D'Addario · XL Nickel Balanced Tension · 11-15-19-28-37-50
D'Addario EXL115BT (11-15-19-28-37-50) in Eb standard on a 24.75" scale
11-50 Medium Balanced Tension, XL Nickel Electric Guitar Strings on an electric guitar with a 24.75" scale, tuned to Eb standard (Eb4 Bb3 Gb3 Db3 Ab2 Eb2), pulls 102.3 lb46.4 kg455 N in total and 17.0 lb7.73 kg76 N per string on average. That is a medium feel for an electric guitar. The set is very even (spread 2.6%). String 4 (Db3) deviates most: +4% from the set average.
- Total tension
- 102.3 lb46.4 kg455 N
- Average per string
- 17.0 lb7.73 kg76 N
- Balance
- very even
- spread 2.6%
Tension per string
| # | Note | Hz | Gauge | Item | Type | Tension | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eb4 | 311.1 | .011 | PL011 | plain | 16.5 lb7.47 kg73 N | −3% |
| 2 | Bb3 | 233.1 | .015 | PL015 | plain | 17.2 lb7.81 kg77 N | +1% |
| 3 | Gb3 | 185.0 | .019 | PL019 | plain | 17.4 lb7.88 kg77 N | +2% |
| 4 | Db3 | 138.6 | .028 | NW028 | wound | 17.7 lb8.04 kg79 N | +4% |
| 5 | Ab2 | 103.8 | .037 | NW037 | wound | 17.0 lb7.70 kg75 N | −0% |
| 6 | Eb2 | 77.8 | .050 | NW050 | wound | 16.5 lb7.51 kg74 N | −3% |
| Total | 102.3 lb46.4 kg455 N | ||||||
Similar sets in Eb standard, 24.75"
| Set | Gauges | Avg per string | Total | Feel | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Addario NYXL1149 | 11-14-18-28-38-49 | 16.4 lb7.42 kg73 N | 98.1 lb44.5 kg436 N | medium | even |
| D'Addario EXL115 | 11-14-18-28-38-49 | 16.4 lb7.44 kg73 N | 98.4 lb44.6 kg438 N | medium | even |
| D'Addario NYXL1052 | 10-13-17-30-42-52 | 16.7 lb7.58 kg74 N | 100.2 lb45.5 kg446 N | medium | uneven |
| D'Addario EXL140 | 10-13-17-30-42-52 | 16.7 lb7.60 kg74 N | 100.5 lb45.6 kg447 N | medium | uneven |
| EXL115BT (this page) | 11-15-19-28-37-50 | 17.0 lb7.73 kg76 N | 102.3 lb46.4 kg455 N | medium | very even |
| D'Addario EPN115 | 11-14-18-27-37-48 | 17.1 lb7.75 kg76 N | 102.5 lb46.5 kg456 N | medium | moderately uneven |
Best match for a medium feel in Eb standard, 24.75"
Ranked by how close every string is to 17.1 lb7.76 kg76 N (lower deviation is better).
- D'Addario EXL115BT 11-15-19-28-37-50
- D'Addario EXL115 11-14-18-28-38-49
- D'Addario EPN115 11-14-18-27-37-48
More for the EXL115BT
Other tunings on 24.75": E standard, Drop D, D standard, Drop C, C standard, Open G, Open D, DADGAD
Eb standard on other scales: 25", 25.5", 26.5", 27", 28", 25.5"–27" multiscale
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 EXL115BT (2026-10-31): unit weights derived from the published tensions, cross-checked across sets.