Pricing and availability

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Sweetwater
5.0 (7)
$12.99
Guitar Center
4.5 (39)
$12.99
Amazon
4.8 (764)
$12.85
Reverb
5.0 (3)
$12.14 New
$12.99 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (4)
$12.99
zZounds
5.0 (6)
$12.99
Thomann
4.8 (294)
$11.40 $11.30 $0.10 · All time low

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "D'Addario NYXL0946 NYXL Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - .009-.046 Super Light Top/Regular Bottom". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash your guitar's full potential with the D'Addario NYXL0946 Super Light Top/Regular Bottom Electric Guitar Strings. With their unique high-carbon steel core and nickel wound construction, these strings are designed to maximize your playing experience, offering an unbeatable blend of playability, power, and stability.

The NYXL0946 strings offer a super light top for fast, fluid lead playing and string bending. The high-tensile strength of these strings provides a superior response to aggressive techniques, ensuring they retain their pitch even under extreme bending. Their enhanced magnetic properties offer a focused clarity that helps single notes cut through the mix.

The regular bottom three strings provide balanced tension and a solid low end, making barre chords and complex chords comfortable and accessible. They effortlessly handle dropped tunings, offering an ideal blend of comfort, control, and power.

NYXL strings stand out for their unparalleled strength and tuning stability. Their high-carbon steel cores and corrosion-resistant tin coating provide over 2 times more strength than traditional nickel-plated steel strings. This innovative combination of tone, power, and tuning stability allows players to push their technique without fear of string breakage or going out of tune.

Key Features:

  • Super light top for fast lead playing and string bending
  • Regular bottom three strings provide balanced tension and a solid low end
  • High-carbon steel core and corrosion-resistant tin coating for unparalleled strength and tuning stability
  • Enhanced magnetic properties for focused clarity
  • Superior response to aggressive techniques
  • Designed for players seeking a combination of comfortable playability and balanced tension
  • Advanced coating and core technologies extend string life while optimizing tone
  • Made with the highest quality materials and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes
  • Deliver a modernized sound and ferocious durability without sacrificing easy playability
  • Offer 131% more tuning stability than traditional strings.

Product specs

Guitar Type Electric Guitar
Number of Strings 6
Coated No
Gauges .009, .011, .016, .026, .036, .046
Core Material Steel
Winding Material Nickel Plated Steel
Winding Type Round Wound

FAQs

What makes D'Addario NYXL0946 strings different from other electric guitar strings?

D'Addario NYXL0946 strings are known for their enhanced tuning stability and increased strength, offering 131% more tuning stability compared to standard strings. They provide a stronger mid-range presence, making them ideal for players seeking a more pronounced sound.

Are D'Addario NYXL0946 strings suitable for all music genres?

Yes, D'Addario NYXL0946 strings offer a balanced tone with enhanced mid-range, making them versatile for various music styles, from rock and blues to jazz and pop.

What is the gauge of the D'Addario NYXL0946 strings, and how does it affect playability?

The D'Addario NYXL0946 strings have a gauge of .009-.046, providing a super light top and regular bottom. This combination offers easier bending on the higher strings while maintaining a solid foundation on the lower strings, suitable for both lead and rhythm playing.

Do D'Addario NYXL0946 strings require any special maintenance?

While D'Addario NYXL0946 strings are not coated, they are designed for durability and tuning stability. Regular cleaning after playing can help maintain their longevity and performance.

Can D'Addario NYXL0946 strings be used on acoustic guitars?

D'Addario NYXL0946 strings are specifically designed for electric guitars due to their nickel-plated steel construction, which optimizes magnetic response for electric pickups. They are not recommended for acoustic guitars.

Joey Cobra

Joey Cobra

D'Addario NYXL vs. XL Nickel Wound String Comparison and Review

Video thumbnail for D'Addario NYXL vs. XL Nickel Wound String Comparison and Review by Joey Cobra

D'Addario NYXL vs. XL Nickel Wound String Comparison and Review

Joey Cobra

Joey Cobra

Reviews

PROS

  • Excellent tuning stability even on guitars with challenging headstock angles

  • Enhanced mid-range punch without harsh overtones

  • Superior longevity compared to standard strings

  • High resistance to corrosion and dirt

  • Consistently bright and balanced tone across different guitars

  • Strong durability, reducing frequent string breakage

  • Smooth, comfortable feel for bending and sliding

  • Ideal for players who frequently switch between different tunings

  • Quick tuning and minimal need for pre-stretching

  • Offers a premium feel with slightly tighter tension

CONS

  • Initial break-in period is longer than other strings

  • Bright, defined tone may not suit those preferring a mellow sound

  • More difficult to tune initially compared to standard sets

  • Higher price point than many standard string options

  • Not ideal for players preferring a softer, slinkier feel

Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 12 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
itschimaeric

