XSAPB1253 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings - .012-.053 Light Review

Amazing strings!

So I've been playing guitar for 30+ years, both acoustic and electric. I got a pair of these free as a test set through Guitar League. Here's my take on them. First, I've had these strings on my Martin for a minimum of 5 months, and while I'm not gigging or playing hours a day, these still are by far..very far, the longest lasting strings I've ever used. They still sound crisp… read more and very new, with just a little loss of the crispness of brand new strings. Second, they are very quiet when sliding up and down the strings, and don't have that very loud squeak you get with many new strings, which is nice when playing quieter passages. This probably has to do with the extended life coating they put on the strings. I absolutely love these strings so far. I've already purchased another set for my 6 string and 12 strings. They sound terrific, are smooth, comfortable to play, stay in tune, and after all these months still sound almost new...amazing strings.

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Best on the market

I'm not going to be too long. I'm extremely picky about acoustic guitar strings, and guitar strings in general. My hands eat acoustic strings. I could devour a set of uncoated strings in a few hours, and generally hate them out of the box due to their lack of resonance after a few hours. I play hard and often and they don't last long. I'm 2.5 months deep on these and I've never… read more seen anything like these. Good as new. They are bright out of the box, like new strings. That is to be expected. Bravo D'addario!! I would put these up against any acoustic strings out there.

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Finally Elixirs rival emerges!!!

I have tried them all but Elixirs lasted the longest with best overall tone on my Guitar until these babies came out. I think I get a little better overall projection, balance, and warmth out of these strings versus the Elixirs. Also Elixirs tended to have the coating peel off after a few months of play where these bad boys are just as fresh as the day I put them on. Honestly i… read more feel it's worth bucks vs Elixirs bucks just to not have the peeling coating issue.

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A different animal...

I beta tested the XTs and was extremely unimpressed. I was fortunate enough to also receive these XS strings through the beta test/promo mailer. I have had them on my American Breedlove Concerto for two weeks and... I'm blown away. I absolutely HATED the XTs. I thought they were lifeless and empty sounding - but the XS? They seem like a totally different animal. They are a… read more bit spendy but if they last as long or longer as ye olde Elixirs then I will be a convert. These have a great tone and feel - very much a different animal than previous iterations of D'Addario acoustic strings. I bought some to keep stock at home. Try them out!

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Love These Strings

I was fortunate enough to be a part of the group that beta tested these for D'Addario and I am so glad they are finally on the market. They are amazing strings. I usually HATE coated strings but these are a different animal. They sound great and in my opinion last three times longer than the uncoated version of these strings. They sound and feel great! They are my new go to strings!

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