D'Addario has been making strings since 1974 and is now the largest string manufacturer in the world. That size is not an accident — it reflects decades of consistent quality, a catalog that covers every instrument and playing style, and a commitment to manufacturing that keeps strings on the shelves of every music store on the planet. When a guitarist does not know what strings to buy, D'Addario EXL110s are what most teachers and shop employees recommend — and that recommendation is usually correct.
This guide covers every D'Addario electric guitar string series so you can find the right ones for your guitar, your tuning, and your playing style without buying three sets to find out what works.
D'Addario EXL Series — Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings
The EXL series is the most popular D'Addario electric guitar string line and the one most players encounter first. Nickel-wound construction produces a balanced tone with moderate output and a bright but not harsh high-frequency response that works across most genres and amplifier types.
EXL110 — Regular Light (.010-.046)
The most popular electric guitar string gauge in the world and the correct starting point for most players. The .010 to .046 gauge provides enough tension for accurate intonation and reliable tuning stability while being light enough for comfortable bending. If you do not know what gauge to use, start here. Used on everything from country to metal to blues, the EXL110 is the universal choice for a reason.
EXL120 — Super Light (.009-.042)
The super light gauge for players who prioritize easy bending and light touch. Nines are the choice of lead players who need to bend a whole step without significant effort — David Gilmour, Stevie Ray Vaughan at certain points in his career, and many country lead players use light gauges for exactly this reason. The trade-off is slightly less sustain and a thinner tone compared to tens.
EXL115 — Medium (.011-.049)
The medium gauge is the choice of players who tune to Eb or D standard, play primarily rhythm rather than lead, or want more tension and sustain than tens provide. Stevie Ray Vaughan famously used thirteens tuned down to Eb — effectively playing at a twelve gauge tension — for the thick, snappy tone his style required. Elevens are a more practical version of that same logic for players who do not want to retune.
D'Addario NYXL Series — High-Carbon Steel Electric Strings
The NYXL series uses a high-carbon steel core rather than the standard hex core used in the EXL series. The result is strings that stay in tune better under heavy bending — D'Addario claims 131% stronger than standard strings — and retain their brightness longer than standard nickel wound strings.
Players who bend aggressively, use a heavy vibrato technique, or play at high stage volumes where retuning between songs is impractical report a noticeable improvement in tuning stability with NYXL strings over standard EXLs. The NYXL cost more than EXLs — roughly double — but last significantly longer before the tone degrades, making the cost-per-hour-of-use closer than the purchase price suggests.
D'Addario XL Acoustic Series — Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings
EJ16 — Phosphor Bronze Light (.012-.053)
The most popular D'Addario acoustic guitar string and one of the best-selling acoustic strings globally. Phosphor bronze winding produces a warm, balanced tone with more warmth than 80/20 bronze strings and longer life because the phosphor inhibits oxidation. The light gauge suits fingerpicking and moderate strumming without the stiffness of medium gauges.
EJ17 — Phosphor Bronze Medium (.013-.056)
The medium gauge acoustic string for players who strum hard, play in open tunings, or want more volume and projection from their acoustic guitar. The additional tension requires a properly set-up guitar to be comfortable — a guitar with high action and medium strings is significantly harder to play than the same guitar with low action and light strings.
D'Addario Coated Strings — XT and XS Series
D'Addario produces two coated string lines — the XT series with a lighter coating and the XS series with a thinner coating designed to feel closer to uncoated strings. Coated strings last significantly longer than uncoated strings because the coating prevents the sweat and skin oils that cause uncoated strings to corrode and lose their brightness.
Players who perspire heavily during performance, live in humid climates, or simply do not change strings as often as they should benefit most from coated strings. The tone of coated strings is slightly different from uncoated — a little less immediate brightness on the attack — but the difference is subtle enough that many players prefer the consistency of a coated string that sounds the same in month three as it did in week one.
Which D'Addario String Is Right for You
For most electric guitar players who do not have a specific reason to choose otherwise — EXL110 tens. They work on virtually every electric guitar in standard tuning for virtually every style. Start there and move to a different gauge or series only when you identify a specific reason the tens are not giving you what you need.
For acoustic guitar players who fingerpick or play mixed styles — EJ16 phosphor bronze lights. For strummers who play hard — EJ17 mediums.
For players who need better tuning stability under heavy bending — NYXL in whatever gauge you currently use.
For players who hate changing strings and live in humid environments — XT or XS coated strings in your preferred gauge.
D'Addario strings are available everywhere but buying in bulk — three to five sets at a time — reduces the per-set cost significantly. Find multi-packs and bulk sets alongside instrument purchases on Reverb and never run out at the wrong moment.
Follow Phantom Power Gear on Pinterest for more gear tips and recommendations.
Related posts:
Best Cheap Guitar Upgrades That Work
How To Make Cheap Guitar Sound Expensive
The Complete Guide To Guitar Strings
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
