Elixir · NANOWEB Nickel (coated) · 11-14-18-28-38-49-59
Elixir 12106 (11-14-18-28-38-49-59) in Drop A (7-string) on a 28" scale
NANOWEB Nickel (coated) 7-String Medium (11-59) on an electric guitar with a 28" scale, tuned to Drop A (7-string) (E4 B3 G3 D3 A2 E2 A1), pulls 158.7 lb72.0 kg706 N in total and 22.7 lb10.29 kg101 N per string on average. That is a tight feel for an electric guitar. The set is uneven (spread 14.7%). String 7 (A1) deviates most: −32% from the set average.
- Total tension
- 158.7 lb72.0 kg706 N
- Average per string
- 22.7 lb10.29 kg101 N
- Balance
- uneven
- spread 14.7%
Tension per string
| # | Note | Hz | Gauge | Item | Type | Tension | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E4 | 329.6 | .011 | AR011 | plain | 23.8 lb10.77 kg106 N | +5% |
| 2 | B3 | 246.9 | .014 | AR014 | plain | 21.6 lb9.79 kg96 N | −5% |
| 3 | G3 | 196.0 | .018 | AR018 | plain | 22.4 lb10.15 kg100 N | −1% |
| 4 | D3 | 146.8 | .028 | ENN028 | wound | 25.6 lb11.62 kg114 N | +13% |
| 5 | A2 | 110.0 | .038 | ENN038 | wound | 26.2 lb11.86 kg116 N | +15% |
| 6 | E2 | 82.4 | .049 | ENN049 | wound | 23.9 lb10.83 kg106 N | +5% |
| 7 | A1 | 55.0 | .059 | ENN059 | wound | 15.4 lb6.97 kg68 N | −32% |
| Total | 158.7 lb72.0 kg706 N | ||||||
Similar sets in Drop A (7-string), 28"
| Set | Gauges | Avg per string | Total | Feel | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Addario EXL110-7 | 10-13-17-26-36-46-59 | 19.8 lb9.00 kg88 N | 138.9 lb63.0 kg618 N | tight | moderately uneven |
| Elixir 12074 | 10-13-17-26-36-46-59 | 20.0 lb9.08 kg89 N | 140.2 lb63.6 kg624 N | tight | uneven |
| Elixir 19074 | 10-13-17-26-36-46-59 | 20.0 lb9.08 kg89 N | 140.2 lb63.6 kg624 N | tight | uneven |
| 12106 (this page) | 11-14-18-28-38-49-59 | 22.7 lb10.29 kg101 N | 158.7 lb72.0 kg706 N | tight | uneven |
| Elixir 19106 | 11-14-18-28-38-49-59 | 22.7 lb10.29 kg101 N | 158.7 lb72.0 kg706 N | tight | uneven |
| D'Addario NYXL1164 | 11-14-18-28-38-49-64 | 22.7 lb10.30 kg101 N | 159.0 lb72.1 kg707 N | tight | moderately uneven |
Best match for a medium feel in Drop A (7-string), 28"
Ranked by how close every string is to 17.1 lb7.76 kg76 N (lower deviation is better).
- D'Addario EXL120-7 9-11-16-24-32-42-54
- Elixir 12007 9-11-16-24-32-42-52
- D'Addario NYXL1059 10-13-17-26-36-46-59
More for the 12106
Other tunings on 28": B standard (7-string), A standard (7-string)
Drop A (7-string) on other scales: 24.75", 25", 25.5", 26.5", 27", 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.