We wrote an article on recommended bass guitar strings back in 2009 and find that people are still commenting on it eight years later.
A recent comment included a link to a very helpful Russian website with an indepth article about bass guitar strings (you can click through to it and use Google Translate to read it).
We’ve copied the tables here below. Translation is by Google Translate so apologies if any errors. Obviously the content is not vetted or endorsed by Musicademy but we thought you’d find the detail interesting. The tables are based on tests conducted 144 sets of strings of different companies.
4-STRING SETS | Rock | Metal | Funk | Blues | Punk | Jazz | Fusion | Reggae | Country | |
Alembic | CX-3 | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | ||
D’Addario | XL | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | ||
Slowound | + | + | + | + | + | |||||
XL Reds | + | + | + | + | ||||||
Dean Markley | SR2000 | + | + | + | + | |||||
DR | Lo-Riders (SS) | + | + | + | ||||||
Elites | Single Ball End | + | + | + | + | + | ||||
Ernie Ball | Hybrid Slinky (SS) | + | + | + | + | + | ||||
Fodera | 4-String Steel | + | + | + | + | + | ||||
GHS | Boomers | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | ||
Super Steels | + | + | + | + | + | |||||
Brite Flats | + | + | + | + | + | + | ||||
Precision Flatwounds | + | + | + | + | + | |||||
Ken Smith | Rock Masters | + | + | + | + | + | ||||
Bass Burners | + | + | + | + | + | + | ||||
Compressors | + | + | + | |||||||
LaBella | Hard Rockin ‘Steel | + | + | + | + | |||||
DTB Tape Wound | + | + | + | + | ||||||
Maxima | Gold Maxiflex | + | + | + | + | + | + | |||
MTD | Essential Series | + | + | + | + | |||||
Pedulla | Stainless Steel | + | + | + | + | + | ||||
Rotosound | Swing Bass 66 | + | + | + | + | |||||
SIT | Rock Brights Stainless | + | + | + | + | |||||
Trace Elliot | ST4 / SS | + | + | + | + | |||||
Warwick | Black Label | + | + | + | + | |||||
Zon | Ultrasonic Nickel | + | + | + | + | + | + | |||
Ultrasonic Steel | + | + | + | + | + | |||||
5-STRING SETS | Rock | Metal | Funk | Blues | Punk | Jazz | Fusion | Reggae | Country | |
Carvin | 5011 | + | + | + | + | + | + | |||
C. Stringer | Snarling Dogs NPS | + | + | + | + | + | ||||
D’Addario | XL5 | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | ||
Chromes | + | + | + | + | + | |||||
Elites | Single Ball End | + | + | + | + | + | ||||
Ernie Ball | Hybrid Slinkys (SS) | + | + | + | + | |||||
Group III Flatwound | + | + | + | + | + | |||||
GHS | Super Steels | + | + | + | + | + | ||||
Boomers | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | ||
Ken Smith | Rock Masters | + | + | + | + | + | + | |||
Pedulla | Stainless Steel | + | + | + | + | + | ||||
Sadowsky | Roundwounds | + | + | + | + | + | + | |||
Thomastik-lnfeld | Jazz Bass | + | + | + | + | + |
KEY: |
RWD: Roundwound (round winding) |
CWD: Compression Wound (compression coil) |
FWD: Flatwound (flat coil) |
GWD: Groundwound (semicircular winding) |
TWD: Taper Wound (tapering winding) |
EC: Exposed Core (open central core) |
NPS: Nickel-Plated Steel (nickel-plated steel) |
NPI: Nickel-Plated Iron (nickel-iron) |
CPS: Chrome-Plated Steel (chrome steel) |
SS: Stainless Steel (stainless steel) |
EC EADG, TWD B, and so on. D. – Specified string |
FIRM | MODEL | PRICE | MADE IN | SET | TYPE | TENSION | EXIT | LENGTH | COMMENTS |
Alembic | CX-3 / 45L | $ 37 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | CWD, NPS | Tight | Hot | 38 “ | Big tone: Lean bottom, punchy mids, and a brilliant top. Excellent balance for fingerstyle and slapping. Live, defined pick sound – even on drop-D tuning. |
Carvin | 4011 | $ 39 Direct for three sets) | USA | .040, .060, .080, .100 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Medium | 36½ “ | Round bottom, supple mids, and smooth top for fingerstyle. Focused pick sound with cutting mids. |
Charlie Stringer’s Strings | Snarling Dogs | $ 32 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, SS | Tight | Med / Hot | 36 “ | Dry, punchy, bright tone.Tight and semi-grungy pick tones. |
Snarling Dogs | $ 32 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Medium | 36 “ | Medium-bright set with round, fat tone and good balance for fingerstyle / pick bass. | |
Snarling Dogs (Nuclear Nickel) | $ 38 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, NPS | Med / Soft | Medium | 36 “ | Similar to nickel Snarling Dogs, but with more attack and buttery slap feel. | |
