G U I D E T O B U Y I N G B A S S S T R I N G S

H o l l y F r a n k l i n

H O L L Y F R A N K L I N B A S S C H I C K . C O M

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Expand your knowledge of music theory with this no-

nonsense guide!

Choosing the right strings for your bass may seem like a

mindless task, but in reality it is more important than we think.

The scale length, gauge (diameter), tone and feel of the

strings is so important to our playing. Depending on the genre

of music that you play and techniques that you use, strings

play a major role.  

INTRODUCTION

R O U N D W O U N D V S . F L A T W O U N D

ROUNDWOUND AND FLATWOUND REFER TO HOW THE STRING IS MADE, THICKNESS OF THE STRING, HOW IT WILL SOUND AND HOW IT LOOKS.

R O U N D W O U N D

F L A T W O U N D

ROUNDWOUND IS THE MOST COMMON STRING THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE. IT HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS RESEMBLING SPAGHETTI WITH ROUGH, METALLIC RIDGES IN IT. THE NAME IS DERIVED FROM THE

ROUND WINDING WIRE MADE FROM NICKEL OR STEEL. THIS TYPE OF STRING PRODUCES A BRIGHT, VIBRANT SOUND. THIS IS

GREAT IF YOU ARE PLAYING POP, ROCK, BLUES, & MOST OTHER MUSICAL GENRES.

FLATWOUND STRINGS ARE A THICKER, MELLOWER, WARM SOUNDING STRING. THEY RESEMBLE FETTUCCINE AND FEW CRACKS IN THEM

CREATING A SMOOTHER FEEL WHEN PLAYING. THESE ARE PREFERRED FOR FRETLESS BASSES BECAUSE THEY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF FRET

BUZZ AND HOLD ONTO THE INTEGRITY OF THE FRETBOARD. THEY ARE ALSO EASIER TO PLAY DUE TO THE SMOOTH, FLAT TEXTURE THAN

ROUNDWOUND. THEY DO PRODUCE A DEEP, MELLOW, MUTED TYPE OF SOUND.

L O N G V S . M E D I U M V S . S H O R T S C A L E HAVING THE RIGHT STRINGS BASED ON THE LENGTH OF YOUR

BASS IS IMPORTANT! DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRIDGE AND THE NUT OF YOUR BASS WILL DETERMINE THE SCALE TYPE. MOST

COMMON SCALE LENGTH IS 34". THE SCALE LENGTH AND RIGHT STRINGS DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF TENSION THAT THE

STRING CREATES WHEN PLAYED.

M E D I U M S C A L E

SHORT SCALE BASSES ARE 30" AND UNDER. THE FRETS ARE GOING TO BE CLOSER TOGETHER PERFECT IF YOU ARE A SMALLER PERSON OR

FOR A CHILD. THE STRINGS ARE

S H O R T S C A L E

L O N G S C A L E   LONG SCALE LENGTHS ARE 34" AND ABOVE. EXTRA LONG SCALE

BASSES ARE 35-36" AND THESE ARE USUALLY 5 AND 6 STRING BASSES.

MEDIUM SCALE LENGTHS BETWEEN 30" - 33" AND THESE TEND TO BE HARDER TO FIND.

G A U G E T H I C K N E S S A N D D I A M E T E R O F T H E S T R I N G M E A S U R E D I N

I N C H E S . T H I S I S S H O W N O N T H E F R O N T P A C K A G E O F Y O U R G U I T A R S T R I N G S A S N U M B E R S .

EXTRA LIGHT GAUGE G = .030/.035 D = .050/.055 A = .070/.075 E = .090/.095 B = .120/.125

T H E H E A V I E R T H E G A U G E , T H E T H I C K E R T H E S T R I N G A N D

T H E M E L L O W E R T H E T O N E W I L L B E . T H E L O W E R T H E G A U G E I S T H E B R I G H T E R T H E T O N E I S G O I N G T O B E A N D T H E

T H I C K N E S S I S D E C R E A S E D .

LIGHT GAUGE G = .040 D = .060 A = .080 E = .100 B = .120/.125

MEDIUM GAUGE G = .045 D = .065 A = .085 E = .105 B = .135

HEAVY GAUGE G = .050 D = .070 A =.090 E = .110 B = .130/.155

EXTRA HEAVY GAUGE G = .055 D = .075 A = .095 E = .115 B = .135

THERE CAN BE MORE THAN 1 GAUGE TYPE IN YOUR STRING PACKAGING. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ONLY ONE TYPE OF GAUGE, YOU CAN

PURCHASE EACH STRING SEPARATELY.

I hope this guide was helpful in navigating you through

the right types of strings for your axe and playing style. Make sure to check out my

other content for more information on music

theory, different product reviews  and more! 

YOU ARE NOW A STRING AFICIONADO!