Best Ernie Ball Bass Guitar Strings of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

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For musicians who play bass guitars, finding the right strings can be a daunting task. However, Ernie Ball offers a range of bass guitar strings that cater to different playing styles and preferences. These strings are known for their durability, tone, and consistency, making them a top choice for many bassists. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, Ernie Ball's bass guitar strings offer a reliable and high-quality option that can help elevate your sound.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Bass Strings Cover #TOP 1
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Bass Strings
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Medium Scale Bass Strings Cover #TOP 2
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Medium Scale Bass Strings
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Ernie Ball Super Slinky Short Scale Bass Strings Cover #TOP 3
Ernie Ball Super Slinky Short Scale Bass Strings
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Ernie Ball Bass Guitar Strings

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Bass Strings

P02832
Regular (50-105)
Regular
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Bass Strings Cover
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Bass Strings - 50-105 Gauge

The Ernie Ball Bass Slinkys are renowned for their exceptional quality, favoured by iconic bands like Tool and Green Day. With a 50-to-105 gauge, these strings offer a balanced and rich tone, perfect for achieving that deep, resonant bass sound you desire. Made in the USA, they feature high-carbon steel core wire wrapped in nickel-plated steel, ensuring durability and a professional feel. The Element Shield packaging keeps your strings fresh, so you can enjoy optimal performance every time you play.

What We Like
Favoured by legendary bands
Rich, balanced tone
Durable nickel-plated steel
Freshness-preserving packaging
#TOP 2

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Medium Scale Bass Strings

P02856
Grey
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Medium Scale Bass Strings Cover
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Medium Scale Bass Strings - 45-105 Gauge

The Ernie Ball Bass Strings are designed for medium scale basses up to 32.5 inches in scale length, making them an excellent choice for players using vintage Fender Mustangs and other short scale instruments. These strings begin to taper at 34.25 inches, ensuring a perfect fit and enhanced playability. You will appreciate the bright, full-bodied tone that offers punchy mids and tight lows, giving your music depth and clarity. Crafted from premium materials, these strings promise reliability and longevity, catering to both professionals and beginners alike.

What We Like
Fits medium and short scale basses
Bright, full-bodied tone
Durable and long-lasting
Made in the USA
#TOP 3

Ernie Ball Super Slinky Short Scale Bass Strings

P02854
Super (40-100)
Super
Ernie Ball Super Slinky Short Scale Bass Strings Cover
Ernie Ball P02854 Super Slinky Nickel Wound Short Scale Bass Strings - 45-100 Gauge

The Super Slinky Bass Strings by Ernie Ball are specifically designed for short scale basses measuring 30.5 inches. You will appreciate the bright and balanced tone they provide, enhancing your overall sound quality. These strings are precision wound with nickel plated steel, ensuring durability and a smooth feel while playing. Additionally, the tin plated high carbon steel core adds strength and stability, making them an excellent choice for both practice and performance. The element shield packaging keeps your strings protected, ensuring they stay in top condition for longer.

What We Like
Designed for short scale basses
Bright, balanced tone
Durable nickel plated steel
Strong high carbon steel core
Protective element shield packaging

Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Flatwound Bass Strings

P02813
Hybrid (45-105)
Hybrid
Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Flatwound Bass Strings Cover
Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Flatwound Electric Bass Strings - 45-105 Gauge

The Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings by Ernie Ball combine the smooth feel of traditional flatwounds with the powerful output of Cobalt. The Cobalt alloy wrap wire enhances clarity and reduces finger noise, providing a cleaner sound for your performances. With an optimal core-to-wrap ratio, these strings ensure comfortable tension and playability, making them ideal for long sessions. Crafted in Southern California using the finest materials, you can trust these strings to deliver quality and reliability.

What We Like
Smooth feel of flatwounds
Increased clarity and output
Reduced finger noise
Comfortable tension and playability
High-quality materials
#TOP 5

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Flatwound Bass Strings

P02818
Regular (45-105)
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Flatwound Bass Strings Cover
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Flatwound Short Scale Electric Bass Strings 45-105 Gauge (P02818)

The Ernie Ball Flatwound Bass Strings offer a remarkable playing experience with their precision wound cobalt alloy ribbon wire, ensuring durability and a rich tone. The flexible construction reduces finger noise, allowing you to focus on your performance without distractions. You will appreciate the round sound combined with a flat feel, making these strings comfortable to play. Additionally, the 32.5” taper enhances the overall quality, providing ease and convenience for players of all levels.