Snarling Dogs (H²WC) | $ 42 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Medium | 36½ “ | Warm-sounding fingerslyle / pick set with a glossy top, bright harmonics, and good punch. | |
Amalgamated Metal | $ 19.95 | Korea | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, NPS | Tight | Medium | 37 “ | Fingerstyle / pick set with live top, good punch, and lean bass. | |
Tube-Toned Blues Strings | $ 36-38 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, NPS (EC EADG) | Medium | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | Tight tone, scooped;bass, and very good sustain for pecky fingerstyle. | |
D’Addario | XL | $ 36.95 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Med / Hot | 36 “ | All-purpose set with meaty bass, thick mids, and semi-bright top.Excellent balance and smooth feel. |
Slowound | $ 45 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS | Med / Tight | Medium | 36 “ | Big, defined bass. Warm and fat fingerstyle set with a smooth top. | |
Prism | $ 39.75 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS | Tight | Hot | 36½ “ | Super bright. Trim, clear bass for snappy slapping and snarly pick tones. | |
XL Reds | $ 31.85 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100 | RWD, Copper-Coated Steel | Med / Soft | Medium | 36 “ | Dry, scooped mids and an articulate, sweet top for a compressed, Stanley-esque solo tone.Brassy, rubbery pick sound. | |
Half Round Series II | $ 47.50 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100 | GWD, SS | Medium | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | Flatwound-like warmth with a precise top and healthy sustain. Clicky pick sounds. | |
Chromes | $ 55.40 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100 | FWD, CPS | Tight | Med / Hot | 36 “ | Fingerstyle flatwounds with warm bass, strong mids, and cutting, semi-twangy top. Great sustain. | |
D’Angelico | Stainless Steel Concepts | $ 30.50 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, SS | Medium | Med / Hot | 38 “ | Bright, even tone with lots of muscle. All-around punchy, gritty sound. |
Hot Nickel Concepts | $ 30.50 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Med / Hot | 38 “ | Round, semi-bright attack with good string feel for fingerstyle and ’70s slap tones. Solid pick sound. | |
Low-Riding Hot Nickel Concepts | $ 35.25 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS (TWD EAD) | Tight | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | Stainless-steel brillance with nickel-plated feel.Excellent clarity and great sustain for all styles. | |
Smoothround Bass Hits | $ 36.75 | USA | .045, .062, .084, .103 | GWD, NPI | Tight | Med / Hot | 38 “ | Smooth tone with good focus and a glassy top.Semi-dry finish. | |
D’Aquisto | Taperlock TL-54 | $ 40 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, SS (TWD EAD) | Medium | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | Punchy, biting AG strings with a warm E string. |
Taperlock TL-94 | $ 40 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, NPS (TWD EAD) | Tight | Medium | 36½ “ | Semi balanced set with good sustain and round harmonics. Warm-sounding E string. | |
Rock Bottoms 930 | $ 32 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, SS | Tight | Medium | 36½ “ | Semi-balanced set with warm lone for mellow fingerstyle, pick, or thumb-mute styles. | |
Rock Bottoms 530 | $ 32 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Medium | 36½ “ | Semi-balanced fingerstyle set with a worm tone. | |
Dean Markley | SR2000 | $ 45 | USA | .046, .063, .080, .102 | RWD, SS TWD EAD) | Tight | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Piano-string ring, powerful impact, growly mids, and aggressive, super-bright top. A well-defined fingerstyle / slap set. |
Round Wound | $ 36 | USA | .050, .070, .080, .100 | RWD, NPS | Tight | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Semi-bold fingerslyle tone with a sweet, bright top. Tight and smooth pick sound with a firm drop-D. | |
Solid Bass | $ 29.95 | USA | .046, .063, .081, .102 | RWD, NPS | Med / Tight | Med / Hot | 38 “ | Big body, smooth feel, and good attack / impact for slap and fingerslyle.Upfront pick tone with medium grind. | |
Super Round | $ 38.50 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, SS | Tight | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Robust fingerstyle tone with taut bottom, firm punch, and bright top.Semi-balanced slap tone. | |
