Elixir · POLYWEB Nickel (coated) · 10-13-17-26-36-46
Elixir 12050 (10-13-17-26-36-46) in Drop D on a 26.5" scale
POLYWEB Nickel (coated) Light (10-46) on an electric guitar with a 26.5" scale, tuned to Drop D (E4 B3 G3 D3 A2 D2), pulls 107.3 lb48.7 kg477 N in total and 17.9 lb8.11 kg80 N per string on average. That is a medium feel for an electric guitar. The set is uneven (spread 12.5%). String 5 (A2) deviates most: +21% from the set average.
- Total tension
- 107.3 lb48.7 kg477 N
- Average per string
- 17.9 lb8.11 kg80 N
- Balance
- uneven
- spread 12.5%
Tension per string
| # | Note | Hz | Gauge | Item | Type | Tension | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E4 | 329.6 | .010 | AR010 | plain | 17.4 lb7.87 kg77 N | −3% |
| 2 | B3 | 246.9 | .013 | AR013 | plain | 16.4 lb7.43 kg73 N | −8% |
| 3 | G3 | 196.0 | .017 | AR017 | plain | 17.9 lb8.14 kg80 N | +0% |
| 4 | D3 | 146.8 | .026 | ENP026 | wound | 19.5 lb8.82 kg87 N | +9% |
| 5 | A2 | 110.0 | .036 | ENP036 | wound | 21.6 lb9.81 kg96 N | +21% |
| 6 | D2 | 73.4 | .046 | ENP046 | wound | 14.6 lb6.62 kg65 N | −18% |
| Total | 107.3 lb48.7 kg477 N | ||||||
Similar sets in Drop D, 26.5"
| Set | Gauges | Avg per string | Total | Feel | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Addario NYXL1046 | 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 |
| 12050 (this page) | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 17.9 lb8.11 kg80 N | 107.3 lb48.7 kg477 N | medium | uneven |
| Elixir 12052 | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 18.0 lb8.16 kg80 N | 107.9 lb48.9 kg480 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| Elixir 19052 | 10-13-17-26-36-46 | 18.0 lb8.16 kg80 N | 107.9 lb48.9 kg480 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
- Elixir 12052 10-13-17-26-36-46
More for the 12050
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
- Elixir Strings — String Tension for Tuning Guitar (2026-11-01): unit weights derived from tensions printed in whole pounds; rounding leaves up to ±3% on single strings.
- Elixir Strings Product Catalog (consumer, 07/2026) (2026-11-01): set part numbers and gauges.