X30 Factory Installed Strings No Longer Made?

[KennyEC]

According to Emerald's website, the factory installs D'Addario EXP 19 on the X30, which is 12 – 56. I looked on D'Addario's website this morning as I was going to order a couple sets of the EXP 19 as I seem to like them (just received my X30 last week), I've played on mediums (EJ17) for years. The EXP 19 is nowhere to be found on the D'Addario website. Apparently they have been replaced with the XT. So the equivalent of EXP 19 would be XTAPB1256 (light top/medium bottom). These are $14.99 per set. I did find EXP 19 on other sites, but not on D'Addario. So I just went ahead and ordered the XTAPB1256 from D'Addario. Going to try a set on my Sable too.

UPDATE: I wanted to update this post to state that the D'Addario EXP 19 strings are now showing up on D'Addaril's site. This morning when I did a search on their site for the EXP 19 strings I kept getting a notice that said something like sorry we're playing in different time signature and can't find a match. Now the EXP 19's can be found. So, please disregard what I said above.

[boneuphtoner]

I'm surprised to hear this! I checked online and several of the usual retailers, e.g., Sweetwater, list the EJ19s as still being available

[jdrnd]

I would be interested in hearing how the XTs sound on the X30

[KennyEC]

Now I don't know what's up because the EXP 19 is now on D'Addario's site. Weird. So I guess disregard my OP. But, I will report back how the XT strings work on the X30.

[mountainmaster]

I briefly had XT strings on my X30. The lower E was dead within hours. The other wound strings followed a week later.

I can still get a brighter sound from two year old Elixirs.

[KennyEC]

Originally Posted by mountainmaster

I briefly had XT strings on my X30. The lower E was dead within hours. The other wound strings followed a week later.

I can still get a brighter sound from two year old Elixirs.

Ouch! That's not good to hear. I hope I have better success. I've also used Elixirs for many years on my Taylor guitars and had good success with them. For my other guitars I used D'Addario's, plain EJ series non-coated. I did however order a set of the D'Addario Nickel Bronze around three weeks ago and put the on the McPherson Sable and they sound really good on it. I think Sable is mad at me at the moment though because X30 has been getting all of my attention since it's arrival last week!

[boneuphtoner]

I’m really glad to hear these are still available. I just confirmed on D’Addarios site as well - I’m really digging them on my new X30. They are not that far off from my standard Martin phosphor bronze mediums, but I was amazed at how full sounding the light gauge G-B-E strings are. I had planned to pull these off relatively quickly, but I’m holding off as these are working so well. In fact, I found a spare light gauge set, and tomorrow I will replace those same 3 strings on my RainSong (leaving strings 4-6 as mediums) to see how it compares.

[steelvibe]

Seems the overwhelming majority on AGF would rather see the XT line be discontinued rather than EXPs.

[boneuphtoner]

Sorry guys - for some reason I misread that the factory strings were the uncoated EJ19s rather than the coated EXP19s. And the OP is correct that these are no longer shown on the D'Addario website. This is disappointing as I'm really digging these strings - my first (and likely last) experience with the EXP line - and that really is too bad.

[jdrnd]

Originally Posted by boneuphtoner

Sorry guys - for some reason I misread that the factory strings were the uncoated EJ19s rather than the coated EXP19s. And the OP is correct that these are no longer shown on the D'Addario website. This is disappointing as I'm really digging these strings - my first (and likely last) experience with the EXP line - and that really is too bad.

I was able to buy exp-19 off of amazon yesterday. They arrived today. It says they are blue grass acoustic. .012-.056. came in a half yellow package. Coated Phosphor Bronze. NY STEEL. I assume this is what we're talking about.

[boneuphtoner]

Originally Posted by jdrnd

I was able to buy exp-19 off of amazon yesterday. They arrived today. It says they are blue grass acoustic. .012-.056. came in a half yellow package. Coated Phosphor Bronze. NY STEEL. I assume this is what we're talking about.

Great to hear! I finally completed my first string change to my standard Martin medium phosphor bronze strings - and the trebles were just a touch fuller than the EXP19s, but closer than I would have guessed. I may have bought some of the EXP19s if they were not being discontinued, but I have plenty of my standard go-to strings. The uncoated EJ19s will still be available and I haven’t seen any notice of discontinuation there.