Light Gauge Flatwound Bass Strings Explained
Updated Nov 13, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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The four sets in this guide use nickel or nickel-plated steel wrap wire, so check the wrap on the set you buy if you want a flatwound wrap. Match the gauge to the bass you play.
What light gauge means
Gauge is the thickness of each string, given as a set such as 45-100 or 50-105. The 45-100 sets use thinner strings than the 50-105 sets: the Ernie Ball Regular Slinky lists gauges .050, .070, .085 and .105, while the Super Slinky and the D'Addario XL Nickel list 45-100. The D'Addario XL Nickel set is listed as Light, and the NYXL set lists 50-105.
Nickel wound and nickel-plated steel
The Ernie Ball sets are nickel wound, and the D'Addario sets use nickel-plated steel wrap wire. The Ernie Ball Regular Slinky and Super Slinky list a balanced sound profile, and the D'Addario XL Nickel lists a bright sound profile. The NYXL set uses a NY Steel core wire and nickel-plated steel wrap wire.
Check the wrap before you buy
The wrap is named in the set name or the specs. The Ernie Ball sets name nickel wound in the title, and the D'Addario sets name nickel-plated steel wrap wire in the bullets. If you want a flatwound wrap, check the wrap name on the set before you buy, since the gauge alone does not name the wrap.
What comes in the bag
The Ernie Ball sets come in Element Shield Packaging, which prolongs string life and keeps the strings fresh. The D'Addario sets come in a recyclable VCI bag with a code to register for Players Circle points. Keep the set in its bag until you string the bass, and check the gauge on the set before you open it.
What you need
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Bass
A nickel wound 4-string bass set in 50-105 gauge, with strings at .050, .070, .085 and .105, in Element Shield Packaging.
- Material: Nickel Wound
Ernie Ball Super Slinky Nickel Wound Bass
A nickel wound 4-string bass set in 45-100 gauge, with a balanced sound profile, in Element Shield Packaging.
- Material: Nickel Wound
D'Addario XL Nickel Bass Guitar Strings 45-100
A nickel-plated steel 4-string bass set in 45-100 gauge, listed as Light, with a bright sound profile.
- Material: Nickel-Plated Steel
D'Addario NYXL Bass Guitar Strings 50-105
A nickel-plated steel 4-string bass set in 50-105 gauge, with a NY Steel core wire and a punchy tone.
- Material: Nickel-Plated Steel
These come from our ranked list Best Bass Guitar Strings, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
What does light gauge mean for bass strings?
Light gauge means thinner strings. A 45-100 set uses thinner strings than a 50-105 set, and the D'Addario XL Nickel 45-100 set is listed as Light.
Are these bass strings flatwound?
No. The four sets in this guide are nickel wound or nickel-plated steel sets, so check the wrap name on the set you buy if you want a flatwound wrap.
What gauges come in a 50-105 bass set?
The Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 50-105 set lists gauges .050, .070, .085 and .105. The D'Addario NYXL set lists 50-105 with a NY Steel core wire.
Do these bass strings come with a code to register?
The D'Addario sets have a code on the recyclable VCI bag to register for Players Circle points. The Ernie Ball sets come in Element Shield Packaging.
Ranked guitar strings lists
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