Daddario EXL120BT 5-stars Reviews

I like these a lot

I bought this set for a super-strat style guitar and the strings feels nice, extremely easy to bend and I could really feel the balance tension. though after 2 months of playing (every single day for hours), they have started to get dull (though this is normal considering they are uncoated strings), I recommend these for everyone who needs this size (and doesn't play as much as me), but I wish D'addario would make a coated version of this.

Best strings

Always great sound and quality

Not snake-oil

I've been pleasantly surprised by these strings.

The equal-tension concept isn't just marketing.

Changing strings on my guitars on a "when needed"-basis created a period where some had the balanced set on them,

while others were still on regular tension strings and the difference was very much noticeable when swapping guitars

No, it will not perform tremolo divebombs or pull-ups in unison, or keep floating trems in tune when breaking a string

Basic strumming and picking also isn't where the change lies (though I did suspect a more consistent feel in alternate picking and sweeps)

but the area where it will be most noticeable is bending strings

the 'feel' between strings is closer and unison double-string bends take less effort (though a very seasoned player might actually be more adept with the 'inconsistent' feel of a regular set)

The stars are neutral for the following reasons:

For sound, I did not notice any change (played 09-42 prior)

and the quality? Well, they're d'Addario's, for my personal tastes and experience, the best strings I tried so far

Anyone willing to experiment, give them a try (it's not like they cost the world)

brillo

i swapped out the 9 and 12 for a 10 and 13 and you almost get the Hendrix 10-38 but with d'addario quality . awesome strings, but a 9 is too thin for me as a top E. the G 15 is great!

Balanced tension set from the world's most popular string brand

D'Addario is the most popular string brand and produces these balanced tension sets. A few other brands may produce balanced tension sets but they may be few. As far as I know, only D'Addario makes them.

I find these sets very good; for the equal feel when playing between each string and I think it's easier on the neck and truss rod since the tension is distributed equally.

I, personally, use these 9s for standard tuning on a 25.5" scale guitar. I don't think I will go for 10s as the tension would obviously increase resulting in a faster attack and release and a longer sustain (I like medium sustain, attack and release). Also, obviously more tension on the neck and truss rod.

And I forgot to mention bending is easier with medium tension strings.

The only qualm with these strings is that perhaps they don't last so long, especially the wound ones with nickel. It gets oxidized very quickly. Some reviewers around the world complain about this and talk about other brands that make longer-lasting strings.

Of course it depends on how much one plays, the sweat from the fingers, if the strings are wiped after each use, environmental conditions, etc.

But, overall, they're still the most popular strings in the world and I'm glad they make these balanced tension sets.

As good as...

... D'addario strings have been all the time. For me this is the next step in strings, the new balanced tension sets are perfect. As you can see on the chart on the D'addario website the traction of the strings is now really balanced very well and I can say you that you can feel this by playing. No more flappy G strings or too tight E strings. Love them. Beside of that, for me D'addario are the strings that last the longest.