Pricing and availability
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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
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What genres are Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings suitable for?
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These strings are ideal for rock and blues due to their thicker gauge, which provides a powerful, robust tone that cuts through mixes effectively.
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Are Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings good for downtuning?
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Yes, the heavier gauge of these strings (.050 to .135) offers increased tension, making them suitable for maintaining stability and tone when downtuning.
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What is the winding type of Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings?
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These strings are round wound, which typically results in a brighter tone and more pronounced attack, making them popular for various playing styles.
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What is the core material of Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings?
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The core material is hexagonal steel, which provides excellent strength and tuning stability, contributing to a consistent performance.
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Do Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings have a coating?
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Comparisons
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Compared to D'Addario 50-135, these strings are less stable when tuned below A standard, showing floppiness in lower tunings like G standard.
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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.
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Use cases and applications
User experience
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Owners find the strings comfortable to play despite tuning limitations, with a satisfying tone when properly set up.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 11 Ratings
141
awesome
amazing strings for a 5 string. they sound nice and warm and are good for drop tunings
1269
nice dynamic
warm sound, suitable for down tuning but corrodes quickly
Artist usage
Add artist
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.
fluff uses ernie ball bass 5 packs on any 5 string bass stuff he does. fluff is a ernie ball artist.
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.
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.
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.
"Linus Klausenitzer is shown using Ernie Ball Power Slinky 5-String Bass Strings (50-135) on his fretted basses in a user-uploaded photo."
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
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