Best strings for Alternative rock
Ranked by the CYS expert team. Updated 2026-04-20.
#1
#2
Ernie Ball
Power Slinky 2220 Nickel Wound (.011–.048)
.011 – .048
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardRock
#3
Cleartone
9410 EMP Coated Nickel-Plated Steel (.010–.046)
.010 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardRock
#4
D'Addario
EPS170 XL ProSteels Bass Regular Light (.045–.100)
.045 – .100
Price tier: $$
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#5
CYS Likes
Full review →D'Addario
EPS230 XL ProSteels Bass Heavy (.055–.110)
.055 – .110
Price tier: $$
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#6
#7
#8
D'Addario
EXL160 XL Nickel Wound Bass Medium (.050-.105)
.050 – .105
Price tier: $
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#9
D'Addario
EXL170 XL Nickel Wound Bass Regular Light (.045-.100)
.045 – .100
Price tier: $
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#10
#11
D'Addario
NYXL45100 Nickel Wound Bass Regular Light (.045–.100)
.045 – .100
Price tier: $$
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#12
D'Addario
NYXL50105 Nickel Wound Bass Medium (.050–.105)
.050 – .105
Price tier: $$
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#13
#14
Dean Markley
Blue Steel 2558 Light Top/Heavy Bottom (.010–.052)
.10–.52
Dean Markley
Blue Steel 2558 Light Top/Heavy Bottom (.010–.052)
.010 – .052
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardRock
#16
Elixir
Polyweb 12050 Nickel Plated Steel (.010–.046)
.010 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardJazz
#17
#18
Ernie Ball
Hybrid Slinky Bass (.045–.105)
.045 – .105
Price tier: $
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#19
Ernie Ball
Paradigm Regular Slinky (.010–.046)
.010 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardPunk rock
#20
Ernie Ball
Regular Slinky Bass (.050–.105)
.050 – .105
Price tier: $
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#21
Ernie Ball
Regular Slinky RPS 2241 Nickel Wound (.010–.046)
.010 – .046
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardRock
#22
Fender
Super 7250 Bass (long-scale, .045–.105)
.045 – .105
Price tier: $
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Punk rock
#23
#24
GHS Strings
Bass Boomers Flea Signature M3045-F (.045–.105)
.045 – .105
Price tier: $
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Funk
#25
Dean Markley
Blue Steel 2552 Cryogenic Light (.009–.042)
.009 – .042
Price tier: $
E StandardEb StandardRock
#26
DR Strings
Pure Blues PHR-10 Pure Nickel (.010–.046)
.010 – .046
Price tier: $$
E StandardEb StandardBlues
#27
Ernie Ball
Power Slinky Bass (.055–.110)
.055 – .110
Price tier: $
E Standard (4-string)Eb Standard (4-string)Rock
#28
#29
#30
Ernie Ball
Super Slinky Bass (.045–.100)
.045 – .100
Price tier: $
E Standard (4-string)Pop-punkPunk rock