D'Addario · NYXL · 11-14-18-28-38-49-64
D'Addario NYXL1164 (11-14-18-28-38-49-64) in Drop A (7-string) on a 25.5"–27" multiscale scale
11-64 Medium 7-String, NYXL Electric Guitar Strings on an electric guitar with a 25.5"–27" multiscale scale, tuned to Drop A (7-string) (E4 B3 G3 D3 A2 E2 A1), pulls 139.6 lb63.3 kg621 N in total and 19.9 lb9.04 kg89 N per string on average. That is a tight feel for an electric guitar. The set is moderately uneven (spread 9.8%). String 7 (A1) deviates most: −16% from the set average.
- Total tension
- 139.6 lb63.3 kg621 N
- Average per string
- 19.9 lb9.04 kg89 N
- Balance
- moderately uneven
- spread 9.8%
Tension per string
| # | Note | Hz | Gauge | Item | Type | Length | Tension | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E4 | 329.6 | .011 | NYS011 | plain | 25.5" | 19.6 lb8.90 kg87 N | −2% |
| 2 | B3 | 246.9 | .014 | NYS014 | plain | 25.75" | 18.2 lb8.24 kg81 N | −9% |
| 3 | G3 | 196.0 | .018 | NYS018 | plain | 26" | 19.4 lb8.78 kg86 N | −3% |
| 4 | D3 | 146.8 | .028 | NYNW028 | wound | 26.25" | 22.3 lb10.10 kg99 N | +12% |
| 5 | A2 | 110.0 | .038 | NYNW038 | wound | 26.5" | 22.6 lb10.25 kg100 N | +13% |
| 6 | E2 | 82.4 | .049 | NYNW049 | wound | 26.75" | 20.8 lb9.44 kg93 N | +4% |
| 7 | A1 | 55.0 | .064 | NYNW064 | wound | 27" | 16.8 lb7.60 kg75 N | −16% |
| Total | 139.6 lb63.3 kg621 N | |||||||
Multiscale (fanned frets): string lengths change linearly from 25.5" (treble) to 27" (bass).
Similar sets in Drop A (7-string), 25.5"–27" multiscale
| Set | Gauges | Avg per string | Total | Feel | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Addario EXL110-7 | 10-13-17-26-36-46-59 | 17.4 lb7.91 kg78 N | 122.0 lb55.3 kg543 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| Elixir 12074 | 10-13-17-26-36-46-59 | 17.6 lb7.98 kg78 N | 123.2 lb55.9 kg548 N | medium | uneven |
| Elixir 19074 | 10-13-17-26-36-46-59 | 17.6 lb7.98 kg78 N | 123.2 lb55.9 kg548 N | medium | uneven |
| Elixir 12106 | 11-14-18-28-38-49-59 | 19.9 lb9.03 kg89 N | 139.3 lb63.2 kg620 N | tight | uneven |
| Elixir 19106 | 11-14-18-28-38-49-59 | 19.9 lb9.03 kg89 N | 139.3 lb63.2 kg620 N | tight | uneven |
| NYXL1164 (this page) | 11-14-18-28-38-49-64 | 19.9 lb9.04 kg89 N | 139.6 lb63.3 kg621 N | tight | moderately uneven |
Best match for a medium feel in Drop A (7-string), 25.5"–27" multiscale
Ranked by how close every string is to 17.1 lb7.76 kg76 N (lower deviation is better).
- D'Addario NYXL1059 10-13-17-26-36-46-59
- Elixir 12074 10-13-17-26-36-46-59
- Elixir 12057 10-13-17-26-36-46-56
More for the NYXL1164
Other tunings on 25.5"–27" multiscale: B standard (7-string), A standard (7-string)
Drop A (7-string) 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 NYXL1164 (2026-10-31): unit weights derived from the published tensions, cross-checked across sets.