What We Like
Durable cobalt alloy construction
Low finger noise
Comfortable flat feel
Rich, round sound
Convenient 32.5” taper
#TOP 6

Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Cobalt Bass Strings

P02733
Hybrid (45-105)
Hybrid (45-105)
Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Cobalt Bass Strings Cover
Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Cobalt Electric Bass Strings - 45-105 Gauge

The Ernie Ball Cobalt Bass Strings offer exceptional performance for bass guitarists. With their unique cobalt alloy, these strings attract your pickups more effectively, giving you enhanced output and a richer low end. You'll notice an incredible harmonic response, which allows for a more expressive playing style. Additionally, the crisp and clear highs ensure that every note rings out beautifully, making your music more vibrant and engaging. These features combine to elevate your overall sound quality.

What We Like
Enhanced output and low end
Incredible harmonic response
Crisp, clear highs
Freshness with Element Shield packaging
#TOP 7

Ernie Ball Flatwound Electric Bass Strings 45-100

P02806
Group 3 (45-100)
Group III
Ernie Ball Flatwound Electric Bass Strings 45-100 Cover
Ernie Ball Flatwound Group III Electric Bass Strings - 45-100 Gauge

Ernie Ball Flatwound Strings provide a solid low-end sound, making them ideal for bass players who want to enhance their music with depth. The unique flattened stainless steel wrap wire reduces finger noise, allowing you to play with more finesse. You'll appreciate the super smooth feel as you glide across the strings, which contributes to a warm, rounded tone. These strings are popular among both aspiring artists and legendary musicians, so you can trust their quality and performance.

What We Like
Solid low-end sound
Reduced finger noise
Super smooth feel
Warm, rounded tone
Trusted by musicians worldwide
#TOP 8

Ernie Ball Short Scale Flatwound Bass Strings

P02800
Group 1 (50-110)
50 to 110
Ernie Ball Short Scale Flatwound Bass Strings Cover
Ernie Ball Short Scale Flatwound Group 1 Electric Bass Strings - 50-110 Gauge

Ernie Ball Flatwound Bass Strings are crafted from chrome plated steel, offering a smooth feel that enhances playability. This makes them ideal for those who enjoy a comfortable touch while playing. The mellow sound produced by these strings is perfect for achieving a warm tone, suitable for various musical styles. Additionally, the short scale sets feature a 32.5” taper, making them a great choice for bassists with shorter instruments, ensuring a perfect fit and optimal performance.

What We Like
Chrome plated steel construction
Smooth playing experience
Mellow, warm sound
Perfect for short scale basses
#TOP 9

Ernie Ball Super Long Scale Bass Strings

P02849
4-String
Super (45 - 105)
Ernie Ball Super Long Scale Bass Strings Cover
Ernie Ball Super Long Scale Slinky Electric Bass Strings - 45-105 Gauge

The Ernie Ball Bass Strings are expertly crafted with precision-wound nickel-plated steel, ensuring a rich, balanced tone that enhances your playing experience. Their tin-plated high carbon steel core provides durability and stability, which is essential for maintaining sound quality over time. Designed for longer scales, these strings are perfect for bassists with 35-inch or longer scale instruments. Additionally, the Element Shield packaging keeps your strings fresh, so you can enjoy optimal performance whenever inspiration strikes.

What We Like
Rich balanced tone
Durable construction
Fits longer scale basses
Freshness preserved
#TOP 10

Ernie Ball EB1680 Bass Guitar Strings

EB 1680 .080 NICKEL WOUND BASS SINGLE
Ernie Ball EB1680 Bass Guitar Strings Cover
Rope under Slinky Round Wire 080

The Ernie Ball Bass Strings are designed for bass guitar players seeking quality and performance. With durable materials, these strings offer excellent sound and longevity, ensuring you can play confidently for longer periods. Their smooth feel allows for easier playability, making your practice sessions more enjoyable. Additionally, these strings maintain tuning stability, which is essential for achieving that perfect sound during performances. Overall, these features make the Ernie Ball Bass Strings a reliable choice for any bassist.

What We Like
Durable materials
Excellent sound quality
Smooth playability
Tuning stability
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our Ernie Ball bass guitar string research, we found 26 Ernie Ball bass guitar string products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 100,281 customer reviews through our big data system to write the Ernie Ball bass guitar strings list. We found that most customers choose Ernie Ball bass guitar strings with an average price of £28.50.

The Ernie Ball bass guitar strings are available for purchase. The top 10 picks range in price from a low of £9.00 to a high of £47.00, find the one that fits your budget. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 997 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Hayden Bryant Avatar

Hayden was born in Liverpool, and he never left his hometown until university. In his freshman year at the University of Manchester, Hayden was the group leader of a popular music group. Hayden is responsible for the popularity of his music, and this is because of his natural ability to play with keys and strings. He graduated with BFA in 2016 and returned in 2018 as a lecturing staff in the School of Music.