Blue Steel | $ 45 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, SS | Medium | Hot | 37 “ | Raw and hollow with strong bass and crisp cut. Gnarly pick tone with dark grind.Cryogenically treated | |
Fretmaster | $ 42.50 | USA | .046, .063, .080, .102 | CWD, SS | Tight | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Compressed windings over frets for less raspy steel feel. Multi-purpose dry sound with focused bass and semi-bright highs. | |
Ground Round Wound | $ 41.50 | USA | .049, .062, .077, .098 | GWD, NPS | Tight | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Powerful, semi-mellow tone with clicky top.Medium-balanced set with good tic-tac pick sound. | |
Flat Wound | $ 39.50 | USA | .050, .070, .080, .100 | FWD, SS | Very Tight | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Lean, upper-mid-rich, mellow flatwound sound with good pick sounds that click. | |
DR Handmade Strings | Hi-Beams | $ NA | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | CWD, SS | Medium | Hot | 37 “ | Punchy, dry, cutting slap tone with good depth.Supple fingerstyle sound and a fat pick attack. |
Lo-Riders | $ NA | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | CWD, SS | Med / Tight | Hot | 37 “ | Focused and snappy.Dry, rubbery Stanley-esque slap tones and taut pick sounds. | |
Lo-Riders | $ NA | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | CWD, NPS | Medium | Medium | 37 “ | Smooth top, good punch, and warm bottom for ’70s-esque fingerstyle tones. | |
Sunbeams | $ NA | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | CWD, UPS | Medium | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Warm, semi-balanced fingerstyle set with focused mids and articulate highs. | |
Elites | Single Ball End | $ NA * | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, SS | Tight | Hot | 37½ “ | Loud, cutting fingerstyle / slap / pick tones with thick rump, punchy mids, and a very bright top. Excellent string balance and power. |
Player Series | $ NA * | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS | Tight | Hot | 38 “ | Lean fingerstyle / pick sounds with a perky top.Very bright and punchy for nickels. | |
Custom Bass Series Flatwounds | $ NA * | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | FWD, SS | Tight | Med / Hot | 38 “ | Dark bottom, strong mids (good for pick tones), and mellow treble. | |
Ernie Ball | Super Slinky | $ 32 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100 | RWD, SS | Tight | Hot | 36 “ | All-purpose set with powerful, ballsy, snarly steel tone. Good balance and sustain. |
Hybrid Slinky | $ 32 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, SS | Tight | Hot | 36½ “ | Big ol ‘bass sound with a tasty attack for fingerslyle, slapping, and pick tones. | |
Hybrid Slinky | $ 32 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS | Tight | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Round-yet-brilliant tone.Tight tension for fingerslyle and drop-D pick tones with impact. | |
Group III FIatwound | $ 37.50 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100 | FWD, CPS | Medium | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | Throbby bottom, subdued mids, and twang-free top. Good balance and medium-bright harmonics. | |
Fender | Dynamaxx 1200 | $ 35.75 | Mexico | .045, .065, .080, .100 | RWD, NPS | Tight | Medium | 36½ “ | Trim bottom, grunty mids, and a semi-bright top for fingerstyle and basic pick tones. |
1000 | $ 35.75 | Mexico | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, SS | Medium | Hot | 36½ “ | “Utilitarian” set with punchy, even response, great sustain, and bright harmonics and snap. | |
Fodera | Diamond Series 4-String Set | $ 45.50 | USA | .044, .062, .085, .106 | CWD, SS | Tight | Hot | 36½ “ | Loud and aggressive slap and fingerstyle sounds with excellent sustain. Wicked punch and raw, bright highs. |
Diamond Series 4-String Set | $ 45.50 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | CWD, NPS | Medium | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | fast, buttery fingerstyle feel with tight punch and a sweet, glassy top.Round, open pick sounds. | |
GHS | Boomers | $ 33.50 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS | Tight | Hot | 38 “ | Very rich with huge, blossoming notes. Taut and warm for all styles.Medium-bright cut with great sustain. |
