What Are The Best BASS STRINGS? | What is That

On today's episode of What Is That we are doing a semi-deep dive into the best bass strings for Funk, R&B, Gospel and Pop music. We will talking about and demonstrating, Ernie Ball's, Labellas, DR Hi Beams, Rotosound, D'addario XLs and DR Fatbeams. Going over the pros and cons of each string and what styles they work the best for.

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STRINGS IN THIS VIDEO

VIDEO [Table of Contents]
0:00 | Start of Video
01:37 | D'addario XL
02:32 | D'addario XL [Slapped DEMO]
02:53 | D'addario XL [Fingerstyle DEMO]
03:10 | Rotosound
04:25 | Rotosound [Slapped DEMO]
04:47 | Rotosound [Fingerstyle DEMO]
05:06 | Labellas
06:48 | Labellas [Slapped DEMO]
07:16 | Labellas [FIngerstyle DEMO]
07:35 | Ernie Ball
08:55 | Ernie Ball [Slapped DEMO]
09:18 | Ernie Ball [Fingerstyle DEMO]
09:36 | DR Hi Beams
10:38 | DR Hi Beams [Slapped DEMO]
11:00 | DR Hi Beams [Fingerstyle DEMO]
11:18 | DR Fat Beams
12:29 | How To Choose Bass Strings
13:49 | String GIVEAWAY!
14:18 | Outro

Thanks for watching!

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[ronaldbarnesii]

Man. Shout out for changing all those strings for the video. We know how tedious it can be.

[BrewerShettles]

Great Playing!! - D'Darrio 2:33 2:53 - Rotosound 4:27 4:49 - LaBella 6:49 7:16 - Ernie Ball 8:56 9:18 - DR 2nd 10:38 11:01 -

[j.juarez]

I play 80% rock and 20% funk and your string review nailed the tones! Great video, thank you.

[stevenordstedt]

When I started playing bass in 1981.
I used Rotos round wound for years.
But they wear down your frets faster than any other string. They sound the best.
I don’t want to have to refret every 2 years. Then I went to GHS Boomers.
And played them for 20 years.
I’ve tried others. But I like the DR’s

[WaterproofSoap]

So many good shoes...so many different feet.

So many good many different bass sounds.

That's my take on it😊

Nice rundown and playing

[skiskrt]

Not a bass player, guitar player getting into bass, and I play everything from drop tuned metal to funk / r&b and I gotta say the Rotosound strings definitely sounded the most versatile and ready to go

[stefanadamcik]

Good review. Thanks. I got turned onto the LaBella flatwounds in the late 90s. I play blues to motown sound, and these are so warm. The tone is deep and rich. My favorite.

[jiminnorthdallas]

I like how you not only use the same playing sample for each style of playing (finger or slap), but the same for each brand, as well (unlike so many others). Thank you.

[jimmycarter]

Great vid, brutha! I personally lean toward the DR Hi Beams and the XL’s. I actually make my choices between those depending on which bass I play. I switch between 5 strings Jazz and vintage 4 string Jazz basses. While I do agree that certain strings may perform better in certain situations, I personally lean into my EQ’ing to go between genres. Again, great vid and as always, great content! ✊🏾

[JCBassCovers]

I've been using the Power Slinky Ernie Ball strings since I was like 15 years old. I don't tend to stick with a single brand for anything, but Ernie Ball has been very consistent and proven.

[beatapt]

Tried them all - Rotosound 66 get my vote. I do use the nickel wound for a little warmer tone.

[Theospeak]

Thank you so much for doing the comparison. Have played 4-string for the past 30 years, and my first 5-string arrives tomorrow so I can expand my catalog for a cover band. Great to hear the classic string sets on 5 instead of just 4. Awesome video.

[ryanjohnston]

Yes, those Rotosound steels sound amazing. A little rough on the fingers but you quickly get used to it.

[kasperchristensen]

Thank you so much for this very informative and thorough video, buddy! 👍🌟

[guillaumeaudet]

Love the way this video is done, easy to navigate through every section, well done! What I've learn is that I made a good choice to stick with the DR 10 years ago, still the best for me after all this time. Highly recommend! (DR guitar strings are also crazy good)

[Direwoof]

D'addrio for life, I ply a lot of Japanese hard rock/math rock and acid jazz and I like that bright powerful tone cause teh bass in the most important instrument for those genres!

[RAVENTLOW]

There is one missing: ELIXIR NIKEL COATED, in my opinion the best strings right now, very well balanced and with this warm tone that is great for pizzicato (jaco sound) as well as nice and elegant slap. Really difficult to find nowadays here in Spain.
From all the strings in your video, those ernie ball got you the best sound. That slap line with this strings had some Marcus similar tone.

[boxdenfresh]

D’Addario nickels FTW. They do start off super bright but when they break down you almost don’t have to change them anymore

[georgearreola]

Bro! I know I’m super late, Ernie balls all day- matter fact .40-1.25 all my life now. Great vid

P.S: your face when playing Ernie’s was priceless 😂

[johndonlon]

I love the Rotosound Swing Bass 66s. They are loud, strong and cut through everything. They are my "go-to" choice even though they cost more. On a 6-string, I love the Rotosound UltraMags.