Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (4)
$8.49 $6.49 $2.00 · All time low
Guitar Center
5.0 (23)
$8.49 $6.49 $2.00 · All time low
Amazon
4.8 (2228)
$6.49
Musician's Friend
5.0 (29)
$8.49 $6.49 $2.00 · All time low
Thomann
4.7 (771)
$7.40 $7.30 $0.10 · All time low

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Unlock the sonic potential of your electric guitar with the D’Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52. Known for their remarkable versatility, these strings are crafted to elevate your musical expression, whether you're riffing in a garage or gracing a grand stage. Their nickel-plated steel wrap wire is meticulously wound around a hexagonal steel core, offering a bright, punchy tone with exceptional clarity and dynamic range. This unique construction ensures a stable tuning and a smooth playing experience, especially when executing those intricate bends and slides. The light top/heavy bottom gauge (10-52) strikes a perfect balance, offering the ideal mix of comfort and depth, making it a favorite among guitarists who need to bridge between rhythm and lead with ease.

D'Addario has been synonymous with quality and innovation in string-making for centuries, and their XL Nickel Wound series is no exception. The precision winding technique guarantees consistency, ensuring every set feels just right. Plus, the corrosion-resistant packaging and color-coded ball ends simplify string changes and maintain freshness. Join the community of musicians who trust D'Addario for their string needs and experience the difference in your sound.

Key Features:

  • Nickel-plated steel wrap wire for bright, versatile tone
  • Hexagonal steel core for stability and improved intonation
  • Light top/heavy bottom gauge (10-52) for balanced playability
  • Roundwound construction for a familiar feel
  • Precision winding for consistent quality
  • Corrosion-resistant packaging for long-lasting freshness
  • Color-coded ball ends for easy string changes

Product specs

Guitar Type Electric Guitar
Number of Strings 6
Coated No
Gauges .010, .013, .017, .030, .042, .052
Core Material Steel
Winding Material Nickel Plated Steel
Winding Type Round Wound

FAQs

What is the gauge range of the D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings?

The D'Addario EXL140 strings have a gauge range of .010 to .052, featuring a light top and heavy bottom setup, which is ideal for players seeking a balance between comfortable lead playing and powerful rhythm tones.

Are D'Addario EXL140 strings suitable for drop tuning?

Yes, the heavy bottom strings (.052) of the D'Addario EXL140 set provide increased tension, making them suitable for drop tunings while maintaining stable intonation and clear tone.

What type of winding is used on the D'Addario EXL140 strings?

The D'Addario EXL140 strings use nickel-plated steel round wound winding, offering a bright, articulate tone with excellent magnetic output, perfect for a variety of musical styles.

Are the D'Addario EXL140 strings coated?

No, the D'Addario EXL140 strings are not coated, which allows for a more natural feel and traditional tone compared to coated strings.

What is the core material of the D'Addario EXL140 strings?

The core material of the D'Addario EXL140 strings is steel, providing durability and a strong, consistent tone across all six strings.

Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman

D'Addario String Gauge Shoot Out - Can You Tell The Difference??

Video thumbnail for D'Addario String Gauge Shoot Out - Can You Tell The Difference?? by Rob Chapman

D'Addario String Gauge Shoot Out - Can You Tell The Difference??

Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman

Video thumbnail for Heavy Vs Light guitar strings - featuring D'Addario NYXL and XL by Adam Steel

Heavy Vs Light guitar strings - featuring D'Addario NYXL and XL

Adam Steel

Adam Steel

Video thumbnail for Customer Review D'addario EXL140 Electric Guitar Strings by Strings ie

Customer Review D'addario EXL140 Electric Guitar Strings

Strings ie

Strings ie

Reviews

PROS

  • Excellent balance for hard riffs and fast solos

  • Long-lasting strings with consistent intonation

  • Retain bright tone and zing longer

  • Airtight packaging prevents corrosion

  • Ideal for Drop D and other dropped tunings

  • Strong bottom end, perfect for power chords

  • Tight feel compared to other brands

  • High fidelity sound suitable for various styles

  • Do not break as quickly as some competitors

CONS

  • Colored ball ends may not suit all guitar aesthetics

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52.

Comparisons

  • Owners compare D'Addario EXL140 to Ernie Ball Paradigm, noting Paradigm's durability under heavy tremolo use but similar sound longevity to regular Ernie Balls.

