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D'Addario Guitar Strings - XL Nickel Electric Guitar Strings - EXL116 - Perfect Intonation, Consistent Feel, Reliable Durability - For 6 String Guitars - 11-52 Medium Top/Heavy Bottom
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Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | D'Addario |
String Gauge | Medium |
Color | Medium Top / Heavy Bottom | EXL116 |
Instrument | Electric Guitar |
String Material Type | Nickel Steel |
About this item
- BESTSELLING SET – XL Nickel are our best-selling electric guitar strings, revered by players since 1974.
- VERSATILE, BRIGHT TONE – Nickel-plated steel wrap wire provides a bright, versatile electric guitar tone, great for a variety of musical genres.
- FOR THE ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE – Like all D’Addario electric guitar strings, XL Nickel are made with our proprietary Hex-Core, ensuring perfect intonation, consistent feel, and reliable durability.
- EARN REWARD POINTS - XL Nickel sets have a code on the recyclable VCI bag, which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
- MADE IN THE USA – XL Nickel electric guitar strings are made in the USA—drawn to our exacting specifications at our New York production facility.
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This Item D'Addario Guitar Strings - XL Nickel Electric Guitar Strings - EXL116 - Perfect Intonation, Consistent Feel, Reliable Durability - For 6 String Guitars - 11-52 Medium Top/Heavy Bottom | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | |
Price | $6.99$6.99 | $14.99$14.99 | $9.99$9.99 | $17.99$17.99 | $19.99$19.99 | $17.99$17.99 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Brightness | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 4.6 |
Longevity | 4.5 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.5 |
Stability | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.6 | — | 4.6 |
Value for money | — | 3.6 | 4.3 | — | 4.3 | 4.6 |
Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
instrument | Electric Guitar | Electric Guitar | Electric Guitar | Electric Guitar | Electric Guitar | Electric Guitar |
string material | Nickel Steel | Bronze | Cobalt | — | Chrome | Nickel Plated |
string gauge | Medium | Light | — | Medium | Jazz Light | .011 - .048 |
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Product information
Item Weight | 0.004 ounces |
---|---|
Product Dimensions | 4.4 x 4.4 x 0.1 inches |
Country of Origin | USA |
ASIN | B000H28INW |
Item model number | EXL116 |
Customer Reviews |
4.8 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #10 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #2 in Electric Guitar Strings |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | March 8, 2007 |
Color Name | Medium Top / Heavy Bottom | EXL116 |
String Gauge | Medium |
String Material | Nickel Steel |
Number of Strings | 6 |
Musical Style | rock |
Size | 1-Pack |
Color Screen | No |
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Product Description
XL Nickel Wound electric guitar strings are the standard against which all other strings are measured. Our best-belling electric set, XL Nickel has been revered by players everywhere since 1974. Made with a high carbon steel core and nickel-plated steel wrap wire, XL Nickel strings have a bright, versatile tone, ideal for a wide variety of musical styles. 11-52 Medium Top/Heavy Bottom gauge strings are a hybrid, providing the high strings moderate flexibility, with a booming, tight low-end.
From the manufacturer
Available for Electric Guitar and Bass.
DIAL IT IN. CRANK IT UP.
XL Nickel Wound, D'Addario's most popular electric strings, are precision wound with nickel plated steel onto a carefully drawn, hexagonally shaped, high carbon steel core. XL Nickel electric strings deliver a bright tone and precise intonation, ideal for a wide range of musical styles.
D'Addario Electric Guitar Strings
XL Nickel Wound
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| XT Nickel
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| NYXL
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| XL Chromes
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| XL Half Rounds
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| XL Pro Steels
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| XL Pure Nickel
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| |
Customer Reviews
|
4.8 out of 5 stars
39,920
|
4.7 out of 5 stars
8,066
|
4.8 out of 5 stars
11,931
|
4.7 out of 5 stars
3,888
|
4.6 out of 5 stars
1,755
|
4.7 out of 5 stars
3,504
|
4.8 out of 5 stars
2,263
|
Tone
| Bright & Versatile | Bright & Versatile | Bright & Articulate | Warm & Mellow | Semi-Bright | Crisp & Crunchy | Rich & Clean |
Feel
| Natural | Natural | Natural | Smooth | Smooth | Tactile | Natural |
Life
| Standard | Extended | Standard | Enhanced | Enhanced | Enhanced | Standard |
Coated
| ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
NY Steel
| ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Fusion Twist
| ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Number of Strings
| 6, 7, 8, or 12 | 6 or 7 | 6, 7, 8, 10, or 11 | 6 or 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
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Round Wound
ROUND, WOUND, AND RESPONSIVE.
Round wound strings have a feel and tone familiar to players plus durability and precise intonation.
