Metal is probably the most diverse genre of music there is. You could spend all day naming every sub-genre, and every sub-genre’s sub-genres.
For example, you can talk about Thrash, Death, Heavy, Glam, and countless other types of metal bands. And the list keeps on expanding as we move into the future.
But despite how diverse metal is, certain elements of its core sound remain constant. And to get the right tone, you need the right equipment.
One small piece of that puzzle that is usually overlooked is the strings you use. Yes, the tone starts with the metal you put your hands on and ends in the speaker cone propelling the sound forward into that screaming crowd.
Top 3 - Bass Strings for Metal
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Before you change the pickups on your instrument or get an extra 15” speaker box that’ll break your back (and probably make all your bandmates hate you), here are the 5 best bass strings for metal and heavy music.
Plus, if you think about it, string changing is the cheapest tone experiment you can embark on.
Best Bass Strings for Metal & Heavy Music
1. DR Strings Hi-Beams
DR Strings might not be a name that many associate with metal, but they offer a few lines perfect for it. In the case you’ve tried them, they probably were the Fat Beams, but in my opinion, the hidden gem is the Hi-Beams.
The first thing to say is that these are handmade strings with a round core wounded in stainless steel. The result of that combination, is a pack of punchy, flexible, durable, and bright (but not brittle) strings that can add edge to your sound without losing the tight low end.
I mean, if you move from nickel-wound to stainless-steel strings, you’ll notice these aren’t so warm but they make up for it with a midrange that’s razor-sharp.
These strings have a fairly well-rounded sound. But they also have a nice, bright, metallic sound to them. Think of the Iron Maiden tone playing with a P-Bass. big, bright, and tight.
They are also fierce and punchy. I’m telling you, the moment I tried them with my active bass I just couldn’t believe the tone. It’s like the whole thing comes alive.
Your bass lines will have some serious attitude with these stainless-steel DR strings. They don’t have that jangly tone of other steel strings either. I would say they are just tight and consistent.
This tight, punchy, and consistent sound makes them ideal for metal. Your bass is going to be controlled when it needs to, while standing out when you want it to. These strings react perfectly to your picking attack. They make great melodic lines, sound fierce with fingers, and can slice the world in two with a pick.
One thing you might notice coming from nickel-wound strings is how soft these strings feel, even softer than most steel strings. Since playing in a metal band is pretty much banging on that thing as hard as humanly possible, you’ll start to appreciate these DR Hi-beams midshow. They won’t feel rough on your fingers until you finish your last song.
DR Strings are known for lasting quite a long time. By this I mean they retain most of their tone in the first year or so of having them on. They aren’t coated, however. So, don’t expect them to last for years. The upside is that they have a very natural feel.
If you are looking for crisp, tight, and punchy strings, I would highly recommend the Hi-Beams. They are also quite affordable, meaning that you will easily be going back to them every time.
2. SIT Strings David Ellefson Signature
I don’t know how familiar you are with his name, but you’ve enjoyed his music for decades. The bass player behind these strings is none other than the man who founded Megadeth along with Dave Mustaine in 1983.
After selling out stadiums and playing for one of Metal’s biggest bands, he decided to put his signature sound closer to his fans. The SIT Strings David Ellefson Signature are very hard to beat in terms of bang for the buck. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself here.
These are nickel-wound strings that give the instrument that uncanny warmth. Although, if you don’t learn to tame that low end it can become a double-edged sword, there’s no way you’ll go lacking in that department.
If you play, for example, an active bass (with humbuckers preferably), what you’ll get is a larger-than-life sound with generous lows and low-mids. Passive basses, especially Jazz Basses are great to naturally tame that low-end excess.
For those who like a spankier tone with a tighter low end, these might not be the best, but if you like a punchy tone with lots of meat to push the band forward, these strings are killer. Perhaps, I would recommend them in basses with maple or ebony fretboards to engage that midrange even harder.
They’re not exactly the longest-lasting strings on the market, but they sure are a great affordable option to change more often.
These strings are perfect for those who love thrash and want to give their instrument a bit more of mid-lows with a limited budget. Or not.
3. RotoSound Swing Bass
The RotoSound Swing Bass strings are probably metal’s best-kept secret. They don’t exactly scream metal, but you’d be surprised to know the number of bass players out there who swear by their Swings.
I could just drop names here like Billy Sheehan, Steve Harris, Geddy Lee, John Paul Jones, James Lomenzo, and also timeless legends like Sting, Pino Palladino, and the late and great Jaco Pastorius. But that’s only the ones we know about, you’ve heard these strings all over your favorite records.
The truth is, they have been the go-to strings for rock, pop, metal, and indie bassists for 50 years now. They are known for their hard-hitting, crisp, and fluent sound. I am always surprised by how well these strings cut through the mix.
Perhaps, the best word to describe them is being punchy with a midrange bump and tight lows. Since they’re Stainless-Steel, you expect some more midrange, but these strings have the right amount of brightness to cut through and not enough to be harsh-sounding.
I loved them to play like John Entwistle, I also did some Jason Newsteed, and finished the test with some wild slapping.
