Foundations Stainless Steel Bass Strings
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About Foundations Stainless
Foundations Stainless is brighter and more flexible than our Power Steel sets. The strings bend further and fret with less effort, and the stainless wrap takes the top end further still — hard attack, defined highs and a tight low end.
You can spot a set in the pack: Foundations ball ends are red.
Stainless is also the more durable wrap — it resists corrosion better than nickel-plated steel, so a set stays bright longer if you sweat or gig often. This is the set for a player who wants stainless bite without the stiffness.
Choosing a gauge
.045–.105 is the standard four-string set. .040–.100 is lighter and easier to fret. Five-string players choose between .040–.120 and .045–.125, and six-string players between .030–.120 and .030–.125. The five and six-string sets are also made in extra long scale for basses with a 35" or longer scale.
String length
Long scale sets fit most 34" scale basses. The E and B strings (.100, .105, .120 and .125) have about 37" of usable winding length (ball end to taper), and the rest of the set about 37.25". Extra long sets are about 38". Measurements are approximate.
Gauges
| Set | Gauges | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| .040–.100 Custom Light 4-string | .040 .060 .080 .100 | Long scale |
| .045–.105 Medium Light 4-string | .045 .065 .085 .105 | Long scale |
| .040–.120 Custom Light 5-string | .040 .060 .080 .100 .120 | Long scale |
| .045–.125 Light 5-string | .045 .065 .085 .105 .125 | Long scale, extra long |
| .030–.120 Custom Light 6-string | .030 .040 .060 .080 .100 .120 | Long scale |
| .030–.125 Light 6-string | .030 .045 .065 .085 .105 .125 | Long scale, extra long |
Gauges match our Foundations Nickel line set for set, so switching between the two changes the tone and not the setup.
How Foundations Stainless compares to our other bass sets
Foundations Stainless is the brighter, more flexible stainless set. Power Steel Stainless is our flagship stainless roundwound — a firmer feel and a far wider range of scale lengths and constructions. Foundations Nickel is this same string with a warmer nickel wrap. Fusion Wound Stainless is the tightest and most focused, Silencer Nickel Semi-Flat the quietest, and Power Flat flatwounds go furthest toward a smooth, mellow response.
Frequently asked questions
What are Foundations Stainless bass strings?
They are brighter and more flexible than Power Steel Stainless, with hard attack, defined highs and a tight low end, but they bend and fret with less effort. You can spot a set by its red ball ends.
Why are the E and B strings a different length?
On Foundations long scale sets, the E and B strings (.100, .105, .120 and .125) have about 37" of winding, and the rest about 37.25". See why the E and B are different.
Do you make Foundations Stainless in extra long scale?
Yes, for 5- and 6-string basses with a 35" or longer scale: FS545125XL and FS630125XL, about 38". Not sure which you need? See our bass string length guide.
Foundations Stainless vs Foundations Nickel?
Same string, same gauges, so switching changes only the tone. Foundations Nickel is warmer. Stainless is brighter and stays bright longer if you sweat or gig often.
Made in the USA.