D'Addario

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The D'Addario EXL165 XL Nickel Round Wound Soft/Regular Bass Strings provide a bright tone and improved intonation for bassists seeking premium-quality strings. Featuring nickel-plated steel wrap wire over a high-carbon steel core, these strings are designed for balanced tension and clear, punchy low end. The Regular Light Top/Medium Bottom 45-105 gauge set offers tight, responsive low strings complemented by flexible higher strings for comfortable playability across the fretboard. World-renowned as "The Player's Choice," D'Addario strings are trusted by bassists everywhere for their reliability and performance.

Nickel-Plated Steel Wrap for Distinctive Bright Tone

The EXL165 strings are wound with nickel-plated steel, which produces a characteristically bright tone with enhanced clarity and articulation. The nickel plating also helps reduce fret wear over the lifetime of the strings. This combination of materials and gauge sizes results in a balanced set that readily handles the demands of any genre while cutting through the mix with a clear, present tone.

High-Carbon Steel Core for Power and Projection

At the heart of the EXL165 strings is a high-carbon steel core, which provides a solid foundation for powerful, sustained notes with substantial projection. The hexagonal core's increased surface area also aids in transference of string vibrations to the bass body and pickups for a full, resonating tone. This robust core, combined with the nickel-plated steel wrap, gives bassists a set of strings designed to handle aggressive playing styles and the most rigorous gigging schedules.

Consistently Smooth Playability

As the world's largest manufacturer of musical instrument strings, D'Addario is renowned for producing expertly crafted, high-performance products. The EXL165 bass strings feature precision-engineered wrap and core materials for consistent quality in every set. Their ability to return to pitch accurately after bending and their resistance to breakage under stress result in strings that inspire confidence in players through consistently smooth playability and intonation.

Trusted Reputation and Value

For over 40 years, D'Addario has led the industry in string innovation and quality. The EXL165 set continues this tradition of excellence while providing exceptional value for bassists on any budget. Add in D'Addario's 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and these strings offer an unparalleled combination of tone, performance and dependability that has earned the brand the distinction of being the world's best-selling—and most trusted—string maker.

D'Addario EXL165 XL Nickel Round Wound Soft/Regular Bass Strings
D'Addario EXL165 XL Nickel Round Wound Soft/Regular Bass Strings
D'Addario EXL165 XL Nickel Round Wound Soft/Regular Bass Strings

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    4.79

    24 Reviews

    100%

    of respondents would recommend this to a friend

    Most Liked Positive Review

    5

    I have tried them all! I keep commin' back!!!!

    I've been playing bass for 25+ years, I have bought cheaper and more expensive strings. Yet can only be satisfied by D'Addario. The intonation is second to none and they stay in tune the best.If you do alot of walking up/down the neck, stick with .045-.105 It keeps the string size in even intervals. You will know the difference. For slappin' you will love the crispness of these strings. In my studio, if a bass man comes in with a dull sound, I have them put these on and they are always hooked. Do yourself a favor, don't waist time on any other set of strings...

    VS

    Most Liked Negative Review

    3

    amazing, the first month...

    ok this is what happend. the strings when i bought it had the most amazing tone, it is bright when u want to then become bright and "not" bright when u want its just equalize ur bass and the amp. now the problem. i play with a multieffects zoom B1 and i "made" or equalize a effect to sound how i want and in the first month it sound really cool but then it started to distortion the sound and when i change the effect is the same distortion that become really annoying when you are playing "light or soft" music, im sure its not tha amp or the bass because my bass is a new fender and that happen too when u r playing direct "bass-amp" and my amp is a new laney so if u want thiis strings buy the "doble pack" because after 1 or 2 months u are gonna want to change al the string set for a new one.

    Filters
    Best Uses
    1. Practicing14
    2. Concerts9
    3. Back-Up4
    4. Recording2
    5. Small Venues1
    Cons
    1. None.1
    2. Price1
    Describe Yourself
    1. Experienced8
    2. Novice6
    3. Professional Musician4
    Pros
    1. Good Tone17
    2. Consistent13
    3. Long Life9
    4. Well Built / Quality5
    5. Sound Great on a Vintage Bass1
    • D'Addario XLs are consistent and reliable

      5

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitted2 months ago

      byJeff

      fromAtlanta, GA

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      I play in two bands. I experiment with other strings sometimes but these are my go-tos. 105 to 45 is my perfect gauge. Bright but not too bright and they last a long time. I've never had one break. Why pay more?

    • Been using these for 30yrs and will never use anything else!

      5

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitted3 months ago

      byChad

      fromOmaha NE

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      Can't beat the sound and longevity!! I even will boil these and use as backups and for mock ups on builds cause they still sound good!

    • By far my favorite strings

      5

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitted9 months ago

      byThom

      fromSouth mills NC

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      Very consistent strings, always happy with them. #sweepstakes

    • These sound great on a vintage bass

      5

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitteda year ago

      byKevin

      fromSan Francisco

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      I have a 1968 Kawai 'Concert' Hollowbody bass that's very unique and unusual. I has two basic vintage (original) single coil pickups. I wanted a set of bass strings that have the warmth and softness that's on a lot of recorded music from the 60s. D'Addario EXL165 XL Nickel Round Wound Soft/Regular Bass Strings have all that and more. They're super comfortable to play and from my experience with D'Addario Bass Guitar strings will last a really long time.

    • Great budget Bass strings

      5

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitteda year ago

      byLB

      fromLong Beach

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      Been using these strings for many years, great sound and a lot of bang for your buck

    • Exactly what you'd expect

      5

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitteda year ago

      byRick

      fromColumbus, Ohio

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      Solid quality strings.

    collapse expand iconQ&A

    Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

    • asked byAndy

      fromPearl MS

      Are these 5 strings

      Are these 5 strings

      Open Reply - Gear-Adviser
      No, they're 4 string.
    • asked byHarry

      fromElburn, IL

      How long are these strings?

      How long are these strings?

      Open Reply - Gear-Adviser
      They are for a 34" scale.