D'Addario · NYXL · 10-13-17-26-36-46
D'Addario NYXL1046 (10-13-17-26-36-46) in Drop D on a 26.5" scale
10-46 Regular Light, NYXL Electric Guitar Strings on an electric guitar with a 26.5" scale, tuned to Drop D (E4 B3 G3 D3 A2 D2), pulls 106.8 lb48.5 kg475 N in total and 17.8 lb8.08 kg79 N per string on average. That is a medium feel for an electric guitar. The set is moderately uneven (spread 11.3%). String 6 (D2) deviates most: −19% from the set average.
- Total tension
- 106.8 lb48.5 kg475 N
- Average per string
- 17.8 lb8.08 kg79 N
- Balance
- moderately uneven
- spread 11.3%
Tension per string
| # | Note | Hz | Gauge | Item | Type | Tension | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E4 | 329.6 | .010 | NYS010 | plain | 17.5 lb7.94 kg78 N | −2% |
| 2 | B3 | 246.9 | .013 | NYS013 | plain | 16.6 lb7.55 kg74 N | −7% |
| 3 | G3 | 196.0 | .017 | NYS017 | plain | 17.9 lb8.14 kg80 N | +1% |
| 4 | D3 | 146.8 | .026 | NYNW026 | wound | 19.8 lb8.97 kg88 N | +11% |
| 5 | A2 | 110.0 | .036 | NYNW036 | wound | 20.5 lb9.31 kg91 N | +15% |
| 6 | D2 | 73.4 | .046 | NYNW046 | wound | 14.4 lb6.54 kg64 N | −19% |
| Total | 106.8 lb48.5 kg475 N | ||||||
Similar sets in Drop D, 26.5"
| Set | Gauges | Avg per string | Total | Feel | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Addario EXL125 | 9-11-16-26-36-46 | 16.1 lb7.32 kg72 N | 96.9 lb43.9 kg431 N | medium | uneven |
| D'Addario EPS510 | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 17.2 lb7.81 kg77 N | 103.3 lb46.8 kg459 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| D'Addario EXL110BT | 10-13.5-17-25-34-46 | 17.5 lb7.94 kg78 N | 105.1 lb47.7 kg467 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| NYXL1046 (this page) | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 17.8 lb8.08 kg79 N | 106.8 lb48.5 kg475 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| D'Addario XSE1046 | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 17.8 lb8.08 kg79 N | 106.8 lb48.5 kg475 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| D'Addario EXL110 | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 17.8 lb8.09 kg79 N | 107.0 lb48.5 kg476 N | medium | moderately uneven |
Best match for a medium feel in Drop D, 26.5"
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 EPS510 10-13-17-26-36-46
- D'Addario EXL120 9-11-16-24-32-42
More for the NYXL1046
Other tunings on 26.5": E standard, Eb standard, D standard, Drop C, Open G, Open D, DADGAD
Drop D on other scales: 24.75", 25", 25.5", 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 NYXL1046 (2026-10-31): unit weights derived from the published tensions, cross-checked across sets.