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
- Balance
- moderately uneven
- spread 9.2%
Tension per string
| # | Note | Hz | Gauge | Item | Type | Tension | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G2 | 98.0 | .045 | PSB045 | wound | 39.7 lb18.02 kg177 N | −2% |
| 2 | D2 | 73.4 | .065 | PSB065 | wound | 44.9 lb20.38 kg200 N | +11% |
| 3 | A1 | 55.0 | .085 | PSB085 | wound | 42.0 lb19.07 kg187 N | +4% |
| 4 | E1 | 41.2 | .105 | PSB105 | wound | 34.8 lb15.80 kg155 N | −14% |
| Total | 161.5 lb73.3 kg719 N | ||||||
Similar sets in E standard (bass), 34"
| Set | Gauges | Avg per string | Total | Feel | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPS165 (this page) | 45-65-85-105 | 40.4 lb18.32 kg180 N | 161.5 lb73.3 kg719 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| Elixir 14652 | 45-65-80-100 | 40.8 lb18.50 kg181 N | 163.1 lb74.0 kg726 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| D'Addario EXL170 | 45-65-80-100 | 41.5 lb18.81 kg184 N | 165.8 lb75.2 kg738 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| Elixir 14677 | 45-65-85-105 | 42.8 lb19.41 kg190 N | 171.1 lb77.6 kg761 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| D'Addario NYXL45105 | 45-65-85-105 | 42.8 lb19.42 kg190 N | 171.2 lb77.7 kg762 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| Elixir 14052 | 45-65-80-100 | 43.4 lb19.66 kg193 N | 173.4 lb78.7 kg771 N | medium | moderately 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).
- D'Addario EXL165 45-65-85-105
- Elixir 14677 45-65-85-105
- Elixir 14052 45-65-80-100
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
- D'Addario product page, tension chart for EPS165 (2026-10-31): unit weights derived from the published tensions, cross-checked across sets.