If you play a lot of slapping and thumping, think Fieldy from Korn, these are the strings to go for. They just have this great attack and pop that is perfect for that type of playing. They are also extremely durable. You can really go to town on these strings without worrying that they are going to break.
I wouldn’t recommend these if you are a beginner, however. These strings are quite tough on your fingers, and you need to know how to tame that higher midrange, add body and bring in the lows with your playing and setting the amp properly.
If you are a proficient player, these are fantastic. They are an excellent upgrade or alternative for your current strings. You’ll cut through like never before and those little licks or fast galloping will surely be heard.
But, again, don’t just take my word for it. If a total legend like Geddy Lee of Rush plays with these strings, then you should at least give them a try. I mean, if they are good enough for Geddy Lee, they are good enough for me and you.
4. Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Cobalt
Ernie Ball is a brand of strings that most, if not everyone, recognize. They can be a bit polarizing, but are some of the best in my opinion.
They’ve been around forever and are the go-to choice of players in all music styles, but mostly in heavy, rock, and metal.
Ernie Ball is not only a long-standing brand with huge heritage, they are also quite innovative. They were the first to introduce cobalt strings, like their Hybrid Slinky Cobalt.
Perhaps, the most important thing to say about these strings is that cobalt is an alloy that was designed to be more reactive to the magnets in pickups. As a result, your instrument will feel like it has come alive and will sound more powerful and cleaner at the same time.
These strings were also designed to be extremely playable, durable, and to sound powerful, big, and punchy. They absolutely check all three of those boxes. Moreover, these strings have a very clear and rich tone. Yet, they aren’t too bright as strings that sound harsh or too brittle to the ear.
On the contrary, their tone is quite warm and mellow. Perfect if you are playing darker sounding metal like death or black metal. Since they are made from an iron and cobalt alloy, they are also softer than steel, but harder than nickel.
Plus, if you have any allergies, these strings are not going to give you any sort of reaction. This also makes them more durable than nickel, and more flexible than steel. They are just an absolute joy to play.
Speaking of which, I was casually listening to Mastodon so I tried them over that, then I also played some Meshuggah, Deftones, and finished the test with some old-school Metallica from Ride the Lightning. It all sounded pitch-perfect, punchy, big, and powerful while feeling smooth and effortless.
I also noticed that their sound is consistent right out of the package. Yes, they don’t need any break-in time. They don’t have that clangy new-string sound. Instead, they sound the way they are going to sound right from the start.
While it’s true that these strings are on the more expensive side, in my opinion, for the quality you are getting, they are well worth the price.
These strings will play and sound great for a long time, longer than most other strings I have played. A worthwhile investment for some serious metal-ready killer tone.
5. D’Addario XL ProSteels
D’Addario is another name that is going to be familiar to most bassists. Believe me, you’ve seen and heard their strings all your life.
The XL ProSteels might possibly be their best affordable level bass strings. They are certainly some of my favorites from D’Addario.
Furthermore, these might be the cheapest set of strings on this list, but only talking about the price tag. That’s the only entry-level thing about them. Don’t let their low price fool you, it doesn’t mean they are lacking in quality. These are just as good as any of the other strings on this list.
These are D’Addario’s brightest bass strings. However, that snappy midrange makes way for a tight bottom-end that’s not boomy but not lacking either. I played the John Paul Jones and the Cliff Burton game and those heavy riffs and intricate leads just shone and cut through the mix playing to the backing tracks. Yeah, I know, it’s a hard job sometimes, but hey! Someone’s gotta do it, right? You’re welcome.
Jokes apart, I think these strings strike a very good balance between the lows and the highs. The highs are bright and crisp, while the lows are tight and controlled.
That translates to a very dynamic and reactive pack of strings as well. These can really scream and shout when you need them to, and then tone it way back to a whisper when needed. Yeah, it doesn’t hurt using the fingers and your favorite P-Bass to play a prog-rock ballad or two, does it?
So, no matter the style of metal you play, these strings are going to sound great. They are dynamic enough for prog, and aggressive enough for more extreme genres.
Since these are also made with D’Addario’s hex core, you are getting really tough strings. The outcome of this combination of stainless-steel wrapping and the core is consistent intonation and a soft feel.
These strings also come in an impressive number of gauges, combinations, and scale lengths. No matter what bass you have or how heavy you want the strings to feel, your preference will be met. I am pretty sure these strings come in a configuration that is going to be right and comfortable for you.
Believe me, D’Addario strings have been around forever, and there’s a good reason for that to be the case. In the rare case you haven’t already, give them a try; all they say is real.
What Makes a Good Metal Bass String?
Strings have different qualities, which means they are going to be better suited to different genres of music. So, when picking out a set of bass strings for metal, it is important to understand that not just any strings will sound the same.
Choosing the right strings is paramount because metal is played loud, fast, and heavy, so the perfect strings should not only sound right for metal, but also play and feel right.
Gauge
In metal, heavier is pretty much always better. That applies to everything, a heavier tone, heavier riffs, and, well, heavier strings.
