Very Quick
"I find that most inexpensive guitars have cheap strings, most can be vastly improved with something as simple as new strings."
"There's minimal string talk with this brand and I've never had one break no matter how hard I get on them and I use custom lights on one guitar just because they bend easier and I can manipulate the strings easier but I also know I can shred those customs without fear."
"The XLs last me at least 2 months, sometimes more than 3 on the electrics so my only complaint about the Phosphor Bronze sets for acoustic is that they start losing thier brightness within 2 or 3 weeks."
"I usually play classical (nylon string) guitar, but have an Ovation deep-bowl acoustic electric as well and after the original strings wore out, I never have found strings that I really liked (don't ask me why I never thought about contacting Ovation and asking them what they use from the factory."
"When I discovered these strings a few years back ago (most, if not all music stores I have visited have strung their Guitars with the D'Addario brand), I never looked back and have always used D'Addario."
"I do have some issues with these strings, but overall, I'm willing to put up with the issues for the overall performance I get from the EJ26 strings."
"Instead of each string coming in an individual envelope marked with the gauge, D'Addario color codes the ball end of the string -- so the G is green, the low E is brass (I think - I'm doing this from memory), the high E is silver, and so on."
Quick
"The price is unbelievable, it's nice to have three sets in a box and these are the best acoustic strings on the market... I find that most inexpensive guitars have cheap strings, most can be vastly improved with something as simple as new strings... There are no other options unless someone gives me a set that blow me away."
"I found that right out of the box there didn't seem to be any of that "break in period" that other brands required... The D's have been on it for three years now and I've had to tune it maybe three times. There's minimal string talk with this brand and I've never had one break no matter how hard I get on them and I use custom lights on one guitar just because they bend easier and I can manipulate the strings easier but I also know I can shred those customs without fear."
"I also use only D'Addario XL '9' and '10' sized string sets on my electrics and IMHO you can't get a better sounding, longer lasting string set for those instruments... The XLs last me at least 2 months, sometimes more than 3 on the electrics so my only complaint about the Phosphor Bronze sets for acoustic is that they start losing thier brightness within 2 or 3 weeks... I've tried the coated strings including the Elixers but to my ear they sound only as good when first installed as the D'Addarios do after 2 or 3 weeks of playing."
"I usually play classical (nylon string) guitar, but have an Ovation deep-bowl acoustic electric as well and after the original strings wore out, I never have found strings that I really liked (don't ask me why I never thought about contacting Ovation and asking them what they use from the factory... First, they tuned up quickly and retained their tune on a relatively respectable basis (no new string holds tune perfectly for the first couple of days, but these retained tune fairly well)... SUMMARY: These are excellent strings, which doesn't surprise me since I've use D'Addario classical guitar strings for years."
"When I discovered these strings a few years back ago (most, if not all music stores I have visited have strung their Guitars with the D'Addario brand), I never looked back and have always used D'Addario... I've never had any problems, and the strings themselves come with color coded ball points to indicate which string is which (for a quick and easy string changing)... If you do decide the buy these strings, I doubt you will be disappointed, but if you find it doesn't meet your needs then I have had the pleasure of playing on Elixir strings very recently, which you might check out instead."
"For me these strings bring it all together and are my string of choice for all 12 acoustic electrics I use to play what I consider rock ballads using my strumming-style of play... I do have some issues with these strings, but overall, I'm willing to put up with the issues for the overall performance I get from the EJ26 strings... Some of this can be expected, but what bothers me is the frequency with which I'm breaking G strings."
"Instead of each string coming in an individual envelope marked with the gauge, D'Addario color codes the ball end of the string -- so the G is green, the low E is brass (I think - I'm doing this from memory), the high E is silver, and so on. I really like that -- there isn't an explosion of paper at a gig when I have to change a string quickly. It's a learning curve -- once you know the system it's great, but the first few times, it's a bit of a hassle to reference the package to find which color string goes where."
D'Addario EJ16-3D Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings, Light, 3 Sets (Compare Deals from $15.26)
Less Quick
"The price is unbelievable, it's nice to have three sets in a box and these are the best acoustic strings on the market... I find that most inexpensive guitars have cheap strings, most can be vastly improved with something as simple as new strings... When I find a good thing, I am hooked and I will not use anything BUT these on anything acoustic... I would rather have a shorter life with strings, getting a pure beautiful, rich sound than have a long lasting flat string... These are effortless to play and sound so sweet and mellow, just like an acoustic should sound... Some say thin strings break easily, but you should change strings often anyway... There are no other options unless someone gives me a set that blow me away."