Bassics | $ 25 | USA | .044, .063, .084, .106 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | Fingerstyle / pick set with good body and above average brightness for gleaming tones. | |
Progressives | $ 36 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS | Tight | Hot | 36½ “ | Super-bright / medium-balanced set with muscular punch and tight attack for cutting fingerstyle and brilliant pick tones. | |
Super Steels | $ 33.50 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, SS | Medium | Hot | 38 “ | Excellent definition, super-brilliant treble, and chesty punch. Raw, spongy fingerstyle sounds; crispy, crunchy slapping; and ballsy drop-D pick tones. | |
Pressurewound | $ 35.50 | USA | .044, .062, .084, .106 | CWD, NPI | Tight | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | Good compromise set for fingerstyle / pick.Bright and tight with a smooth surface. Strong mids with strong presence. | |
Brite Flats | $ 39.50 | USA | .049, .062, .084, .108 | GWD, NPI | Tight | Med / Hot | 38 “ | Maximum throb, semi-present highs, and superb sustain. Good tic-tac pick tones. | |
Precision Flatwound | $ 42 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | FWD, SS | Tight | Med / Hot | 38 “ | Deep, dark bottom, strong mids, and mellow treble. Good, centered pick tones. | |
Gibson | Thunder Plus 4 | $ 36.50 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, SS | Med / Soft | Hot | 36½ “ | Loud, punchy, and bright. Spank and grind for all styles. |
Pow-R-Bass | $ 36.50 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | Compressed punch and rounded highs best suited to fingerstyle.Semi-smooth feel. | |
Ken Smith | Rock Masters | $ 34 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, SS | Medium | Hot | 38 “ | Raw presence and powerful punch. All-purpose set with good bottom and balanced snap. |
Bass Burners NPS | $ 34 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Med / Hot | “38” | Room-filling bottom and a sweet, bright top for fingerstyle and pick playing. | |
Custom Balanced Round Wounds | $ 34 | USA | .044, .063, .084, .106 | RWD, SS | Medium | Hot | 38 “ | Similiar to Rock Masters, but leaner bottom, stronger mids, and snappier tone. | |
Custom Balanced Taper Core | $ 39 | USA | .044, .063, .084, .106 | RWD, SS (TWDEAD) | Med / Tight | Hot | 38 “ | Snappy, dry roundwound sound with lots of zing for most styles. Super bright top and great sustain. | |
Compressors | $ 38 | USA | .044, .062, .082, .105 | CWD, NPI | Med / Tight | Hot | 37 “ | Fast set with semi-smooth feel. Taut bottom, focused mids, and shiny highs for fingerstyle. Slicing slap and drop-D pick attack.Good fretless set. | |
Slick Round | $ 38 | USA | .044, .062, .084, .106 | GWD, NPI | Medium | Med / Hot | 38 “ | Smooth bass, active mids, and semi-bright highs that cut with a pick or fingers. Semi-smooth feel for solos. | |
LaBella | Hard Rockin ‘Steel | $ 34.60 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, SS | Med / Tight | Hot | 36½ “ | Potent pick tones with good bite. Crunchy, bright snap and thick butt for aggressive fingerstyle and slap. |
Deep Talkin ‘Bass Round Wound | $ 34.60 | USA | .044, .061, .085, .110 | RWD, SS | Tight | Hot | 36½ “ | Powerful tone with robust bottom and musical top for sweet fingerstyle and pick tones. | |
Slappers | $ 34.60 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS | Tight | Medium | 36½ “ | Smooth finish, tight feel, medium-heavy bottom, and a semi-glossy top.Good fingerstyle and pick set. | |
Super Steps | $ 34.60 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, SS (TWDEADG) | Tight | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | Bright, punchy, semi-balanced attack. Good cut and semi-bright harmonics. | |
Deep Talkin ‘Bass Round Polished | $ 46 | USA | .045, .063, .085, .107 | GWD, SS | Medium | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | Acoustic-like bass with heavy mids and semi-mellow highs. Good pick click. | |
Deep Talkin ‘Bass Flat | $ 50 | USA | .043, .060, .082, .104 | FWD, SS | Med / Soft | Hot | 36½ “ | Lots of high-output bottom and semi-bright cut. Smooth finish and pick tone. | |
Deep Talkin ‘Bass 1954 Fender-Style | $ 50 | USA | .052, .073, .095, .110 | FWO, SS | Very Tight | Medium | 36 “ | “The Jamerson set.” Big, warm, semi-thuddy sound with lots of overtones and a smooth, subdued top. | |
