There have been a few questions recently about string choices for the Bass VI, so I wanted to share my internet research. I initially compiled a list a few years ago when I built my VI clone, but recently checked for updates.
Let me know if you have additions, or if i have anything wrong
SUMMARY OF OPTIONS (as of Feb 2021) [edit: grrr the table below lost its formatting when submitted]
Brand Customisable? Core style Wrap style Wrap materials Price
Fender No Hex Round or flat NPS or stainless $ - $$$
La Bella Yes Hex Round or flat NPS or stainless $$
D’Addario No Hex Round NPS $
Kalium No Hex Round NPS $ - $$
Tenorio No Round Round NPS $$$
Newtone Yes Hex or round. Round NPS or stainless $ - $$
Axion No Hex Round NPS $
Mangan No Hex Round NPS $
Stringjoy No Hex Round NPS $
Pyramid Yes Round Round or flat NPS or Cr-Ni $$
Dunlop No ? Round NPS $$
GHS No ? Round NPS ?
DETAILS
Most - if not all - original (1961-75) Bass VI instruments were factory-fitted with flatwound strings.
Fender product catalogues from the 1960s only list one option for VI strings: Fender “Mastersound Flatwound Strings” Set No. 700 (gauges 26-35-44-55-75-95). These are no longer produced.
Current options are listed below (in no particular brand order).
Fender
Set “250B6”: roundwound nickel-plated steel (hex core), gauges 24-34-44-56-72-84. These are Fender’s current ‘standard’ VI set, and many people find the low E to be too light and floppy. Price: US $16.
“Super 250’s Bass VI”: roundwound nickel-plated steel (hex core), gauges 24-34-44-65-80-100. Note the heavy low end. This set is elusive, and possibly out of production. Price US $15.
Set “5350”: roundwound stainless steel (hex core), gauges 25-35-45-55-75-95. These have long been discontinued, but a few shops still have stock. Price: variable.
“Mastersound #700”: flatwound pure nickel (round core), gauges 26-35-44-55-75-95. Fender factory-fitted these to the originals (1961-75). Have not been produced in a long time, but occasionally come up on Ebay or Reverb for collectors. Price: variable, usually very high.
D'addario
Set “EXL156”: roundwound nickel-plated steel (hex core), gauges 24-34-44-56-72-84. Has the same floppy low E issue as the current Fender set. Price: US $15.
La Bella
All sets are gauged 26-35-44-55-75-95. La Bella enjoy a great reputation, and are probably the most popular brand with VI players. Price: US $39 round wound set, $50 flat wound set, $15-20 custom round wound set (yes - cheaper than a pre-made set!)
Set “767-6N”: roundwound nickel-plated steel (hex core).
Set “767-6S”: roundwound stainless steel (hex core).
Set “767-6F”: flatwound stainless steel.
Sets “767-6B” (black) and “767-6W” (white): nylon tape wound over metal core. (These have been discontinued, though a few shops still have old stock).
Individual strings (roundwound nickel plated or stainless steel) ranging in gauge from 22 to 120 (mostly in increments of 002) used to be available to make custom-gauged sets, but the website no longer shows this option.
Kalium
At last check, they offer quite a number of "Bass VI" sets, ranging in gauge from 21-90 to 35-148, plus several options aimed at baritone use of the VI. All are roundwound "hybrid" nickel/steel (hex core).
There have been mixed reports about this company's customer service, and the website is fairly confusing. Price: US $11-30, depending on gauge.
Gabriel Tenorio String Company
“Bass VI” set: roundwound nickel-plated steel (round core), gauges 26-99 (individual gauges not specified on the website). These, along with Newtone and Pyramid, are the only round-core VI strings currently available. Pricey, but has loyal supporters such as Curtis Novak. Price: US $75.
Newtone Strings
Made-to-order roundwound sets, (available via the website’s “Custom String Configurator”), handmade in England. Choice of round-core or hex-core, and nickel-plated steel or stainless steel wrap. Gauges available from 16 to 120, in increments of 001. These are the most ‘customisable’ brand currently available. Price: around US $20, depending on gauges.
Axion Custom Works (sold via the Newtone Strings website)
“Fender VI” set: roundwound nickel-plated steel (hex core), gauges 24-34-44-56-80-100 or 24-34-44-56-85-110.
Note the heavier than standard low A and E, for greater tension. Price: US $22.
Curt Mangan
Set number “12490”: roundwound nickel-plated steel (hex core), gauges 24-34-44-54-74-90. Mangan strings are well regarded, though many people would want a heavier low E string than this set offers. Price: US $17.
Stringjoy
“Bass 6 Medium” set: roundwound nickel-plated (hex core), gauges 24-32-42-54-72-90. Price: US $19.
“Bass 6 Heavy” set: roundwound nickel-plated (hex core), gauges 26-34-44-56-74-95. Price: US $19.
Until late 2020, Stringjoy also offered customised roundwound nickel-plated sets, with gauges from 18 to 90 available (mostly in increments of 002). Unsure if this will return.
Pyramid
Set VI2595F: Chrome-nickel flatwound (round core), gauges 25-35-45-55-75-95. Price: 80€
Set VI2595R: Nickel-plated steel roundwound (core not stated), gauges 25-35-45-55-75-95. Price: 57€
Also make custom-gauged sets, contact by email. Made in Germany.
Dunlop
“Bass VI Light” set: round wound nickel, gauges 26-36-46-60-80-95. Not easy to find, perhaps only made in small batches. Price: US $30
GHS
“Fender VI Bass” set: round wound nickel-plated steel, gauges 25-35-45-55-75-95. Have not been able to find these for sale recently - they may be a discontinued line or one-off batch. Price: N/A
SGB-Parts
“Electric Bass Strings” set: nickel round wound (hex core), gauges 24-34-44-56-80-105. Could be attractive to those looking for a heavier low E. Price: £15
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Great minds and all that... I did the same thing with the Fender strings. A few years ago a seller sold off six packs for £20.00, so I bought them. I don't think they are necessarily the best option these days, but handy to have. Going to try some sets from the links above.
