Manufactured using New York high-carbon steel for outstanding break strength, and coated with an ultra-thin polymer developed especially by D'Addario, these XSAPB1356 strings for acoustic guitars offer – alongside their typically full phosphor bronze sound – an extremely long lifespan and phenomenal tuning stability on any acoustic steel-string. This set of strings (with the gauges .013, .017, .w026, .w035, .w045, and .w056) is perfect for both strumming powerful chords and for dynamic and agile finger-picking, for which their fast, direct response is particularly suitable. The D'Addario XSAPB1356 strings are also characterised by their articulate bass notes and warm, rich overtones, making them suited to a variety of styles on almost any type of guitar.
D'Addario's XS film coating is ten times finer than human hair, while still reliably protecting the strings from residue and changing temperatures over a long period of time. The coating is imperceptible to the touch, with a playing feel that is incredibly smooth and a sound typical for strings with a phosphor bronze wrap – both resonant and balanced. The strings' finger noise is also reduced, great for studio recordings in particular. The core's hexagonal shape (which is another D'Addario innovation) means the contact between core and wrap wire is almost seamless, giving the strings great tuning stability and precise intonation all along the fingerboard. These D'Addario XSAPB1356 strings can be used more or less universally, guaranteeing both finger-pickers and plectrum-style players a great sound from the very first chord.
With their phenomenal durability, their powerful yet balanced sound, and their great tuning stability, the D'Addario XSAPB1356 strings are recommended for discerning acoustic guitarists who are looking for a clear, powerful sound when playing chords. And over time their seemingly high price, even compared to D'Addario's own more affordable options, soon becomes real value for money, because the innovative coating means the strings simply last much, much longer – while still sounding fresh, bright, and balanced over their entire lifespan, whatever style they're used for.
In the world of stringed instruments, D'Addario is one of the largest manufacturers of strings themselves. The origins of the brand date back to 17th century Italy, but production was moved to New York in 1905 and even today, the brand's strings are still made and further developed in the USA. D'Addario now offers something for every need, from simple and low-priced strings to coated models and Hex-core strings. Apart from strings, the range has been expanded to include various accessories for guitarists, and other brands such as Planet Waves, Evans, Rico, and Pro Mark, which manufacture accessories for various groups of instruments, now also belong to D’Addario.
Whether they're used on a dreadnought, a vintage parlour guitar, or a big booming jumbo, these D'Addario XSAPB1356 strings will reliably produce their full, balanced sound from the very first note, with all the advantages of their great tuning stability, extraordinary break strength, and ultra-long lifespan, thanks to D'Addario's innovative coating. These are relatively heavyweight strings, gauged .013 to .056, so they'll generate a really full, loud sound, more than capable of holding its own as part of a band or in front of an audience. Of course, the heavier gauge also means the string tension is higher than when playing with lighter strings, so the 13–56 set is recommended for more experienced players, and for guitars which can withstand more tension, even for longer periods. Alternatively, heavier-gauge strings can also be used when lowering a guitar's tuning, which reduces the strings' tension while still allowing them to function properly at a half or full step lower.