D&#39;Addario XSE1046 XS Nickel Coated Electric Guitar Strings - Regular Light (10-46)

5.0 (72)

$15.99

4.8 (1505)

$15.99

$14.71 85 available New

$15.99 1 available Used

5.0 (7)

$15.99

$15.99

4.7 (126)

$15.40 $15.30 $0.10 · All time low

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "D'Addario XSE1046 XS Nickel Coated Electric Guitar Strings - Regular Light (10-46)". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Elevate your electric guitar's performance with the D'Addario XSE1046 XS Nickel Coated Electric Guitar Strings. Designed for discerning musicians who demand longevity without compromising on tone, these strings are a game-changer. Featuring D'Addario's ultra-thin polymer coating, the XS strings provide unparalleled protection against corrosion while maintaining that crisp, vibrant sound players love. This innovative coating is a mere whisper over each string, allowing them to sing with full harmonic richness and clarity.

Underneath the coating, you'll find D'Addario's premium NY Steel core wrapped in nickel-plated steel, a composition renowned for its strength and tuning stability. The strings boast the Fusion Twist technology, ensuring a tighter grip on the core, reducing slack and enhancing tuning stability, so you can spend more time playing and less time tuning. Whether you're bending like a blues master or chugging through heavy riffs, these strings offer a versatile tonal palette that suits all styles.

Experience the smooth feel and extended life of the XS series without the typical drawbacks of coated strings. Enjoy longer playing sessions with reduced finger noise and resistance, making them perfect for both studio settings and live performances. Join the community of musicians who swear by the vibrant tone and longevity of the D'Addario XSE1046, and let your guitar voice shine through every mix.

Key Features:

Ultra-thin polymer coating for extended string life
Nickel-plated steel wrap for bright, cutting tone
NY Steel hex core for superior intonation and stability
Fusion Twist technology for enhanced tuning stability
Smooth, sleek feel for fast playability
Digitally controlled winding ensures consistency from set to set

Product specs

Guitar Type	Electric Guitar
Number of Strings	6
Coated	Yes
Gauges	.010, .013, .017p, .026, .036, .046
Core Material	Steel
Winding Material	Nickel Plated Steel
Winding Type	Round Wound

FAQs

What are the benefits of using D'Addario XS Nickel Coated Electric Guitar Strings?: D'Addario XS Nickel Coated Strings offer a smooth feel and exceptional tone due to their film coating, which extends string life and enhances playability. They provide a bright, balanced sound suitable for a variety of genres.
Are these strings suitable for all electric guitar styles?: Yes, the D'Addario XSE1046 strings are designed to deliver a balanced tone that works well across multiple genres, making them versatile for various playing styles.
How do D'Addario XS strings compare to XT strings?: D'Addario XS strings have a film coating that provides maximum lifespan and a smooth feel, while XT strings feature a treated wrap wire for extended life with a more natural feel. XS strings generally last longer than XT strings.
What is the gauge of these D'Addario XS strings?: The D'Addario XSE1046 strings have a gauge of .010, .013, .017p, .026, .036, .046, which is considered Regular Light, offering a good balance of playability and tone.
Do these strings have a coating, and what is its purpose?: Yes, the D'Addario XS strings feature a film coating that enhances their lifespan by providing resistance to wear and corrosion while maintaining a smooth feel.

Videos

Add video

Pat Posse

ARE THESE THE BEST GUITAR STRINGS EVER?! 😱😱 | D'ADDARIO XS

Pat Posse

D'Addario XS Electric Guitar Strings — All Playing, No Talking

Musician's Friend

The AMAZING New D'Addario XS Coated Electric Guitar Strings! - Time To Restring & Check Them Out!

Dagan Wilkin

D'ADDARIO XS COATED STRINGS | Review | Guitar Interactive

Guitar Interactive Magazine

D'Addario XS para guitarra eléctrica - Reseña en español

Tavo Cabre

Reviews

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PROS

Smooth feel enhances playability and ease of sliding
Long-lasting durability, outperforming standard nickel wound strings
Retains brightness and clarity without being overly bright
Coating provides a sleek, non-gunky feel over time
Suitable for a wide range of climates and conditions
Gentle on fingertips during long practice sessions
Consistent tuning stability even with frequent play
Made in the USA, ensuring high-quality standards
Offers more gauge options compared to other coated strings
Preferred by professionals and widely recommended

CONS

More expensive than some alternative options
May feel more tense than uncoated strings
Some users experience gunky build-up after extended use

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about D'Addario XSE1046 XS Nickel Coated Electric Guitar Strings - Regular Light (10-46).

Setup and maintenance

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The D'Addario XS strings are reported to have higher tension, feeling like 11.5s despite being 10s.
Source
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Breaking in XS strings requires consistent play, tuning adjustments, and potentially tuning above standard before settling.
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User experience

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Owners experienced difficulty bending XS strings compared to Ernie Ball Super Slinky's, even after breaking in.
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Owners with corrosive sweat note that XS strings begin to discolor and feel rough within a week, with the G string showing signs of wear first.
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Some users find XS strings handle bends well and maintain tuning stability, but still prefer Elixir for longer-lasting brightness.
Source

Features and functionality

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XS strings coat the plain strings, making them more slippery and potentially affecting bending on high strings.
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XS strings are noted for coating all strings, not just the wound ones, which differentiates them from Elixir, which only coats the wound strings.
Source

Comparisons

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D'Addario XT and other brands typically don't coat plain strings, unlike the XS series.
Source
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D'Addario XS strings are described as having a brighter and poppier tone compared to Elixir strings, particularly beneficial for Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars.
Source
0 0

XS strings reportedly last longer for some users, providing an extra two gigs of use compared to Elixir, especially when used in high humidity or demanding gig conditions.
Source
0 0

Elixir strings are preferred by those who rotate multiple guitars due to their longevity, reducing the frequency of string changes compared to D'Addario strings.
Source

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

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Greg Howe

Guitarist

Richie Kotzen & Greg Howe

Verified via Daddario

On the Daddario website it says Greg plays the XS strings

Erik Holmbom

Guitarist

Verified via Instagram

In the comments of an Instagram post by Erik Holmbom, he confirms that he uses D'Addario XSE1046 XS Nickel Coated Electric Guitar Strings - Regular Light (10-46).

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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