D'Addario · NYXL · 10-13-17-30-42-52
D'Addario NYXL1052 (10-13-17-30-42-52) in Eb standard on a 27" scale
10-52 Light Top/Heavy Bottom, NYXL Electric Guitar Strings on an electric guitar with a 27" scale, tuned to Eb standard (Eb4 Bb3 Gb3 Db3 Ab2 Eb2), pulls 119.3 lb54.1 kg530 N in total and 19.9 lb9.02 kg88 N per string on average. That is a tight feel for an electric guitar. The set is uneven (spread 20.5%). String 5 (Ab2) deviates most: +28% from the set average.
- Total tension
- 119.3 lb54.1 kg530 N
- Average per string
- 19.9 lb9.02 kg88 N
- Balance
- uneven
- spread 20.5%
Tension per string
| # | Note | Hz | Gauge | Item | Type | Tension | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eb4 | 311.1 | .010 | NYS010 | plain | 16.2 lb7.35 kg72 N | −19% |
| 2 | Bb3 | 233.1 | .013 | NYS013 | plain | 15.4 lb6.98 kg68 N | −23% |
| 3 | Gb3 | 185.0 | .017 | NYS017 | plain | 16.6 lb7.53 kg74 N | −17% |
| 4 | Db3 | 138.6 | .030 | NYNW030 | wound | 24.6 lb11.15 kg109 N | +24% |
| 5 | Ab2 | 103.8 | .042 | NYNW042 | wound | 25.5 lb11.56 kg113 N | +28% |
| 6 | Eb2 | 77.8 | .052 | NYNW052 | wound | 21.0 lb9.52 kg93 N | +6% |
| Total | 119.3 lb54.1 kg530 N | ||||||
Similar sets in Eb standard, 27"
| Set | Gauges | Avg per string | Total | Feel | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Addario NYXL1149 | 11-14-18-28-38-49 | 19.5 lb8.83 kg87 N | 116.8 lb53.0 kg519 N | tight | even |
| D'Addario EXL115 | 11-14-18-28-38-49 | 19.5 lb8.85 kg87 N | 117.1 lb53.1 kg521 N | tight | even |
| NYXL1052 (this page) | 10-13-17-30-42-52 | 19.9 lb9.02 kg88 N | 119.3 lb54.1 kg530 N | tight | uneven |
| D'Addario EXL140 | 10-13-17-30-42-52 | 19.9 lb9.04 kg89 N | 119.6 lb54.2 kg532 N | tight | uneven |
| D'Addario EXL115BT | 11-15-19-28-37-50 | 20.3 lb9.20 kg90 N | 121.7 lb55.2 kg541 N | tight | very even |
| D'Addario EPN115 | 11-14-18-27-37-48 | 20.3 lb9.22 kg90 N | 122.0 lb55.3 kg542 N | tight | moderately uneven |
Best match for a medium feel in Eb standard, 27"
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 NYXL1149 11-14-18-28-38-49
More for the NYXL1052
Other tunings on 27": 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", 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 NYXL1052 (2026-10-31): unit weights derived from the published tensions, cross-checked across sets.