I ordered a set of these for a used Ibanez GSR200B bass at church where the worship music is dynamic and involves various playing styles. In light of the guitar's fingerboard being uneven from side to side (particularly toward the headstock) and its maple neck not as strong as one would hope for, I looked for lighter gauge strings to reduce the tension on both. (A GSR200 sells for only $200 new, but has fairly decent pickups.) I opted for the D'Addario brand due to previous experiences with D'Addario electric guitar strings. (I typically use GHS Boomers for six-string electric guitar because of their longevity though D'Addario's arguably have better tone fresh out of the package.) I decided on D'Addario EXL220 XL's due to the Super Light gauge (.040, .060, .075, .095). After receiving the strings from Sam Ash in timely fashion and installing them on the guitar, they did not disappointment. Although I couldn't lower the guitar's action much more than where it had been for the used heavier gauge strings being replaced, and had to readjust intonation at the bridge to account for the significantly lighter gauge, the EXL220 XL's made playing easier and with wonderful tone all up and down the fretboard, including plenty of low end. I would subsequently find a set of Dunlop Super Bright 40/100's (.040, .060, .080, .100) to be a bit more to my liking in feel and low end thump, but that their "Super Bright" tone wasn't as pleasing as that of the D'Addario EXL220's (though one would expect the Dunlop's to mellow out over time). If you're new to bass, have small hands and/or a light touch, you might consider starting with a set of D'Addario EXL220 Super Light's and after getting used to them move up to something like 40/100's. Then again, you just might want to stay with these. While I can't speak to the longevity of EXL220's, I can nonetheless attest to their tone and playability fresh out of the package and a couple months beyond at least. They're also quite affordable.

DV

Aurora CO