D'Addario Acoustic Guitar Strings, Nickel Bronze, NB1253, Light Gauge 12-53, 6-String Set, Pack of 1

I've used every major brand you can name and most types of strings over the years. I've not yet used the D'Addario XS coated (which I hear great things about). Until now I also hadn't tried the D'Addario Nickel Bronze's either.I have a folk sized electro-acoustic with a Cedar top and Mahogany back, sides & neck that these would suit. On this instrument I usually use 80/20 Bronze for their bright punch which lightens the sound of this guitar. However, I notice 80/20s tarnish and tonally fade quite quickly. Phosphor Bronze strings sound dark, while Copper Bronze or Silk strings are too dark for this instrument. So, I thought I'd give these Nickel Bronze strings a go. I got a set of super-light 10-47 gauge, which usually sound quite weedy when made from 80/20 Bronze.I am so very impressed with them! Right from the get go it's as if they were made for this wood combination. The projection is really good and loud even from such thin strings. Very unusual from 10-47s.The balance is excellent with heavily strummed chords being full and defined. Gently fingerpicked chords are clear, clean, sonorous and balanced. These aren't shrill and aren't too bass heavy. Essentially, they are perfect!The feel is very smooth on the wound strings, almost feeling polished in comparison to some other strings where the wrap-winds are very pronounced under the fingertips. These strings are quite flexible, with just the right amount of light finger tension I really enjoy.I'm raving about them to my students who, when they try them, are also really impressed. Highly recommended for an audition on your favourite acoustic.(I can't comment on the longevity of these, so maybe I need to update this review in a few months!)

Registered serial number on pack with D'Addario site OK , so I'm assuming the strings are genuine. Full set sealed, strung up OK and sounding good.

These used to be my go to strings for acoustic. So when my new taylor needed restringing naturally I went for these. Made me realise the elixirs that taylor use sound much better….

The strings are beautifully balanced, with a mild metallic sound. Perfect for a light tension guitar with a high quality sound.

After over 30 years of guitar playing I am still looking for the perfect string, D'Addario have come close with these. The first thing to mention is that they look like electric guitar strings, which is a little confusing to begin with. They are smooth to my fingers and have very little string noise. They sound bright - very bright - which again for me is a good thing. There are lots of high end overtones, but the bass still projects. On my Martin the mid's are a little reduced, which could be a good or bad thing, I tend to slightly scoop the mid's anyway so it wasn't a problem for me.They last well, they last as long as some coated strings - but not all coated strings. They certainly keep their brightness longer than standard 80/20's and phosphor bronze strings. If you like bright long lasting strings give these a try.

These have a really lovely resonance.

I discovered at an early age that guitars are completely useless without strings, and progressed much quicker once I'd acquired and fitted a set. They happened to be Phosphor Bronze, and rather boringly I've stuck with them for the last 50 years. (Though not the same set. I tend to change them every four weeks or so.) Yet despite the huge importance of strings in terms of converting vibrations into sound, this is the first time that I've felt compelled to comment on them. I do so because these Nickel Bronze jobbies have impressed me. Like others, I intially loathed them. Coming from the generally much warmer, mellower, mid-rangey world of Phosphor Bronze, I found these way too bright and brash, and if I wasn't so tight I would have taken them off and replaced them immediately. However, that would have been a mistake, as once they've had a chance to settle down they mellow out and sound great. And they stay sounding great for a long time. I normally change my strings every 4 to 6 weeks, but I've had these on for THREE MONTHS now, and they still sound great. Excellent value for money, and I am definitely going to be getting another set. Just as soon as I can wear this set out!

Strong strings love it with great sound