D’Addario XT Thread

19sixty3

19sixty3

Mar 13, 2019
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Goslar, Germany
#1
D’Addario XT Thread

Just read that the new D'Addario's XT strings - as announced at summer Namm 2019 - will be hitting stores and online dealers around the end of August/Labor Day Weekend, what is pretty soon.

I must confess, I’d never been the biggest fan of D’Addario strings at all, but I’ll be very excited to try these out.

These strings look really interesting, the description makes it sound like that the new XT is a hybrid of D'Addario's XL and NYXL string with a new treatment that is applied to the wrap wire.

I am wondering what the fine folks of TB think about the new XT strings, and as well, can’t wait to read the first review of this strings.

I am wondering as well if there are some beta testers here on TB who might share at least a brief first impression...
 
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#4
Went to FN upon receiving Jason's email of this new D'Addario XT line to do string tension comparison using the numbers from each back covers of the XL Nickel, NYXL, and the new XT, available on FN website. Seems the XTs have similar tensions with the XL Nickels (which are higher tension than the NYXLs).

daddario_da_xtb45130_back_white.jpg

DAddario_EXL170-5_detail2.jpg
DAddario_nyxl45130_detail1.jpg

Pictures are from fretnation.com
 
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#5
Aidil said:
Went to FN upon receiving Jason's email of this new D'Addario XT line to do string tension comparison using the numbers from each back covers of the XL Nickel, NYXL, and the new XT, available on FN website. Seems the XTs have similar tensions with the XL Nickels (which are higher tension than the NYXLs).

View attachment 3502743
View attachment 3502745 View attachment 3502744
Pictures are from fretnation.com
Click to expand...

These replace the EXP coated strings. They are reformulated from what I understand to use the NY Steel Core wire. I haven't compared the tension to them and what is published on the EXP coated strings.
 
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#6
SLaPiNFuNK said:
These replace the EXP coated strings. They are reformulated from what I understand to use the NY Steel Core wire. I haven't compared the tension to them and what is published on the EXP coated strings.
Click to expand...

This is my understanding as well. The new XT obviously feature the NY Steel plain strings and steel cores, but not the nickel-plated steel wrap wire (like the NYXL).
 
#8
These have my interest. I've mostly just played Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky's but my latest bass came with Elixir's on it and I'm hooked. Then I saw they're about $80AUD :eek:

Then again all bass strings here are priced pretty high, so if they really do last a long time it's not that bad, but looking at the prices on musicians friend the D'addarios are 70% the price of the Elixirs so if they're similarly good I'm down to try some!

Only thing is I'm guessing they're coated before they're wound, I kind of like how the Elixir's are coated afterwards.
 
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#10
Yes, DR coat the wrap wire before wrapping it onto the core. So there are possible gaps between windings where finger sweat can get into it. But what could that mean in real life usage, in tone and/or life span? I have no idea. However, as @SLaPiNFuNK mentioned above, the Elixirs do not conduct electricity so they will not complete a ground which may results in a noisy instrument. And a grounding issue can be annoying in real life usage...
 
#12
19sixty3 said:
Yes, DR coat the wrap wire before wrapping it onto the core. So there are possible gaps between windings where finger sweat can get into it. But what could that mean in real life usage, in tone and/or life span? I have no idea.
Click to expand...
In my experience, DR Dragon Skins (coated steels) don't really last much longer than regular strings. And when they are really dead, you can hear the coating.

Elixirs often last months. For some people, they can last a year. The non-conductive nature can be an issue on some basses with certain grounding issues. But, if you don't have that problem: Elixirs are extraordinary strings for people who play gigs.
 
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#13
Toptube said:
In my experience, DR Dragon Skins (coated steels) don't really last much longer than regular strings. And when they are really dead, you can hear the coating.

Elixirs often last months. For some people, they can last a year. The non-conductive nature can be an issue on some basses with certain grounding issues. But, if you don't have that problem: Elixirs are extraordinary strings for people who play gigs.
Click to expand...

Well, DR Dragon Skins are not my cup of tea. I just never liked how they feel under my fingers. I preferred always - tone wise as well - the DR Black Beauties over the DR Dragon Skins.

I am glad to hear that the Elixirs work well for you. For me they don't. I cannot comment on how long the Elixirs last because I've tried them on several of my instruments and didn't like the tone of them on any one. Nothing special with the tone, I just find they lack real bottom end.

Yes, your statement maybe nail it down: “Elixirs are extraordinary strings for people who play gigs”. However they are maybe not the first choice for gigging AND recording.

This is why I put my hope on the D'Addario XT strings Soon we will know if the XT can deliver in live and studio situations!
 
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