D&#39;Addario EXL170 Nickel Round Wound Bass Strings

5.0 (23)

$23.99 $17.99 $6.00 · All time low

4.8 (3823)

$17.09

5.0 (4)

$12.26 112 available New

$20.89 1 available Used

5.0 (12)

$23.99 $17.99 $6.00 · All time low

4.7 (536)

$16.90

£26.99

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "D'Addario EXL170 Nickel Round Wound 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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Elevate your bass playing experience with the D'Addario EXL170 Nickel Round Wound Bass Strings, the go-to choice for discerning bassists seeking exceptional tonality and a comfortable playing feel. Renowned for their bright, vibrant tone and robust low-end, these strings promise to breathe new life into your bass performance. Perfect for a wide range of music genres, they offer a blend of playability and long-lasting quality that both beginners and professionals will appreciate.

Key Features:

Gauge sizes: .045, .065, .080, .100 for versatile playability
Crafted with a hex-shaped high carbon steel core for unparalleled strength and tuning stability
Round wound with nickel-plated steel, ensuring a sound that's both bright and deeply resonant
Manufactured in the U.S.A using environmentally responsible processes and packaging to resist corrosion

Product specs

Guitar Type	Electric Bass
Number of Strings	4
Coated	No
Gauges	.045, .065, .080, .100
Winding Type	Round Wound
Core Material	Hexagonal Steel
Winding Material	Nickel Plated Steel
Scale Length	Long, 36.875"

FAQs

What type of tone can I expect from D'Addario EXL170 Nickel Round Wound Bass Strings?: D'Addario EXL170 strings offer a bright and balanced tone with clear highs and punchy lows, making them versatile for various playing styles, including slap and pop techniques.
Are D'Addario EXL170 strings suitable for long-scale bass guitars?: Yes, the D'Addario EXL170 strings are designed for long-scale bass guitars with a scale length of up to 36.875 inches.
How do D'Addario EXL170 strings compare to flatwound strings?: D'Addario EXL170 strings are roundwound, providing a brighter tone with more finger noise and texture compared to the smoother, warmer sound of flatwound strings.
What is the gauge size of D'Addario EXL170 bass strings?: The D'Addario EXL170 bass strings have gauges of .045, .065, .080, and .100, offering a regular light tension for comfortable playability.
Are D'Addario EXL170 strings coated?: No, D'Addario EXL170 strings are not coated, allowing for a natural feel and traditional string performance.

Videos

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Sweetwater

BEST String Gauge for Your Bass Guitar Strings

Sweetwater

D'addario Nickel Wound EXL 170 (Demo Test / Fresher Pbass)

bassilo

Old vs New Strings (D’Addario EXL 170 Nickel Wound)

DTay45

Reviews

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PROS

Excellent balanced sound with good punch and warmth
Allows vintage basses' sound to shine through
Long-lasting tone even after months of use
Easy on fingers and frets, beginner-friendly
Consistent tone and volume across all strings
Perfect balance of tension, not too loose or stiff
Smooth feel with nickel coating for easy gliding
Great for various playing styles including slap bass
Affordable price for high-quality performance

CONS

Loses initial brightness within weeks for frequent players
Not ideal for players requiring extended clarity and brightness

Owner Insights

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

User experience

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Some users note these strings break more easily with aggressive playing styles.
Source
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Users find the EXL170 gauge (.045-.100) an excellent starting point for general bass playing, offering a comfortable feel for diverse music styles.
Source

Comparisons

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D'Addario strings are described as brighter than Ernie Ball strings, which have more growl.
Source
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Ernie Ball Regular Slinky and D'Addario EXL165 are suggested as budget-friendly alternatives, highlighting EXL170 as slightly pricier yet durable.
Source

Features and functionality

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Easier on the fingers and frets compared to steel strings, noted for a slightly reduced high-end tone.
Source

Use cases and applications

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Tapered B strings allow lower string height, beneficial for basses requiring specific setups.
Source
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The EXL170 strings are versatile, suitable for beginners exploring various genres due to their balanced tone.
Source
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For rock tones with a pick or slap, EXL170 strings are suggested, aligning with styles like RATM and RHCP.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

