Best Tapewound Bass Guitar Strings of 2026

Joseph Hubbard Avatar
Joseph Hubbard
Last Updated: Jan 16, 2026

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Tapewound bass guitar strings are a popular choice among bass players who want a warm, vintage sound. These strings are made by wrapping a flat, ribbon-like tape around a steel core wire, which produces a smooth, mellow tone with less finger noise than other types of strings. They are also easier on the fingers, making them a great option for players who prefer a more relaxed playing experience. Tapewound strings are particularly well-suited for genres such as jazz, blues, and R&B, where a rich, full-bodied sound is desired. Overall, tapewound bass guitar strings are a great choice for players who want to add some warmth and character to their bass sound.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Bass Guitar Strings Cover #TOP 1
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Bass Guitar Strings
ftb score rating icon 9.9
D'Addario XL Nickel Bass Guitar Strings Cover #TOP 2
D'Addario XL Nickel Bass Guitar Strings
ftb score rating icon 9.8
D'Addario NYXL Bass Guitar Strings - NYXL45100 Cover #TOP 3
D'Addario NYXL Bass Guitar Strings - NYXL45100
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Tapewound Bass Guitar Strings

#TOP 1

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Bass Guitar Strings

P02832
Regular (50-105)
Single Pack
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Bass Guitar Strings Cover
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings, 50-105 Gauge (P02832)

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Bass Guitar Strings are a popular choice for bassists worldwide, played by legendary bands such as Tool and Rage Against the Machine. The 50-to-105 gauge provides a rich, balanced tone, while the Element Shield Packaging ensures string longevity and freshness. These strings are made in California, USA, with the best materials available.

What We Like
Balanced, versatile tone
Comfortable feel, smooth playability
Reliable tuning stability
Long-lasting performance
Good value for money

D'Addario XL Nickel Bass Guitar Strings

EXL170
Light, 45-100
D'Addario XL Nickel Bass Guitar Strings Cover
D'Addario Electric Bass Guitar Strings, XL Nickel, EXL170, Regular Light Gauge 45-100, 4-String Set, Pack of 1

D'Addario XL Nickel Bass Guitar Strings are perfect for those who want tight, bright tones and consistent performance. The nickel-plated steel wrap wire provides a versatile bass sound suitable for any genre. Made with Hex-Core technology, these strings deliver perfect intonation, consistent feel, and powerful durability. What's more, you can earn Players Circle points by registering the code on the recyclable VCI bag. Made in the USA, these strings are drawn to exacting specifications at the New York production facility.

What We Like
Long-lasting durability
Consistent tuning stability
Great tone and brightness
Comfortable playing feel
Good value for price
#TOP 3

D'Addario NYXL Bass Guitar Strings - NYXL45100

NYXL45100
Multicolor
D'Addario NYXL Bass Guitar Strings - NYXL45100 Cover
D'Addario Bass Guitar Strings, NYXL Nickel Plated, NYXL45100, Regular Light Gauge 45-100, Long Scale, 4-String Set, Pack of 1

D'Addario NYXL Bass Guitar Strings - NYXL45100 is a premium uncoated bass string, made in the USA, with an enhanced tonal response, reengineered core-to-wrap ratio, and greater tuning stability and break strength than standard bass strings. These versatile strings maintain a familiar feel while offering accentuated harmonics, and come with a code on the recyclable, resealable VCI bag to earn Players Circle points.

What We Like
Excellent tonal response
Long-lasting durability
Bright, punchy sound
Smooth playability
Rewards program benefits

DR Strings Black Beauties Bass Guitar Strings

BKB-45
Black
4-String(45-105)
DR Strings Black Beauties Bass Guitar Strings Cover
DR Strings Black Beauties BKB-45 Coated Black Bass Guitar Strings – Medium Gauge, Medium Scale (BKB-45)

DR Strings Black Beauties Bass Guitar Strings are medium gauge, hand-made with a black polymer coat, and offer signature crisp tone, clarity, and volume. The super-thin coating on both the plain strings and wrap wire extends the string life.

What We Like
Great tone quality
Long-lasting durability
Attractive visual appearance
Comfortable feel under fingers
Reduces string noise

DR Strings Hi-Beam Bass Guitar Strings

MR-45
4-String(45-105)
DR Strings Hi-Beam Bass Guitar Strings Cover
DR Strings - Hi-Beams - Bass Guitar Strings 4-String Set - Medium 45-105 - Stainless Steel Round Core - Bass Guitar Accessories (MR-45)

DR Strings Hi-Beam Bass Guitar Strings in Medium gauge are constructed on a round core, providing flexibility and a bright, punchy sound without being harsh. These strings are renowned for their durability, consistency, and string-to-string balance, and are known for not damaging frets. They are a great choice for those looking for brightness, punch, and ease of playing.

