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Based on price data from 3 merchants for "D'Addario EXL117 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 11-56". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash the beast of your guitar with the D'Addario EXL117 Nickelwound Guitar Strings. Crafted specifically for those who crave the heaviest, most resonant "chug" sound, these strings are a perfect match for dropped tunings. The hybrid-gauge set combines medium top and extra-heavy bottom strings, delivering an exceptional tone that can withstand the intensity of your performance.
Key Features:
- Gauge Sizes: .011, .014, .019, .033, .044, .056
- Constructed around a hex-shaped high carbon steel core for enhanced durability and sound quality
- Round wound with nickel-plated steel for a bright and distinct tonality
- Proudly made in the U.S.A in environmentally friendly, corrosion-resistant packaging
Product specs
| Guitar Type | Electric Guitar |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Coated | No |
| Gauges | .011, .014, .019, .032, .044, .056 |
| Core Material | Steel |
| Winding Material | Nickel Plated Steel |
| Winding Type | Round Wound |
FAQs
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What is the benefit of using D'Addario EXL117 Nickelwound Guitar Strings with a medium top and extra heavy bottom?
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The D'Addario EXL117 strings offer a balanced tension with a medium top for comfortable playability and an extra heavy bottom for enhanced low-end tone and stability, making them ideal for drop tunings and heavier styles of music.
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Are D'Addario EXL117 strings suitable for drop tuning?
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Yes, the D'Addario EXL117 strings, with their extra heavy bottom gauge, are well-suited for drop tunings, providing better tension and stability for lower-pitched notes.
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What is the winding type of D'Addario EXL117 strings, and how does it affect the sound?
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The D'Addario EXL117 strings are round wound, which typically offers a bright, clear tone with a bit more texture and grip compared to flatwound strings, making them popular for rock and blues.
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What type of electric guitar are D'Addario EXL117 strings designed for?
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D'Addario EXL117 strings are designed for 6-string electric guitars, providing a robust tone and feel suitable for a wide range of musical styles.
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What materials are used in D'Addario EXL117 strings, and what sound characteristics do they provide?
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D'Addario EXL117 strings use a steel core and nickel-plated steel winding, resulting in a bright, punchy tone with excellent intonation and durability.
Videos
Oldguyjammin
The PERFECT Strings for C Standard and drop tuning!!
The PERFECT Strings for C Standard and drop tuning!!
Oldguyjammin
Reviews
PROS
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Ideal tension for Drop C and D Standard tunings
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Exceptional durability, lasting through heavy use without breaking
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Bright sound with excellent tone clarity
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Good balance of chunkiness and tightness across strings
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Smooth texture enhances comfortable playing experience
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Retains tuning stability well
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Wide range of gauges available for customization
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High quality at an affordable price
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Nickel wound for a distinctive, bright sound
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Suitable for aggressive styles like punk and djent
CONS
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Less beefy sounding compared to some other brands like Rotosound
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May feel too tight for Drop D tuning
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about D'Addario EXL117 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 11-56.
Setup and maintenance
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The D'Addario EXL117 11-56 gauge is recommended for C# standard tuning, particularly on guitars with a 25.5" scale like Paul's Ibanez.
Source
Comparisons
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Ernie Ball Magnum Slinkys are cited as a close alternative to Paul's custom set gauges.
Source
User experience
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Owners note that the wound third string significantly improves tuning stability in lower tunings and offers a more comfortable feel.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The EXL117 set is noted to provide optimal performance in BTBAM tuning, specifically for C# standard.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 18 Ratings
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373
These Guitar strings are perfect for my Ibanez 25.5 scale guitar RGA42FM
When I put on the strings and got it setup it plays like a dream just rocking to Ultimate Guitar learning songs and playing along
Preferred Settings + Usage:
Works extremly well between tuning of Standard D to Drop A before Tuning on low E string going nuts left to right when try to tune it, Low detuning + bending however gets easier
Artist usage
Add artist
At 6:36 Mick says he uses D'Addario Strings and lists the widths.
GG: That’s no good! At least you’re happy with them. So, what kind of string gauge are you using on these?
MW: Oh, these are that set that goes to 56, the XL pack of D’Addario. We used to use Pyramid strings because they are good and whatever, but D’Addario strings have a .020 G-string, which is better for me, because me with my pranks, I’m always over-bending. I’ve done that in the past and you can hear that in live recordings, it’s what guitarists do: me too!
We have one set of guitars tuned to D and another set of guitars into D#. For that, I’m using two different sets: for the D#, it’s the slightly less strong sets. And actually, nickel: I’m not so good with other kinds of metal. It’s like, I don’t know, it’s bruising the fingers, or I just don’t feel it, or maybe my body composition doesn’t respond well with those kind of metals (laughs). I’m out there with simply nickel, it sounds the way you would expect it.
Jon tells in this video why he uses D'Addario strings (1:26)
Pustulus uses a 1)-56 d'adario string set. this is the 11-56 set except he replaces the 11 with a 10
Mike Mason lists these as strings he uses in this interview.
Daddario XL117(11-56) and XL145(12-54). GAZA uses a lot of different tunings, because we’re a lot of different stupid.
Deathcult's guitarist Trym uses D'Addario EXL117 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 11-56, noting that these are the same strings Mick Thomson of Slipknot typically uses, as evidenced by the image provided.
Album Usage
The D'Addario EXL117 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 11-56 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 EXL117 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 11-56, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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It maybe be a slightly cheaper option to the similar gauge strings but with a thicker high E string on Ernie Ball 12-56
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