When it comes to choosing the best strings for your acoustic guitar, there are countless options available. But with so many brands and types to consider, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That's where D'Addario comes in—one of the most respected names in the industry, known for their exceptional tone, durability and playability.

A continual best-seller, D'Addario acoustic strings are specifically designed to meet the demands of acoustic guitar players, with a range of materials and technologies that cater to different playing styles and preferences. From the bright, snappy sound of their 80/20 bronze strings to the warm, rich tones of their phosphor bronze options, D'Addario has the strings for every player.

Table of Contents

A Note on Caring for Your Acoustic Guitar
   When Should I Change the Strings on My Acoustic Guitar?
A Guide to D'Addario Acoustic Guitar Strings
   Comparing D'Addario's Acoustic Guitar Strings
   D'Addario XT 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
   D'Addario XT Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
   D'Addario EJ11 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
   D'Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
   D'Addario XS 80/20 Bronze Coated Acoustic Guitar Strings
   D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic Guitar Strings
   D'Addario EJ45 Pro-Arté Normal Tension Classical Guitar Strings
   D'Addario NB1253 Nickel Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
   D'Addario EJ40 Silk and Steel Ball End Folk Guitar Strings
   D'Addario EFT16 Flat Top PB Acoustic Guitar Strings
That's a Wrap

A Note on Caring for Your Acoustic Guitar

Taking care of your acoustic guitar is just as important as choosing the right strings. Regular maintenance can help extend the life of your instrument and keep it sounding its best. Be sure to clean and dust your guitar regularly, avoid extreme temperatures, and use a humidifier or dehumidifier, such as D'Addario's Humidpak system to maintain optimal humidity levels. For a deeper dive, check out our Riffs article, Five Easy Steps to Care for Your Acoustic Guitar.

When Should I Change the Strings on My Acoustic Guitar?

Changing your strings is an essential part of maintaining your acoustic guitar's sound quality. The frequency of string replacement depends on several factors, including playing style, guitar type and personal preference. As a general rule, acoustic guitarists should aim to change their strings every 1–3 months, or whenever they notice a decrease in tone quality. Look out for signs such as:

• Strings feel rough or grimy
• A dull or muted sound
• Difficulty producing a clear, crisp tone
• Increased string wear or fraying
• Changes in string intonation

By changing your strings regularly, you can help maintain the integrity of your guitar and ensure that it continues to produce its best sound.

A Guide to D'Addario Acoustic Guitar Strings

D'Addario acoustic strings are known for their exceptional tone, durability and playability. They're made with high-quality materials that resist corrosion and wear, ensuring that your guitar sounds its best even after extended use. Plus, D'Addario's unique string-making processes help to create a rich, full-bodied sound that's perfect for everything from folk to rock.

Let’s take a quick moment, though, to talk about coated strings, since we are frequently asked what the difference is between D’Addario’s XS and XT coatings. XT series strings have a coating only on the wrap wire. This increases string life by helping stave off corrosion and keeping dirt from so easily lodging in the wound strings, while leaving a very traditional string feel, with only a slight reduction in finger noise. XS series strings, on the other hand, are completely coated, even the plain strings, with a polymer coating that’s thinner than a human hair. This coating not only protects all the strings from dirt and corrosion but provides a smooth feel and almost complete elimination of finger noise.

With a wide variety of string types to choose from, here's a chart that should make it easier for you to zero in on the set that's right for you and your guitar.

Comparing D'Addario's Acoustic Guitar Strings

String Type	Tone	Material	Coated/Plain	Playing Style
XT 80/20 Bronze	Bright, snappy, versatile	80/20 Bronze wrap, plain steel core	Coated wrap wire	All-around acoustic playing styles
XT Phosphor Bronze	Brighter, punchier, more aggressive tone	Phosphor Bronze wrap, plain steel core	Coated wrap wire	Great for country, bluegrass, and rock players
XS 80/20 Bronze	Bright, snappy with reduced finger noise	80/20 Bronze wrap, NY Steel core	Fully Coated	All-around player, great for recording and fingerpicking because of reduced finger noise
XS Phosphor Bronze	Brighter, more aggressive, punchy tone with reduced finger noise	Phosphor Bronze wrap, NY Steel core	Fully Coated	Flatpicking, aggressive strumming, as noted above, excellent for recording
NB Series	Warm, balanced, slightly darker tone	Nickel Bronze wrap, NY Steel core	Plain	General-purpose string, great for acoustic jazz, swing and blues players
EJ11 80/20	Balanced, versatile	80/20 Bronze, plain steel core	Plain	General-purpose basic acoustic string
EJ16 Phosphor Bronze	Brighter, more aggressive	Phosphor Bronze wrap, plain steel core	Plain	General-purpose basic acoustic string
EJ40 Silk & Steel Ball-End Strings	Clear, balanced, mellow	Silk and steel wrap, plain steel core	Plain	Designed for folk-style guitars
EJ45 Pro-Arté Normal Tension Classical	Balanced, mellow	Nylon core, silvered copper wrap	Plain	Classical, bossa nova, nylon-string jazz

D'Addario XT 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

The XT 80/20 standard bronze string set features a blend of 80% copper and 20% zinc, providing a warm and balanced tone with good sustain. The unique combination of these metals helps to create a clear and articulate sound from your guitar that cuts through any mix. By using this bronze alloy, D'Addario achieves a rich, full-bodied sound that's perfect for a wide range of playing styles.

