Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.0 (13)
$20.48 $20.08 $0.40 · All time low
Guitar Center
4.5 (38)
$20.48 $20.08 $0.40 · All time low
Amazon
4.8 (3114)
$20.08
Reverb
5.0 (4)
$17.99 New
$25.99 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (69)
$20.48 $20.08 $0.40 · All time low
zZounds
5.0 (1)
$21.99
Thomann
4.7 (1108)
$22.90

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105)". 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

Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings are the perfect choice for bassists seeking superior tone, power, and clarity. Known for their precision craftsmanship since the 1960s, Ernie Ball strings are favored by musicians worldwide, from amateurs to professionals.

These strings are made with nickel-plated steel windings wrapped around a tin-plated hex-shaped steel core. This unique construction delivers a versatile, all-around tone, with the nickel plating producing a clear top end complemented by snappy mids, and the steel core offering a solid low end.

Ernie Ball's Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings are renowned for their punchy, articulate sound and excellent tuning stability. They bring out the best in your bass, whether your preferred genre is rock, jazz, funk, or metal. The distinctive gauges of .045, .065, .085, and .105 provide balanced tension, so you can focus on your technique and expression.

Crafted under the strictest quality standards, Ernie Ball strings uphold a tradition of excellence, using the freshest raw materials and advanced manufacturing processes. They're packaged in an ultra-low humidity environment with Ernie Ball's Element Shield packaging to ensure freshness.

Key Features:

  • Made with nickel-plated steel windings
  • Built around a tin-plated hex-shaped steel core
  • Delivers a balanced, versatile tone with clear top end and solid low end
  • Gauges of .045, .065, .085, and .105 offer balanced tension
  • Provides a punchy, articulate sound
  • Excellent tuning stability
  • Suitable for various genres, from rock and jazz to funk and metal
  • Manufactured under strict quality standards
  • Packaged in an ultra-low humidity environment with Ernie Ball's Element Shield packaging for freshness

Product specs

Guitar Type Electric Bass
Number of Strings 4
Coated No
Gauges .045, .065, .085, .105
Winding Type Round Wound
Core Material Hexagonal Steel
Winding Material Nickel Plated Steel
Scale Length Long

FAQs

What are the benefits of using Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings?

Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings offer a balanced tension and a blend of bright tone with solid low end, making them versatile for various music styles. Their nickel-plated steel winding ensures durability and a smooth feel.

Are Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings suitable for all playing styles?

Yes, these strings are designed to accommodate a wide range of playing styles, from slap bass to fingerstyle, due to their balanced tension and bright tonal characteristics.

What is the gauge range for Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings?

The gauge range for these strings is .045, .065, .085, .105, offering a good balance between playability and tonal depth for standard tuning on a 4-string bass.

How do Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings compare to regular Slinky strings?

Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings combine elements of both light and regular gauge strings, providing a mix of easy playability and robust tone, which can be more versatile compared to regular Slinky strings.

Do Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings fit long-scale bass guitars?

Yes, these strings are designed for long-scale bass guitars, ensuring proper fit and optimal performance across the fretboard.

Pepo Vidal

Pepo Vidal

Ernie Ball HYBRID Slinky 2833 vs. Fender 7250M

Video thumbnail for Ernie Ball HYBRID Slinky 2833 vs. Fender 7250M by Pepo Vidal

Ernie Ball HYBRID Slinky 2833 vs. Fender 7250M

Pepo Vidal

Pepo Vidal

Video thumbnail for Elixir NANOWEB Nickel Plated (45/105) 🔥VS🔥 Ernie Ball 2833 HYBRID SLINKY (45/105) by Pepo Vidal

Elixir NANOWEB Nickel Plated (45/105) 🔥VS🔥 Ernie Ball 2833 HYBRID SLINKY (45/105)

Pepo Vidal

Pepo Vidal

Reviews

PROS

  • Remarkable sound quality, noticeable improvement over stock strings

  • Versatile for various music styles, from punk to worship

  • Smooth feel and comfortable playability

  • Durable and withstands aggressive playing

  • Retains tuning stability very well

  • Affordable upgrade with great tonal improvement

  • High tension preferred by some players

  • Consistent quality across different instruments

  • Ideal for both finger-style and aggressive picking

  • Long-lasting tone compared to other brands

CONS

  • Not available in heavier gauge options

  • Lacks silk wraps on string ends

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105).

