Paul goldtop with P90s. Took a while to get used to the rougher feel compared with the EB 8s. But will probably order another set for the goldtop, and a set for my ES295.Joe S.
15. Fender 7150m Pure Nickel Bass Strings – Medium
Product Details:
Fender original 7150 s pure nickel strings deliver a smooth feel with reduced finger noise. the tone is rich and warm with abundant harmonics, while still offering great clarity. these strings are perfect for blues, jazz, r&b and classic rock.fender original 7150 s pure nickel strings deliver a smooth feel with reduced finger noise. the tone is rich and warm with abundant harmonics, while still offering great clarity. these strings are perfect for blues, jazz, r&b and classic rock.fender original 7150 s pure nickel strings deliver a smooth feel with reduced finger noise. the tone is rich and warm with abundant harmonics, while still offering great clarity. these strings are perfect for blues, jazz, r&b and classic rock.
Specifications:
Reviews:
One of the best kept secrets out there. Compare with the pyramid and thomastik pure nickel strings and you'll see what a great value these are. I think all my basses sound best with these strings and have used them extensively the past 30 years and always come back to them. I think Alnico and ceramic pickups work best with these and there are no harsh overtones or twanging. If you like twang, I love the EB Hybrid strings. They're great for that extra edge, but on my Fenders especially you can't beat these strings.
16. Ernie Ball Power Slinky Bass Strings
Product Details:
The world's #1 electric bass strings. for over 50 years, ernie ball slinky electric guitar strings have been the favorite of musicians across the globe, ernie ball's signature recipe consists of specific gauges and core to wrap ratios for balanced rich harmonics and that signature slinky feel. using the finest and freshest raw materials every string is manufactured in the dry southern california climate using state of the art winding technology and undergoing strict quality control standards. nickel wound slinky bass strings consist of nickel plated steel wrapped around a tin plated high carbon steel core for a balanced tone that compliments all electric bass types and playing styles. each set is packaged in an ultra low humidity environment with ernie ball's element shield packaging to ensure every set is as fresh as the day it was made. gauges.
Reviews:
I am a drummer. My son needed strings. He took a few lessons years ago, and recently decided to try again. Guitar needed strings. I put on a full set and tuned it up. Seem to be functional. Fairly flexible. I didn't want really heavy strings. I know they would wreak havoc on un-callused fingertips!Scott W.
I use the power slinky's on my Ibanez 1070pbz and love them. I love their tone and and they're a very flexible string for medium gauges. I use the regular slinky's on my strat. I was using black diamonds, which are very hard to find around here and are almost 30 a pack and they're not very flexible and break easy during bends but I stuck with them for years just because I liked the tone. But I tried the EB's because of the good reviews and they're cheap and everyone sells them. Surprisingly the tone I liked from the black diamonds was VERY similar to the EB's but the EB's are SO much more flexible. I usually change my strings at least once a month maybe more because I like the fresh tone, but at 5 a pack you can afford to change them often. I play daily at least a couple hours and it's usually blues and rock so I'm hard on the strings. The 30 set didn't seem to hold their fresh out of the pack sounds any longer. You can buy the EB's in bulk and get a great discount from MF.Oilfieldman
17. Ernie Ball 2840 Beefy Slinky Bass Strings, 65-130
Product Details:
Ernie ball welcomes its newest bass string set to the world-famous line of slinky bass guitar strings.beefy slinky bass strings feature the same great bright and balanced tone that slinkys are known for, in an even heavier combination for 4-string players. this set has been specifically developed for ultra-low tunings including bead, drop b, and drop c. beefy slinky bass strings are ideal for players who prefer a heavier set of strings that deliver a powerful low end with optimal tension and definition.part number p02840.
Reviews:
I once used D'Addarios for practice and gigs, then tried the Ernie Ball kind: these have a deeper bottom while having a comparable midrange presence. They're great for rock and roll gigs. The highs have a nice snap to them. Nickel strings are easier on the fingertips than stainless steel, plus the Slinkys last longer than Rotosounds. Tony Levin used this brand, so that was a good endorsement already.Robert
18. Dr Strings Nyb-45 Hi-Def Neon Bass Strings. Yellow 45-105
Product Details:
D.r hi-def neon yellow bass strings 45-105 dr neons are super bright color coated strings that sound clear, bright and musical. players love the bright neon colors and their remarkable sound. super bright in daylight and under stage lighting, dr neon is 100% black light reactive and glow strongly under uv lighting. neons are the first coated string to make no apologies. while neons last as long as a coated string should (three to four times as long as uncoated strings) they sound as good, or better, than uncoated strings.
Reviews:
I bought this set 6 months ago just to try them out. Yes. 6 Months. My opinion is: They're GREAT! I had never played coated strings before, but loved the set of DR nickel plated Lo-Riders I had on, and I chose DR NEONs due to my positive experience with those Lo-Riders. The Neons look just fantastic! But you buy strings for the sound, and these NEONs sound superb! Solid Punchy Meaty Mids. Plenty of top end brightness and sparkle without the annoying tin can high end zing such as Rotosounds have. NEONS have something quite a few roundrounds lack, and that is a vibrantly smooth thick full round bottom. The coating is quite slick to the touch at first. That makes it very easy to slide around the neck, but they squeak! The squeak doesn't come through the p'ups to your amp, and goes away after being played in. DR's K3 coating DOES cut down on roundwound string screech BIGTIME! It took me two weeks of playing an hour or more everyday to get the NEONs 'played in' and hold tune. NEONs are a very comfortable string to play. DR NEONs are VERY well balanced. Tone is both superb and cosistent string-to-string. They last a long LONG time. Six months for me vs 2-3 months for uncoated roundwounds. The coating does begin to wear off over time especially if you play with a pick very much, however that doesn't alter the tone at all. I will buy these again and recommend them highly.Linnin
Great Strings Good PriceRooster
19. Fender 9120 Nylon Tapewound Bass Strings
Product Details:
Gauge: .058"-.110" fender usa strings – fender has been the instrument of choice for many of the greatest musicians since 1946. our popularity through the generations is a result of our design innovations and commitment to quality. these strings reflect this legacy and are worthy of the fender name. attention to detail and the finest materials ensure that you will get the best feeling and greatest sounding string, set after set. fender 9120m nylon tapewound strings deliver a warm, smooth tone.
