D'Addario XSB45130MS Bass guitar strings

Coated Multi-Scale Bass Strings with a Natural Feel

The D'Addario XSB45130MS brings the XS coating platform to 5-string multi-scale basses, pairing a reformulated nickel-plated steel wrap with an ultra-thin protective film that resists corrosion without dulling the response. Inside each string sits a NY High Carbon Steel hex core, the same wire used across D'Addario's premium bass lines, which grips the wrap wire for stable intonation and noticeably higher break strength than standard cores. The 45-130 hybrid light gauge spreads tension evenly from the low B up to the high G, so fanned-fret instruments feel balanced under the fingers instead of floppy at the bottom or stiff at the top. Made in the USA at D'Addario's New York production facility, this set is engineered for bassists who want coated longevity without giving up the punchy, articulate character of a roundwound nickel string.

Technical Specifications

• Number of Strings: 5
• Gauge: .045"–.130" hybrid light
• Hardness: Light (hybrid light tension)
• Material: Reformulated nickel-plated steel wrap
• Core: NY High Carbon Steel hex core
• Winding: Roundwound
• Finish: XS ultra-thin coated
• Scale Length: Multiscale (fanned-fret)
• Set Contents: 1 set of 5 strings

Who Is It For

The XSB45130MS is the right choice for 5-string bass players running multi-scale or fanned-fret instruments who need a coated string that still feels lively and responsive under the fingers. The hybrid light tension profile works across rock, metal, jazz, funk, and worship styles, giving thumb-style players enough low-end thump on the B string while keeping the G string easy to bend. Gigging musicians who sweat heavily, or anyone tired of changing strings every few weeks, will appreciate how the XS coating blocks contaminants from reaching the wrap wire. Bassists upgrading from uncoated rounds will notice the smoother slide and longer tone life, while still getting the bright, punchy character that nickel-plated steel is known for.