D'Addario · Chromes Flatwound Bass · 45-65-80-100
D'Addario ECB81 (45-65-80-100) in Eb standard (bass) on a 30" scale
45-100 Regular Light, Long Scale, XL Chromes Bass Strings on a bass with a 30" scale, tuned to Eb standard (bass) (Gb2 Db2 Ab1 Eb1), pulls 129.7 lb58.8 kg577 N in total and 32.4 lb14.71 kg144 N per string on average. That is a loose feel for a bass. The set is moderately uneven (spread 10.4%). String 2 (Db2) deviates most: +15% from the set average.
- Total tension
- 129.7 lb58.8 kg577 N
- Average per string
- 32.4 lb14.71 kg144 N
- Balance
- moderately uneven
- spread 10.4%
Tension per string
| # | Note | Hz | Gauge | Item | Type | Tension | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gb2 | 92.5 | .045 | CB045 | flatwound | 32.6 lb14.80 kg145 N | +1% |
| 2 | Db2 | 69.3 | .065 | CB065 | flatwound | 37.4 lb16.97 kg166 N | +15% |
| 3 | Ab1 | 51.9 | .080 | CB080 | flatwound | 31.7 lb14.39 kg141 N | −2% |
| 4 | Eb1 | 38.9 | .100 | CB100 | flatwound | 28.0 lb12.69 kg124 N | −14% |
| Total | 129.7 lb58.8 kg577 N | ||||||
Similar sets in Eb standard (bass), 30"
| Set | Gauges | Avg per string | Total | Feel | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elixir 14077 | 45-65-85-105 | 31.7 lb14.36 kg141 N | 126.7 lb57.5 kg563 N | loose | moderately uneven |
| Elixir 14087 | 45-65-85-105 | 31.7 lb14.36 kg141 N | 126.7 lb57.5 kg563 N | loose | moderately uneven |
| ECB81 (this page) | 45-65-80-100 | 32.4 lb14.71 kg144 N | 129.7 lb58.8 kg577 N | loose | moderately uneven |
| Elixir 14102 | 50-70-85-105 | 34.9 lb15.84 kg155 N | 139.7 lb63.4 kg621 N | loose | uneven |
Best match for a medium feel in Eb standard (bass), 30"
Ranked by how close every string is to 43.6 lb19.78 kg194 N (lower deviation is better).
- Elixir 14102 50-70-85-105
- D'Addario EXL160 50-70-85-105
- D'Addario ECB81 45-65-80-100
More for the ECB81
Other tunings on 30": E standard (bass)
Eb standard (bass) on other scales: 32", 34", 35", 34"–37" multiscale
About these numbers
Tension is calculated, not measured: T = μ · (2 · L · f)², where μ is the string's mass per unit length (unit weight), L the vibrating length (scale) and f the pitch (A4 = 440 Hz, equal temperament). kg means kilogram-force: 1 kg ≈ 9.81 N ≈ 2.205 lb.
How a set feels also depends on the guitar's setup: action height, break angle over the nut and saddle, string length behind the nut and bridge, and your playing style. Plain strings feel stiffer than wound strings at the same tension. Use these figures to compare sets, not as an absolute measure of feel.
Sources
- D'Addario product page, tension chart for ECB81 (2026-10-31): unit weights derived from the published tensions, cross-checked across sets.