"I started playing about 12 years ago at the age of 33 self taught... I have a few friends that are well known recording artists and they suggested D'Adario strings... I found that right out of the box there didn't seem to be any of that "break in period" that other brands required. There was no constant re tuning while the strings stretched for that brief time after changing. I have a vintage acoustic I don't play often for obvious reasons it's been probably a year since I played it... The D's have been on it for three years now and I've had to tune it maybe three times. There's minimal string talk with this brand and I've never had one break no matter how hard I get on them and I use custom lights on one guitar just because they bend easier and I can manipulate the strings easier but I also know I can shred those customs without fear."
"I've been buying these strings for my acoustic guitar from Guitar Center for several years now... I also use only D'Addario XL '9' and '10' sized string sets on my electrics and IMHO you can't get a better sounding, longer lasting string set for those instruments. I'm lazy and don't change strings any more often than I really have to. The XLs last me at least 2 months, sometimes more than 3 on the electrics so my only complaint about the Phosphor Bronze sets for acoustic is that they start losing thier brightness within 2 or 3 weeks... For my living room audience of mostly just me, these usually stay on for at least a month but I can hear some degrade in tone well within that time. I've tried the coated strings including the Elixers but to my ear they sound only as good when first installed as the D'Addarios do after 2 or 3 weeks of playing. The coated strings just aren't as bright-- they sound a bit muted."
"I usually play classical (nylon string) guitar, but have an Ovation deep-bowl acoustic electric as well and after the original strings wore out, I never have found strings that I really liked (don't ask me why I never thought about contacting Ovation and asking them what they use from the factory... First, they tuned up quickly and retained their tune on a relatively respectable basis (no new string holds tune perfectly for the first couple of days, but these retained tune fairly well)... These strings are medium-mellow, just enough to allow one to enjoy the sound without falling asleep... Thicker strings are often more difficult to play and can even damage some guitars. Lighter gauge tends to cut into the fingers unless the guitar has excellent action... SUMMARY: These are excellent strings, which doesn't surprise me since I've use D'Addario classical guitar strings for years. Martin and GHS are both good strings, but somehow D'Addario just shines."
"I have played the Acoustic Guitar for eight years, maybe a little more than that... When I discovered these strings a few years back ago (most, if not all music stores I have visited have strung their Guitars with the D'Addario brand), I never looked back and have always used D'Addario. Only recently have I begun to use these Bronze Light sets, which I am completely infatuated with... I've never had any problems, and the strings themselves come with color coded ball points to indicate which string is which (for a quick and easy string changing)... The Guitarist "Tim Reynolds" uses these very same strings on his Martin Guitars, and I can't emphasize more on how amazing the bottom (thickest) string sounds, especially when palm muted. If you do decide the buy these strings, I doubt you will be disappointed, but if you find it doesn't meet your needs then I have had the pleasure of playing on Elixir strings very recently, which you might check out instead. If I know anything about Guitars, I know that I'll be using D'Addario or Elixir strings from now on."
"Anyone who plays a lot know that strings are very much a personal thing... For me these strings bring it all together and are my string of choice for all 12 acoustic electrics I use to play what I consider rock ballads using my strumming-style of play... I do have some issues with these strings, but overall, I'm willing to put up with the issues for the overall performance I get from the EJ26 strings... I do not play "hard", I play long (playing several hours daily), but I play rock ballads using a somewhat softer strumming style... ) Yet, I seem to manage to break the high E & B strings on a regular basis (by playing, not by over tuning). Some of this can be expected, but what bothers me is the frequency with which I'm breaking G strings... I change strings frequently so I don't think this is the reason they are breaking."
"This is my favorite string to use on all my acoustic instruments. The strings last a long time, in my opinion. They keep their bright look and sound, even when my friend with acid for sweat borrows my guitar... Instead of each string coming in an individual envelope marked with the gauge, D'Addario color codes the ball end of the string -- so the G is green, the low E is brass (I think - I'm doing this from memory), the high E is silver, and so on. I really like that -- there isn't an explosion of paper at a gig when I have to change a string quickly. It's a learning curve -- once you know the system it's great, but the first few times, it's a bit of a hassle to reference the package to find which color string goes where. D'Addario is my favorite string, hands down, after almost 40 years of playing."
