Elixir · NANOWEB Nickel (coated) · 12-16-22-38-52-68
Elixir 12302 (12-16-22-38-52-68) in C standard on a 27" scale
NANOWEB Nickel (coated) Baritone (12-68) on an electric guitar with a 27" scale, tuned to C standard (C4 G3 Eb3 Bb2 F2 C2), pulls 134.1 lb60.8 kg597 N in total and 22.4 lb10.14 kg99 N per string on average. That is a tight feel for an electric guitar. The set is uneven (spread 23.0%). String 2 (G3) deviates most: −27% from the set average.
- Total tension
- 134.1 lb60.8 kg597 N
- Average per string
- 22.4 lb10.14 kg99 N
- Balance
- uneven
- spread 23.0%
Tension per string
| # | Note | Hz | Gauge | Item | Type | Tension | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C4 | 261.6 | .012 | AR012 | plain | 16.4 lb7.46 kg73 N | −26% |
| 2 | G3 | 196.0 | .016 | AR016 | plain | 16.4 lb7.43 kg73 N | −27% |
| 3 | Eb3 | 155.6 | .022 | ENN022 | wound | 19.1 lb8.66 kg85 N | −15% |
| 4 | Bb2 | 116.5 | .038 | ENN038 | wound | 27.3 lb12.38 kg121 N | +22% |
| 5 | F2 | 87.3 | .052 | ENN052 | wound | 27.9 lb12.67 kg124 N | +25% |
| 6 | C2 | 65.4 | .068 | ENN068 | wound | 27.0 lb12.23 kg120 N | +21% |
| Total | 134.1 lb60.8 kg597 N | ||||||
Similar sets in C standard, 27"
| Set | Gauges | Avg per string | Total | Feel | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Addario EXL145 | 12-16-20-32-42-54 | 17.3 lb7.83 kg77 N | 103.5 lb47.0 kg461 N | medium | even |
| Elixir 12152 | 12-16-24-32-42-52 | 17.8 lb8.08 kg79 N | 106.9 lb48.5 kg475 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| D'Addario NYXL1260 | 12-16-20-34-46-60 | 18.8 lb8.51 kg83 N | 112.6 lb51.1 kg501 N | tight | uneven |
| D'Addario EXL148 | 12-16-20-34-46-60 | 18.8 lb8.54 kg84 N | 112.9 lb51.2 kg502 N | tight | uneven |
| D'Addario EXL158 | 13-17-26-36-46-62 | 21.4 lb9.71 kg95 N | 128.4 lb58.3 kg571 N | tight | moderately uneven |
| 12302 (this page) | 12-16-22-38-52-68 | 22.4 lb10.14 kg99 N | 134.1 lb60.8 kg597 N | tight | uneven |
Best match for a medium feel in C standard, 27"
Ranked by how close every string is to 17.1 lb7.76 kg76 N (lower deviation is better).
- D'Addario NYXL1254 12-16-20-32-42-54
- Elixir 12152 12-16-24-32-42-52
- D'Addario ECG24 11-15-22-30-40-50
More for the 12302
Other tunings on 27": B standard, Drop A
C standard on other scales: 24.75", 25", 25.5", 26.5", 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.