Bass Strings 5 String Explained: Features, Types and Tips

Swap a four-string bass for a five-string one and the strings you fit have to work a lot harder. The extra low B sits well below standard E, and if the set isn't built to cope, that string turns woolly and indistinct instead of adding real low end. This is the plain, no-nonsense rundown of what five-string bass strings actually are, how they're built, and what each spec on the packet is really telling you.

What a Five-String Set Has to Do

A standard four-string bass runs E–A–D–G. Add a fifth string and you're almost always adding a low B underneath the E, giving you B–E–A–D–G. That B sits at roughly 30.87Hz, against about 41.2Hz for a standard low E — a noticeably lower, heavier pitch that puts more strain on the string, the neck, the bridge and even your amp.

That's why a five-string set isn't simply a four-string set with a spare string thrown in. The low B needs the right gauge, the right core and the right amount of tension to sound like a note rather than a rumble.

Gauge: The Number That Matters Most

Gauge is the string's diameter, measured in thousandths of an inch, and a set is usually named after its thickest string. A ".130" set means the low B measures roughly .130 inches across. Here's how the common ranges tend to behave:

• .120–.125 — lighter and easier to fret and bend, though the low B can feel a touch loose.
• .125–.130 — the balanced, general-purpose choice most players settle on for standard tuning.
• .130–.135 — firmer under the fingers, with a stronger, more defined low-B attack.
• .130–.145 — aimed at down-tuned or extended-scale basses, where extra thickness resists flopping.

Treat these as sensible starting points rather than fixed rules — two strings with the same nominal gauge can still feel different depending on the core and wrap. If you want a walkthrough of picking between them for your own playing, our buyer's guide to choosing them goes through it step by step.

Winding Types, Decoded

The outer wrap wire is what you actually feel and hear, and it comes in four main flavours:

• Roundwound — a round wrap wire that gives a bright, punchy attack with plenty of upper harmonics. It's the default for rock, funk, metal and most session work, though it's the noisiest under the fingers.
• Flatwound — a flat, ribbon-like wrap that feels smooth and produces a darker, more fundamental-heavy tone with far less finger noise. A long-standing favourite for jazz, soul and fretless playing.
• Half-round (or pressure-wound) — a roundwound string that's been ground or pressed smoother, sitting tonally between the two above.
• Tapewound — wrapped in a nylon-like tape for a very soft, dark, almost upright-bass character.

None of these is objectively "better" — it's a question of feel and genre. Our round-up of the best five-string sets breaks the options down by the sort of player each suits.

Core Shape and Material

Underneath the wrap sits the core wire, and it's almost always steel, shaped either hex or round. A hex core bites into the wrap wire at its corners for a firmer, more focused feel; a round core tends to feel a little more supple. Manufacturers vary their exact designs, so treat this as a general tendency rather than a hard rule.

The wrap material then shapes the tone on top of that:

• Nickel-plated steel — the balanced, general-purpose default.
• Stainless steel — brighter and more aggressive, with a pronounced upper-mid bite.
• Pure nickel — warmer and softer than stainless.
• Polymer-coated — a protective layer over any of the above, aimed at resisting sweat and grime so the strings keep their tone for longer.

Scale Length Changes the Equation

Scale length — the distance from nut to bridge — has a real effect on how five-string bass strings behave, especially that low B. A 34-inch scale is the most common and gives the widest choice of strings; a 35-inch scale adds tension at the same pitch and gauge, which many players find gives a tighter, better-defined B. Longer still, 35.5–37-inch and multiscale designs push that further, usually to support down-tuning. Always check a string set's stated scale-length range rather than assuming "five-string" alone tells you it will fit.

Low B or High C?

B–E–A–D–G is by far the standard tuning, but some players — particularly in jazz, solo and technical styles — prefer a high-C five-string, tuned E–A–D–G–C, trading the extended low end for extra reach up top. That setup needs its own dedicated string, not a spare low B fitted the wrong way round.

Keeping the Low B Clear

If a low B sounds vague or lifeless, the string itself is only one part of the puzzle. Neck relief, action, nut slot depth, intonation and even pickup height all play a role, and simply fitting a thicker string can make a poorly set-up bass feel stiffer without actually fixing the problem. Our step-by-step guide to setting up five-string bass strings covers the checks worth doing every time you restring.

The Bottom Line

Five-string bass strings ask more of every part of the instrument than a standard four-string set, which is exactly why gauge, winding, material and scale length all matter more here than they might elsewhere. Get those basics right and that low B stops being a compromise and starts being genuinely useful. If you're new to five-string altogether, our beginner's guide to five-string bass is the gentler starting point, and it's worth reading our rundown of common five-string bass string mistakes before you order your first set.

Frequently Asked Questions