Shop Now: D'Addario XT 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings .12-.53

D'Addario XT Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

For players who prefer a warmer, more balanced tone, D'Addario's XT phosphor bronze strings are the way to go. With a unique blend of warmth and bite, these strings offer a complex, nuanced sound that's perfect for country, bluegrass or rock players. The wound strings in this set features the addition of phosphorus to the bronze wrap, which helps create their distinctive tonal properties. The phosphor bronze alloy is known for its articulate tone with good sustain and clarity. The phosphorus content also helps to enhance the strings’ strength, durability and resistance to corrosion.

Shop Now: D'Addario XT Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings .12-.53

D'Addario EJ11 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

A lighter gauge option that still packs plenty of punch, D'Addario's EJ11 strings are their best-selling regular acoustic guitar string and ideal for fingerstyle players or those who prefer a brighter tone. With a unique blend of presence and clarity, these strings offer a clear, snappy sound with good sustain and tonal balance.

Shop Now: D'Addario EJ11 80/20 Bronze Light Acoustic Guitar Strings .12-.53

D'Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

This lighter gauge EJ16 phosphor bronze string set is our top-rated set, by customer reviews. It features the same advanced technology as the standard phosphor bronze strings, but with a reduced gauge for easier playing. The addition of phosphor bronze gives these guitar strings a unique warmth and complexity that's perfect for players who want to add some smoothness to their sound.

Shop Now: D'Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Light Acoustic Guitar Strings .12-.53

D'Addario XS Acoustic 80/20 Bronze Coated Acoustic Guitar Strings

The XS 80/20 bronze coated guitar strings feature the same advanced technology as the uncoated versions, plus an ultrathin polymer coating that greatly extends string life, protecting against dirt and corrosion while reducing finger noise. The XS series also includes D'Addario's Fusion Twist wrap system, which enhances tuning stability and reduces string breakage. With a brighter sound than the phosphor bronze formulation, the 80/20 bronze wrap formulation maintains a great balance between articulation and sonic bite. This particular set has received five-star reviews from 95% of customers who’ve left reviews.

Shop Now: D'Addario XS Acoustic 80/20 Bronze Coated Guitar Strings .12-.53

D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic Guitar Strings

These XS phosphor bronze coated guitar strings are D’Addario’s best-selling premium acoustic guitar string. They feature an ultrathin polymer coating that greatly enhances string life without affecting feel. The virtually undetectable coating also helps reduce finger squeak. XS series strings also feature D'Addario's Fusion Twist wrap technology, which helps create a tighter, more secure ball end attachment by twisting together the core and wrap wires, increasing tuning stability and making string breakage much less likely.

Shop Now: D'Addario XS Acoustic Phosphor Bronze Strings .12-.53

D'Addario EJ45 Pro-Arté Normal Tension Classical Guitar Strings

The EJ45 classical guitar string set features D'Addario's proprietary Pro-Arté technology, which uses a unique blend of materials and designs to create a balanced, versatile tone. Nylon cores and silver coated copper wrap maintain body on the wound strings. The rounded, but still present sound, excellent sustain and tonal clarity make this a top-selling choice for nylon-string players. Normal tension balances attack and playability, maintaining clarity and articulation on the most difficult passages. As one customer stated, “I've tried many different strings for my classical guitar over time, but I find myself coming back to D’Addario the most.”

Shop Now: D'Addario EJ45 Pro-Arté Normal Tension Classical Guitar Strings

D'Addario NB1253 Nickel Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

A popular choice for players, especially archtop jazz and swing guitar players, who want a string with a "flat" response that delivers all the subtleties of their instrument, D'Addario's nickel bronze strings offer a warm, rich tone with excellent sustain and tonal clarity. The nickel bronze wrap doesn't overdo it on the high end, offering up an extraordinarily balanced tone. D'Addario's Fusion Twist technology strengthens the connection between the core and wrap at the ball end, resulting in greater tuning stability and decreased string breakage.

Shop Now: D'Addario NB1253 Nickel Bronze Light Acoustic Guitar Strings .12-.53

D'Addario EJ40 Silk and Steel Ball End Folk Guitar Strings

With a softer, mellower sound and smoother feel, the EJ40 strings feature exceptional tone for folk-style guitars, while maintaining excellent sustain and tonal clarity. The silk and steel wrap makes for an easier playing experience, too. These are the preferred strings of beach strummers and campfire pickers, or any player looking for smooth playability and a more gentle sound that won't overwhelm vocal performances.

Shop Now: D'Addario EJ40 Silk and Steel Ball End Acoustic Folk Guitar Strings .11-.47

D'Addario EFT16 Flat Top PB Acoustic Guitar Strings

When D'Addario calls the EFT16 strings "Flat Tops" they're referring to the smooth nature of the wound strings. This "half-round" wrap is oversized to begin with, then ground to buttery smoothness, eliminating finger noise and creating a mellower sound than full round wound strings. They create a great alternative to the bright, snappy sound of round wounds while maintaining excellent sustain and tonal clarity. They’re perfect for guitar players who want a versatile tone that can handle a variety of musical styles.

Shop Now: D'Addario EFT16 Flat Top PB Light Acoustic Guitar Strings .12-.53

That's a Wrap

If you're looking for the best acoustic guitar strings on the market, look no further than D'Addario. With their exceptional tone, durability and playability, they're the perfect choice for any player. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, D'Addario has a string set that's right for you. When you're ready to upgrade your sound, head on over to your local Guitar Center or to guitarcenter.com and pick up your new strings today. And, if this article has piqued your curiosity about strings in general, check out our more extensive article on Acoustic Guitar Strings.