Elixir · OPTIWEB Nickel (coated) · 11-14-18-28-38-49
Elixir 19102 (11-14-18-28-38-49) in Open D on a 27" scale
OPTIWEB Nickel (coated) Medium (11-49) on an electric guitar with a 27" scale, tuned to Open D (D4 A3 F#3 D3 A2 D2), pulls 117.8 lb53.4 kg524 N in total and 19.6 lb8.90 kg87 N per string on average. That is a tight feel for an electric guitar. The set is uneven (spread 16.5%). String 5 (A2) deviates most: +24% from the set average.
- Total tension
- 117.8 lb53.4 kg524 N
- Average per string
- 19.6 lb8.90 kg87 N
- Balance
- uneven
- spread 16.5%
Tension per string
| # | Note | Hz | Gauge | Item | Type | Tension | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D4 | 293.7 | .011 | AR011 | plain | 17.5 lb7.95 kg78 N | −11% |
| 2 | A3 | 220.0 | .014 | AR014 | plain | 15.9 lb7.23 kg71 N | −19% |
| 3 | F#3 | 185.0 | .018 | AR018 | plain | 18.5 lb8.41 kg82 N | −6% |
| 4 | D3 | 146.8 | .028 | ENO028 | wound | 23.8 lb10.81 kg106 N | +21% |
| 5 | A2 | 110.0 | .038 | ENO038 | wound | 24.3 lb11.03 kg108 N | +24% |
| 6 | D2 | 73.4 | .049 | ENO049 | wound | 17.6 lb7.99 kg78 N | −10% |
| Total | 117.8 lb53.4 kg524 N | ||||||
Similar sets in Open D, 27"
| Set | Gauges | Avg per string | Total | Feel | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Addario NYXL1149 | 11-14-18-28-38-49 | 19.3 lb8.75 kg86 N | 115.7 lb52.5 kg515 N | tight | uneven |
| D'Addario EXL115 | 11-14-18-28-38-49 | 19.3 lb8.77 kg86 N | 116.1 lb52.6 kg516 N | tight | uneven |
| 19102 (this page) | 11-14-18-28-38-49 | 19.6 lb8.90 kg87 N | 117.8 lb53.4 kg524 N | tight | uneven |
| Elixir 12102 | 11-14-18-28-38-49 | 19.6 lb8.90 kg87 N | 117.8 lb53.4 kg524 N | tight | uneven |
| Elixir 12100 | 11-14-18-28-38-49 | 19.7 lb8.92 kg88 N | 118.1 lb53.5 kg525 N | tight | uneven |
| D'Addario NYXL1052 | 10-13-17-30-42-52 | 19.9 lb9.05 kg89 N | 119.6 lb54.3 kg532 N | tight | uneven |
Best match for a medium feel in Open D, 27"
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 19102
Other tunings on 27": E standard, Drop D, Eb standard, D standard, Drop C, C standard, B standard, Open G, DADGAD
Open D on other scales: 24.75", 25", 25.5", 26.5", 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 ±2% on single strings.
- Elixir Strings Product Catalog (consumer, 07/2026) (2026-11-01): set part numbers and gauges.