Quick Answer
Acoustic bass strings are designed around an acoustic bass guitar, where the instrument’s body and, when equipped, its pickup system are part of the overall sound. Our Acoustic Bass Strings use a 92/8 phosphor bronze wrap over a steel hex core and are made for long scale acoustic bass guitars. They are not made for upright basses.
We offer two sets, one for 4-string and one for 5-string instruments.
| String | 4-String (ABG45105L) | 5-String (ABG545125L) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (G) | .045 | .045 |
| 2nd (D) | .065 | .065 |
| 3rd (A) | .085 | .085 |
| 4th (E) | .105 | .105 |
| 5th (low B) | n/a | .125 |
What Makes an Acoustic Bass String Different?
Acoustic and electric bass strings are designed around different applications.
Our Acoustic Bass Strings use a 92/8 phosphor bronze cover wrap over a steel hex core and are designed specifically for long scale acoustic bass guitars.
Electric bass strings in our lineup use constructions such as nickel-plated steel or stainless steel that are designed around electric bass and conventional magnetic pickups. An acoustic bass guitar is different because the instrument’s body, and its pickup system when equipped, are part of the overall sound.
That doesn’t mean any string labeled “acoustic” will work on every acoustic bass. Scale length, string fit, gauge, tuning, and pickup compatibility still matter.
Is This Guide for Your Bass?
This guide covers strings for acoustic bass guitars. Our Acoustic Bass Strings are designed for long scale instruments.
They are not designed for upright or double basses. An upright bass uses different string types and a different setup, and we don’t make our acoustic bass guitar strings for it.
If your instrument has a pickup and you’re deciding between acoustic and electric bass strings, see the compatibility section below.
Acoustic Bass Tuning
A 4-string acoustic bass guitar is commonly tuned E A D G, low to high, the same as a 4-string electric bass.
A 5-string adds a low B below the E:
4-string: E A D G
5-string: B E A D G
Because the added string is tuned lower, our 5-string set uses a heavier .125 string for the low B.
For more on how tuning works across 4-, 5-, and 6-string basses, see our bass guitar tuning guide and our 5-string and 6-string bass strings guide.
Construction: 92/8 Phosphor Bronze Over a Steel Hex Core
Our Acoustic Bass Strings use a 92/8 phosphor bronze cover wrap over a steel hex core.
The phosphor bronze is the outer wrap material, while the steel hex core forms the foundation of the wound string. These are separate parts of the string’s construction, and the complete string works together as a system.
How that construction ultimately feels and sounds also depends on the acoustic bass itself, its scale length and setup, your playing technique, and the age of the strings.
Because phosphor bronze is the material we offer for our Acoustic Bass Strings, you don’t have to choose between different wrap materials within this line. Your main choices are the number of strings and making sure the set fits your instrument.
Can You Use Electric Bass Strings on an Acoustic Bass?
Acoustic bass guitars use different pickup systems, so string compatibility depends partly on the instrument.
Our Acoustic Bass Strings are the sets we design specifically for acoustic bass guitar. If your instrument uses a pickup, especially a magnetic pickup, check the pickup manufacturer’s string requirements before choosing a set.
Electric bass strings may physically fit some acoustic bass guitars, but fit alone doesn’t mean they’re the best match for the instrument. Check scale length, winding length, gauge, bridge and tuner fitment, and pickup compatibility before using a string set designed for a different type of bass.
Gauge: 4-String vs. 5-String
Our two Acoustic Bass String sets share the same top four gauges:
| String | Gauge |
|---|---|
| G | .045 |
| D | .065 |
| A | .085 |
| E | .105 |
The 5-string set adds a .125 low B.
The 4-string set is labeled Medium Light and the 5-string set is labeled Light. Those are the names assigned to the sets and shouldn’t be treated as a universal tension scale. Gauge names can vary between different products and manufacturers.
4-String Acoustic Bass: ABG45105L
Gauges: .045, .065, .085, .105
Good starting point for: a long scale 4-string acoustic bass tuned E A D G.
5-String Acoustic Bass: ABG545125L
Gauges: .045, .065, .085, .105, .125
Good starting point for: a long scale 5-string acoustic bass tuned B E A D G.
Gauge, Tension, and Feel
Gauge is not the same thing as tension.
Tension depends on gauge, pitch, scale length, and string construction together. The same gauge at the same pitch can have different tension when scale length or construction changes, so the gauge number alone doesn’t tell you exactly how a string will feel.
We don’t publish tension figures for our Acoustic Bass Strings, so we wouldn’t compare them numerically to other sets.
If a set feels too loose or too tight on your instrument, consider the complete combination of scale length, tuning, string construction, and setup rather than looking only at the gauge number.
Scale Length and String Fit
Our Acoustic Bass Strings are made for long scale acoustic bass guitars. Before ordering, confirm that the set is appropriate for your instrument’s scale and string path.
Scale length is the vibrating distance from the nut to the bridge. The overall string has to extend beyond that distance to reach the tuner, and the placement of the wound portion matters too.
Two basses described as the same nominal scale length can still have different bridge and tuner layouts. That’s why scale length alone doesn’t always tell you everything about whether a bass string will fit.
If you’re unsure about fit, compare your current string dimensions with the replacement set before installing it.