Deep Talkin ‘Bass Black Nylon | $ 50 | USA | .060, .070, .097, .115 | FWD, SS | Tight | Medium | 36 “ | Smooth, black-tape finish. Ultra warm, bouncy boss with grunty mids and rubbery top.Cool thumb-mute sounds and ’60s pick tones. | |
Maxima | Gold Maxiflex | $ 87.95 | Germany | .045, .060, .080, .100 | RWD, 24K Gold-Plated | Soft | Medium | 36½ “ | Blossoming, rich bass;subdued mids; and glossy, delicate sheen.Super-fast, nickel-feel-with-steel-brightness set for any style. |
Modulus Graphite | Modulus Taper Core | $ 37 | USA | .044, .063, .084, .106 | RWD, SS (TWD E) | Medium | Hot | 38 “ | Very bright attack with dynamic, brilliant harmonics. Good balance for fingerstyle and slapping. |
MTD | Essential Series | $ 40 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, SS | Tight | Hot | 37 “ | “1,000-pound-thumb tone.” Very aggressive, super balanced, in-your-face punch. Ballsy sustain, extra-bright top, and vicious, grindy.drop-D pick attack. |
Peavey | Accu Wrap | $ NA | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Punchy and bright fingerstyle / slap set with excellent sustain.Great attack for nickels. |
Pedulla | Stainless Steel | $ 39.95 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, SS | Tight | Hot | 36½ “ | Multi-purpose set with extra punch, depth, and brilliance. Big, tight bottom and guitar-slicing cut. |
Rotosound | Swing Bass 66 | $ 38 | England | .045, .065, .080, .105 | RWD, SS | Tight | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | Meaty, punchy, bright set with even lone for all styles. Great with o pick or thumb. |
606 Funkmaster | $ 39 | England | .030, .050, .070, .090 | RWD, SS (EC EAD) | Very Tight | Med / Hot | 36 “ | Killer slap snap and super-tight punch.Piano-string-ring with more attack than fat.Very live. | |
Sodowsky | Roundwound | $ 15 (Six for $ 75 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, SS | Tight | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | Full tone with a tasty top. Stout punch for fingerstyle, slapping, and basic pick sounds. |
SIT | Rock Brights Stainless | $ 44.95 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, SS | Tight | Hot | 36½ “ | Row, dry sound with extra bright, metallic slap / fingerstyle attack.Trim pick sounds. |
Rock Brigtls | $ 39.25 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS | Tight | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | Tight, fingerstyle / pick set with firm bass and glassy treble. Brighter-than-average sound. | |
Power Wound | $ 33.25 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS | Tight | Medium | 37 “ | Warm bottom, good body, and semi-bright upper end for fingerstyle and round / midrangy pick tones. | |
Thomastik-Infeld | Jazz Bass | $ NA | Austria | .043, .051, .068, .089 | RWD, NPS | Soft | Medium | 36½ “ | Unique. Resilient bass and a bright attack with an ultra-flexible, smooth feel. Warm and brilliant harmonics for fingerslyle and solos. |
Rock Series | $ NA | Austria | .047, .068, .080, .107 | RWD, NPS | Tight | Medium | 36 “ | Unusual set.Blossoming, upright-esque bass, growly mids, and supple treble for fingerstyle / pick sounds. Round and punchy slap tones. | |
Jazz Bass Flatwound | $ NA | Austria | .043, .056, .070, .100 | FWD, NPS | Soft | Medium | 36½ “ | Buttery bottom, hot mids, and a semi-bright top for fingerstyle.Smooth finish. | |
Trace Elliot | ST4 / NS | $ 33 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS (TWD EAD) | Medium | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Fingerslyle set. Smooth feel with warm, soft bass and pleasant, semi-bright highs. |
ST4 / SS | $ 36 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, SS (TWD EAD) | Medium | Med / Hot | 36½ “ | Aggressive impact, very bright cut, and dry bass.Grindy growl / top for fingerslyle, pick, or slap. | |
Warwick | Black Label | $ 39.95 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, SS | Medium | Hot | 37 “ | Raw, burning, snarling pick / slap tones.Excellent balance for drop-D tunings, chesty punch for thumps. Lush definition and grind. |
Zon | Ultrasonic Steel | $ 34 | USA | .046, .063, .080, .102 | RWD, SS | Medium | Hot | 37 “ | Excellent string balance and tone for all styles.Explosive thumb sounds, mealy punch and growl for fingerslyle, and big muscle and a bright top for pick boss. |
