Head to head
D'Addario NYXL1046 Nickel Wound Electric vs Elixir NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel Electric
The short answer is that only one of them is coated, which is what decides how long it lasts. Below, every specification we hold for both is lined up, with the 11 rows that actually differ marked out.
NYXL1046 Nickel Wound Electric
Light .010-.046
The same gauge as an EXL110, with the tuning problem actually solved
NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel Electric
Light .010-.046
Standard .010s that survive a summer of gigs instead of a fortnight
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Score profile
The editorial axes for strings, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where it gains ground.
- D'Addario NYXL1046 Nickel Wound Electric7.8
- Elixir NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel Electric8.3
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Specification by specification
| NYXL1046 Nickel Wound Electric | NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | D'Addario | Elixir |
| Model | NYXL1046 Nickel Wound Electric | NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel Electric |
| Type | Strings | Strings |
| Fretline score | 7.8 / 10 | 8.3 / 10 |
| Value for money | 7 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.8 / 5 (5,426) | 4.8 / 5 (8,082) |
| Price | Under $15 | Under $15 |
| Gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Alloy | Nickel-plated steel | Nickel-plated steel |
| Winding | Roundwound | Roundwound |
| Core | High-carbon steel, drawn by a reformulated process | — |
| Coating | Uncoated | NANOWEB, an ultra-thin coating over the entire string |
| Strings in the set | 6 | 6 |
| Sets included | 1 | 1 |
| Brightness | 8 / 10 | 7 / 10 |
| Sustain | 8 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Durability | 7 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Feel | 8 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Tuning stability | 9 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Suits | Intermediate, Advanced, Professional | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Professional |
A marked row is one where the two differ. A highlighted cell is the stronger figure where one can be judged objectively — which, for most accessory attributes, it cannot be. Empty cells are specifications the manufacturer does not publish, never estimates.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from our editorial scores for these two only. It is not a general ranking.
Best brightness
D'Addario NYXL1046 Nickel Wound ElectricHighest editorial brightness score of the 2 compared.
Best sustain
D'Addario NYXL1046 Nickel Wound ElectricHighest editorial sustain score of the 2 compared.
Best durability
Elixir NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel ElectricHighest editorial durability score of the 2 compared.
Best tuning stability
D'Addario NYXL1046 Nickel Wound ElectricHighest editorial tuning stability score of the 2 compared.
Best value
Elixir NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel ElectricHighest editorial value score of the 2 compared.
Best for beginners
Elixir NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel ElectricStrongest overall score among those we consider suitable for a first instrument.
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.