12-String Bass String Sets

There are currently six companies that sell string sets specifically for the 12-string bass.

D'Addario

The D'Addario brand of roundwound 12-string bass strings were introduced in 2006 and are 34" long scale:
    Fundamentals: G .045, D .065, A .080, E .100
    Octaves:  G .018, D .025, A .035, E .045

D'Addario strings are packaged all rolled together and have the colored ball ends to differentiate the various string gauges. Made in the USA. Read a Review of these strings.

Hamer

Hamer brand roundwound strings are manufactured by D'Addario. These strings can be ordered from any Hamer or Kaman retail dealer. Unlike D'Addario brand strings, they have all brass ball ends.

Models B12A, B12L, CH-12 string gauges, 34" scale:
    Fundamentals: G .045, D .065, A .080, E .100
    Octaves:  G .020, D .025, A .035, E .045

Model B12S, other 30½" short scales and B12M medium scales use these same string gauges. Long scale string sets will work fine.

Made in the USA. Read our Review of these strings.

 Hamer Strings

Paramount

Paramount brand roundwound strings are manufactured in Korea and their 12-string bass set first appeared on eBay in May of 2008. They are 34" scale long:
    Fundamentals: G .045, D .065, A .080, E .105
    Octaves:  G .018, D .024, A .034, E .044

Paramount octave strings have the smaller guitar-sized ball ends which may be too small to work properly with tailpieces on some brands of basses. Check here for more information.

S.I.T. Strings

S.I.T. makes Power Wound Nickel string sets for 12-string basses as well as stainless steel sets. Made in the USA.

There are two different sets, both are 34" scale:
    Fundamentals: G .040, D .060, A .075, E .095
    Octaves:   G .020, D .025, A .035, E .045  or
                     G .018, D .025, A .035, E .045

Read our Review of these strings.

Waterstone

Waterstone brand strings are made in Korea, 34" scale:
    Fundamentals: G .045, D .065, A .080, E .105
    Octaves:  G .018, D .024, A .034, E .044

Waterstone octave strings have the smaller guitar-sized ball ends which may be too small to work properly with tailpieces on some brands of basses. Check here for more information.

Read our Review of these strings.

Chandler

The Chandler Royale is shipped with the following string gauges, 34" scale:
    Fundamentals: G .045, D .065, A .080, E .105
    Octaves: G .018, D .024, A .034, E .044

This set is referred to as the "TP Spec" set. Chandler does not reveal the name of their string manufacturer or the country of origin. New basses come with a spare set of strings.

A Lite gauge set is also available with gauges running from 40 to 95. Adrian states this string set is, "A slight difference in size - a huge difference in performance." Octave strings are: G .016, D .022, A .032, E .042.

Chandler octave strings have the smaller guitar-sized ball ends which may be too small to work properly with tailpieces on some brands of basses. Check here for more information.

These strings can be purchased for $50.00 per set directly from Chandler Guitars.