D&#39;Addario EXL170-5 XL Nickel Round Wound 5-String Long Bass Strings

4.5 (11)

$28.99 $21.99 $7.00 · All time low

4.8 (10893)

Used

5.0 (3)

$21.99 88 available New

$20.87 2 available Used

3.0 (6)

$28.99 $21.99 $7.00 · All time low

5.0 (2)

$28.99

4.6 (273)

$26.00

£25.55

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "D'Addario EXL170-5 XL Nickel Round Wound 5-String Long Bass Strings". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

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D'Addario's EXL170-5 XL Nickel Round Wound 5-String Long Bass Strings are the embodiment of high-quality American craftsmanship designed for the discerning bassist. Precision wound with nickel-plated steel onto a high-carbon steel core, these strings deliver a powerful and balanced tone across all frequencies that's perfect for every genre, from deep dub to hard rock, to jazz.

The nickel-plated winding and rolled edges create a stunningly smooth feel, reducing finger noise and enhancing your playing experience. Glide your fingers effortlessly over these strings and let your intended notes and harmonics shine through.

These strings are not just about superior sound and playability. They're also about durability. The materials resist corrosion and oxidation, so even with heavy use or exposure to moisture, your strings continue to perform at their best.

Whether you're replacing old strings or re-stringing a new bass, with a gauge range of .045-.100, these strings offer a precision fit and balanced tension for optimal sound and playability.

Key Features:

Precision wound with nickel-plated steel onto a high-carbon steel core
Produces a powerful, balanced tone across all frequencies
Smooth surface reduces finger noise
Corrosion-resistant for long-lasting tone
Gauge range: .045-.100, fits most standard 5-string basses
Proudly made in the USA by D'Addario, a family company with over 300 years of string-making experience.

Product specs

Guitar Type	Electric Bass
Number of Strings	5
Coated	No
Gauges	.045, .065, .080, .100, .130
Winding Type	Round Wound
Core Material	Hexagonal Steel
Winding Material	Nickel Plated Steel
Scale Length	Long, 36.875"

FAQs

What is the tonal characteristic of D'Addario EXL170-5 XL Nickel Round Wound 5-String Long Bass Strings?: These strings offer a bright and punchy tone with excellent clarity, making them versatile for various music genres, from rock to jazz. The nickel-plated steel provides a balanced sound with a smooth feel.
Are D'Addario EXL170-5 strings suitable for long-scale bass guitars?: Yes, these strings are specifically designed for long-scale bass guitars with a scale length of up to 36.875 inches, ensuring proper tension and intonation.
What gauges are included in the D'Addario EXL170-5 string set?: The set includes gauges .045, .065, .080, .100, and .130, offering a regular light tension for balanced playability and tone across all five strings.
How does the hexagonal steel core affect the performance of these bass strings?: The hexagonal steel core provides enhanced tuning stability and a more precise intonation, ensuring consistent performance during play.
Are D'Addario EXL170-5 strings coated?: No, these strings are not coated, which contributes to their bright tone and natural feel, although they may require more frequent cleaning to maintain optimal performance.

Videos

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Consumer Heaven

Best Bass String In 2024 - Top 6 Best Bass Strings Review

Consumer Heaven

Reviews

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PROS

Long-lasting tone that outlasts many coated strings
Bright, punchy sound with excellent depth and clarity
Color-coded ball ends simplify restringing
Ideal for various music styles from Metal to Funk
Consistent quality and solid construction over years of use
Excellent dynamic range, fits well in live mixes
Not overly expensive and offers great value for money
Low B string delivers a warm, full tone without floppiness
Balanced tension enhances feel and playability

CONS

Some users report occasional dead strings, especially low B and E
D string winding may cause vibration issues on certain basses
B and E string gauge jump may not suit all setups

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about D'Addario EXL170-5 XL Nickel Round Wound 5-String Long Bass Strings.

