D'Addario · XS Nickel (coated) · 10-13-17-26-36-46
D'Addario XSE1046 (10-13-17-26-36-46) in E standard on a 25.5" scale
10-46 Regular Light, XS Nickel Coated Electric Guitar Strings on an electric guitar with a 25.5" scale, tuned to E standard (E4 B3 G3 D3 A2 E2), pulls 102.4 lb46.4 kg455 N in total and 17.1 lb7.74 kg76 N per string on average. That is a medium feel for an electric guitar. The set is moderately uneven (spread 7.2%). String 5 (A2) deviates most: +11% from the set average.
- Total tension
- 102.4 lb46.4 kg455 N
- Average per string
- 17.1 lb7.74 kg76 N
- Balance
- moderately uneven
- spread 7.2%
Tension per string
| # | Note | Hz | Gauge | Item | Type | Tension | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E4 | 329.6 | .010 | XSPL010 | plain | 16.2 lb7.35 kg72 N | −5% |
| 2 | B3 | 246.9 | .013 | XSPL013 | plain | 15.4 lb6.99 kg69 N | −10% |
| 3 | G3 | 196.0 | .017 | XSPL017 | plain | 16.6 lb7.54 kg74 N | −3% |
| 4 | D3 | 146.8 | .026 | XSNW026 | wound | 18.3 lb8.31 kg81 N | +7% |
| 5 | A2 | 110.0 | .036 | XSNW036 | wound | 19.0 lb8.63 kg85 N | +11% |
| 6 | E2 | 82.4 | .046 | XSNW046 | wound | 16.8 lb7.63 kg75 N | −1% |
| Total | 102.4 lb46.4 kg455 N | ||||||
Similar sets in E standard, 25.5"
| Set | Gauges | Avg per string | Total | Feel | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Addario EPS510 | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 16.5 lb7.48 kg73 N | 98.9 lb44.9 kg440 N | medium | even |
| D'Addario EXL110BT | 10-13.5-17-25-34-46 | 16.8 lb7.62 kg75 N | 100.8 lb45.7 kg448 N | medium | very even |
| XSE1046 (this page) | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 17.1 lb7.74 kg76 N | 102.4 lb46.4 kg455 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| D'Addario NYXL1046 | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 17.1 lb7.74 kg76 N | 102.4 lb46.4 kg455 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| D'Addario EXL110 | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 17.1 lb7.76 kg76 N | 102.6 lb46.5 kg456 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| D'Addario NYXL1149 | 11-14-18-28-38-49 | 19.5 lb8.84 kg87 N | 116.9 lb53.0 kg520 N | tight | even |
Best match for a medium feel in E standard, 25.5"
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 NYXL1149 11-14-18-28-38-49
More for the XSE1046
Other tunings on 25.5": Drop D, Eb standard, D standard, Open G, Open D, DADGAD
E standard on other scales: 24.75", 25", 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 XSE1046 (2026-10-31): unit weights derived from the published tensions, cross-checked across sets.