XL Chromes flatwound strings smooth out your sound with a round, full low end that won't sacrifice warmth.
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Drawing on generations of string-making innovation, D’Addario electric guitar strings provide the sound of countless records you know and love, as well as the live vibe of musicians the world over. Check out all we have to offer, from tried-and-true XLs, to our unbelievably long lasting XS sets.
Drawing on generations of string-making innovation, D’Addario electric guitar strings provide the sound of countless records you know and love, as well as the live vibe of musicians the world over. Check out all we have to offer, from tried-and-true XLs, to our unbelievably long lasting XS sets.
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String Line |
Feel |
Tone |
Life |
Enhanced Break Strength |
Enhanced Tuning Stability |
Coated |
# Of Strings |
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XS |
Smooth |
Bright & Articulate |
Maximum |
6 |
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XT |
Natural |
Bright & Versatile |
Extended |
6 or 7 |
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NYXL |
Natural |
Bright & Articulate |
Standard |
6, 7, 8, 10, or 11 |
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XL Nickel |
Natural |
Bright & Versatile |
Standard |
6, 7, 8, or 12 |
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Chromes |
Smooth |
Warm & Mellow |
Enhanced |
6 or 7 |
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Pure Nickel |
Natural |
Rich & Clean |
Standard |
6 |
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Pro Steels |
Tactile |
Crisp & Crunchy |
Enhanced |
6 |
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Half Rounds |
Smooth |
Semi-Bright |
Enhanced |
6 |
XS, the most innovative coated string ever created, has gone electric.
XL CHROMES
XL Chromes flatwound strings smooth out your sound with a round, full low end that won't sacrifice warmth.
XL HALF ROUNDS
Similar to round wound strings, but with a smoother feel, XL Half Rounds give you the best of both worlds.
"It’s our go-to string. Plus, it’s what everybody uses — from the pros on down. Also, we can depend on them 100% of the time, which is critical." - Glaser Instruments, Nashville, TN
“I’ve used D’Addario strings on my own guitars for years. Being a professional guitar tech and luthier at Sweetwater, I’ve rigorously tested everything on the market. We recommend D'Addario strings to our customers at Sweetwater because we know they will love them." - Guitar Workshop Manager
"In manufacturing and product development, there are a lot of pieces that need to come together at the right time (and the right quality) in order to meet project deadlines. D’addario meets and exceeds my expectations in those regards and more. I’m very proud to be partnered with D’addario strings for our ESP USA and LTD products."
"Here at LsL we try to use the best of everything. If I could get better strings for our guitars, I would."
XL PURE NICKEL
XL Pure Nickel strings are inspired by the sounds of the 1950's and '60's, with a rich, warm timbre essential to blues, rock, surf, and rockabilly.
XL PRO STEELS
XL ProSteels use a stainless steel wrap wire, enhancing their interaction with magnetic pickups, yielding a distinctly bright and present tone.
D’Addario electric guitar strings are made in the USA to the highest standards of engineering, ensuring the best sound, feel, and strength, no matter how you play. Sets of D’Addario electric strings include two types of strings: plain steel and wound strings. The wound strings are the lower strings on the guitar, usually E, A, & D, (and sometimes G), which are thicker due to the “winding.” Wound strings and the term winding come from the way these strings are constructed—using a hexagonally-shaped steel wire at the core, with another type of metal wire wound around it. By contrast, the other three strings in an electric set are “plain steels,” usually E, B, & G. Plain steels are thinner, are made from one type of alloy, and do not have winding. This allows them to achieve a higher pitch.
D'Addario plain steel strings are most often made with high carbon steel. This high carbon steel also forms the core wire of wound strings. The wrap wire, or winding, for D’Addario electric strings varies from set to set, and often gives the set its unique tonal characteristics, as well as its name. An additional caveat to the above explanation is that some windings have a different texture, not merely a different alloy. So, while standard electric strings are round wound, D’Addario has a few which are flat round or half round, meaning they’ve been ground down in some way to change the tone and feel.
Once electric guitar strings have been constructed, they may also undergo an additional process called “coating.” Coating adds a chemical substance to the outside of the strings to prevent corrosion. D’Addario has two main lines of coated strings: XS and XT. XT provides extended life with a natural feel, while XS—our premium coated string—provides maximum life, plus a smooth feel. Both will give you more time between string changes.
These tips will help you better choose your electric guitar strings:
1. The tone of an electric guitar comes from the material of the strings interacting with the pickups.
- Nickel-plated steel is the most popular electric string material, providing a versatile sound for many genres.
- Stainless Steel is brighter, which affords more presence and crunch.
- Pure Nickel strings give you vintage electric tone, delivering a characteristic warmth.
2. Lighter gauge strings are easier to play.
3. Heavier strings give you more volume and resonance.
4. Coated strings increase the strings lifespan, so they stay new longer.