What We Like
Bright, vibrant tone
Flexible, comfortable feel
Long-lasting performance
Easy intonation
Excellent low B clarity
#TOP 6

Elixir Strings Nickel Plated Steel Bass Strings

14077
Gold
Elixir Strings Nickel Plated Steel Bass Strings Cover
Elixir Strings Nickel Plated Steel 4-String Bass Strings w NANOWEB Coating, Long Scale, Light/Medium (.045-.105)

Elixir Strings Nickel Plated Steel Bass Strings are made of nickel-plated steel wrap wire, which produces a rich and rounded tone with incredible clarity and a heavy mid-range presence. The ultra-thin NANOWEB Coating, specifically designed for bass guitars, provides a smooth and natural feel while also enhancing grip. The patented coating technology protects against common corrosion, making them last longer than other brands' coated or uncoated strings. These strings come in a Long Scale, Light/Medium gauge of .045 .065 .085 .105.

What We Like
Long-lasting durability
Consistent, high-quality tone
Smooth, comfortable feel
Easy playability
Suitable for various music styles
#TOP 7

Ernie Ball Medium Scale Bass Guitar Strings

P02856
Nylon
Ernie Ball Medium Scale Bass Guitar Strings Cover
Ernie Ball Medium Scale Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings, 45-105 Gauge (P02856)

These bass guitar strings have a 34.25” taper length and are precision wound with nickel plated steel on tin plated steel hex cores, resulting in a bright and balanced tone. The Element Shield Packaging helps to prolong the string life and keep them fresh. Made in California with high-quality materials, these strings are perfect for bass players who want a reliable and consistent sound.

What We Like
Bright, clear sound
Comfortable playability
Long-lasting durability
Perfect fit for medium-scale bass
Good value for money
#TOP 8

Ernie Ball Short Scale Bass Guitar Strings

P02852
Regular
Ernie Ball Short Scale Bass Guitar Strings Cover
Ernie Ball Short Scale Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings, 45-105 Gauge (P02852)

Ernie Ball Short Scale Bass Guitar Strings are engineered to fit short scale basses and complement all bass guitar types and playing styles. These strings are designed to produce a bright balanced tone and signature Slinky feel. The Element Shield Packaging helps in prolonging string life and keeps strings as fresh as the day they were made.

What We Like
Comfortable feel
Warm, balanced tone
Quick break-in
Durability
Great for short scale
#TOP 9

D'Addario Acoustic Bass Guitar Strings - Phosphor Bronze - EPBB170

EPBB170
Original Version
45-100
D'Addario Acoustic Bass Guitar Strings - Phosphor Bronze - EPBB170 Cover
D'Addario Acoustic Bass Guitar Strings - Acoustic Bass Strings - Phosphor Bronze - EPBB170 - Acoustic Bass Guitar 4 String Set - ‎45-100 Gauge - 1 Pack

D'Addario Acoustic Bass Guitar Strings are designed for 4-String acoustic basses and offer a warm, bright, and well-balanced acoustic tone. The strings come in a corrosion-resistant package to keep them fresh and are made in the USA for the highest quality and performance.

What We Like
Long-lasting durability
Excellent tuning stability
Bright, clear tone
Attractive appearance options
Affordable price
#TOP 10

D'Addario XL Chromes Flat Wound Bass Guitar Strings

ECB81
Silver
Long Scale
D'Addario XL Chromes Flat Wound Bass Guitar Strings Cover
D'Addario XL Chromes Flat Wound Bass Guitar Strings - ECB81 - Long Scale - Regular Light, 45-100

D'Addario XL Chromes Flat Wound Bass Guitar Strings are a mellower tone flat wound electric bass string with smooth, dark tones. They are made with proprietary Hex-Core for perfect intonation, consistent feel, and reliable durability. The Chromes sets come with a recyclable VCI bag that has a code to register for earning Players Circle points. The bass guitar strings are made in the USA.

What We Like
Smooth, low-friction surface
Consistently high quality control
Warm, thumpy, even tone
Excellent sustain and tuning stability
Long-lasting, graceful aging
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our tapewound bass guitar string research, we found 24 tapewound bass guitar string products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 190,569 customer reviews through our big data system to write the tapewound bass guitar strings list. We found that most customers choose tapewound bass guitar strings with an average price of $21.82.

The tapewound bass guitar strings are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of tapewound bass guitar strings, including Ernie Ball, D'Addario, DR Strings, Elixir. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Joseph Hubbard Avatar

Joseph Hubbard is a music producer and runs a musical instrument store in Chicago. Joseph is happy to help others choose the instrument that best suits their needs. He loves everything related to music and often publishes articles related to music on key websites.