Ultrasonic Nickel | $ 34 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 | RWD, NPS | Med / Soft | Medium | 37 “ | Room-filling lows and semi-bright, buttery top.Comfy for finger and slap styles with a supple feel for soloing. |
FIRM | MODEL | PRICE | MADE IN | SET | TYPE | TENSION | EXIT | LENGTH | COMMENTS |
Carvin | 5011 | $ 45 (Direct for three sets) | USA | .040, .060, .080, .100, .128 | RWD, NPS (TWD B) | Medium | Medium | 36 ½ “ | Musical-sounding fingerstyle set. Sweet and warm with excellent balance. Big, bold B string with excellent focus. |
Charlie Stringer’s Strings | Snarling Dogs | $ 39 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105, .130 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Medium | 36 ½ “ | Full bass, medium-bright treble, and good sustain. Excellent balance and thick tone from B. |
D’Addario | XL5 | $ 47.95 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100, .130 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Med / Hot | 36 ½ “ | Smooth, rich tone on all strings. Superb balance, excellent Focus, and throaty mids for fingerstyle and slapping. |
Slowound | $ 60.80 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100, .130 | RWD, NPS | Med / Tight | Medium | 36 ½ “ | Thick lows and semi-bright highs with great balance. Fat-toned B with great fingerstyle focus. | |
Prism | $ 51.75 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100, .130 | RWD, SS | Tight | Hot | 36 ½ “ | Punchy grind and bright cut for aggressive slapping and fingerstyle.Tight B with good focus and balance. | |
Chromes | $ 78.60 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100, .132 | FWD, CPS | Med / Tight | Med / Hot | 36 ½ “ | Warm set with smooth feel, round throb, and a glossy top. B is thick with great balance and focus. | |
D’Angelico | Low-Riding Hot-Nickel Concepts | $ 47.75 | USA | .040, .060, .080, .101, .126 | RWD, NPS (TWD BEAD) | Tight | Med / Hot | 38 “ | Great top, thick sustain, and good wallop for finger style and slapping. Great balance and focus from open B, but darker in fretted CD area. |
Stainless Steel Concepts | $ 41.25 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100, .125 | RWD, SS | Medium | Med / Hot | 36 ½ “ | Strong impact and a bright top. Average balance and focus from warmer-sounding B. | |
D’Aquisto | Taperlock TL-55 | $ 51.85 | USA | 045, .065, .080, .100, .130 | RWD, NPS (TWD BEAD) | Tight | Medium | 36 ½ “ | Mellow set with semi-balanced tone for fingerstyle. B has a hint of wool and average focus. |
Taperlock TL-95 | $ 51.85 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100, .130 | RWD, SS (TWD BEAD) | Medium | Medium | 36 ½ “ | Semi-balanced, medium-bright lone.Soft-tension B has overage focus. | |
Rock Bottoms 950 | $ 41.50 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100, .130 | RWD, SS | Medium | Medium | 36 ½ “ | Semi-balanced set with lean bottom, good punch, and medium brightness. Fingerstyle B has average focus. | |
Rock Bottoms 550 | $ 41.50 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100, .130 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Medium | 36 ½ “ | Mellow sound with a hint of attack. Semi-balanced tone; B is semi-woolly with average focus. | |
DeanMarkley | Super Round | $ 45 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105, .128 | RWD, SS | Tight | Med / Hot | 36 ½ “ | Round sound with medium snap for fingerstyle. B has thick tone with good focus and average balance. |
SR2000 | $ 60 | USA | .046, .063, .080, .102, .125 | RWD, SS (TWD BEAD) | Tight | Med / Hot | 36 ½ “ | Lots of punch, grit, and crispness for slapping and fingerstyle. Focused B has great balance. | |
Blue Steel | $ 60 | USA | .045, .065, .088, .105, .128 | RWD, SS | Medium | Hot | 36 ½ “ | Meaty fingerstyle set with good balance and a slightly richer-sounding B. “Cryogenically activated.” | |
DR Handmade Strings | Sunbeams | $ NA | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .125 (.130 B available.) | CWD, NPS | Medium | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Warm bottom, ample mids, sweet top.Fingerstyle set with average balance and a darker-focused B. |
Lo-Riders | $ NA | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .135 (.125 & .130 B available.) | CWD, NPS | Medium | Medium | 37 “ | Snappy, chesty B string with good focus. Semi-bright set; very good balance for fingerstyle and slap. | |
