Discount Bass Guitar Strings for Acoustic and Electric Guitars

Shop bass strings for less at Strings and Beyond. We have a wide range of four- and five-string bass strings for different tastes, preferences and playing styles. You can choose from coated or uncoated, nickel flat wound, round wound, half rounds, phosphor bronze, stainless steel and more. Whether you prefer to pluck, pick, slap or all of the above, we can help you get strings that are made for how and what you play.

The Best Bass String Selection

At Strings and Beyond, you'll find everything you need from flat-wound bass strings for a warm, vintage sound to round-wound strings to bring out a brighter tone. Consider looking into half-round wound strings, which are round wound then ground down for a tone that falls between vintage warmth and round brightness. Or check out tape wound strings with nylon tape wrapped around the wire for a mellow sound and reduced wear on fretless fingerboards.

These are cheap bass strings by price only. You don’t need to take our word for it — just look at the brands we have in stock. We carry Thomastik-Infeld's nickel flat-wound, round-core Jazz Bass strings as well as Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky electric bass strings with added dynamic range and exceptional harmonic response. The DR DDT series is especially recommended for drop-down tunings, as these bass strings will maintain intonation better than alternatives.

We also offer several products from Rotosound, such as their handmade flat-wound bass strings, nickel round-wound strings and black polymer-coated series strings. D'Addario's nylon tape wound, chrome, nickel wound, ProSteel and half-round electric bass guitar strings are available in different gauges. Other bass guitar string brands we carry include La Bella, Dunlop, Ken Smith, Fender and Elixir. With more than 500 products in stock, the perfect string set is at your fingertips.

Specialty Bass Strings

While four-string and five-string are the most common styles, Strings and Beyond can help you string up any bass instrument. Use our filters to discover strings for a six-string, eight-string and even 12-string electric bass. We also have a large assortment of acoustic bass guitar strings along with strings for the double bass and bass ukulele. You can search for strings based on the scale length, speaking length and much more.

We recommend trying the many winding styles, gauges and coatings until you find the sound that suits you. Check out our Bass Guitar Help Guide for information that will get you started, such as the difference between steel and nickel bass strings.

Still not sure which bass guitar strings are the right choice? Are you a new player who doesn’t know what half the terms we’ve used even mean? Contact us for friendly, knowledgeable advice on choosing bass strings to achieve your full musical potential. Then check out our great deals that make it easy and affordable to experiment with different strings. Plus, all qualifying orders ship free from Strings and Beyond.

Bass Guitar String FAQs

How many strings does a bass guitar have?

A standard bass guitar has four strings (E, A, D, G), but many models come with five strings, adding a low B for extended range. Five-string basses are popular in genres like metal, jazz, and progressive rock, as they allow bassists to play deeper notes without detuning a four-string bass. There are also six-string basses, eight-string basses (with paired strings for a chorus effect), and even extended-range basses for specialized playing styles.

What strings should I put on a bass?

The choice of bass strings depends on tone preference and playing style. Roundwound strings are bright and punchy, great for rock and funk, while flatwound strings provide a warm, vintage tone, ideal for jazz and blues. Some bassists also prefer coated strings for longer durability.

Should I use a pick on bass?

Using a pick on bass is a matter of preference. A pick produces a sharp, percussive attack, making it ideal for punk, metal, and rock. Fingerstyle offers more dynamic control and a warmer tone, which is preferred for funk, jazz, and R&B.

What is the standard bass scale length?

A four-string bass usually has about a 34-inch scale length and a five-string bass is about 35 inches. However, many manufacturers have shorter options (warmer tones) and longer options (brighter tones). Read our article on Bass Scale Length for more information.

Can you swap guitar and bass strings?

No, guitar and bass strings are not interchangeable. Guitar strings are too thin and lack the tension needed for a bass guitar’s long scale length, leading to weak sound and excessive string buzz. Bass strings, on the other hand, are too thick to fit through a guitar’s tuning posts and bridge holes, and they would be too floppy if tuned to standard guitar notes. Even if modifications were made, the difference in scale length and tension would make swapping impractical.

How long do bass strings last?

Bass strings typically last longer than guitar strings due to their thickness and lower susceptibility to breakage. On average, bass strings can last anywhere from three months to a year, depending on playing frequency, sweat exposure, and string maintenance. Wiping them down after playing can help extend their lifespan.

How to change bass guitar strings?

Use the winding peg to loosen the E string until the wrapping relaxes. Then remove the old string, add the new string, tighten it on the tuning post and trim the excess wire. Repeat for each string. You should normally change one string at a time to keep tension in the neck, but it's okay to remove all the strings occasionally so you can clean the fretboard.