    Source
  • D'Addario NYXL strings are noted for their balanced tension, offering smoother playability compared to regular sets, important for tremolo systems.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Floyd Rose users find balanced tension strings beneficial for smoother playing, affecting techniques like bending and tapping.

    Source
  • The 10-52 gauge may require a truss rod adjustment for increased tension and nut modifications to accommodate the larger diameter strings.

    Source
  • Some users experience string snapping on the low strings due to lack of flexibility between the saddle and bridge plate under aggressive playing.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • For Drop D tuning on Floyd Rose systems, heavier gauge strings are recommended to maintain tension, as lighter gauges like 9s may require setup adjustments.

    Source
  • The 52 gauge low E string is beneficial for Drop D tuning, although some are not fans of the increased tension on the D and A strings.

    Source
  • Owners with a heavy touch notice that the 10-52 strings offer greater resistance, which can be ideal for aggressive playing styles.

    Source

User experience

  • Users report that the 10-52 set provides a fuller sound and more resistance for those with a heavy playing technique.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 27 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
cat_is_queen

Feel nice

I prefer Exl 115 but this is what was there at the time and it’s better than I thought it would be

adamdalby

My go to guitar string

Works perfectly in E standard and in Open E tuning for slide work

russell_aaron_bridwell

Exactly how it sounds

Perfect for Dropped tuned guitars! Love the amount of power these strings have behind it!

fidelsuarezcc

Sounds good

Very practice and good sound of this thing.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how The Edge uses D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52

The Edge

Guitarist

U2

...
Verified via MusicRadar

As you can see in this interview, Edge's tech, Dalas Schoo, gives detailed info on the gear used by the guitarist during the 360º tour.

See how Devin Townsend uses D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52

Devin Townsend

Singer, Guitarist

The Wildhearts

...
Verified via Premierguitar

Q : Do you also stick to specific picks and strings?

Yes, absolutely. I’ve been using D’Addario .010–.052 XLs for 40 years. They sent me the New York ones, and I went back to the old ones. In every tuning, too! Open C, open B, standard—it’s all .010–.052s.

See how Mikael Akerfeldt uses D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52

Mikael Akerfeldt

Singer, Guitarist

Opeth

...
Verified via Ultimate-guitar

Mentions using heavy bottom strings on the Ghost Reveries tour, and the band had D'addario on the inside of the Roundhouse Tapes cd.

See how Myles Kennedy uses D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52

Myles Kennedy

Singer, Guitarist

Alter Bridge

...
Verified via Premierguitar

Tuned down a half-step and strung with D’Addario EXL140s (.010-.052), Myles Kennedy’s No. 1 is this PRS SC 245

See how Jake Pitts uses D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52

Jake Pitts

Guitarist

Black Veil Brides

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video Jake Pitts himself states he uses D'Addario EXL140

See how JB Brubaker uses D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52

JB Brubaker

Guitarist

August Burns Red

...
Verified via Premierguitar

According to Premier Guitar's rig rundown, Brubaker uses D'Addario strings on his Ibanez RG121.

See how Mike Mushok uses D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52

Mike Mushok

Guitarist

Staind

...
Verified via Guitar Center

Mike uses D'Addario 10-52 strings on his regular electric guitars

See how Peter Adams uses D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52

Peter Adams

Guitarist

Baroness

...
Verified via Premierguitar

According to Premier Guitar, Adams uses those strings.

See how Pete Anderson uses D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52

Pete Anderson

Guitarist, Music Producer

...
Verified via Daddario

EXL140 Nickel Wound are my go-to strings for my "D" tune Teles. Lots of pop and snap

See how Glen Thomas uses D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52

Glen Thomas

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via Google Docs

In a Google Docs document titled "Grensan Setup/Gear," Glen Thomas mentions using D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings (10-52) for his guitar setup.

See how Rhys Chatham uses D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52

Rhys Chatham

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via Premierguitar

According to Premier Guitar's article, Chatham uses the D'Addario EXL140 guitar strings.

See how Andrew McKellar uses D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52

Andrew McKellar

Guitarist

...
Verified via Daddario

Again, same source, except that Andrew also uses the EXL 140's.

Album Usage

The D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52 has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

1 alternative for D'Addario EXL140 Nickelwound Guitar Strings 10-52, curated by the Equipboard community.

Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Slinky Guitar Strings (10-52)

$4.99 - $8.99

similar sound

Same gauge strings just different brands. And the d‘addarios tend to cost less

More D'Addario Strings

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Gear Guides

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    narcist
    narcist

    Gear IQ 17214