Setup and maintenance

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Users noted the D'Addario XL strings tend to lose their initial brightness after a few months but can still sound good for over a year with home use.
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Owners of certain Ibanez BTB models struggle with finding strings that fit the 37" scale, often requiring custom or extra-long sets.
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The taper on the EXL170-5SL B string begins just before the nut on a Dingwall Z2 5-String, suggesting a potential fit despite scale differences.
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Comparisons

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Some players find D'Addario XL strings brighter than Ernie Ball strings, though Ernie Ball provides more growl, influencing choice based on desired tone.
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Dingwall strings, OEMed by D'Addario, are mentioned as a reliable alternative for those seeking longer-lasting strings than standard Dingwall sets.
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Newtone Strings in the UK are noted for offering custom strings at a reasonable price, providing an alternative for those needing specific gauges.
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User experience

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The strings are described as easier on the fingers and frets than steel strings, but may cause allergic reactions in some players.
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Aggressive playing styles may lead to quicker breakage of these strings, highlighting their potential fragility under intense use.
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Players using D'Addario's Players Circle program leverage it to accumulate points for purchasing specific tapered strings, reducing overall costs.
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Features and functionality

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D'Addario offers taper wound options, like a 0.135 tapered B string, which allows for a lower string height on certain basses.
Source

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 12 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

agiapal_singh

over 8 years ago

My first and favorite

A clean sound that stays a long time. Very solid and easily findable

jordan_rousseau

136

almost 10 years ago

Great strings made for great bass players!

These strings sound amazing, play amazing and feel amazing!

Artist usage

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Eugene Abdukhanov

Bassist

Jinjer

Verified

According to the D'Addario artist page, Eugene Abdukhanov is listed as using the D'Addario EXL170-5 XL Nickel Round Wound 5-String Long Bass Strings.

Marcelo Corvalán

Singer, Bassist

Carajo

Verified via YouTube

Marcelo Corvalán mentions that he uses the D'Addario EXL170-5 XL Nickel Round Wound 5-String Long Bass Strings for Drop A tuning on his 4-string basses. He notes that he omits the first .045 gauge string, utilizing only the bottom four strings, effectively creating a 65-130 gauge set. This information is provided in a setup demonstration on the YouTube channel Doble Bobina.

Ben Carr

Singer

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Verified

According to the D'Addario artist page, Ben Carr uses D'Addario EXL170-5 XL Nickel Round Wound 5-String Long Bass Strings.

Graham Maby

Singer, Bassist

They Might Be Giants

Verified via Bass Magazine - The Future of Bass

Listed under "GEAR" section: "D’Addario XL Coated Nickel EXP170-5 (.045, .065, .080, .100, .130)"

Duca Tambasco

Bassist

Oficina G3

Verified via YouTube

In a video titled "Lumen 5 - Meu Signature Bass | Equipos #075," Duca Tambasco can be seen using D'Addario EXL170-5 XL Nickel Round Wound 5-String Long Bass Strings, identifiable by the colored ball ends typical of D'Addario 5-string sets. Additionally, Duca mentions in the video that he uses a 45-130 gauge for his 5-string basses.

Mike Jeffries

Bassist

Venom Prison

Verified via GearGods

David Ellefson CBXV with EMG 40HZB in the bridge and EMG 40HZ4N In the neck positions. Active 3 band EQ. Jackson hi mass bridge. Strung with D’addario EXL170-5s (45-130). Pedal board signal chain. Bass > Boss TU3 > Input of NS-2 noise suppressor > EHX bass big muff deluxe > Darkglass B7K ultra (Big muff & B7K In the NS-2 send/return to cancel unwanted noise) > NS-2 output to amp. Orange AD200 mk3 head. Orange OBC410 & Orange OBC115 cabs. (Cabs not in play through video).

Album Usage

The D'Addario EXL170-5 XL Nickel Round Wound 5-String Long Bass Strings has been featured on the following albums:

Uterine Industrialisation

Venom Prison & Venom Prison (2019)

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use D'Addario EXL170-5 XL Nickel Round Wound 5-String Long Bass Strings, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Lakland Joe Osborn Electric Basses

Darkglass Electronics B7K Ultra mk2 Bass Effects Pedals

Keeley Bassist Limiting Amplifier Compressor Bass Effects Pedals

Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner Pedal Tuners

Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor Noise Gate Effects Pedals

Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Bass Big Muff Pi Fuzz Bass Effects Pedals

Fender Jazz Bass Electric Basses

Darkglass Electronics Microtubes B7K Ultra V2 Bass Preamp Pedal with Aux In Bass Effects Pedals

Orange AD200 MK3 200-Watt Bass Head Bass Amplifier Heads

Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier Bass Effects Pedals

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