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 34" scale

45-105 Regular Light Top/Medium Bottom, Long Scale, XL ProSteels Bass Strings on a bass with a 34" scale, tuned to E standard (bass) (G2 D2 A1 E1), pulls 161.5 lb73.3 kg719 N in total and 40.4 lb18.32 kg180 N per string on average. That is a medium feel for a bass. The set is moderately uneven (spread 9.2%). String 4 (E1) deviates most: −14% from the set average.

Total tension
161.5 lb73.3 kg719 N
Average per string
40.4 lb18.32 kg180 N
Feel
medium
medium ≈ 43.6 lb19.78 kg194 N per string
Set your own preferred feel
Balance
moderately uneven
spread 9.2%

Tension per string

02040lb05101520kg050100150200Nset averagemedium (45-105)1G2.04539.7 lb18.02 kg177 N2D2.06544.9 lb20.38 kg200 N3A1.08542.0 lb19.07 kg187 N4E1.10534.8 lb15.80 kg155 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 39.7 lb18.02 kg177 N−2%
2D273.4 .065PSB065wound 44.9 lb20.38 kg200 N+11%
3A155.0 .085PSB085wound 42.0 lb19.07 kg187 N+4%
4E141.2 .105PSB105wound 34.8 lb15.80 kg155 N−14%
Total161.5 lb73.3 kg719 N

Open in the calculator

Similar sets in E standard (bass), 34"

SetGaugesAvg per stringTotalFeelBalance
EPS165 (this page) 45-65-85-10540.4 lb18.32 kg180 N 161.5 lb73.3 kg719 Nmediummoderately uneven
Elixir 14652 45-65-80-10040.8 lb18.50 kg181 N 163.1 lb74.0 kg726 Nmediummoderately uneven
D'Addario EXL170 45-65-80-10041.5 lb18.81 kg184 N 165.8 lb75.2 kg738 Nmediummoderately uneven
Elixir 14677 45-65-85-10542.8 lb19.41 kg190 N 171.1 lb77.6 kg761 Nmediummoderately uneven
D'Addario NYXL45105 45-65-85-10542.8 lb19.42 kg190 N 171.2 lb77.7 kg762 Nmediummoderately uneven
Elixir 14052 45-65-80-10043.4 lb19.66 kg193 N 173.4 lb78.7 kg771 Nmediummoderately uneven

Best match for a medium feel in E standard (bass), 34"

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

  1. D'Addario EXL165 45-65-85-105 deviation 8.7%, average 43.6 lb19.78 kg194 N, moderately uneven; same gauges: NYXL45105, EPS165
  2. Elixir 14677 45-65-85-105 deviation 8.8%, average 42.8 lb19.41 kg190 N, moderately uneven; same gauges: 14077, 14087
  3. Elixir 14052 45-65-80-100 deviation 11.9%, average 43.4 lb19.66 kg193 N, moderately uneven; same gauges: 14652

More for the EPS165

Other tunings on 34": Drop D (bass), Eb standard (bass), D standard (bass)

E standard (bass) on other scales: 30", 32", 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