Dean Markley Blue Steel NPS Bass Guitar Strings, Medium Light, 45-105 Gauge, 4-String Set, 2 Pack

Whether you live for a thundering thump, a rhythmic slap or an artfully woven line, Dean Markley Blue Steel bass strings will get you there. Cryogenically frozen with a blast of liquid nitrogen, Blue Steel strings deliver massive tone, resonance and longevity. These babies are built to last! Try their Stainless Steel bass strings for a brilliant punchy tone. Or get that Nickel Plated Steel warm, rich tone with Blue Steel NPS bass strings. Available in both 4 and 5 string sets. Blue Steel. When cold is hot.

Dean Markley Bass Strings - Intelligently constructed with their unique approach to compound winding
Most of you may not realize the technology and finesse involved in creating Dean Markley's strings. They ensure each and every bass string designed and produced by them is unique. All their bass strings are made using compounded winding, with the exception of strings smaller than .050. This means they use smaller incremental wire sizes to build the mass of every string. The winding directions are reversed between layers to "cross-hatch" the covers for a smoother string.

The term "compound wound" does not necessarily mean two covers. They use three and four covers respectively for thick .095 and .120 gauges, while other manufacturers continue to use no more than three covers on large strings. Dean Markley does this for two reasons:

• They try to use a reasonably small final cover to make the string's surface as smooth as possible
• Compounding allows them to use a smaller and more flexible core wire, which enhances the string's playability.

As an additional and very important factor, the process tension (the tension that the core is held at during the winding process) is equally important to obtain the final product. "Core to cover ratio" is another key factor in the production of Dean Markley bass strings. These ratios vary as they perfect the balance that offers the best playability and durability. If a string is designed with a large core percentage, then playability is sacrificed. If the core percentage is too small, the string can break and obviously that isn't what a player wants!

The general rule of thumb of the early 1900's piano string industry is that a string's tension should never exceed 66% of the breaking point of the core. Dean Markley's engineering philosophy maintains a 60% rule when developing new designs. This is because their strings are plucked, slapped or worse and not hammered like a piano. Each material used has a specific weight, which influences the tension. They use mathematical modeling to determine the prefect core mix to wrap. Though the production sounds technical, they result in a great sounding string that lasts! So thump 'em, slap 'em, pick 'em, caress 'em, they'll give you the love right back with tone, resonance and sustenance that just doesn't quit.