If you’re looking for some of the best and most affordable bass strings for rock, metal and blues – don’t worry, you’ve come to the right part of the Internet! In today’s article, I’m going to highlight 10 of the best string sets that you can potentially add to your guitar.
Finding the right strings for your bass guitar isn’t that easy. There’s just so many different manufacturers and types of strings out there! Things can easily get confusing, but once you know what to search for, everything becomes much easier.
That’s why I decided to create a list of 10 best bass strings for rock, metal and blues. Feel free to check out the list below and scroll down to the next section if you want to read more about each of these models. Most of these strings are really versatile, so they can be used in other genres of music as well.
10 Best Bass Strings – List
| D’Addario EPS160 ProSteels | See on Amazon |
| DR Strings Hi-Beam | See on Amazon |
| Fender 9050M | See on Amazon |
| DR Strings DDT | See on Amazon |
| Ernie Ball Regular Slinky | See on Amazon |
| DR Strings Lo-Rider | See on Amazon |
| D’Addario NYXL | See on Amazon |
| DR Strings PURE BLUES | See on Amazon |
| Dunlop DBN55115 | See on Amazon |
| La Bella 760FS | See on Amazon |
1. D’Addario EPS160 ProSteels
D’Addario EPS160 ProSteels are one of the most popular bass strings among the rock and metal guitarists. They are known for their punchy lows and their long-lasting life. What’s important, they’re are also really versatile.
For those who don’t know, D’Addario is one of largest guitar string manufacturers in the world. Their strings are used by musicians of all levels – both amateurs and professional guitarists.
Overall, the EPS160 ProSteels set will be an ideal choice for anyone who’s looking for a good sounding and reliable set of bass strings. Honestly, it won’t be easy to find better strings at this price level!
2. DR Strings Hi-Beam
DR Strings Hi-Beam are another fantastic stainless steel strings suitable for the most demanding bass players out there. This set is even more affordable than the previous one and it works perfectly for a lot of different styles of music.
What makes the Hi-Beams so good? Well, they’re long lasting and they feel really comfortable to play. Sometimes playing on stainless steel strings can be painful, but not in this case. They sound pretty bright, but they’re not overly bright. That’s why so many bassists love them!
Undoubtedly, DR Strings Hi-Beam will be perfect for the vast majority of bass players. They’re cheap and they sound good – isn’t it all that really matters in the end?
3. Fender 9050M
Everyone’s aware that Fender manufactured fantastic guitars and amplifiers, but not many people know that they actually make great strings too. The 9050M strings aren’t the cheapest strings on today’s list, but they’re definitely worth checking out.
What makes them so cool? Well, they’re really comfortable to play. They will allow you to practice for a few hours without any kind of discomfort. This is a big advantage, especially when it comes to stainless steel strings.
When it comes to sound, they’re pretty bright and punchy. I’m positive that these are one of the best bass strings that you can possibly choose for such genres as rock, metal, blues, grunge and indie.
4. DR Strings DDT
DR Strings DDT are designed for all lovers of heavy riffs and drop tunings. This set is made for rock, grunge and metal!
Who are these strings for? Well, if you play in Drop D, Drop C or other drop tunings, you will definitely appreciate the high quality of the DDT strings. They stay in tune and they are really comfortable to play, so I’m sure that you’re going to love it.
Overall, it won’t be easy to find better strings for drop tunings. Most metal bands use drop tunings on a daily basis, so if that’s your kind of vibe, you should definitely consider swapping your current strings for the DDT ones.
5. Ernie Ball Regular Slinky
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky is one of the most popular bass strings sets in the world. These strings offer everything that you need – they sound good, they’re long lasting, they’re comfortable to play, they stay in tune and they’re not too expensive.
To be honest, I’m not surprised that so many people decide to play on these strings made by Ernie Ball. I had the pleasure to use them on my bass guitar very frequently and I was always really happy with their quality.
What’s important, Ernie Ball strings are also great for slapping. Whether you’re into rock, blues, metal or country – you will definitely appreciate the high quality of the Regular Slinky strings!
6. DR Strings Lo-Rider
DR Strings Lo-Rider is an another interesting and great sounding set of strings suitable for the most demanding bass players out there. These strings aren’t that popular, but they definitely deserve a lot of recognition.
What makes these strings so good? Well, they are constructed on a hexagonal core which results with a really deep sound. This kind of tone is really versatile, although most of the time it’s used for slapping.
Overall, the Lo-Rider strings are a great alternative for bassists who don’t want to get the DDT or Hi-Beam strings. This is not the cheapest set that you can find, but it’s definitely a really good choice, especially for rock, blues and metal.
7. D’Addario NYXL
D’Addario NYXL are high quality strings designed for bassists who are searching for the best possible bass tone. They are one of the most expensive strings on today’s list, but they are worth every cent.
The NYXL strings feature the premium nickel-plated steel wrap wire which significantly improve the guitar tone. It also guarantees the tuning stability and a really enjoyable and comfortable playing experience. What’s interesting, they are made in the USA!
Undoubtedly, D’Addario NYXL are one of the best bass strings for rock, metal, blues and grunge. If you’re searching for premium bass strings, you should definitely consider adding this set to your own bass guitar.
8. DR Strings PURE BLUES
DR Strings PURE BLUES are mainly designed for blues bass players, although the truth is that these strings sound really good in other genres as well. Perhaps they’re not ideal for metal, but if you’re into country, folk and even rock – these ones will be perfect for you.
In my opinion, this is one of the best sets of bass strings that you can possibly find for your 5-string bass guitar. Honestly, there’s not much too complain about when it comes to the Pure Blues strings!
9. Dunlop DBN55115
Dunlop DBN55115 is an extra heavy string set suitable for the most demanding bass players out there. What’s interesting, these strings sound really thick, but they feel surprisingly light. As a result, they’re are really comfortable to play!
Who is it for? Well, I think that the DBN55115 set will be an ideal choice for all lovers of rock and metal. These strings can handle drop tunings pretty well, so if that’s your kind of vibe, you will be really satisfied after adding this set to your own bass guitar.
Overall, I have no hesitation in recommending the Dunlop DBN55115 strings to any bass players who’s looking for a deep sounding, reliable and long-lasting strings for heavy genres such as rock and metal.
10. La Bella 760FS
La Bella 760FS is an another really good and long-lasting set of bass strings. Although it’s not as popular as other sets made by such manufacturers as DR Strings, D’Addario or Ernie Ball, it still deserves a lot of attention.
The main advantages of 760FS strings is their versatility. They can be used for a lot of different styles of music, including rock, metal and blues. At the same time, they are really smooth and comfortable to play, so they allow you to practice for many hours without any discomfort.
Overall, I highly recommend checking out these stainless steel flat wound strings if you’re searching for a superb tone and an enjoyable playing experience. I’m sure that this set won’t disappoint you!
FAQ
Are bass strings different than acoustic or electric guitar strings?
No, bass strings aren’t that different, but they’re a lot thicker. As a result, pressing them on the fretboard may be challenging for absolute beginners.
Why are bass strings more expensive than electric guitar strings?
The answer is simple – bass strings are more expensive because they’re thicker, which means that they feature way more material. Hence, the cost of manufacturing them is a bit higher.
Is it difficult to change bass strings?
No, changing bass strings isn’t that difficult. If you don’t know how to do it, check out the video below.
Summary
As you can see, there are lot of affordable and great sounding bass string sets that you can find on today’s market. I’m positive that if you decide to stick to any of the models mentioned above, you will be really satisfied with your choice.
Which bass strings are your favorite? Leave a comment down below and share your thoughts with our readers, we are really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article and you’re looking for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
