Best Roundwound Bass Guitar Strings of 2026

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 8 Feb 2026

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Roundwound Bass Guitar Strings are a popular choice among bass guitar players who are looking for a bright, punchy tone with plenty of sustain. These strings are made by wrapping a round wire around a core, resulting in a textured surface that produces a distinctive sound. They are available in a range of gauges and materials, including nickel-plated steel and stainless steel. While they may not be the best choice for players who prefer a smoother, more mellow sound, Roundwound Bass Guitar Strings are a versatile option that can be used in a variety of musical styles.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Rotosound RS66LC Stainless Steel Bass Strings Cover #TOP 1
Rotosound RS66LC Stainless Steel Bass Strings
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Rotosound FM66 Funkmaster Bass Strings Set Cover #TOP 2
Rotosound FM66 Funkmaster Bass Strings Set
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Rotosound RB50 Nickel Heavy Gauge Bass Strings Cover #TOP 3
Rotosound RB50 Nickel Heavy Gauge Bass Strings
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Roundwound Bass Guitar Strings

Rotosound RS66LC Stainless Steel Bass Strings

RS66LC
1 Pack Of
Rotosound RS66LC Stainless Steel Bass Strings Cover
Rotosound RS66LC Stainless Steel Roundwound Bass Strings (40 60 75 95),White Black Red Blue

The Rotosound Bass Strings are crafted from stainless steel, ensuring durability and a bright, punchy sound that enhances your playing experience. Designed for long-scale basses, these strings are versatile enough to suit medium-scale instruments as well. Since their introduction in 1966, they have set the industry standard, making them a reliable choice for bassists. When you choose these strings, you can expect a sound that has shaped early rock music and brings your performance to life.

What We Like
Durable stainless steel construction
Bright, punchy sound
Versatile for different bass scales
Industry-standard since 1966

Rotosound FM66 Funkmaster Bass Strings Set

FM66
silver
.030-.090 Custom
Rotosound FM66 Funkmaster Bass Strings Set Cover
Rotosound FM66 Stainless Steel Funkmaster Gauge Roundwound Bass Strings (30 50 70 90)

The Rotosound FM66 Strings are designed for electric bass, featuring a stainless steel construction that offers durability and a bright, punchy sound. Made in the UK, these long-scale strings fit basses up to 34 inches, ensuring compatibility with various instruments. Since their inception in 1966, they have been the industry standard, providing musicians with a rich tone that enhances performance. You’ll appreciate the energetic sound that helps elevate your presence from the back of the stage to the front.

What We Like
Durable stainless steel material
Bright, punchy sound
Compatible with various bass sizes
Industry-standard since 1966

Rotosound RB50 Nickel Heavy Gauge Bass Strings

RB50
Rotosound RB50 Nickel Heavy Gauge Bass Strings Cover
Rotosound RB50 Nickel Heavy Gauge Roundwound Bass Strings (50 70 90 110), White Black Red Blue, Small Medium Large X-Large 2X-Large

The Rotosound RB50 Bass Strings are crafted in the UK, offering a nickel-plated finish that enhances durability and sound quality. Without silk winding at the ends, these strings provide a straightforward playing experience, ideal for those who prefer simplicity. With a long scale of 34 inches, they are also suitable for medium basses, making them versatile for various players. Designed for four-string bass guitars, these strings deliver a heavy gauge of 50-110, ensuring a rich, full sound that enhances your musical performance.

What We Like
High-quality nickel plating
Long scale compatible
Versatile for various basses
Heavy gauge for rich sound
#TOP 4

Rotosound RB40-5 Nickel Medium Gauge Bass Strings

RB40-5
Rotosound RB40-5 Nickel Medium Gauge Bass Strings Cover
Rotosound RB40-5 Nickel Medium Gauge Roundwound Bass Strings (40 60 80 100 125), White Black Red Blue

The Rotosound RB40-5 Strings are nickel-plated electric bass strings made in the UK, offering a bright and durable tone for your bass guitar. Without silk winding at the ends, these strings provide a smooth feel and reduce unwanted noise, helping you play with clarity. They are designed for long-scale basses (34"/860mm) but also fit medium-scale instruments (32"/810mm), giving you flexibility across different bass sizes. While these strings are budget-friendly, they still deliver solid performance for daily practice or gigs.

What We Like
Made in UK quality
Nickel-plated bright tone
No silk winding ends
Fits long and medium scales
Affordable price
#TOP 5

Rotosound RS66LB Stainless Steel Bass Strings

RS66LB
1 Pack Of
Rotosound RS66LB Stainless Steel Bass Strings Cover
Rotosound RS66LB Stainless Steel Medium Light Gauge Roundwound Bass Strings (35 55 70 90)

The Rotosound Swing Bass Strings are crafted from stainless steel, offering a bright and punchy sound that enhances your performance. With a long scale length of 34 inches, they are also suitable for medium scale basses, making them versatile for various instruments. Since their introduction in 1966, these strings have set the standard in the industry, having been perfected by legends like James How and John Entwistle. You'll appreciate how their energetic tone can elevate your presence from the back row to the front of the stage.

