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

D'Addario EPS165 (45-65-85-105) in Eb 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 Eb standard (bass) (Gb2 Db2 Ab1 Eb1), pulls 143.9 lb65.3 kg640 N in total and 36.0 lb16.32 kg160 N per string on average. That is a loose feel for a bass. The set is moderately uneven (spread 9.2%). String 4 (Eb1) deviates most: −14% from the set average.

Total tension
143.9 lb65.3 kg640 N
Average per string
36.0 lb16.32 kg160 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)1Gb2.04535.4 lb16.06 kg157 N2Db2.06540.0 lb18.16 kg178 N3Ab1.08537.4 lb16.99 kg167 N4Eb1.10531.0 lb14.07 kg138 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
1Gb292.5 .045PSB045wound 35.4 lb16.06 kg157 N−2%
2Db269.3 .065PSB065wound 40.0 lb18.16 kg178 N+11%
3Ab151.9 .085PSB085wound 37.4 lb16.99 kg167 N+4%
4Eb138.9 .105PSB105wound 31.0 lb14.07 kg138 N−14%
Total143.9 lb65.3 kg640 N

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Similar sets in Eb standard (bass), 34"

SetGaugesAvg per stringTotalFeelBalance
EPS165 (this page) 45-65-85-10536.0 lb16.32 kg160 N 143.9 lb65.3 kg640 Nloosemoderately uneven
Elixir 14652 45-65-80-10036.3 lb16.48 kg162 N 145.3 lb65.9 kg646 Nloosemoderately uneven
D'Addario EXL170 45-65-80-10036.9 lb16.75 kg164 N 147.7 lb67.0 kg657 Nloosemoderately uneven
Elixir 14677 45-65-85-10538.1 lb17.29 kg170 N 152.5 lb69.2 kg678 Nloosemoderately uneven
D'Addario NYXL45105 45-65-85-10538.1 lb17.30 kg170 N 152.6 lb69.2 kg679 Nloosemoderately uneven
Elixir 14052 45-65-80-10038.6 lb17.52 kg172 N 154.5 lb70.1 kg687 Nloosemoderately uneven

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

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

  1. D'Addario ECB81 45-65-80-100 deviation 10.9%, average 41.7 lb18.90 kg185 N, moderately uneven
  2. Elixir 14077 45-65-85-105 deviation 11.2%, average 40.7 lb18.45 kg181 N, moderately uneven; same gauges: 14087, 14677
  3. D'Addario EXL165 45-65-85-105 deviation 13.4%, average 38.9 lb17.62 kg173 N, moderately uneven; same gauges: NYXL45105, EPS165

More for the EPS165

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

Eb standard (bass) on other scales: 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.

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