Comparisons

  • Users switching from DR Black Beauties note Hybrid Slinkys are less bright and offer a balanced warmth compared to stainless steel strings.

    Source
  • D'Addario nickel rounds are perceived as having slightly higher tension and a brighter, snappier sound compared to Ernie Ball Slinkys.

    Source
  • In a blind test, the sound and feel of new Ernie Ball and D'Addario strings are almost indistinguishable to the average player.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Suitable for P basses, providing a warmer, less twangy tone compared to stainless steel options.

    Source
  • D'Addario Flex Steels are highlighted for their bright twang and excellent playability for slapping techniques.

    Source

User experience

  • Some players find Ernie Ball strings feel rougher to the touch compared to D'Addario and DR, described as playing on sandpaper.

    Source
  • Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinkys reportedly lose their brightness quickly, with some owners noting a noticeable dullness in less than a week.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 31 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
M

Great strings

Balanced strings for many styles, not that expensive. Has a great feeling on the fingers and sound amazing with a pick.

brandon_bolderoff

Sounds like bass

I'd like to rate these strings 4.5 because I'd like to think that there's a better set of strings out there, but there likely isn't. I like the high tension in these strings. I'd like to try out these string with a roto sound G string.

xavier_pitaniello

I love them

Just got a pack for my bass and it sounds wonderful

luwioness

One of best strings in the world!

Wonderful sound and durability! These strings saved my sound right when I needed!

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Justin Chancellor uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105)

Justin Chancellor

Bassist

Tool

...
Verified via YouTube

At 2:33, the package that Justin Chancellor is opening is a gold color package of Ernie Balls with strings ranging from 45, 65, 85, and 105. This is the 4 string Hybrid Slinky Round Wound set.

See how Mark Hoppus uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105)

Mark Hoppus

Singer, Bassist

Blink-182

...
Verified via Photo

A screenshot from the official Blink-182 site in 1999 shows Mark Hoppus using Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105).

See how Joe Perry uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105)

Joe Perry

Guitarist

Hollywood Vampires

...
Verified via YouTube

Joe Perry uses the Ernie Ball 2833 Hybrid Slinky Round Wound Bass Guitar Strings on his Ernie Ball Music Man Silhouette Baritone Bass, which is tuned a whole step down to G.

See how Nameless Ghoul uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105)

Nameless Ghoul

Singer, Guitarist

Ghost

...
Verified via Ernie Ball Blog

Water (bass) uses hybrid slinky

See how Mikey Way uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105)

Mikey Way

Bassist

My Chemical Romance

...
Verified via YouTube

According to Mikey Way's bass tech in the 2025 Rig Rundown by Premier Guitar, Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105) are his primary choice for all the tunings he uses.

See how Pete Wentz uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105)

Pete Wentz

Bassist

Fall Out Boy

...
Verified via Photo

As it can be read in this article, Pete Wentz uses this product.

See how Fat Mike uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105)

Fat Mike

Singer, Bassist

NOFX

...
Verified via Instagram

As seen in Ernie Ball's Instagram account.

See how Jeordie White uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105)

Jeordie White

Guitarist, Bassist

Nine Inch Nails

...
Verified via Photo

"In this user-uploaded photo, Jeordie White uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105)."

See how Dave Farrell uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105)

Dave Farrell

Bassist

Linkin Park

...
Verified via YouTube

As confirmed by his tech, Tracy, at the 1:11 mark in this interview, Dave Farrell uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky strings (45-105).

See how Jeff Waters uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105)

Jeff Waters

Guitarist

Annihilator

...
Verified via YouTube

Jeff has been recording the bass tracks in Annihilator now and he says he uses these strings for bass. You can see it best at 1:37.

See how Scott Shriner uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105)

Scott Shriner

Bassist

Weezer

...
Verified via Photo

As seen in Ernie Ball's Instagram account.

See how Dave Hollingworth uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105)

Dave Hollingworth

Guitarist, Bassist

Dorje

...
Verified via Photo

Dave Hollingworth mentions on Instagram that he uses Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105) as part of his tour supplies, expressing gratitude to Ernie Ball for their quality strings.

Album Usage

The Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105) has been featured on the following albums:

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 Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Bass Strings (45-105), it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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alex_coma86

alex_coma86

Gear IQ 285

de_enigma

de_enigma

Gear IQ 199

ariansyari_

ariansyari_

Gear IQ 204

vina

vina

Gear IQ 113

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