Praised for excellent value, offering good tone and feel, especially considering their cost.
Source

Setup and maintenance

0 0

EXL170 strings are recommended for their durability and longevity, especially when wiped with a clean cloth after playing to remove oils and sweat.
Source
0 0

Professional setups recommended for optimal feel; first-timers gain future adjustment insights from pro setups.
Source

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 23 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

gamecrazyg

143

9 months ago

excellent strings

when I first got these strings and put them on my legator Helio bass,very impressed with the tone of the strings and in the amp as well,but I wouldn't recommend these to someone who tunes very low (like me),so at some point i'm going to switch to ernie ball beefy slinky bass strings,but great experience.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

everything

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Metal

speediejohn

about 6 years ago

MY go to bass strings

I love these strings for live gigs. They have great tone, are long lasting, are affordable & come in a variety of scales. I use them on both my long scale & short scale basses.

skylinerr

5339

almost 6 years ago

My Favorite

these are and have been my favorites for absolutely ages, they are nothing special but nothing bad too

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Metal

jesse_laycock

200

over 9 years ago

Badass strings

The best, bright tone, great for my slap-happy bass style :P

Artist usage

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Victor Wooten

Bassist

Bass Extremes

Verified via Victorwooten

Vic says he uses these strings on his official site.

Davie504

Bassist

Verified via YouTube

In minute 0:15, you can see a bass string,followed by a package from the brand D'Addario, EXL170 Nickel Wound Bass, Light, 45-100, Long Scale

Mike Mills

Guitarist, Bassist

R.E.M.

Verified via MusicRadar

Mentioned in this July 13, 2017 Music Radar interview.

His strings of choice are D’Addario nickelwounds, 45-100 gauge. “I’m a roundwound guy,” he says. “I like a lot of midrange, a lot more than most bass players. And I like a little buzz in there.”

Rudy Sarzo

Bassist

Ozzy Osbourne

Verified via Daddario

According to the D'Addario artist page, bassist Rudy Sarzo uses D'Addario EXL170 Nickel Round Wound Bass Strings.

Tom Hamilton

Bassist

Thin Lizzy

Verified via Daddario

According to the D'Addario website, Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton uses 45 - 100 long scale XL Nickel Wound bass strings.

Davide Biale

Guitarist, Bassist

Verified via YouTube

In minute 0:15, you can see a bass string,followed by a package from the brand D'Addario, EXL170 Nickel Wound Bass, Light, 45-100, Long Scale

Justin Pearson

Singer, Bassist

The Locust

Verified

According to the D'Addario artist page, Justin Pearson uses D'Addario EXL170 Nickel Round Wound Bass Strings.

Blu DeTiger

Bassist

Kitten

Verified

According to the D'Addario website, Blu DeTiger uses D'Addario EXL170 Nickel Round Wound Bass Strings.

James Eller

Bassist, Composer

The The

Verified via Nordstrand Audio

I exclusively use D’Addario strings, EXL170s and 160s, with ECB80 Chromes on my fretless basses.

Mark Egan

Bassist, Music Producer

Pat Metheny Group

Verified via Mark Egan

According to Mark Egan's official website, he uses D'Addario EXL170 Nickel Round Wound Bass Strings for his 4-string basses.

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 Nickel Round Wound Bass Strings, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

D'Addario EXL165 Nickel Wound 45-105 Strings

Squier Precision JV Electric Basses

Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976) Guitar Amplifier Heads

Fender Musicmaster Bass Electric Basses

D'Addario Chromes Flat Wound ECB81 45-100 Strings

Gallien-Krueger Neo 410 Bass Amplifier Cabinets

D'Addario NYXL45100 Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings, 45-100 Strings

Nordstrand NordyMute Tools

Nordstrand NJ4 Vintage Single Coil Bass Guitar Pickups

Nordstrand NP4V Vintage Bass Guitar Pickups

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4.5 (36)

similar sound

pretty much the same thing,but it's ernie ball,so yeah

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