Lo-Riders | $ NA | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .130 (.120 & .125 B available.) | CWD, SS | Med / Tight | Hot | 37 “ | Great punch, presence, and balance for slapping and fingerstyle. B is fat with good thump and focus. | |
Hi-Beams | $ NA | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .130 (.120 & .125 B available.) | CWD, SS | Medium | Hot | 37 “ | Bright, punchy attack with great sustain and balance. Good fingerstyle / slap impact and definition on B. | |
Elites | Player Series | $ NA * | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .130 | RWD, NPS | Tight | Hot | 36 ½ “ | Above-average brightness and balance.Healthy tension on B provides good feel and focus for fingerstyle. |
Single Ball End | $ NA * | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .130 | RWD, SS | Tight | Hot | 36 ½ “ | Balanced, tight B with great focus and feel for all styles. Crunchy, piano-string tone with slice. | |
Custom Bass Series | $ NA * | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .130 | RWD, SS (TWD B) | Tight | Hot | 37 “ | Loud set with lots of teeth and spank for all styles. B is bright and well focused, but not as full as EG strings. | |
Custom Bass Series Flatwounds | $ NA * | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .130 | RWD, SS | Tight | Med / Hot | 36 ½ “ | Dork sound with great balance. B is well focused and tight for smooth fingerstyle. | |
Ernie Ball | Slinky Bass | $ 40 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100, .130 | RWD, NPS | Med / Tight | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Versatile set with warm tone, sweet top, and a supple finish. Big, robust B has great balance and focus. |
Hybrid Slinky Bass | $ 44 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .130 | RWD, SS | Tight | Hot | 36 ½ “ | Super sustain. Powerful, bright fingerstyle / pick set with great balance down to low B. | |
Group III Flatwound | $ 50 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100, .130 | FWD, CPS | Medium | Med / Hot | 36 “ | Bold B sound with filling lows and a hint of gloss.Great balance / focus for fingerstyle and upright-like thumb-mule tones. | |
Fodera | Diamond Series 5-StringSet | $ 58.50 | USA | .044, .062, .085, .106, .125 | CWD, SS | Tight | Hot | 36 ½ “ | Crispy top and great sustain. Punchy, fingerstyle B with good pitch and balance. |
GHS | Contact-Core Super Steels | $ 50 | USA | .040, .060, .080, .100, .125 | RWD, SS (TWD BEAD) | Medium | Hot | 36 ½ “ | Grindy set with explosive punch, brilliant harmonics, and great balance. Focus on B is great for all styles. |
Boomers | $ 42.50 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .130 | RWD, NPS | Med / Tight | Hot | 36 ½ “ | Thick bottom, throaty punch, and semi-glossy top. B has great balance and excellent focus for all styles. | |
Gibson | Thunder Plus 5 | $ 44.50 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .105, .126 | RWD, SS | Medium | Hot | 36 ½ “ | Raw presence and punchy impact for most styles. Good balance and focus on B. |
Ken Smith | Custom Balanced Round Wounds | $ 48 | USA | .044, .063, .084, .106, .128 | RWD, SS | Medium | Hot | 37 “ | Tight and aggressive with lots of top for finger / pick styles. B has good definition and balance. |
Rock Masters | $ 48 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .130 | RWD, SS | Medium | Hot | 36 ½ “ | Excellent balance / focus from BG. Tight, bright tone with a big, all-around sound. | |
Bass Burners NPS | $ 48 / $ 50 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .130 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Med / Hot | 36 ½ “ | Fingerstyle set. Semi-woolly B has good bass, balance, and focus. | |
Custom Balanced Taper Core | $ 55 | USA | .044, .063, .084, .106, .130 | RWD, SS (TWD BEAD) | Medium | Hot | 37 “ | Dry attack with an open-sounding, ballsy B. Great balance and definition for fingerstyle playing. | |
Compressors | $ 55 | U.SA | .044, .062, .082, .105, .125 | CWD, NPI (TWD B) | Med / Tight | Hot | 36 ½ “ | Biting, worm throb with a smooth feel. Good balance-B has subdued mids and a hint of wool. | |
Slick Round | $ 55 | USA | .044, .062, .084, .106, .130 | GWD, NPI | Medium | Med / Hot | 36 ½ “ | Bassy with a touch of semi-mellow cut. Dry sound and feel. Good balance with a slightly less mid-rich B. | |
LaBella | Super Steps | $ 47.10 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .128 | RWD, SS (TWD BEADG) | Med / Tight | Med / Hot | 36 ½ “ | Semi-balanced fingerstyle set with medium-bright top. B is warm with average focus and lean mids. |