Long life

These strings are high quality. They sound great after they're broken in, and you'll find they feel good. Due to the long life, they take longer to break in than something like Ernie Balls, which means for the first week or so the tone you'll be getting will be kinda terrible, and there may be fret buzz. However, as I established before, if you're willing to get through this, they're high quality and good sounding after that. Don't change into these strings right before a show, and don't use them as your emergency strings. For that you'd want a string that's much easier and faster to break in, and doesn't sound as bad out of the box.

parhelia_0000

Stellar strings for best harmonic response, a step up from regular production guitar strings.

When it comes to guitar strings, I am always picky about the string lifespan. If there's one thing I've always had to deal with back in my university years, it's the fact that regular brand guitar strings always rusted a lot faster, and lacked harmonic response. This was a major problem for me as a lead guitarist, as I need my strings to be able to sing very well and respond to harmonics instantly.

Enter the D'addario NYXL series. These strings are professionally designed to have better tuning stability with instant response to bends and harmonics. These strings brought life to my guitar sound, and I really love how they last a lot longer than regular brand guitar strings. I've even done A-B testing with these strings against generic brand strings, and the NYXL's won every single time. They sound brighter, last longer, and respond better. And I can honestly see the reasons why other guitarists like Leda and Tosin Abasi would vouch for D'addario NYXL's.

If you want the best strings for your guitar tone, take a serious look at the NYXL guitar strings. I did, and I never looked back ever since.

From Gear Setup
russell_aaron_bridwell

Sound great on my Les Paul!

I go back and forth between E Standard and Drop D pretty often and these strings seem to be able to handle anything I thrown at them, super durable and great tone!

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Adrian Belew uses D'Addario NYXL0946 NYXL Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - .009-.046 Super Light Top/Regular Bottom

Adrian Belew

Singer, Guitarist

Nine Inch Nails

...
Verified via Facebook

I have been using D'Addario guitar strings for what, 20 years or more? hundreds of strings I've changed. what I admire about a great product is quality and consistency. but what's even more impressive is when a company actually improves its product without changing what it is you love about it. D'Addario has just put out a new type guitar string called NYXL and I'm happy to report it is indeed better. the strings seem to hold tuning sooner and more effectively than any others I know of. good work guys!

See how Herman Li uses D'Addario NYXL0946 NYXL Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - .009-.046 Super Light Top/Regular Bottom

Herman Li

Guitarist, Podcasters & Streamers

DragonForce

...
Verified via Daddario

If you scroll down from D'Addario's website, you can see that he use this set.

See how Aaron Marshall uses D'Addario NYXL0946 NYXL Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - .009-.046 Super Light Top/Regular Bottom

Aaron Marshall

Guitarist

Intervals

...
Verified via Daddario

Aaron is a D'Addario endorser and uses this set per D'Addario website

See how Reeves Gabrels uses D'Addario NYXL0946 NYXL Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - .009-.046 Super Light Top/Regular Bottom

Reeves Gabrels

Guitarist

The Cure

...
Verified via Instagram

Fretted artist and The Cure guitarist, Reeves Gabrels, featuring his signature model Reverend Guitars and loaded with NYXL Strings

See how Josh Middleton uses D'Addario NYXL0946 NYXL Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - .009-.046 Super Light Top/Regular Bottom

Josh Middleton

Singer, Guitarist

The Architects

...
Verified via Instagram

In an Instagram Live stream on 3/16/23, Josh said that he now uses 9-46 strings for E standard.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use D'Addario NYXL0946 NYXL Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - .009-.046 Super Light Top/Regular Bottom, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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parhelia_0000

parhelia_0000

Gear IQ 10745

parhelia_0000

parhelia_0000

Gear IQ 10745

1 alternative for D'Addario NYXL0946 NYXL Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings - .009-.046 Super Light Top/Regular Bottom, curated by the Equipboard community.

Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Guitar Strings (9-46)

$5.40 - $8.99

similar sound

In my opinion, Ernie Balls have the slight edge over these, due to these take a while to break in, vs Ernie Balls getting past that initial period much faster

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