String Tension Lab All sets Calculator

D'Addario · ProSteels Bass · 45-65-85-105

D'Addario EPS165 (45-65-85-105) in E standard (bass) on a 30" scale

45-105 Regular Light Top/Medium Bottom, Long Scale, XL ProSteels Bass Strings on a bass with a 30" scale, tuned to E standard (bass) (G2 D2 A1 E1), pulls 125.8 lb57.0 kg559 N in total and 31.4 lb14.26 kg140 N per string on average. That is a loose feel for a bass. The set is moderately uneven (spread 9.2%). String 4 (E1) deviates most: −14% from the set average.

Total tension
125.8 lb57.0 kg559 N
Average per string
31.4 lb14.26 kg140 N
Feel
loose
medium ≈ 43.6 lb19.78 kg194 N per string
Set your own preferred feel
Balance
moderately uneven
spread 9.2%

Tension per string

010203040lb05101520kg050100150200Nset averagemedium (45-105)1G2.04530.9 lb14.03 kg138 N2D2.06535.0 lb15.87 kg156 N3A1.08532.7 lb14.84 kg146 N4E1.10527.1 lb12.30 kg121 N
The bronze dashed line is the medium-feel target: the average per-string tension of a 45-105 set on a 34" scale in E standard (bass) (43.6 lb19.78 kg194 N). Loose and tight are measured against it.Line thickness follows the string gauge; textured lines are wound strings. Hover, tap or tab to a string for details.
#NoteHzGaugeItemType Tensionvs avg
1G298.0 .045PSB045wound 30.9 lb14.03 kg138 N−2%
2D273.4 .065PSB065wound 35.0 lb15.87 kg156 N+11%
3A155.0 .085PSB085wound 32.7 lb14.84 kg146 N+4%
4E141.2 .105PSB105wound 27.1 lb12.30 kg121 N−14%
Total125.8 lb57.0 kg559 N

Open in the calculator

Similar sets in E standard (bass), 30"

SetGaugesAvg per stringTotalFeelBalance
EPS165 (this page) 45-65-85-10531.4 lb14.26 kg140 N 125.8 lb57.0 kg559 Nloosemoderately uneven
Elixir 14652 45-65-80-10031.8 lb14.40 kg141 N 127.0 lb57.6 kg565 Nloosemoderately uneven
D'Addario EXL170 45-65-80-10032.3 lb14.64 kg144 N 129.1 lb58.6 kg574 Nloosemoderately uneven
Elixir 14677 45-65-85-10533.3 lb15.11 kg148 N 133.2 lb60.4 kg593 Nloosemoderately uneven
D'Addario NYXL45105 45-65-85-10533.3 lb15.12 kg148 N 133.3 lb60.5 kg593 Nloosemoderately uneven
Elixir 14052 45-65-80-10033.8 lb15.31 kg150 N 135.0 lb61.2 kg601 Nloosemoderately uneven

Best match for a medium feel in E standard (bass), 30"

Ranked by how close every string is to 43.6 lb19.78 kg194 N (lower deviation is better).

  1. Elixir 14102 50-70-85-105 deviation 16.4%, average 39.2 lb17.78 kg174 N, uneven; same gauges: 14702
  2. D'Addario ECB81 45-65-80-100 deviation 18.6%, average 36.4 lb16.51 kg162 N, moderately uneven
  3. D'Addario EXL160 50-70-85-105 deviation 19.3%, average 36.9 lb16.73 kg164 N, uneven

More for the EPS165

E 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