D'Addario · XL Nickel · 10-13-17-26-36-46
D'Addario EXL110 (10-13-17-26-36-46) in Eb standard on a 25.5"–27" multiscale scale
10-46 Regular Light, XL Nickel Electric Guitar Strings on an electric guitar with a 25.5"–27" multiscale scale, tuned to Eb standard (Eb4 Bb3 Gb3 Db3 Ab2 Eb2), pulls 97.1 lb44.0 kg432 N in total and 16.2 lb7.34 kg72 N per string on average. That is a medium feel for an electric guitar. The set is moderately uneven (spread 10.2%). String 5 (Ab2) deviates most: +15% from the set average.
- Total tension
- 97.1 lb44.0 kg432 N
- Average per string
- 16.2 lb7.34 kg72 N
- Balance
- moderately uneven
- spread 10.2%
Tension per string
| # | Note | Hz | Gauge | Item | Type | Length | Tension | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eb4 | 311.1 | .010 | PL010 | plain | 25.5" | 14.4 lb6.55 kg64 N | −11% |
| 2 | Bb3 | 233.1 | .013 | PL013 | plain | 25.8" | 14.1 lb6.38 kg63 N | −13% |
| 3 | Gb3 | 185.0 | .017 | PL017 | plain | 26.1" | 15.5 lb7.03 kg69 N | −4% |
| 4 | Db3 | 138.6 | .026 | NW026 | wound | 26.4" | 17.6 lb7.98 kg78 N | +9% |
| 5 | Ab2 | 103.8 | .036 | NW036 | wound | 26.7" | 18.6 lb8.42 kg83 N | +15% |
| 6 | Eb2 | 77.8 | .046 | NW046 | wound | 27" | 16.9 lb7.66 kg75 N | +4% |
| Total | 97.1 lb44.0 kg432 N | |||||||
Multiscale (fanned frets): string lengths change linearly from 25.5" (treble) to 27" (bass).
Similar sets in Eb standard, 25.5"–27" multiscale
| Set | Gauges | Avg per string | Total | Feel | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Addario EPS510 | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 15.6 lb7.06 kg69 N | 93.4 lb42.4 kg416 N | loose | moderately uneven |
| D'Addario EXL110BT | 10-13.5-17-25-34-46 | 15.9 lb7.20 kg71 N | 95.2 lb43.2 kg424 N | medium | even |
| D'Addario NYXL1046 | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 16.1 lb7.32 kg72 N | 96.9 lb43.9 kg431 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| D'Addario XSE1046 | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 16.1 lb7.32 kg72 N | 96.9 lb43.9 kg431 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| EXL110 (this page) | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 16.2 lb7.34 kg72 N | 97.1 lb44.0 kg432 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| D'Addario NYXL1149 | 11-14-18-28-38-49 | 18.4 lb8.35 kg82 N | 110.5 lb50.1 kg491 N | tight | moderately uneven |
Best match for a medium feel in Eb standard, 25.5"–27" multiscale
Ranked by how close every string is to 17.1 lb7.76 kg76 N (lower deviation is better).
- D'Addario EXL110BT 10-13.5-17-25-34-46
- D'Addario NYXL1046 10-13-17-26-36-46
- D'Addario NYXL1149 11-14-18-28-38-49
More for the EXL110
Other tunings on 25.5"–27" multiscale: E standard, Drop D, D standard, Drop C, Open G, Open D, DADGAD
Eb standard on other scales: 24.75", 25", 25.5", 26.5", 27", 28"
About these numbers
Tension is calculated, not measured: T = μ · (2 · L · f)², where μ is the string's mass per unit length (unit weight), L the vibrating length (scale) and f the pitch (A4 = 440 Hz, equal temperament). kg means kilogram-force: 1 kg ≈ 9.81 N ≈ 2.205 lb.
How a set feels also depends on the guitar's setup: action height, break angle over the nut and saddle, string length behind the nut and bridge, and your playing style. Plain strings feel stiffer than wound strings at the same tension. Use these figures to compare sets, not as an absolute measure of feel.
Sources
- D'Addario product page, tension chart for EXL110 (2026-10-31): unit weights derived from the published tensions, cross-checked across sets.