Any discussion of longest-lasting bass strings from bassists would almost always bring up two manufacturers – DR Strings and D’Addario. They both are some of the most well-known and best bass string manufacturers in the USA. Elixir, a relatively newer player in the string market is also loved by bassists, especially for their coated strings. When people talk about longer-lasting bass strings they are usually referring to strings that can hold their tone (typically brightness) for a longer time than other strings.
It is no secret that a coating which is usually of a polymer would keep the strings from corroding over time by sweat, dirt, and humidity. However, coated strings may have a slightly muffled, mellow sound that isn’t liked by all people. Another great choice that provides a better balance and more versatility is nickel-plated strings which are slightly less bright (in most cases) than straight-up stainless steel strings but usually hold their tone much longer over time. The last is the tried and tested stainless steel strings that are very bright and depending on the composition and manufacturing process may still last a long time.
In this article, we are listing the top 6 best long-lasting and versatile bass strings in the market (and 2 other great strings). If you want very bright strings you can go with pure stainless steel strings, these have excellent durability but not as much as nickel-plated or coated strings.
If you’d like a slightly mellow but balanced sound with excellent durability you can choose the nickel-plated strings. Whereas if durability and the ability for the strings to keep their tone for the longest time is of the utmost importance to you and you don’t mind a slightly mellowed sound but with great lows and mids, then you can go for the coated strings. Though more expensive than any other type of string, they can usually be used for so long that the durability offsets the price.
Stainless Steel
DR Strings Lo-Rider – Stainless Steel
DR Strings are known for some of the best and most long-lasting bass strings. Lo-Rider being made completely of stainless steel is incredibly bright and keeps its brightness for a long time. Lo-Rider has a hex-core with round wounds and has a bit stiffer feel than typical bass guitar strings but feels great when playing. The stiffness also adds to the accuracy when playing harmonics. And talking of harmonics, they really do come alive on these strings!
The tone produced has great depth and a bassist who is into slapping and tapping would surely love both the low-end and high-end sound of the strings. The tuning stability is excellent and these strings can deliver some really growly sound when needed.
Verdict
With the lows, mids, and highs very even, and having high durability we highly recommend DR Strings Lo-Rider if you want bright-sounding strings that stay that way for a long time.
Also, check out: DR Strings Hi-Beam – Stainless Steel
Another great set of strings, much like the Lo-Rider but less stiff which makes them a great alternative to somebody looking for great long-lasting stainless steel bass strings. These are round-core and round-wound strings that have a bright sound but are not overly bright or tinny. The Hi-Beam strings last a long time and are equally as good as the Lo-Rider but with very clean harmonics.
Verdict
If you’re looking for the best bass strings that deliver a fuller sound with a bright tone that cuts through the mix and is very durable, then we’d highly recommend getting the DR Strings Hi-Beam strings.
Nickel-Plated Stainless Steel
DR Strings Sunbeam – Nickel Plated
Sunbeam again from DR Strings is another impressive bass string but with a warmer and less bright tone than the other strings from this manufacturer. Sunbeam is a round-core and round-wound nickel-plated stainless steel which is very comfortable and has a soft feel. For someone with sensitive skin, these strings are friendlier than plain stainless steel strings.
Verdict
If you’re looking for the most comfortable bass strings that have a balanced tone without being too bright or too dark and something friendly to the fingers as well as the fretboard, then Sunbeam might be what you’re looking for.
D’Addario XL Nickel Bass Strings
Another set of highly durable strings that is bright but not too much with a tight bass. These are hex-core, round-wound strings made of nickel-plated steel and have great intonation and exceptional durability. The Xl Nickel Bass Strings are very soft and easy on the fingers as well as the fretboard and don’t lose their punchy tone as quickly over time.
These D’Addario strings produce balanced highs and mid-highs without the excessive brightness some stainless steel strings have. That said, these strings have an impressive brightness for any nickel strings and the lows have a great punch as well.
