Elixir NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel Electric
Light .010-.046
Standard .010s that survive a summer of gigs instead of a fortnight
Under $15
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The short version
The same .010-.046 gauge as almost every factory electric set, coated. On an electric the longevity argument is slightly different from an acoustic: an electric string's decline is less about the alloy oxidising and more about grime packing into the windings, which flattens the harmonics and makes intonation drift sharp. Sealing the string stops the grime getting in, which is why a coated electric set stays in tune with itself far longer than an uncoated one.
How we rate it
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.
- Brightness
- 7.0
- Sustain
- 8.0
- Durability
- 10.0
- Feel
- 9.0
- Tuning stability
- 8.0
- Value
- 8.0
Specifications
| Brand | Elixir |
|---|---|
| Model | NANOWEB Nickel Plated Steel ElectricLight .010-.046 |
| Category | Strings |
| What it is | |
| Strings in the set | 6 |
| Materials | |
| Alloy | Nickel-plated steel |
| Winding | Roundwound |
| Coating | NANOWEB, an ultra-thin coating over the entire string |
| Measurements | |
| Gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| In the box | |
| Sets included | 1 |
9 verified fields, taken from the manufacturer first and the Amazon listing second. Fields the manufacturer does not publish are omitted rather than estimated.
What it gets right
- Far longer useful life than a standard uncoated nickel set
- Windings stay clear of grime, so intonation drifts less over time
- The standard .010-.046 gauge, so no setup change
- Smaller price premium over uncoated than the acoustic sets carry
Where it gives ground
- Slightly warmer and rounder than bare nickel-plated steel
- The slick feel divides opinion
- Coating can flake visibly at the end of the string's life
Who it is for
What owners report
Patterns drawn from published owner reviews. Summarised, never quoted.
What comes up most
- Gigging players cite months rather than weeks between changes
- The smooth feel is the second most common reason given for repurchase
Frequent complaints
- A minority find them too slick under a heavy pick
- Some report the coating flaking near the bridge saddles after long use
Recognised strengths
- Long tone life on electric is very consistently reported
Recognised weaknesses
- They do not sound like a fresh uncoated set, and are not meant to
The verdict
Buy these if you gig, if you sweat, or if you simply want to stop thinking about strings, and the price gap to an uncoated set is much narrower on electric than on acoustic. The feel is the one thing to try before committing: NANOWEB is smooth in a way that some players love and a minority find slippery under a heavy pick attack. Tonally they sit a shade warmer and rounder than bare nickel-plated steel - not enough to change what the guitar is, but audible on a clean amp.
We do not publish prices, because Amazon prices change constantly and a stale figure helps nobody. Follow the link for the current price and availability.
Sources
Compared with
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D'Addario · Strings
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The electric string most guitars leave the factory wearing
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