Comparison tables of bass guitar strings

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.

Bass guitar string suitability by genre

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

 

4 STRINGS

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.

5 STRINGS

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.