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  #16  
Old 10-17-2019, 09:07 PM
louiscipher louiscipher is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Charlie View Post
I tried a set. Less bright than Elixir Nanowebs. Better feel. Sounded like an uncoated string. And lasted about as long...

I went back to Monels, which have more power and last longer than the XT's.
Does it also feel like uncoated string?
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  #17  
Old 10-17-2019, 10:16 PM
syclonegs2003 syclonegs2003 is offline
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I tried the XT P.B. Mediums on my Martin D18V for 3 weeks and didn't like the tone, balance, volume, resonance the instant I put them on and they were extremely dull after 3 weeks.I had been using EXP17 and it was a disappointing downgrade from EXP17 to XT. The EXP17 to my ear are a great sounding and playing string with all the right characteristics. The XT were very metallic in tone for the 3 week period with noticeably less bass/bottom end, less mids, less resonance, and less balanced. The brightness was between EXP17 and EJ17 but with less dryness and less fullness and richness. The XT feels very similar to EJ17 and has the same string tension. The EXP17 has about 6 lbs less tension and is quite noticeable when playing. It is very disappointing that D'Addario has ceased manufacturing of the EXP series and replacing them with the XT series. I sent D'Addario my opinions of this and of the XT strings via email and am awaiting a reply.
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  #18  
Old 10-18-2019, 11:16 PM
Hack Guitarist Hack Guitarist is offline
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Ah crap, they're getting rid of EXP's? Really? Guess I will have to stock up.
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  #19  
Old 10-19-2019, 07:27 AM
JBCROTTY JBCROTTY is offline
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I had a good experience with the EXP variety, but tried the XT's on a rosewood Yamaha and did not care for them. I removed them after 3 weeks - just sounded "jangly" to me and never settled properly. I am a huge fan of the uncoated EJ16's and I liked the EXP's that came on my Alvarez when I bought it, but did not like the XT's.

To be fair I bought two sets of the XT's so I will try them on my mahogany Alvarez next to see if that is a better combination.
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  #20  
Old 10-19-2019, 07:02 PM
syclonegs2003 syclonegs2003 is offline
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I received a reply back from D'Addario on my opinion of the XT strings and the decision to eliminate the production of the EXP series.

I thank you kindly for the in-depth analysis.
I was surprised we were redoing the line as well as the EXP line was something I rarely ever had heard of issues with but I'm sure there were other factors in the equation.

Sorry to hear you did not care for the XT set.




Consumer/Customer Service Product Specialist

T: 631-439-3216 or 800-323-2746 Ext 216

D'Addario & Company, Inc.
595 Smith Street
Farmingdale, NY 11735
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  #21  
Old 10-19-2019, 07:25 PM
12barBill 12barBill is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by syclonegs2003 View Post
I received a reply back from D'Addario on my opinion of the XT strings and the decision to eliminate the production of the EXP series.

I thank you kindly for the in-depth analysis.
I was surprised we were redoing the line as well as the EXP line was something I rarely ever had heard of issues with but I'm sure there were other factors in the equation.

Sorry to hear you did not care for the XT set.




Consumer/Customer Service Product Specialist

T: 631-439-3216 or 800-323-2746 Ext 216

D'Addario & Company, Inc.
595 Smith Street
Farmingdale, NY 11735
That is a reply from D'addario?
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  #22  
Old 10-19-2019, 07:43 PM
Beakybird Beakybird is offline
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Who says D'Addario is discontinuing EXPs?
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  #23  
Old 10-19-2019, 08:07 PM
steelvibe steelvibe is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beakybird View Post
Who says D'Addario is discontinuing EXPs?
Read that post right before yours. That is straight from D'addario.
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  #24  
Old 10-19-2019, 08:55 PM
bsman bsman is offline
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Just threw my free set (.12-.53) on the Rainsong Shorty, and so far so good. The tuning stabilized quickly with a minimum of stretching, and the sound great so far. Also, I'm noting less string squeak than with the EXPs.
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  #25  
Old 10-20-2019, 08:39 AM
Treenewt Treenewt is offline
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Now five weeks in with XT medium PB on my Larrivee, and I’m still happy with them. I have six sets of EXP waiting (BOGO specials) but just don’t see the need to change yet. They still sound warm and clear, no perceived loss in tone to my ears. And I’ve been changing tunings often.

Like everything on this forum, try them out. If you don’t like them they aren’t for you. We all like, hear, perceive things so differently, but that’s what leads to variety!
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  #26  
Old 10-20-2019, 09:21 AM
syclonegs2003 syclonegs2003 is offline
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Yes that reply was directly from D'Addario.. Quite disappointing for sure...It is probable that the decision to supercede the EXP series with XT series came from the bean counters/upper management and not the product specialists without any involvement with the product specialist. It sounds like that decision was a surprise even to the product specialist that sent me that reply.
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  #27  
Old 10-20-2019, 09:25 AM
asguitar1 asguitar1 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon29526 View Post
I sure hope they don't discontinue the EXP, tried the new XT, first 2 weeks I loved them but they faded really fast for me, within 30 days put EXP's back on. Happy again.


I am with you. I tried a set and had to rip them off in about the same time as you. Please don’t discontinue EXP’s!
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  #28  
Old 10-20-2019, 09:51 AM
GuitarLuva GuitarLuva is offline
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I've been a long time elixir user that occasionally tries other strings (including D'addario EXP) here and there and always land back on elixirs. I currently have 3/4 of my guitars strung with XT strings (some 80/20 some phosphor bronze) and I absolutely love them. I can't wait till the strings wear down on my other guitar to put them on that as well. Compared to elixir they're louder and punchier and I love the way they feel. Can't speak for the longevity yet. These will be my string of choice from now on unless they don't last long.

I just posted the above comment in the other thread that was linked here. I normally don't get too excited when it comes to strings but I'm happy with these so far. Prefer them over elixirs and EXP. Every guitar is different and each of us wants to hear certain things from our guitars. YMMV.
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