Pricing and availability

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

Sweetwater
5.0 (2)
$27.99
Guitar Center
5.0 (16)
$27.99
Amazon
4.7 (640)
$27.99
Reverb
5.0 (1)
$24.99 New
$18.00 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (23)
$27.99
Thomann
4.7 (198)
$28.00

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135)". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Introducing the Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135), a top choice for musicians of all kinds since the 1960s. These strings, highly revered by both amateurs and professionals alike, are a testament to Ernie Ball's commitment to quality and performance. Engineered with nickel-plated steel wire wrapped around a tin-plated hex-shaped steel core, these strings are designed to deliver a well-rounded, balanced tone that resonates with any playing style.

Whether you're a fingerpicker, a slapper, or a pick user, you will find the Power Slinky strings to be versatile and responsive. They provide a full, even tone that suits any genre, from rock to jazz to blues. The Power Slinky strings are designed to maintain a balanced sound with punchy lows, warm mids, and clear highs. The medium gauge of .050-.135 is ideal for standard tuning on most 5-string basses, offering a comfortable playability across the fretboard.

Besides their superior tone and feel, the Power Slinky strings are built to last. The nickel-plating and steel core are naturally resistant to corrosion, maintaining their tone and playability over extended periods. With the Ernie Ball Power Slinky strings on your bass, you're investing in a reliable, professional quality set that delivers gig after gig.

Key Features:

  • Nickel-plated steel wire wrapped around a tin-plated hex-shaped steel core
  • Balanced sound with punchy lows, warm mids and clear highs
  • Medium gauge (.050-.135) ideal for standard tuning on most 5-string basses
  • Corrosion-resistant nickel-plating for longevity
  • Suitable for a range of playing techniques and musical genres
  • Reliable, professional quality at an affordable price

Product specs

Guitar Type Electric Bass
Number of Strings 5
Coated No
Gauges .050, .070, .085, .105, .135
Winding Type Round Wound
Core Material Hexagonal Steel
Winding Material Nickel Plated Steel
Scale Length Long

FAQs

What genres are Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings suitable for?

These strings are ideal for rock and blues due to their thicker gauge, which provides a powerful, robust tone that cuts through mixes effectively.

Are Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings good for downtuning?

Yes, the heavier gauge of these strings (.050 to .135) offers increased tension, making them suitable for maintaining stability and tone when downtuning.

What is the winding type of Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings?

These strings are round wound, which typically results in a brighter tone and more pronounced attack, making them popular for various playing styles.

What is the core material of Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings?

The core material is hexagonal steel, which provides excellent strength and tuning stability, contributing to a consistent performance.

Do Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings have a coating?

No, these strings are not coated, which allows for a more traditional feel and sound, though they may require more frequent cleaning and maintenance.

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135).

Setup and maintenance

  • Regular long scale strings are just long enough to fit, but barely; the lowest string may need to attach to the bridge instead of through the body.

    Source
  • The taper on D'Addario strings beginning at the nut can cause buzzing issues on basses with a 0th fret, highlighting the importance of proper string length for specific setups.

    Source
  • Owners report that attaching strings to the bridge rather than through the body resolves length issues with regular long scale sets on 35" scale basses.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Compared to D'Addario 50-135, these strings are less stable when tuned below A standard, showing floppiness in lower tunings like G standard.

    Source
  • D'Addario's long scale strings fit up to 36.25", while DR's low rider pack offers a 37.25" ball end to taper length, beneficial for top load 35" basses.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Ideal for ADGCF tuning, delivering a heavy and aggressive sound that complements certain bass setups well.

    Source
  • Ernie Ball Power Slinky 50-135 strings can be used effectively on 35" scale basses by attaching the lowest string to the bridge, accommodating the length limitations.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners find the strings comfortable to play despite tuning limitations, with a satisfying tone when properly set up.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Some basses with staggered single bridges may experience fitting issues with regular long scale strings due to varying bridge placements, affecting string length requirements.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 11 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
olihowes05

awesome

amazing strings for a 5 string. they sound nice and warm and are good for drop tunings

imtiaz_ahmad

nice dynamic

warm sound, suitable for down tuning but corrodes quickly

Roles:
Genres:
boom762
boom762

12239

Thick, deep, and clear.

This is a custom set Earnie Ball sells. Amazing set. I normally don't like Earnie Balls but these are deep enough.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Sam Rivers uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135)

Sam Rivers

Bassist

Limp Bizkit

...
Verified via Photo

Sam Rivers confirmed his use of Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135) in an Instagram post, where he is seen restringing his bass and explicitly thanks Ernie Ball for their support.

See how Ryan "Fluff" Bruce uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135)

Ryan "Fluff" Bruce

Guitarist, Music Producer

Dragged Under

...
Verified via YouTube

fluff uses ernie ball bass 5 packs on any 5 string bass stuff he does. fluff is a ernie ball artist.

See how Devin Sola uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135)

Devin Sola

Bassist

Motionless In White

...
Verified via YouTube

At 14:46 In this "RIGGED" episode from Gear Gods, Devin "Ghost" Sola guides us through his touring bass rig. He mentions he uses Ernie Ball strings and asks his guitar tech what the gauges are. The tech lists them off as "135, 110, 85, 70, 50". There is no Ernie Ball 5 string set with these number, so we must assume they are using the Ernie Ball Power Slinky strings and replacing the E string with a higher gauge.

See how Kevin Otten uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135)

Kevin Otten

Bassist

KNocked Loose

...
Verified via Premierguitar

In an interview with Premier Guitar, Kevin Otten discusses his use of Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135). Due to the demanding nature of his performances, he changes his strings almost daily to maintain optimal sound quality. Kevin also rotates between basses from show to show, ensuring each has fresh strings.

See how Olivier Pinard uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135)

Olivier Pinard

Bassist

Cryptopsy

...
Verified via YouTube

In the description of this video Pinard states that he uses ernie ball 50-135.

See how Aaron Bruch uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135)

Aaron Bruch

Bassist

Breaking Benjamin

...
Verified via Photo

Aaron Bruch uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135) while recording for Breaking Benjamin, as indicated in his Instagram post. He seems to employ the four low strings on a four-string bass and possibly the full set on his five-string basses.

See how David Flinn uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135)

David Flinn

Bassist

Chelsea Grin

...
Verified via Photo

David uses both a power slinky and regular slinky 5 string sets for his basses

See how Linus Klausenitzer uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135)

Linus Klausenitzer

Bassist

Obscura

...
Verified via Photo

"Linus Klausenitzer is shown using Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135) on his fretted basses in a user-uploaded photo."

See how Derek Engemann uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135)

Derek Engemann

Bassist

Cattle Decapitation

...
Verified via Photo

Ernie ball power slinky 5 shown on his instagram.

S

Shane Slade

Bassist

Fit for an Autopsy

...
Verified via YouTube

Shane slade mentions using slinky 135's for g tuning

See how Mike Rodden uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135)

Mike Rodden

Bassist

Hinder

...
Verified via YouTube

"Ernie Ball. They endorse us and take good care of us. Strings usually last about 3 shows, on average. I like to switch them, just to keep them fresh and clean and sounding good."

See how Adam Woloszyn uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135)

Adam Woloszyn

Bassist

Nonpoint

...
Verified via YouTube

He mentioned that he uses slinkys (of many variants/gauges) but on the first bass that Adam had shown, he stated the gauges of that bass and it resembled the Power Slinky set.

Album Usage

The Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135) 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 Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135), it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

Show yours
antagonist_official

antagonist_official

Gear IQ 261

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