How to Choose Acoustic Bass Strings
- Confirm your instrument. Our Acoustic Bass Strings are for long scale acoustic bass guitars, not upright basses.
- Count your strings. Choose the 4-string set for E A D G or the 5-string set for B E A D G.
- Confirm scale length and fit. Make sure the string length and wound portion are appropriate for your instrument.
- Check your pickup. If your bass has a pickup, especially a magnetic one, check the pickup manufacturer’s string requirements before ordering.
- Check your tuning. These sets are gauged for standard tuning. If you tune lower, the feel will change.
- Check the setup after installation. Changing string type, brand, or gauge can affect how the instrument plays. Check relief, action, and intonation after switching.
Our Acoustic Bass String Options
Acoustic Bass Strings, 4-String (ABG45105L)
Good starting point for: long scale 4-string acoustic bass guitars.
- 92/8 phosphor bronze wrap over a steel hex core
- .045, .065, .085, .105
- Designed for E A D G standard tuning
Acoustic Bass Strings, 5-String (ABG545125L)
Good starting point for: long scale 5-string acoustic bass guitars.
- 92/8 phosphor bronze wrap over a steel hex core
- .045, .065, .085, .105, .125
- Designed for B E A D G standard tuning
You can see both sets on our Acoustic Bass Strings page.
Setup and Installation Notes
When changing strings on an acoustic bass, install and tune them up evenly, then check how the bass plays.
New strings need some time to settle after installation, so expect to retune them as they settle in.
Check relief, action, and intonation if you’ve changed string type, gauge, or brand. A setup adjustment may be useful if one of them has changed enough to cause a problem.
There’s no universal replacement schedule. How quickly acoustic bass strings wear depends on playing time, technique, perspiration, storage conditions, and the individual instrument.
Consider replacing them when you notice a meaningful change in response, feel, tuning performance, intonation, or visible condition rather than relying only on a fixed number of weeks or months.
Final Thoughts
Acoustic bass strings are designed for a different application than electric bass strings. Our Acoustic Bass Strings use a 92/8 phosphor bronze cover wrap over a steel hex core and are made for long scale acoustic bass guitars.
Choosing between our sets is straightforward. Start with your instrument and string count: .045-.105 for a 4-string tuned E A D G, or .045-.125 for a 5-string tuned B E A D G.
Then confirm your scale and string fit, along with pickup compatibility if your acoustic bass is amplified.
From there, the way the strings feel and sound will depend on the interaction between the string construction, your bass, its setup, and your playing technique.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are acoustic bass strings made of?
Our Acoustic Bass Strings use a 92/8 phosphor bronze cover wrap over a steel hex core.
What tuning does an acoustic bass use?
A 4-string acoustic bass is commonly tuned E A D G from low to high. A 5-string commonly adds a low B, giving you B E A D G.
What gauges do your acoustic bass strings come in?
Our 4-string set (ABG45105L) is .045, .065, .085, .105.
Our 5-string set (ABG545125L) uses the same top four gauges and adds a .125 low B: .045, .065, .085, .105, .125.
Can I use acoustic bass strings on an upright bass?
No. Our Acoustic Bass Strings are designed for acoustic bass guitars, not upright or double basses.
Can I use electric bass strings on an acoustic bass guitar?
They may physically fit some acoustic bass guitars, but fit alone doesn’t mean they’re the best match.
Our Acoustic Bass Strings are the sets we design for acoustic bass guitar. Check scale length, winding length, gauge, bridge and tuner fitment, and pickup compatibility before using a set designed for a different type of bass.
Can I use acoustic bass strings on an electric bass?
We design them for acoustic bass guitars. Our electric bass strings are designed around electric bass and conventional magnetic pickups, so they are the sets we’d point you to for an electric bass.
Will these strings work with my acoustic bass pickup?
It depends on your pickup system. If your instrument has a pickup, especially a magnetic pickup, check the pickup manufacturer’s string requirements before choosing a set.
Do you make a 6-string acoustic bass set?
Not currently. We offer a 4-string set and a 5-string set.
Are the 4-string and 5-string sets different gauges?
The top four strings are the same: .045, .065, .085, and .105. The 5-string set adds a .125 low B.
Do heavier acoustic bass strings sound louder or fuller?
Not as a rule.
A heavier gauge increases the string’s diameter and generally its mass, and at the same pitch, scale length, and construction it will generally increase tension. How loud or full an acoustic bass sounds also depends on the instrument, setup, playing technique, amplification, and the rest of the string’s construction.
Are the 4-string and 5-string sets the same tension?
We don’t publish tension figures for these sets.
The two sets share the same top four gauges, but tension depends on gauge, pitch, scale length, and construction together, so we wouldn’t compare the two sets numerically without tension data.
Do I need a setup after changing acoustic bass strings?
Not always. Check relief, action, and intonation after switching. A setup adjustment may be useful if one of them has changed enough to cause a problem.
How often should I change acoustic bass strings?
There’s no fixed interval that works for everyone. Consider changing them when you notice reduced response, changes in feel, visible wear or corrosion, trouble holding pitch, or intonation problems.
Can I tune an acoustic bass lower with these strings?
These sets are gauged for standard E A D G or B E A D G tuning. Tuning lower will change the feel and may affect the instrument’s setup.
For more on how gauge, tuning, and tension interact, see our Drop B bass strings guide.