You need heavy gauge strings if you want to play heavy music.
The most obvious reason is that you are going to be playing aggressively, more aggressively than you would for jazz or even rock. Heavy strings, given their width, are steadier pitch-wise. Therefore, you’ll gain tuning stability during those heavy-hitting inspiration moments.
Furthermore, heavy-gauge strings are built to take a lot of punishment so they won’t break easily. You don’t want to be in the middle of a breakdown and suddenly have one of your strings snap. Believe me, with that width, those things hit harder than your drummer!
Another thing to consider is that with all the sweat from the stage and the fast playing, metal bassists also tend to replace their strings quite often. Well, since heavier strings are more durable, they are going to last a bit longer even if you continue to abuse them on a nightly basis. Get heavier strings so you won’t have to replace them quite as frequently.
The second reason is for their tone. If you think about it mathematically (or will it be Physics?), it makes perfect sense. The wider the string the more metal for the magnets to react. Hence, heavier-gauge strings have more punch and attack. This is going to make your sound more aggressive overall.
Just remember that heavier gauges are harder to play. They also have a higher string tension, which is going to pull harder on your neck. This is an issue if you play in standard tuning but might not be if you tune down a half or a full step. Heavy strings are a match made in heaven for low tunings because the extra tension makes up for the tuning.
As a result, your bass sounds heavy as if the abyss of hell had just opened to let us all in but plays smoothly and feels silky as a puffy cloud in the sky. The best of both worlds.
Finally, if you are going to play heavy gauge strings, make sure your bass’ neck will be able to handle it. A snapped string isn’t a big deal, a snapped neck, however, is going to be a problem. Always have a professional technician do it the first time. They might also have to make the nut slots wider to fit the new gauge.
The Ideal Gauge
The ideal gauge is going to depend on what you are comfortable with. If you ask me, the best place to start is with a set of 0.105-gauge strings.
This is a good starting point for metal because it is heavy enough to sound right, but not too heavy to be uncomfortable. You can then slowly move up until you find the right gauge for you.
PRO TIP: If you’re playing a four-string bass with a heavy gauge and can’t find it in your local shop, don’t worry, just buy a 5-string bass set and use the top four; that’ll do the trick. It doesn’t work for 5 and 6-string basses because those add a high-B.
Materials
The tone of the strings is very dependent on what the strings are made of. For metal, you want strings with a punchy attack. Let’s break the materials down, shall we?
Steel strings are going to be your best bet. They are bright, which helps you avoid having a muddy low-end and allowing a tighter one, while being sharp, snappy, and crisp.
For most metal bass players, nickel strings are pretty much off the table. They have a much warmer, vintage tone.
Alloys like cobalt are also great for metal. They are a good middle ground between nickel and steel. They combine the best of both. They are durable like steel, but provide a slightly warmer tone if you are looking for a darker sound, or steel is just too bright, you can check Cobalt strings, for example.
Winding
The winding of the strings are going to have a similar effect on the tone as the material.
I would say 90 or 95% of all metal bass players on this planet play roundwound strings. In case you’re wondering “What are those?” They’re the type of string you get standard on all basses.
Yes, roundwound is the most common winding for strings. These are also the best for metal. They have that sizzle and attack needed for a great metal sound. Without the roundwound wrapping, they’d never sound like they do for playing slap parts or making fast moves with your pick.
The other type of winding is flat wound. These strings, just like nickel, are the complete opposite to what I humbly suggest for a great metal tone. They have a much more mellow, vintage tone. These are ideal for jazz bassists, but won’t work for metal.
Coated vs Uncoated
This is going to be a bit more subjective. Some bassists don’t like coated strings because they don’t feel natural like uncoated strings. I mean, regardless of what they say, for people who have been playing uncoated strings all their career, there’s a noticeable difference.
That said, coated strings have come quite far, companies have improved them to the point where many people aren’t even going to notice the difference. I mean, for example, if you’ve played them as they first came out and play them now, Elixir Strings have improved drastically. They feel much more natural now.
But coated strings do offer an advantage over uncoated strings. This goes back to the issue of having to replace them often. Coated strings are going to last much longer because of the protective layer covering them. Elixir promises between 3 and 5 times more durability.
Coated strings also tend to retain their tone longer than uncoated strings. If you want strings that last, test out a few sets of coated strings and decide for yourself if they’re your thing or not.
Conclusion
Strings are often the unsung heroes of tone. They’re the starting point for your sound and the feel and playability of the instrument. That said, I once was that kid buying the cheapest of the cheap, but now that I’m a grown-up, I want the best for my money.
The list above contains great options for all budgets and tastes. You can choose from full-bottomed boomy strings, high-hitting, spanky strings with a generous midrange, and everything in between.
Plus, strings are such an affordable tone experiment. My recommendation is that you try everything until you find the perfect set for you. Then, just stick to those until your ear needs something else. Yes, our taste is dynamic and so are our playing skills.
Believe me, with the string recommendations and tips on this list, you will be playing those heavy bass lines heavier than ever in no time.
Happy (heavy, punchy, and tight) metal bass playing!