Detail 01
ProSteels
Steel formula rather than nickel. More top-end and grind, more finger noise, less roll-off as the set ages.
Product detailSKU #1274034478136
D'AddarioProSteels EPS165 Light Top/Medium Bottom Long Scale Bass Strings
1/2
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Long-scale 4-string bass set with light top strings and medium bottoms, in D'Addario's ProSteels line. For players who want a bright, cutting attack.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Players who want treble bite without boosting the amp
- Slap and fingerstyle where string clarity matters
- Anyone wanting lighter top strings but a firm E
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Players chasing a warm, vintage thump — steel is brighter
- Short-scale or medium-scale basses; this is long scale only
- Fretless players worried about wear on the fingerboard
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Light top / medium bottom
Easier bends and vibrato on the G and D, but the E and A stay tight and defined.
Detail 03
Long scale
Sized for a standard full-scale bass. On a shorter instrument the silk wrap can land over the nut.
Detail 04
Four-string set
Covers E-A-D-G only. Nothing here for a five- or six-string instrument.
Detail 05
Under $30
Cheap enough to change often, which matters most with steel strings since brightness is the point.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Confirm your bass is long scale before ordering — measure nut to bridge saddle
- 02String-through-body routing eats extra length; check the ball end clears
- 03New sets stretch; expect to retune several times the first day
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Will these fit my short-scale bass?
No. This is a long-scale set. On a short- or medium-scale bass the winding transition can end up in the wrong place at the nut or tuner post.
02Are steel strings harder on the frets than nickel?
Steel is the harder material, so over years of play it wears frets faster than nickel. For most players the difference shows up slowly, not in one set.
03Why light top and medium bottom instead of a straight gauge?
You get a looser feel for bends and fast lines on the upper strings while keeping tension and punch on the E and A. It's a common compromise gauge.
04Will I need to adjust my setup after switching?
If you're coming from a different gauge, expect intonation and possibly truss rod tweaks. Same-gauge swaps usually only need retuning.
