They were talking about 2022, but I understand why the Customer Service did not share a launch window or something. I’m curious as well!
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D’Addario XT Thread
- Thread starter 19sixty3
- Start date
I put a set of XTs on my US Geddy JB this week (by far my brightest sounding bass). My favorite D’Addario strings are NYXLs, followed by Pro Steels, for reference. I love the brighter strings, I know it’s not everyone’s taste.
The XTs feel great, but they sound like playing with a condom on. Muffled and dull compared to the NYXLs, lacking the zing and high end. I will jam them out, take them off and throw them away, with slightly disappointed enjoyment.
I like coated strings on guitar, because uncoated nickel strings make my fingers stink, and then they corrode, but I don’t have the same problem with bass strings.
The XTs feel great, but they sound like playing with a condom on. Muffled and dull compared to the NYXLs, lacking the zing and high end. I will jam them out, take them off and throw them away, with slightly disappointed enjoyment.
I like coated strings on guitar, because uncoated nickel strings make my fingers stink, and then they corrode, but I don’t have the same problem with bass strings.
D’Addario released the XS line of strings last year, which are their version of "full coated" strings, currently only available for acoustic guitar and mandolin: XS Phosphor Bronze | Best Coated Acoustic Guitar Strings | D'Addario
I heard they will soon be available for electric guitar and bass, can't wait to check them out!
I heard they will soon be available for electric guitar and bass, can't wait to check them out!
I have to chime in here to warn anyone seeking a substitute for their Elixirs (given that company’s well-established supply chain problems) that the XTs are a pretty poor substitute. I’ve tried them on two basses — a P/J with EMG Geezer Butler sigs and on an Ibanez Premium SR 5er with Nordstrand Big Singles. On the passive bass the XTs were . . . Ok. On the Ibby? Not so much. They were replacing a two-year old set of Elixir lights and the XTs have nowhere near the tone the old strings still had in them. The feel is what I expected given the description, but the XT tone is dull while still having that annoying rasp and finger noise in the tippy top end (and I have hearing loss in that spectrum). Given my preference for super-light gauge strings, I’m resigning myself to going back to uncoated strings until Elixir fixes its problems I guess. If I can find something with a similar tone that can last two to three months I will be ok. I’m next looking at Sunbeams since DR has the best variety of gauges. I might look at Stringjoy too. Crossing my fingers that Elixir will get its act together soon.
I'm waiting for the XS bass strings to get released. That will be a game changer. Pretty sure they will be a direct competitor to the Elixir nanoweb.
I tried the acoustic XS and thought they were every bit as good as Elixirs. Same with the electric XS strings that just came out. Actually, I like D'addario more than Elixir as a company, so tie goes to D'addario.
I tried the acoustic XS and thought they were every bit as good as Elixirs. Same with the electric XS strings that just came out. Actually, I like D'addario more than Elixir as a company, so tie goes to D'addario.
As an Elixir fan, me too was delighted when the XS line was announced. But, it's been quite a while now. Seems the available signs are saying the bass XS line isn't going to be available any time soon.
So far, D'Addario has come up with the acoustic (phosphor bronze) XS and the electric guitar XS. But currently, even the electric guitar XS is hard to come by. Elixir is still much better in these categories. Several gauge sets of Elixir acoustic and electric guitar strings are readily available for us to buy. Not to mention the coating options too.
So far, D'Addario has come up with the acoustic (phosphor bronze) XS and the electric guitar XS. But currently, even the electric guitar XS is hard to come by. Elixir is still much better in these categories. Several gauge sets of Elixir acoustic and electric guitar strings are readily available for us to buy. Not to mention the coating options too.
Seems that they are currently offering the 'greatest hits' with the XS electric and acoustic gauges. Not sure if that's because they are trying to keep the SKUs to a minimum on the rollout, due to supply chain, or ?. This is the 3rd new line of strings they have introduced in the last few years.
I'm pretty easy, I already like and use D'addario 12s on acoustic and 11s on most of my electrics. As long as there are 45-105 and 45-130 (like the XT line) for bass, I'll be happy.