One caveat is that being hex-core, these strings are stiffer than round-core strings, and therefore the higher gauge versions may be a little difficult to play for many people, especially beginners. Another thing to note is that the E-string (the thickest) is tapered on the side of the nut and therefore get the right scale length strings, if they’re too short the taper may come on the first fret. This might cause intonation issues and buzzing.
If you’re looking for the most durable strings that provide great versatility in terms of tone along with a smooth finish and tuning stability, then we recommend the XL Nickel Bass Strings from D’Addario.
Pros
- Versatile tone that is neither too bright nor too mellow
- Very good finish which makes these strings easy on the fingers
- Great tuning stability and intonation
- Very durable and the tone pretty much stays the same for a long time
Cons
- Stiffer than round-core strings
D’Addario Bass Guitar Strings XT Nickel Plated Steel
More expensive than the above strings, these feature a high-carbon steel along with a coating that extends the life of the strings. These nickel-plated round-wound strings are a cheaper alternative to the Elixir coated strings (below), and at the same time offer good tone, and are similarly durable. According to the manufacturer, the strings can last up to 4 times more than traditional, uncoated strings and are also much more break-resistant due to the higher carbon steel. The thin, hydrophobic coating protects the strings from sweat and humidity while still keeping the original tone of the strings intact.
The sound is very clear, resonant, and with a great punchy bass, the brightness is towards the lower side but still very bright for nickel-plated strings. Compared to D’Addario’s other strings (listed above) this has somewhat the brightness those strings would have after a few weeks of playing. However, these strings keep that tone for a long time, so that’s a major benefit.
Pros
- Comparatively cheaper than other long-lasting coated strings
- Clear, resonant tone
- Keeps the tone for a long time
- High durability
- High-carbon steel offers better break resistance
Cons
- Might be too mellow for some people
Elixir Nickel-Plated Steel With Nanoweb Coating
These nickel-plated strings from Elixir are the first and only coated bass strings on this list. Coated strings are something that many people avoid, they seem to dampen and the tone and are prone to fraying but not this one! The nanoweb coating is ultra-thin which provides a great smooth but natural feel without affecting the tone negatively.
It is also very resilient and not only does it not wear out but also keeps the strings sound fresh for a long time. If you have very sweaty hands, this is one of the best strings you can get for your bass. The nanoweb despite sounding like a marketing gimmick actually protects the strings and even the gaps between the windings from sweat, dirt, and chemicals from the atmosphere and the skin.
The coating also provides a very smooth and soft feel to the fingers and lessens the unintended percussive sound that sometimes happens when taking your fingers off a string. These round-wound strings are bright as far as nickel-plated strings go and have a broken-in sound right out of the package.
If you’re looking for strings that are not overly bright, but keep their original tone intact for a long time and can shell out some extra money for it then Elixir’s Nanoweb Coated strings might be right up your alley.
Pros
- Very long-lasting
- Keep their tone intact for very long
- Tuning stability due to the hexagonal core
- Nanoweb coating protects the strings while still keeping the tone along with sufficient brightness intact
- The smoothest of all strings on this list
Cons
- Twice as expensive as other strings
- The sound may be a bit dull for some people
- Other Good Long-Lasting Bass Strings
DR Strings Bass Strings, Black Beauties
Another good coated string which is somewhat on the inexpensive side. The Black Beauties have a pronounced black coating that is clearly visible and looks great. However, not everyone likes colored strings, so it is up to personal preference. These handmade strings offer an excellent crisp and clear tone that stays that way for a long time. Be sure not to scrape the coating off while stringing, though.
Pros
- Cheaper than other coated strings
- Black polymer coating
- Long-lasting and versatile tone
Cons
- The coating may wear off if not properly stringed
- Not everyone will like the black color
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Cobalt Bass Guitar Strings
These Ernie Ball containing cobalt (which is more ferromagnetic) offers higher volume output and increased brightness while being softer to the touch than stainless steel strings. These round-wound strings are very versatile and can be used by bassists in a variety of genres. One caveat is that these strings may not keep the original tone for a long time.
Pros
- Cobalt offers a better response to pickups
- Incredible dynamic range with scooped low-end and clear highs
- Softer feel
Cons
- May not keep the tone for long
