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Based on price data from 4 merchants for "D'Addario EXL115 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 11-49". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash your musical potential with the D'Addario EXL115 Nickelwound Guitar Strings, the perfect match for guitarists seeking a robust and versatile sound. These strings are engineered to deliver a bright and versatile tone suitable for blues, jazz, and rock, making them a staple for countless musicians worldwide. Crafted with a nickel-plated steel wrap wire wound around a hexagonal steel core, they promise a snappy attack and smooth sustain while ensuring excellent tuning stability and intonation.
Designed for electric guitars, the D'Addario EXL115 strings offer a balanced tension that facilitates smooth bends and vibrant performance. Their medium gauge configuration (11-49) strikes an ideal balance between playability and projection, allowing you to explore a dynamic range of musical expressions. Whether you're performing on stage or practicing in the studio, the EXL115 strings maintain their tone and feel, thanks to D'Addario's precision winding technique.
With corrosion-resistant packaging and color-coded ball ends, these strings are as convenient as they are reliable. Embrace the tradition and innovation of D'Addario, a name synonymous with quality and craftsmanship since 1680, and elevate your guitar's sound to new heights.
Key Features:
- Nickel-plated steel wrap for bright, versatile tones
- Hexagonal steel core for enhanced stability and intonation
- Medium gauge (11-49) for balanced playability and projection
- Roundwound construction for a familiar playing feel
- Precision winding for consistent quality
- Corrosion-resistant packaging for freshness
- Color-coded ball ends for easy string changes
Product specs
| Guitar Type | Electric Guitar |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Coated | No |
| Gauges | .011, .014, .018, .028, .038, .049 |
| Core Material | Steel |
| Winding Material | Nickel Plated Steel |
| Winding Type | Round Wound |
FAQs
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What are the benefits of using D'Addario EXL115 Nickelwound Guitar Strings for electric guitars?
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D'Addario EXL115 strings offer a balanced tone with a bright sound and excellent intonation. The nickel-plated steel winding provides durability and a smooth feel, making them ideal for a wide range of musical styles.
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Are D'Addario EXL115 strings suitable for drop tuning?
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Yes, the medium gauge (.011-.049) of the D'Addario EXL115 strings offers more tension, which can be beneficial for maintaining tuning stability in drop tunings.
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How do the D'Addario EXL115 strings compare to lighter gauge strings?
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The D'Addario EXL115 strings, being medium gauge, provide a fuller tone and more volume compared to lighter gauge strings. They require more finger strength but offer greater control and sustain.
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What type of winding is used in D'Addario EXL115 strings?
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D'Addario EXL115 strings use round wound nickel-plated steel, which contributes to their bright tone and smooth playability.
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Do D'Addario EXL115 strings work well for blues and rock music?
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Yes, the D'Addario EXL115 strings are well-suited for blues and rock due to their bright tone and the ability to handle aggressive playing styles.
Videos
Rob Chapman
D'Addario String Gauge Shoot Out - Can You Tell The Difference??
D'Addario String Gauge Shoot Out - Can You Tell The Difference??
Rob Chapman
D'Addario Nickel Wound vs D'Addario Pro Steels! (is there a difference in tone?)
Liam MacLean
Heavy Vs Light guitar strings - featuring D'Addario NYXL and XL
Adam Steel
Reviews
PROS
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Perfect balance for C# Standard and Drop B tunings
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Long service life and exceptional tuning stability
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Fat, bright tone suitable for rock, blues, and country
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Reliable and rarely break, even with heavy use
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Affordable with bulk buying options to keep strings fresh
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Versatile across multiple guitar models and tunings
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Easy string identification with color-coded ends
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Excellent for both electric and some acoustic guitar applications
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Maintains tone well over extended use
CONS
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May cause buzzing if setup isn't adjusted for gauge change
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Packaging inconsistency can be confusing
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Not ideal for some metal music styles
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Might require adjustment for players switching from lighter gauge strings
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about D'Addario EXL115 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 11-49.
Setup and maintenance
Use cases and applications
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10-52 sets are preferred for archtop guitars to maintain pressure on floating bridges without feeling too massive on high strings.
Source -
10-52 strings are favored for tremolo picking and bashy rhythm parts, especially in D standard tuning.
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11-gauge strings are favored by some for heavy riffing in metal due to their ability to handle hard picking without losing pitch.
Source
User experience
Comparisons
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While 11s are used by some for sludge metal, players note that 10-52 sets offer a balance for heavy riffing and soloing across multiple tunings, from E standard to drop C.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 14 Reviews and 67 Ratings
354
Great
I play them with mit FMT and my Strat in E oder Eb tuning for Indie/Alternative Rock
Really love it because 1. Great crisp sound because of the nickel wound bass strings 2. they don't vibrate at Eb, caused by the strong pull
264
Artist usage
Add artist
Joe Beebe, Grohl's guitar tech says, “I use D’Addario EXL 115s, but I throw the bottom two strings away and I replace them with a .42 for the A-string and a .60 for the E-string... [Dave] is such a hard player; he’s a chainsaw live! He was breaking strings a lot, so I had to beef up the gauges a bunch and I also have to raise the action on him, otherwise he’s hitting the strings so hard all it would do is buzz all day long!”
In this interview from MusicRadar Edge's guitar tech reveals the strings used on the 360º tour by Edge.
"The strings that I'm playing on the [Epiphone Casino] are these bad boys right here. I've been rocking' on these since I started. That's the go-to deal right there."
Mark Knopfler uses D'Addario EXL115 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 11-49 on one of his Stratocasters, as confirmed by Michael Astley-Brown in the article "Mark Knopfler’s 2019 guitar rig has been revealed" on Guitar World.
"On the Penguin, which we call 'Pingu'.. That one is .011-.049, again D'Addarios," says Josh Klinghoffer's guitar tech.
In the comments section of the post titled "Chris Shifty Knows" that D'Addario shared on their official Instagram account, it is mentioned that Chris Shiflett uses D'Addario EXL115 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 11-49.
Mark Tremonti endorses D'Addario EXL115 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 11-49, stating, "D'Addario strings are the best I've ever used." This endorsement is highlighted on D'Addario's official artist page for Tremonti.
Brent Hinds is listed on D'Addario official website as a D'Addario Nickel Wound string user. Mastodon's lead guitarist declared in 2005, "I have always used Planet Waves cables & D'Addario strings. They rock!!!".
According to Daddario website Andy Summers uses their strings
I played my Fender signature model Telecaster and signature model Stratocaster throughout the entire record. I have DiMarzio pickups in both guitars, and I’ve used D’Addario strings since I was 19 years old. The gauge is .011-.049. On my Tele, I’ve replaced the Tone knob with a series/ parallel switch. It’s pretty cool, because you can get a standard two-pickup, scooped-mid Tele sound or a louder, more midrange-heavy tone simply by flipping the switch. The Telecaster also has comfort cuts for my arm and body—kind of like a Strat—as well as a dropped-D tuner.
In this April 2016 article by Guitar Player magazine, Julian states "For a month or so I have been using D’Addario .011s with a wound third. For the longest time it was .012s."
Album Usage
The D'Addario EXL115 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 11-49 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use D'Addario EXL115 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 11-49, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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