On a semi-related note, I'm glad I have played pretty much every type of string out there and already know what I like. I can see a newer player being overwhelmed with the variety of strings (in both composition and gauge) offered by the major manufacturers.
I've tried the XTs but especially when I slap they just don't feel or sound right to me. They feel tight and lack the twang snap sizzle (can't find the right word) I have had elixir nanowebs on my fretless. The same set for at least ten years. They don't seem to change.After all those years they are still perfect for that bass. On my 6 string I have a set of 130 to .32 XTs I mainly play fingerstyle on that bass and for that they are pretty nice sounding.
I'm curious about the guitar strings. Are the unwound XT strings G B and E also coated? How do they feel?
I'm curious about the guitar strings. Are the unwound XT strings G B and E also coated? How do they feel?
Yeah. My XTs were dead within a week. Very disappointing. I’ve started calling the company D’eadadarrio based on the performance of these duds.
I just bought a set .45-130. I just put them on last night, but hadn’t played the, yet. I have a gig this weekend so I’ll post assessment of them afterwards. I was using DR Low Riders and wanted to try something different.
My XT’s were also dead in a week. I usually get a month out of XL’s before they sounded this dead. I’m won’t buy again. Oh well, maybe the XS’s will be good when they come out eventually. I just hope they are conductive and help complete the string ground as the Elixirs do not and can be noisy on some of my basses. That was why I tried the XT’s- they are conductive. Anyone try the Cleartone coated offerings?
I've been rocking the XTs since my last post and they are still going strong. I play about every other weekend and rehearse once a week unless I'm playing with another group. I had been using DR lo riders for the past three years but I think the XTs are my new go to string and they are easy to find if I'm out of town
I wonder if they have recently had a change in design as I don’t really hear any of this deadness everyone is talking about.
I just swapped out a set on my NYBW 5 string, I’ve been using NYXLs for ages now and wondered if these would last a bit longer, so far soo good.
I couldn’t hear any noticeable between these and NYXL, maybe like 3% less bright than a brand new set but otherwise they’re the same.. I’d be surprised if i could tell them apart at this point.
let’s see how they hold up over the next few weeks, I’ll report back.
Dave
I just swapped out a set on my NYBW 5 string, I’ve been using NYXLs for ages now and wondered if these would last a bit longer, so far soo good.
I couldn’t hear any noticeable between these and NYXL, maybe like 3% less bright than a brand new set but otherwise they’re the same.. I’d be surprised if i could tell them apart at this point.
let’s see how they hold up over the next few weeks, I’ll report back.
Dave
So they’re a month old at this point and I really like them.
I’d say after the initial break in over maybe the first week when they settled into my bass and lost a Little brightness they haven’t changed.
I’m actually at the point where I would normally change strings and it feels a bit weird to leave them on any longer but that’s just a habit tapping me on the shoulder.
intonation is holding as is string tension, they really don't feel like they’re gonna go any time soon.
just to clarify I play bass for a living so my main bass gets at least 2 hours a day, sometimes 4 or 5. I DON’T have acidic sweat but I like to change strings fairly regularly to have clarity on the low B and good intonation as well as keep my tone relatively consistent.
I initially started using NYXLs because of the B string but I must admit they can be a little bright so in my case at least the coating helped remove a tiny bit of 5/6k zing but the low B has all the integrity I was used to with the NYXLs.
I’ll report back when I change them unless I forget.. lol
Dave
Trying these out because Elixirs make my basses noisy. Still early but so far I'm impressed. Like XL's that have been played in enough to lose the new-string clank and zing.
I remain impressed with the consistency of D'Addario strings. They may not always 'wow' me, but they never let me down.
I remain impressed with the consistency of D'Addario strings. They may not always 'wow' me, but they never let me down.
I wish I could say something meaningful about the longevity of XT's, but honestly I only used them for about a week. There was nothing wrong with them at all, in fact they're very good strings, but I just have a sickness where I'm always wanting to try out something different.
I just have asickness(healthy appetite) where I'm always wanting to try out something different.