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Hex Core Construction
Six Sides of Stability
The precision drawn hex core was pioneered by D’Addario, to allow the wrap wire to grip the core.
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String Winding Technology
Wound to Perfection 700,000 times a day
String winding equipment built by D'Addario creates between 500,000 and 700,000 strings per day.
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Wire Drawing
Exact Standards, Extraordinary Sounds.
D'Addario's wire drawing machines produce wire to our specs, yielding high performance products.
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Brandi Carlile
"D’Addario strings are a very important part of the technical quilt that make up my tone. Whether we're in the studio or on stage, my band and I only use D’Addario."
Brandi Plays XL Nickel 10-52
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Mark Knopfler
"I use D’Addario strings on everything, acoustic and electric. In 30 years I’ve never had a bad string on a guitar."
Mark Plays XL Nickel 09-42
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Jimmy Herring
"I’ve been using D’Addario strings as long as I can remember, and I've experimented with a lot of gauges."
Jimmy Plays XL Nickel 10-46
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GET REWARDED
PLAYING D’ADDARIO JUST GOT MORE REWARDING!
Join Players Circle and get rewarded with free stuff and other perks just for playing D’Addario.
-
REGISTER YOUR PRODUCTS
REGISTER YOUR PLAYERS CIRCLE CODE
Register the Players Circle code printed inside your package to start earning points.
-
REDEEM YOUR POINTS
REDEEM FOR GEAR, MERCHANDISE & SWAG
Watch your points add up and redeem them for all things D'Addario.
-
EXCLUSIVE ACCESS
ACCESS TO BETA TESTING & EXCLUSIVE PROMOTIONS
Players Circle members get first dibs on testing new products, before anyone even knows they exist.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, sound quality, durability, ease of use, and comfort of the musical instrument strings. For example, they mention that it sounds good, is pleasant, and holds up well. Some appreciate the comfort and ease of playing. That said, most are happy with brightness, value, and tuning.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the musical instrument strings. They say they are excellent, happy with them, and that they sound better than their old strings. Some mention that the strings are lively and bright, and are better than Ernie Ball. Overall, customers are happy with their purchase and recommend them to others.
"...Due to a customer service issue I switched brands. These are amazing strings at a great price...." Read more
"...the only pre-packaged set available, but they are inexpensive and widely available, and my first choice for high strung electric strings." Read more
"...The sets are separated into individual bags to keep each string set in pristine condition until its needed." Read more
"...I'm a seasoned player & have no issue with tensions, but they were cheep and I was curious to see if the alternate gauges would have a different..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the sound quality of the musical instrument strings. They mention that they sound very good, have a good tone, and are satisfied. Customers are also impresseded with the wide range of tones they are able to achieve with them, and that there is no sitar-like buzz.
"...They also feel better on my fingers and sound better. The perfect budget electric guitar strings." Read more
"...my single cut guitar string for the D'Addario I feel that it sound more mellow and I like that. Also I feel that they're lasted longer." Read more
"Strings sound great. Well worth the money!" Read more
"...I swap between these and NYXL's occasionally. Long lasting and great sound from them!" Read more
Customers are happy with the durability of the musical instrument strings. They say they are long-lasting, reliable, and outlast competitor's strings. Some mention that the strings can take lots of abuse through the whammy and tremolo, and are happy the tone and quality of the product.
"...I have no idea how they manage to break themselves in so quickly, but I no longer have to spend the first three days of new strings constantly tuning..." Read more
"...Also I feel that they're lasted longer." Read more
"...The would 3rd intonates perfectly with less slippage. The strings are well made and packaged well. My only complaint would be the inner packaging...." Read more
"...I swap between these and NYXL's occasionally. Long lasting and great sound from them!" Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the musical instrument strings. They say they are affordable, sound decent for the money, and are in an economical presentation. Some customers also say that the strings give them the rich, full tone they like.
"...The perfect budget electric guitar strings." Read more
"...These are amazing strings at a great price. The would 3rd intonates perfectly with less slippage. The strings are well made and packaged well...." Read more
"Strings sound great. Well worth the money!" Read more
"...These aren't the only pre-packaged set available, but they are inexpensive and widely available, and my first choice for high strung electric strings." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the tuning of the musical instrument strings. They mention that they stay in tune like champions, hold tune well, and sound good. They appreciate the great stability and durability of the strings. Customers also mention that the strings have always performed well and consistently from set to set.
"...guitar and fender strat and they are great sounding strings and stay in tune longer" Read more
"...i have them on all my guitars and the 11-50 gauge is perfect since i rarely ever use standard tuning im always in C Standard or B" Read more
"...I also find that they have great tuning stability and are overall a pleasure to play...." Read more
"Does the job, last fairly long and hold tune well." Read more
Customers like the comfort of the musical instrument strings. For example, they say they're soft, flexible, and stay supple. Some mention that the strings are tighter and less slinky. Overall, customers are satisfied with the comfort and quality of the strings.
