D&#39;Addario XL Nickel Wound 11-49 Strings

5.0 (21)

$8.49 $6.49 $2.00 · All time low

4.8 (200)

$6.49

4.0 (18)

$8.49 $6.49 $2.00 · All time low

5.0 (2)

$8.49

4.7 (599)

$6.90

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "D'Addario XL Nickel Wound 11-49 Strings". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Elevate your guitar's sound with D'Addario XL Nickel Wound 11-49 Strings, a favorite among musicians for their remarkable tone and playability. These strings are crafted with a nickel-plated steel wrap wire around a robust hexagonal steel core, ensuring a bright, versatile tone that adapts effortlessly to any musical style. Whether you're strumming the blues or shredding rock riffs, these strings promise a consistent, high-quality performance.

Designed to withstand the rigors of regular playing, the D'Addario XL strings offer smooth bends and exceptional tuning stability. The roundwound construction provides a familiar and comfortable playing feel, making them an excellent choice for both seasoned players and beginners. Their precision winding technique ensures that each set feels identical, so you can expect the same reliable performance every time.

Moreover, these strings come with corrosion-resistant packaging to keep them fresh during storage, and color-coded ball ends make string changes a breeze. Discover why these strings are revered by guitarists worldwide and experience the balanced, enduring sound that only D'Addario can deliver.

Key Features:

Nickel-plated steel wrap wire for a bright, versatile tone
Hexagonal steel core for extra stability and improved intonation
Roundwound construction for a familiar playing feel
Precision winding technique for consistent performance
Corrosion-resistant packaging to keep strings fresh
Color-coded ball ends for easy string changes
String gauges: 11-14-18-28-38-49

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

What are the tonal characteristics of D'Addario XL Nickel Wound 11-49 Strings?: D'Addario XL Nickel Wound 11-49 strings offer a bright, crisp sound with a pronounced mid-range. The nickel-plated steel winding provides a balanced tone suitable for a variety of music genres, including blues and jazz.
Are D'Addario XL Nickel Wound 11-49 Strings suitable for drop tuning?: Yes, the medium gauge of 11-49 makes these strings ideal for drop tuning, providing a stable tension and clear tone without excessive floppiness.
How do D'Addario XL Nickel Wound 11-49 Strings compare to pure nickel strings?: These nickel wound strings deliver a brighter tone with higher output compared to pure nickel strings, which tend to have a warmer, more vintage sound.
Are D'Addario XL Nickel Wound 11-49 Strings suitable for beginners?: While these strings are medium gauge and may require more finger strength, they offer excellent durability and consistent intonation, making them a solid choice for both beginners and experienced players seeking a robust sound.
What kind of music are D'Addario XL Nickel Wound 11-49 Strings best suited for?: These strings are versatile and particularly well-suited for blues and jazz due to their resonance and tonal clarity, but they can also be used effectively in rock and other genres.

Videos

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Adam Steel

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

Adam Steel

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

Joey Cobra

Reviews

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PROS

Rich, warm, and balanced tone suitable for various music genres
High tension allows aggressive playing without sacrificing tone
Long-lasting brightness and sustain, up to several months of use
Perfect for both standard and drop tunings, maintaining proper tension
Excellent for metal players due to gauge size and tonal output
Color-coded ball ends simplify string installation
Suitable for jazz style electrics with deep resonance and brilliance
Smooth yet textured feel, enhancing playability and comfort
Offers great value for the price, with durable performance
Versatile for different musical styles, from metal to classic rock

CONS

Occasional buzz on low E string depending on guitar setup
Quality control issues reported, such as dry and corroded strings

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about D'Addario XL Nickel Wound 11-49 Strings.

Setup and maintenance

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Players tuning down find 11-49 strings suitable, but advise a proper guitar setup to accommodate the tension.
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NYXL strings reportedly require less fiddling to hold tune after string changes, enhancing tuning stability.
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Comparisons

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Some prefer 10-52 strings for metal and rock, citing a balance of heavy bottom end and ease of bending for solos.
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NYXL strings have slightly less tension on wound strings compared to XL Nickel Wound, but total tension is nearly equal at 102 lbs for a standard pack of 10s.
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Some players find NYXLs to feel like a gauge heavier than their XL counterparts, suggesting NYXL 10s feel more like XL 11s due to increased tension.
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Use cases and applications

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11-49 strings are favored by some for metal due to their ability to withstand hard picking without pitch issues or buzzing.
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Users note NYXLs require less stretching after installation, enhancing initial tuning stability compared to XL strings, which may be beneficial for frequent performers.
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User experience

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Beginners may find 11-49 strings challenging for bends and vibrato, with suggestions to start with lighter gauges like 9s or 10s.
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Coated strings like XT are noted for their durability, as they resist corrosion from hand-sweat, potentially extending string life.
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Some players feel XT strings are slightly smoother than regular strings, though they sound similar to NYXLs according to user feedback.
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Owners report NYXLs maintain brightness over extended periods and don't break as easily, with one user noting never having a string break.
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NYXLs are described as brighter and punchier with more string tension, particularly on models like the Gibson SG, contributing to a preferred tonal quality.
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Features and functionality

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Heavier gauge strings like 11s are noted for providing a thicker sound, though they may be harder to bend in standard tuning.
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The NYXL strings are claimed to use a higher quality carbon steel core, improving strength without increasing the unit weight or diameter significantly.
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Value and pricing

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The significant price difference between NYXL and XL strings is often seen as unjustified, with some users returning to XLs after receiving defective NYXLs.
Source

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

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Artist usage

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Angus Clark

Guitarist

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Verified via YouTube

In this YouTube video at 2:33 Angus Clark talks about using D'Addario XL strings. He says that "for Gibson scale guitars in standard and E Flat I'm using 11-49."

Jonathan Svec

Guitarist

Splender

Verified via Photo

In the September 2000 issue of Guitar Player magazine, page 25, it is documented that guitarist Jonathan Svec uses D'Addario XL Nickel Wound 11-49 Strings.

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 XL Nickel Wound 11-49 Strings, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Gibson SG Standard '61 Custom Shop Reissue Electric Guitar Solid Body Electric Guitars

Epiphone Brent Hinds Flying V Custom Solid Body Electric Guitars

Jackson USA Signature Adrian Smith San Dimas SD Solid Body Electric Guitars

T52 Telecaster Solid Body Electric Guitars

Gibson Les Paul Classic Sam Ash Silverburst Solid Body Electric Guitars

D'addario EXL116 Nickel Wound, Medium Top/Heavy Bottom, 11-52 Strings

Boss FV-500H Volume Pedal Volume Effects Pedals

Shure Axient AD4Q Wireless Microphones

Fractal Axe-Fx II Guitar Effects Processor Effects Processors

Gibson Flying V Solid Body Electric Guitars

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