What is the gauge of the D'Addario NW080?

The string has a gauge of .080 inches. This is considered a very heavy gauge, typically used for the lowest strings on extended-range or heavily downtuned electric guitars.

What material is used in the NW080 construction?

It is constructed from nickel-plated steel wound around a high-carbon steel hex core. This material choice provides a balance of bright tone and magnetic response for electric guitar pickups.

Where is the D'Addario NW080 manufactured?

The string is manufactured in the USA. D'Addario maintains its own production facilities to ensure consistency in gauge and winding quality.

Is the NW080 string coated?

No, this string is uncoated. It is designed to provide a natural feel and a traditional bright tone, which some players prefer over the slicker feel of coated strings.

What type of winding does this string use?

It uses a round-wound construction. This involves a round outer wire wrapped around the core, resulting in a textured surface and a bright, harmonically rich sound.

Can I use the NW080 for a standard 6-string guitar?

While possible, it is not recommended for standard E tuning as the tension would be dangerously high. It is intended for extremely low tunings or as an additional string on 7- or 8-string guitars.

What is the typical price for a single NW080 string?

The typical price is approximately GBP 7 per single string. This makes it an affordable option for replacing a single broken string rather than buying a full new set.

How does the sound of nickel-plated steel compare to pure nickel?

Nickel-plated steel is generally brighter and has a higher magnetic output than pure nickel. This makes the NW080 better suited for modern styles requiring articulation and high-gain clarity.

What is the primary benefit of an .080 gauge string?

The primary benefit is the ability to maintain solid tension at very low pitches. This prevents the string from feeling 'floppy' and helps maintain intonation when tuning down.

Will this string fit into a standard guitar nut?

Most standard guitar nuts are not filed for an .080 gauge string. Use of this string usually requires the nut slot to be professionally widened to accommodate the thickness.

Is this string suitable for bass guitar?

While the gauge is similar to some light bass strings, it is specifically designed and scaled for electric guitar. The length and ball-end style are intended for guitar bridges and tuners.

How does this string compare to D'Addario's orchestral strings like Helicore or Zyex?

The NW080 is a nickel-wound electric guitar string, whereas Helicore and Zyex are designed for violins and violas. They use different core materials and constructions suited for bowed instruments rather than magnetic pickups.

Gear article

D'Addario NW080 Nickel Wound Electric Single String

The D'Addario NW080 is an individual .080 gauge nickel-plated steel guitar string designed for extended-range instruments and custom tuning configurations. Manufactured in the USA, it features a round-wound construction intended to provide clarity, articulation, and significant low-end presence for electric guitarists.

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Overview

The D'Addario NW080 is a heavy-gauge single string primarily utilised by guitarists who require specific tension for drop-tuning or extended-range electric guitars. As part of D'Addario's nickel-wound series, it is engineered to serve as either a reliable replacement for a broken string or a modular component for those assembling custom string sets. The .080 measurement indicates the thickness in inches, placing it at the heavier end of the spectrum for electric guitar components.

Construction and Materials

This string employs a round-wound design, featuring a high-carbon steel hex core wrapped in nickel-plated steel. This combination is a industry standard for balancing magnetic output with physical durability. The uncoated nature of the NW080 provides a traditional, tactile feel under the fingers, ensuring that the natural texture of the winding is preserved. D'Addario manufactures these strings in the USA to maintain strict quality control and tonal consistency across batches.

Sonic Characteristics

The NW080 is voiced for articulation and presence. Despite its thick gauge, the nickel-plated steel wrap helps the string retain a clear, bright top end, which is essential for preventing the low frequencies from becoming muddy or indistinct. This makes it particularly effective for high-gain applications where note definition is paramount. The primary focus of the .080 gauge is to deliver low-end power and authority, providing a solid foundation for the bottom register of the instrument.

Applications

The string is most commonly used in the following contexts:

Extended Range Guitars: Serving as the 7th or 8th string on modern electric guitars.
Downtuned Setups: Maintaining appropriate tension for standard scale guitars tuned significantly below standard pitch.
Custom Sets: Allowing players to mix and match gauges to achieve balanced tension that pre-packaged sets may not offer.
Replacements: Providing a specific single-string solution for players who break the lowest string in a heavy set.

Comparison to Alternatives

When compared to standard sets like the Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (10-46) or Tim Henson Signature sets (9.5-46), the NW080 is significantly thicker and designed for much lower pitches. While standard sets are balanced for E-standard tuning, the NW080 is a specialty item for sub-octave or deep-register playing. Unlike coated alternatives, the NW080 prioritises a 'natural' feel and immediate brightness over long-term oxidation resistance, though its high-quality construction ensures standard durability.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the gauge of the D'Addario NW080?: The string has a gauge of .080 inches. This is considered a very heavy gauge, typically used for the lowest strings on extended-range or heavily downtuned electric guitars.
What material is used in the NW080 construction?: It is constructed from nickel-plated steel wound around a high-carbon steel hex core. This material choice provides a balance of bright tone and magnetic response for electric guitar pickups.
Where is the D'Addario NW080 manufactured?: The string is manufactured in the USA. D'Addario maintains its own production facilities to ensure consistency in gauge and winding quality.
Is the NW080 string coated?: No, this string is uncoated. It is designed to provide a natural feel and a traditional bright tone, which some players prefer over the slicker feel of coated strings.
What type of winding does this string use?: It uses a round-wound construction. This involves a round outer wire wrapped around the core, resulting in a textured surface and a bright, harmonically rich sound.
Can I use the NW080 for a standard 6-string guitar?: While possible, it is not recommended for standard E tuning as the tension would be dangerously high. It is intended for extremely low tunings or as an additional string on 7- or 8-string guitars.
What is the typical price for a single NW080 string?: The typical price is approximately GBP 7 per single string. This makes it an affordable option for replacing a single broken string rather than buying a full new set.
How does the sound of nickel-plated steel compare to pure nickel?: Nickel-plated steel is generally brighter and has a higher magnetic output than pure nickel. This makes the NW080 better suited for modern styles requiring articulation and high-gain clarity.
What is the primary benefit of an .080 gauge string?: The primary benefit is the ability to maintain solid tension at very low pitches. This prevents the string from feeling 'floppy' and helps maintain intonation when tuning down.
Will this string fit into a standard guitar nut?: Most standard guitar nuts are not filed for an .080 gauge string. Use of this string usually requires the nut slot to be professionally widened to accommodate the thickness.
Is this string suitable for bass guitar?: While the gauge is similar to some light bass strings, it is specifically designed and scaled for electric guitar. The length and ball-end style are intended for guitar bridges and tuners.
How does this string compare to D'Addario's orchestral strings like Helicore or Zyex?: The NW080 is a nickel-wound electric guitar string, whereas Helicore and Zyex are designed for violins and violas. They use different core materials and constructions suited for bowed instruments rather than magnetic pickups.