"...They also feel better on my fingers and sound better. The perfect budget electric guitar strings." Read more
"...mainstream commercial guitar strings when it comes to staying supple, soft, and flexible...." Read more
"...I prefer these over almost all the others brands, I just love have they feel. Will definitely be buying more...." Read more
"Feels good" Read more
Customers find the musical instrument strings easy to play, fret, and install. They say the strings have rich tones and are hard to break. Customers also say the transaction was quick and easy.
"I found these .08-38 sound great, are easy to play and string bend plus surprisingly long lasting." Read more
"...The color coding and instructions make this simple, even for a beginner like myself.Highly recommended!" Read more
"They played really good until i found out i was using the wrong amp" Read more
"It’s playability and texture used for musical purposes" Read more
Customers like the brightness of the musical instrument strings. They mention that the XLs stay brighter longer and don't corrode under hydrochloric acid. Some customers are surprised that the wound strings are bright too.
"...For my surprise, the wound strings are bright too, specially the A and low E strings have a sort of sheen sound...." Read more
"...I particularly love how these 9's have great brightness, but the low E string is slightly thicker than normal 9 gauge set which enables a heavier..." Read more
"These strings are very good, bright, & long lasting. I’d just like the G to be slightly thinner." Read more
"...Not too bright, not too dark.I find stainless strings to be too "zingy" for me, and they wear frets much faster...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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That said, I personally own four electric guitars, and the studio I work at has about a dozen more. Over the past 15+ years as a musician, sound engineer, and stage hand, I have almost certainly played or recorded well over a hundred. So while I cannot personally swear to have done a scientific head-to-head double-blind test between every brand of strings, I can say a few things pretty categorically. And I have tried a ton of different makes of string, from Ernie Ball to GHS to La Bella to mail-order to store-brand, etc etc. (For bass, I prefer other brands than D'Addario, but that's a seperate review).
Sound-wise and playability-wise, these D'Addario Nickel Wounds are great. They have a high-quality, "as-expected" sound for a new guitar string, straight down the middle of how a roundwound nickel string should sound.
Longevity is a more-complicated story, and widely misunderstood. First off, here are the things that compromise metal guitar strings, in approximate order or importance:
1. Metal fatigue. Over time, bending and vibrating a piece of metal causes it to become more brittle and to develop microscopic cracks. Tension, stretching, and deformation exacerbate this condition, which is why even coated strings that are never played become dull and dead-sounding after a couple months of sitting on a guitar, compared to an identical set sitting in its package. This wears out strings faster if you play them, but also even if you just leave them sitting on your guitar. In my experience, D'Addario strings are among the best, if not the best, in terms of mainstream commercial guitar strings when it comes to staying supple, soft, and flexible.
2. Surface oxidization/corrosion. This is where coatings can help. Exposure to air, moisture, skin oils, perspiration, etc has a corroding effect on metal strings. Those black, coppery-smelling stripes that you get on your fretting hand are the product of some kind of chemical breakdown in the alloy your strings are made from, releasing certain minerals from the metal onto your fingers. These effects are often over-stated in the marketing materials of coated-strings: they are real, but they are not usually anywhere close to the first thing that kills a set of strings. The conspicuousness of the symptom (black, dull-looking old strings) is often confused with the effects of metal fatigue, and people sometimes think that if they can keep their strings shiny, they will sound and play like new. Not so. Coatings only help the specific problem of surface corrosion, which can be a real one, but is a minor one for most players who keep their guitars in conditioned spaces and who play with clean hands. After a couple weeks of being installed at tension, even coated strings start to succumb to metal fatigue, and need to be changed even if they have never been played or taken out of the case.
3. Physical deformation is the final and most unavoidable symptom. Unless your frets are made of softer metal than your strings (and we should hope that they are not), then playing your guitar inevitably creates "flat spots" on the strings, where they contact the frets. Probably similar at the bridge and nut. These become physical deformities in the string's resonant characteristics, as well as exacerbating metal fatigue and compromising surface integrity at those points, affecting both of the above.
Taking all of the above into consideration, and assuming that you want soft, supple nickel strings that won't chew up your frets, I think these are your best overall choice. My one exception might be if you have serious problems related to surface corrosion, due to bodily PH imbalances or outdoor gigs, etc, in which case you might benefit from coated strings. But for most players, the strings are going to wear out from metal fatigue long before corrosion has a real effect on the sound or playability.
Top reviews from other countries
La caja un poco dañada pero el producto internamente bien. Cuerdas originales.