Hard Rocking Steel | $ 47.10 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .128 | RWD, SS (TWD B) | Medium | Med / Hot | 36 ½ “ | Full tone with good cut.Good balance for fingerstyle from full-toned / well-focused B. | |
Deep Talkin ‘Bass | $ 47.10 | USA | .044, .061, .085, .110, .128 | RWD, SS (TWD B) | Med / Tight | Med / Hot | 36 ½ “ | Round, average-balanced body with a smidge of top. Warmer-toned B is slanted towards fingerstyle. | |
Modulus Graphite | Modulus Taper Core | $ 53 | USA | .044, .063, .084, .106, .130 | RWD, SS (TWD BE) | Medium | Hot | 38 “ | Bright, cutting steel tone. Fingerstyle B is warm and hollow. |
MTD | Essential Series | $ 58-60 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .135 (.125 & .130 B available.) | RWD, SS (TWD B) | Tight | Hot | 37 “ | Super raw and punchy attack for all styles.Thick B has good balance and rumbling lows. |
Pedulla | Stainless Steel. | $ 52.95 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .128 | RWD, SS (TWD BEAD) | Tight | Hot | 36 ½ “ | B has excellent balance, tight bass, growly mids, and cutting definition.Powerful set with present, crispy cut for any attack. |
Rotosound | Swing Bass 66 | $ 50 | England | .040, .060, .075, .095, .125 | RWD, SS | Medium | Med / Hot | 36 ½ “ | Well-balanced set with good cut and punch for growly fingerstyle attack. B is lean with great definition. |
Sodowsky | Roundwound | $ 25 (Six for $ 120.) | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, 128 | RWD, SS (TWD B) | Med / Tight | Med / Hot | 36 ½ “ | Great fingerstyle / pick set with good growl and semi-bright top. B has great balance / focus. |
SIT | Taper Wound | $ 46 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100, .125 | RWD, NPS (TWD BE) | Tight | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Semi-balanced tone with smooth highs.Fingerstyle B has good focus. |
Rock Brights | $ 49.95 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100, .125 | RWD, SS | Tight | Med / Hot | 36 ½ “ | Tight, bright nickel set.Fingerstyle B string is a bit darker for slapping than present tone of EG strings. | |
Rock Brights Stainless | $ 57.95 | USA | .045, .065, .080, .100, .125 | RWD, SS | Tight | Hot | 36 ½ “ | Raw, loud, razor-sharp tone with ringing highs.B is thick with good punch and focus for fingerstyle. | |
SSD | Roundwound | $ 55 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 .125 | RWD, SS (TWD B) | Medium | Med / Hot | 36 “ | Fingerstyle set with good bottom, growl, and cut. B has good balance / focus with a hair of wool. |
Thomastik-lnfeld | Jazz Bass | $ NA | Austria | .043, .051, .068, .089, .118 | RWD, NPS | Soft | Medium | 36 “ | Flatwound-meets-roundwound sound.Throbby bass, grunty mids, bright top, sweet harmonics. B has good focus and thick, bouncy bottom. |
Rock Series | $ NA | Austria | .047, .068, .080, .107, .119 | RWD, NPS | Tight | Medium | 36 “ | Super-tight pick bass / fingerstyle set. Warm bottom, polished top; B is darker toned with average focus. | |
Jazz Bass Flatwound | $ NA | Austria | .043, .056, .070, .100, .136 | FWD, NPS | Soft | Medium | 36 “ | Fat bottom, rich mids, and glazed top with big, but hollow, B. Sweet, mellow harmonics. | |
Trace Elliot | ST5 / SS | $ 50 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 .130 | RWD, SS (TWD BEAD) | Medium | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Dry, slicing EG string tone for slap; subdued mids on B for fingerstyle. Good thumb impact. |
ST5 / NS | $ 45 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105 .130 | RWD, NPS (TWD BEAD) | Medium | Med / Hot | 37 “ | Smooth feel with a warm tone, tight top, and slightly darker B for plucking. | |
Warwick | Black label | $ 54.95 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .135 | RWD, SS (TWD B) | Medium | Hot | 37 “ | Raw sound, aggressive attack, and loud output.Big B has good focus / balance for fingerstyle. |
Zon | Ultrasonic Nickel | $ 45 | USA | .045, .065, .085, .105, .130 | RWD, NPS | Medium | Medium | 37 “ | Smooth tone, semi-smooth feel, and a warm-sounding B. Good balance for both fingerstyle and slapping. |
Ultrasonic Steel | $ 45 | USA | .046, .063, .080, .102, .128 | RWD, SS | Medium | Hot | 37 “ | Punchy, medium-bright fingerstyle set with good balance. B has great focus and warmth. |