What We Like
Bright, punchy sound
Versatile for different scales
Industry-standard since 1966
Enhances performance presence
#TOP 6

Rotosound RS66LE Stainless Steel Bass Strings

RS66LE
Heavy
Diapason long
Rotosound RS66LE Stainless Steel Bass Strings Cover
Rotosound RS66LE Stainless Steel Heavy Gauge Roundwound Bass Strings (50 70 85 110),White Black Red Blue

The Rotosound RS66LE Strings are designed for electric bass players seeking high-quality sound. Made from stainless steel, these strings offer durability and a bright, punchy tone that enhances your music. Their long scale length of 34 inches makes them suitable for various bass guitars, ensuring a perfect fit for your instrument. Since their inception in 1966, these strings have set the standard in the industry, allowing you to achieve that energetic sound that brings your performance to life.

What We Like
Durable stainless steel construction
Bright, punchy sound
Long scale length compatibility
Industry-standard since 1966
#TOP 7

Rotosound RS665LB Stainless Steel Bass Strings

RS665LB
Silver
Rotosound RS665LB Stainless Steel Bass Strings Cover
Rotosound RS665LB Stainless Steel Medium Light Gauge Roundwound Bass Strings (35 55 70 90 120) (Packaging may vary)

The Rotosound Bass Strings offer a premium quality sound, ideal for bassists seeking that bright and punchy tone. Made from stainless steel, these strings are designed for long-scale instruments, ensuring a perfect fit and excellent playability. Since their introduction in 1966, they have been the standard for professional musicians, providing an energetic sound that elevates your performance. With a gauge range of 35-120, these strings allow for versatile playing styles, making them suitable for various musical genres.

What We Like
Bright and punchy sound
Suitable for long scale basses
Industry standard since 1966
Versatile gauge range
Made in the UK
#TOP 8

Rotosound RS665LD Stainless Steel Bass Strings

RS665LD
Muta per Basso
Rotosound RS665LD Stainless Steel Bass Strings Cover
Rotosound Stainless Steel Standard Gauge Roundwound Bass Strings (45 65 80 105 130), RS665LD

The Rotosound Bass Strings are crafted from stainless steel, ensuring durability and a bright, punchy sound perfect for any bassist. Designed for long scale instruments, they can also fit medium scale basses, providing versatility for your playing needs. These strings have been an industry standard since 1966, making them a trusted choice for musicians. With a rich history linked to rock music, these strings help elevate your performance, moving you from the back row to the front of the stage.

What We Like
Durable stainless steel construction
Versatile for long and medium scales
Industry standard since 1966
Bright, punchy sound
Rich musical heritage
#TOP 9

Rotosound RDB665LD Stainless Steel Double Ball Bass Strings

RDB665LD
Rotosound RDB665LD Stainless Steel Double Ball Bass Strings Cover
Rotosound RDB665LD Stainless Steel Roundwound Bass Guitar Strings Double Ball-End, Standard Gauge 45 / 65 / 85 / 105 / 130

The Rotosound RDB665LD Bass Strings are designed with double ball ends, making them ideal for Steinberger, Status, and other headless bass guitars, so you can easily fit them without hassle. Featuring a steel core wound with stainless steel, these strings offer durability and a bright, punchy tone that stands out. Since 1966, their Swing Bass series has been the industry benchmark, perfected by renowned musicians James How and John Entwistle. With the Rotosound RDB665LD Bass Strings, you’ll enjoy an energetic sound that helps you move from the back of the stage to the front, capturing the spirit of early rock music.

What We Like
Double ball ends for headless basses
Durable stainless steel winding
Bright, punchy, energetic sound
Industry standard since 1966
#TOP 10

Rotosound RS66LDN Nickel Roundwound Bass Strings

RS66LDN
Rotosound RS66LDN Nickel Roundwound Bass Strings Cover
Rotosound RS66LDN Nickel Standard Gauge Roundwound Bass Strings (45 65 85 105), White Black Red Blue,Small Medium Large X-Large 2X-Large

The Rotosound Swing Bass Strings offer a high-quality option for electric bass players. These strings feature a nickel-plated construction with silk covering at both ends, ensuring durability and a smooth feel. With a long scale length of 34 inches, they are also suitable for medium scales. Since their introduction in 1966, these strings have delivered a bright and punchy sound, ideal for enhancing your performance and making you stand out on stage.

What We Like
High-quality nickel-plated construction
Durable silk covering
Suitable for long and medium scales
Bright, punchy sound
Industry-standard since 1966
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our roundwound bass guitar string research, we found 147 roundwound bass guitar string products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 25,231 customer reviews through our big data system to write the roundwound bass guitar strings list. We found that most customers choose roundwound bass guitar strings with an average price of £20.19.

The roundwound bass guitar strings are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of roundwound bass guitar strings, including Rotosound and more.

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.