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D'Addario XSAPB1253 XS Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings - .012-.053 Light

.012-.053 Light Gauge Acoustic Guitar Strings, Phosphor Bronze
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Item ID: XSAPB1253
D'Addario XSAPB1253 XS Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings - .012-.053 Light
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D'Addario XSAPB1253 XS Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings - .012-.053 Light
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Price:$19 and 99 cents
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Frequently Asked Questions

D'Addario XSAPB1253 XS Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings - .012-.053 Light

Q: What is the D'Addario XS coating, and how does it benefit these strings?

Q: What kind of tone can I expect from these D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze strings?

Q: Who are the .012-.053 Light gauge D'Addario XS strings best suited for?

Q: What is the construction of D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze strings?

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Thinly Coated for Long-lasting Acoustic Tone

D'Addario is on a mission to create the finest coated acoustic strings the world has ever seen. One such result of that labor, the XS Phosphor Bronze series acoustic strings feature an NY Steel hexagonal core with a wrap wire of phosphor bronze to deliver balanced warmth and enhanced harmonic content that span the entire neck. Not only that, but XS Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar strings feature an ultra-thin film coating for added protection against sweat and grime. This coating gives the strings a long-lasting, great tone and dramatically extended playtime between string swaps. And if you ask us, they feel great under the fingers, too. You also get D'Addario's Fusion Twist technology and digitally controlled winding for increased tuning stability and 1:1 consistency from set to set. Sweetwater players agree: When it comes to coated acoustic strings that sound amazing and hold up for hours of playing, D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze strings are a go-to favorite.

Ultra-thin film coating

D'Addario has gone to great lengths to ensure every string in every pack of XS Phosphor Bronze stays true to the iconic D'Addario tone. The secret is an ultra-thin coating that preserves tone, above all, but also reduces squeaks and resists fraying. This coating not only gives you longer string life, but also a comfortable feel on the fingers so you can play your best all night long.

Superb, long-lasting tone in every pack

D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze aren't your ordinary coated acoustic strings. Both the wound strings and plain steels feature a groundbreaking thin film coating to maximize tone and extend string life from top to bottom. This eliminates the awkward stage common to other coated strings, where your bottom strings far outlast your top strings. From chords to leads, and from stage to studio, you'll sound your best strung up with D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze strings.

Hex-core wounds, Fusion Twist steels

Inside each roundwound string in each XS Phosphor Bronze set is a NY Steel hexagonal core — the same as you'll find on a set of your favorite NYXLs or XTs. This angular core gives the wrap wire more surface to grab on to, yielding better tone and intonation. Plain steels in the XS Phosphor Bronze sets feature D'Addario's Fusion Twist technology. This process prevents slack in the twist, resulting in greater resistance against detuning and breaking.

D’Addario: innovative strings since 1680

When you go with D’Addario, you receive far more than a great set of strings. You’re benefiting from three centuries of string-making experience. The D’Addario family tradition began in 1680 in the tiny town of Salle, Italy, where they made assorted instrument strings for over 200 years before relocating to New York in 1905. Since then, the D’Addario family has become a leader in string innovation. They designed the modern winding machine, introduced ultra-reliable hexagonal core wires, and pioneered the colored-coded ball end movement. More than 300 years since the family started making strings, D’Addario continues to set a global standard for quality and reliability. And every day, more than 500,000 strings emerge from the company's USA-based workshops.

D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Guitar Strings Features:

  • Ultra-thin film coating extends string life between changes
  • Delivers long-lasting, great acoustic tone
  • Smooth, sleek feel on the fingers
  • Unique polymer treatment on plain steels supplies a natural, protected feel
  • Fusion Twist technology enhances tuning stability
  • NY Steel hex core delivers superior intonation and stability
  • Digitally controlled winding ensures consistency from set to set
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Tech Specs

  • Guitar Type: Acoustic Guitar
  • Number of Strings: 6
  • Coated: XS Coating
  • Gauges: .012, .016p, .024w, .032, .042, .053
  • Core Material: Hexagonal High-carbon Steel
  • Winding Material: Phosphor Bronze
  • Winding Type: Round Wound
  • Manufacturer Part Number: XSAPB1253

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Reviews

Goldilocks
Put these on my Eastman E8D ( rosewood back and sides, Sitka Spruce) dread after trying out the Martin Lifespans. Liked the Lifespans well enough but a little too mellow on the attack and high end. I think the XSs are the sweet spot tonally of the coated strings and sound really close to an uncoated phosphor bronze string, at least on the mellower end of the spectrum. Some poor reviews from Elixir fans— I always found Elixirs excessively bright. For what it's worth the XS is the standard factory Eastman string ( and maybe Taylor as well?)
Definitely worth a try
Back in early August I ordered a set of XS PB (.012-.053) for my build-to-order 814c Taylor (rosewood body and Sitka spruce top), and another set of them (.010 - .047)for my K62ce LTD 12 string Taylor (all koa, body and top), just to try them out and compare them to Elixir PB Nanowebs, and to compare them to a host of other strings I've tried through the decades. I didn't write a review of the XS sets soon after installing them because I wanted to see how they'd hold up first. Three and a half months have now passed, which is a little past the point when I typically change strings whether they sound dead or not. Here's the review of the XS. It pertains to both the six string set and the 12 string set.

Durability is excellent: the strings still sound good, feel smooth, and hold tune after 3.5mos. As a plus, I have noticed no fraying of the coating.

Tonal balance between strings is excellent.

Feel is very smooth.

Stability is excellent. Tune 'em up a couple of times immediately after installation and once the next day, and they stay tuned consistently. Of course, they will require tuning now and then, but they are noticeably stable.

While tone is plenty bright, I don't hear the degree of chimey tone the Elixir PB nanowebs have. Nonetheless, it's a very pleasing, bright tone with rich bottom end.

Total string tension is a couple of pounds under several other sets of the same gauge, including the Elixir PB nanoweb.

I haven't yet tried the XS strings on a D18 Martin (mahogany body and Adirondack spruce top and bracing) and a 612ce 12 fret Taylor (maple body and Sitka spruce top). So I can't say if the instruments will sound as good, better, or not as good with those body styles and tonewood combinations.




Steve
Music background: long time picker
The best coated I've tried
These strings are simply amazing. They feel great, sound great, and last a very long time! I put these on my carbon fiber, and while that guitar is not my daily player, they are holding strong after 9 months. They still show no sign of degrading tonally and are still holding their pitch just fine. I'm very impressed with them.

I do wish that D'addario would make a their version of Elixir HD Lights, but I wrote them and they said there isn't enough demand? Seems to me that since Elixir still sells HD Lights (and have for a decade now) this cannot be true.
Music background: guitarist
Best Coated Acoustic String
I put a set of D'Addario XSAPB1253 Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic Guitar Strings - .012-.053 Light on my J-45 and was blown away with the sound and playability. These are superior in all respects to their "E" brand competitor. The initial tone immediately after putting them on is a bit harsh, but they quickly mellowed out, and then never go out of tune. The overall frequency response is even with no dead or live zones. The last benefit is that they lasted 2.5 months with a 8-10 gigs and daily practice. With normal phosphor bronze "M" or "EB" brand I'd change after 1-3 gigs. These are the best coated string out there. I highly recommend them.
Music background: Gigging musician playing guitar and bass over 50 years
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 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.