D'Addario · NYXL Bass · 45-65-85-105
D'Addario NYXL45105 (45-65-85-105) in Drop D (bass) on a 34" scale
45-105 Regular Light Top/Medium Bottom, Long Scale, NYXL Bass Strings on a bass with a 34" scale, tuned to Drop D (bass) (G2 D2 A1 D1), pulls 163.5 lb74.1 kg727 N in total and 40.9 lb18.54 kg182 N per string on average. That is a medium feel for a bass. The set is uneven (spread 16.7%). String 4 (D1) deviates most: −27% from the set average.
- Total tension
- 163.5 lb74.1 kg727 N
- Average per string
- 40.9 lb18.54 kg182 N
- Balance
- uneven
- spread 16.7%
Tension per string
| # | Note | Hz | Gauge | Item | Type | Tension | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G2 | 98.0 | .045 | NYXLB045 | wound | 40.3 lb18.29 kg179 N | −1% |
| 2 | D2 | 73.4 | .065 | NYXLB065 | wound | 47.6 lb21.61 kg212 N | +17% |
| 3 | A1 | 55.0 | .085 | NYXLB085 | wound | 45.5 lb20.66 kg203 N | +11% |
| 4 | D1 | 36.7 | .105 | NYXLB105 | wound | 29.9 lb13.58 kg133 N | −27% |
| Total | 163.5 lb74.1 kg727 N | ||||||
Similar sets in Drop D (bass), 34"
| Set | Gauges | Avg per string | Total | Feel | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elixir 14652 | 45-65-80-100 | 39.0 lb17.70 kg174 N | 156.1 lb70.8 kg694 N | loose | uneven |
| D'Addario EXL170 | 45-65-80-100 | 39.7 lb17.99 kg176 N | 158.7 lb72.0 kg706 N | medium | uneven |
| NYXL45105 (this page) | 45-65-85-105 | 40.9 lb18.54 kg182 N | 163.5 lb74.1 kg727 N | medium | uneven |
| Elixir 14677 | 45-65-85-105 | 40.9 lb18.54 kg182 N | 163.5 lb74.2 kg727 N | medium | uneven |
| Elixir 14052 | 45-65-80-100 | 41.4 lb18.80 kg184 N | 165.8 lb75.2 kg737 N | medium | uneven |
| D'Addario EXL165 | 45-65-85-105 | 41.6 lb18.89 kg185 N | 166.6 lb75.6 kg741 N | medium | uneven |
Best match for a medium feel in Drop D (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
- D'Addario ECB81 45-65-80-100
More for the NYXL45105
Other tunings on 34": E standard (bass), Eb standard (bass), D standard (bass)
Drop D (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.
Sources
- D'Addario product page, tension chart for NYXL45105 (2026-10-31): unit weights derived from the published tensions, cross-checked across sets.