Specifications:
Reviews:
Finishing touch for fretless bass. The strings allow quick movement over the fretboard and continuous slides with a unique sound afforded by the nylon wrapping of the metal strings. Silky smooth sound but still plenty of bottom end. Not as trebly as round wound or half-round and easier on the fingers for sliding than nickel flat-wound. First time I have tried Fender strings and I am very impressed. Gauges are good too – 110 in a metal flat-wound was impossible for me to play comfortably but these are great.gre4961
I have used the previous Fender tape wound round wounds for years (7120s) on several basses. I mainly play fretless so having the round wound gets much more bite than typical flat wounds and the tape keeps the fret boards in great shape. I have an old Alembic fretless, a fretless Fender Precision A/E hollow body w/ a buffer pre-amp for the piezos and a fretted franken-p-bass made from various Fender parts and using active EMGs. All sound great. I mainly play through an Ampeg PF500 head and a Mark Bass 2X10 bottom and have had zero issues with these strings. They get a lot of crisp high end and a phenomenal bottom end possibly also due to the fact all three basses are active. Overall a great product and I would definitely recommend them. I usually change them every 6 months. The only thing negative I have found is that the tape kind of starts to get rough, especially on the fretted p-bass after 5-6 months, but I play a lot. I play in a jazz band as well as sitting in constantly w/ various blues players around St Louis so I have no idea how they would be for slap bass or other types of music. I do constantly get positive feedback as far as the sound of my rig. One of the best things about these strings is they are very quiet sliding on a fretless. I keep a couple extra sets around at all times but have never had one break.Steve
I wanted to try tapewounds as I was going for a McCartney-ish 60s-70s tone on my P-Bass. These are really nice. Smooth and easy on the fingers. Almost feels fretless. I would say they sound like a broken in set of roundwounds with a touch of flatwound tone. They also bend and slide nicely. It makes you want to play solos above the 12th fret. My only complaint, and it's not a defect in the strings in any way, is that you are not grounded. It's something I didn't think about. When you play regular strings you are grounding the bass by touching them. On the tapewound you are insulated from the metal, so if your bass has any buzz when you arent touching the strings, that buzz will still be there when you play with tapewounds.Chris
20. Dr Strings Flatwound Legend Bass Medium
Product Details:
Stainless steel bass strings wound on round cores hi-beam stainless steel bass strings are round wound and constructed on a round core which is unique in the industry. hi-beams require much more time, care and extra steps to make than other bass strings. the extra effort dr expends making hi-beams results in a bass string that is highly flexible and musically but not harshly bright. they are renowned for durability, unusually long life, consistency and string-to-string balance. they don’t eat your frets. hi-beams are the string to choose for brightness, punch and ease of playing.
Specifications:
Reviews:
I had high hopes for this set of flatwounds to put on my hollowbody 5 string bass. I was disappointed, however. The higher tension of this string really adds fatigue to your hand muscles. The worst part is that the LOW B string totally came apart when winding around the tuning post. The strings were put on my a great luthier/guitar tech in my area….so it was not a matter that they were put on incorrectly. I contacted DR and they immediately sent out a replacement B string….so high marks for their customer service. In the meantime, however, I needed a B string and put on a LaBella Low B flatwound that plays and sounds fine but has a different tonal character than the DR. Don't know whether to take a chance on removing the LaBella and put the DR to make a matching set.roadcat
Round wounds are great strings but I found it difficult to dial in that old Fender Jazz bass sound on my basses. Flat wounds did it with ease and without any felt or palm muting. I bought a set of LaBella Deep talking flat wounds and they sound good but still fell short when it came to slapping. Since I used DR Fat beams primarily I decided to try DR Legend Flats. Wow, I have found the sound in my head…finally. Slap, finger style, palm muting, you name it. It sounds really great. Now I use Legend flats on all of my basses, including my 5 string. Last but not least, they feel good in my hands as well.Dandy Don
I'm a long time big fan of DR. I like their infinite lasting strings which keep their tone years and years, However I have been using Ernie Ball 2806 Flat Wound Group III on my Precision 70 with 62' pickup since 2010. P 62' pickup has an edgy top end and round low. I was curious about the legend and decided to give them a shot. I like the gorgeous gold wrapping at the end of the string and it looks awesome on my Olympic white Precision. A, D and G string sounds quite clear and open, but the E string is totally dead. No texture at all. It has thick low end though, but rather you use your nail or a pick, it has a dead click, and that's it. Quite a contrast with the other strings actually. It's a kind of sound I have heard on many R&B albums and may be your thing, but I personally prefer the Ernie Ball 2806 for Classic rock, Funk, Blues etc. The Ernie Ball 2806 do not have that strong E, but all strings are consistent and clear and cranking the low end a bit adds fatness to all strings. DR Legends may please many players and may possibly work better on more modern instrument. If DR claim to improve this I will try them again. Meanwhile, I am going back to my beloved Ernie Ball 2806.Precision70
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