Thoughts on D'Addario XS strings

[Kenny B]

So I started using the XS Phos/Bronze strings on my Collings OM2HG on August 12 2021, a little over a year ago. The guitar does not get played everyday, but has had plenty of play time, suffered thru 12 months of Chicago seasons, and now I can effectively give a review. I chose the light gauge strings but substituted .013 and .017 strings (I those buy in bulk on Amazon and almost never use the .012 and .016 that come with light gauge packs).

In summary I am totally amazed on how good these strings still sound after one year. I had been using Martin Authentic SP, and have tried probably every major brand of strings out there. Each and every brand brings something different to the table but nothing brings longevity quite as convincingly like these XS strings.

If I were to like play one guitar everyday and had the desire to change strings every two weeks, I might go with Martin Authentics, but who wants to do that I say. I think the Authentic sound better when they first go on and maybe last 2-3 weeks, but start to sound dead (first on the low E string) and then I start to gauge how long can I go before I have to do the next string change.

Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze can sound great as well, but not on every guitar. Certain guitars, they just don't work on. Martin Retro Monels also can give you a run for the money, but after a month or so... start looking for fresher strings. I have liked the Monels on certain guitars better than anything else, but again... do I want to keep changing strings?? Elixirs, Cleartone, all other D'Addario brands, GHS, John Pearse, Newtone, Santa Cruz (Light and Medium tension)... I've tried them all and multiple times.

Only question that remains, do I try the XS bronze strings? What is the difference between the Phos/Bronze and the Bronze strings?

[rmp]

I love the XS sets. Use them just about on all my acoustics.

Anyway, do you by chance mean 80/20s Vs Phosphor Bronze?

Bronze and Phosphor Bronze, I think these are the same string set?

I know D'Addario just started selling the 80/20s, so maybe this is what you're asking?

The difference I think you will hear is the 80/20s are probably going to have a little more top end.

[Kenny B]

Originally Posted by rmp

I love the XS sets. Use them just about on all my acoustics.

Anyway, do you by chance mean 80/20s Vs Phosphor Bronze?

Bronze and Phosphor Bronze, I think these are the same string set?

I know D'Addario just started selling the 80/20s, so maybe this is what you're asking?

The difference I think you will hear is the 80/20s are probably going to have a little more top end.

I want would want less top end than the Phos/Bronze set. If I were to be critical of the XS I would ask for less top end, less brightness if that is what you mean by top end.

[rmp]

Originally Posted by Kenny B

I want would want less top end than the Phos/Bronze set. If I were to be critical of the XS I would ask for less top end, less brightness if that is what you mean by top end.

yes, that's what I'm referring to.

I am kind of siding with your observation that the XS strings do have some "Zing" to them for the highs (top end) The XTs I think are even more so.


But since I am ~70% a finger picker, (with a thumb pick) I don't really find them hard to deal with.

[rollypolly]

Thanks for the thoughts. I'm going to try them. I have been using retros and S&S but I love longevity and if they keep their tone, those sound like winners.

[JayBee1404]

Strings designated ‘Bronze’ are usually 80% copper, 20% zinc - a.k.a. Brass. Strings designated ‘Phosphor-Bronze’ are 92% bronze, 8% zinc, and with a trace of phosphorus.

From the Elixir website FAQs…

”What is the difference between Acoustic 80/20 Bronze and Phosphor Bronze?
Acoustic 80/20 Bronze and Phosphor Bronze guitar strings offer players different tone options. Both string types are popular and therefore selecting the right strings is a matter of personal preference. Here's what we can tell you:

80/20 Bronze acoustic guitar strings offer a bright, bell-like tone. The 80/20 bronze name is a misnomer in the music industry as the metal wrap wire composition is 80% copper and 20% zinc, which is brass. Bronze is technically an alloy of copper and tin.
Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar strings offer a tone with both warmth and sparkle. The strings are named after the wrap wire material, which is a copper alloy wrap wire with roughly 8% tin and a small amount of Phosphorous.”

To my ears, 80/20s are brighter, more ‘toppy’ than PBs, which have a rounder, warmer tone but still with chiming trebles.

As always, the standard disclaimer applies - IMHO. However, I realise that YMMV, and I’m cool with that.

[JayBee1404]

Double-post deleted by JayBee.

[rgregg48]

I like and use XS
Did not like XT at all and thought EXP was better
Than XT
Oh well.. to torture a cliche...different
Strokes for different folks

[tommieboy]

Originally Posted by Kenny B

....What is the difference between the Phos/Bronze and the Bronze strings?

You might want to start here:

https://youtu.be/-bYa4QOT8HM

Tommy

[Kenny B]

Originally Posted by tommieboy

You might want to start here:

https://youtu.be/-bYa4QOT8HM

Tommy

So I had heard that demo before but without good headphones. I listened again with the good headphones and could not tell an audible difference. I'm sure there are some differences to be heard when playing in person, but via Youtube.... not audible with my ears. Better to get opinions from people even though that is quite a good demo. Great player and good audio/video recording.

[Toucan]

Originally Posted by rgregg48

I like and use XS
Did not like XT at all and thought EXP was better
Than XT
Oh well.. to torture a cliche...different
Strokes for different folks

I too preferred the EXP strings. The XS are so so in my book.

[rmp]

Originally Posted by rgregg48

I like and use XS
Did not like XT at all and thought EXP was better
Than XT
Oh well.. to torture a cliche...different
Strokes for different folks

Different strokes all right

EXP Strings are horrible.

I hated them from the second I put them on.

[justonwo]

I think 80/20s are going to add more high end. I’m doubting the alloy choice will affect the B and E, however. The unwound strings are probably identical.

Just ordered some XS strings to try them.

[keith.rogers]

Originally Posted by justonwo

I think 80/20s are going to add more high end. I’m doubting the alloy choice will affect the B and E, however. The unwound strings are probably identical.

Just ordered some XS strings to try them.

Let us know what you think! D'Addario has sent a mixed message about these strings, IMO. Their website says the 80/20 are "the brightest" but the individual listings actually place the PB set to the left of the 80/20 on their own scale! (Sorry, my "collage" has been resized by AGF so not legible...)

[Sir strumalot]

To my ears the 80/20s have a stronger treble sound, with more fundamentals, PBs have a richer sound with more overtones. If the OP wants less trebles, the XT PBs might be worth a try?