D'Addario Guitar Strings - XS Nickel Coated Electric Guitar Strings - XSE0942 - Maximum Life with Smooth Feel & Exceptional Tone - For 6 String Guitars - 09-42 Super Light

Best coated electric strings in the game, I’ve been playing these since they came out and are consistently perfect. I play 5+ hours a day and do it as my job. I hardly ever have to change my strings, I absolutely never break them. The tone is consistently clear, and has that bubbly new feel for a very long time.

Feel:If you're reading this you're probably not one of those "coated strings suck" snobs. But if you are, let me say these strings don't behave like coated strings, except for their playability and longevity aspect. They feel sleek, slippery, but not artificially so. Even the non-wound high strings stay slippery, they don't get that chunky, rusty feel after a couple weeks, they are a real pleasure to play!Stability & longevity:I've been playing for about 30 years, and I don't notice any tuning issues that I didn't notice with other strings, coated or not, so as far as I can tell stability isn't an issue. I used to use Elixirs (for longevity) but the last 2 or 3 years it's only D'Addario XS for me, for acoustics and electrics. No joke, I got 1.5 years out of these on my acoustic. Granted I don't play it every day, but weekly, yes. I regularly get 5 or 6 months on my electrics which I play nearly daily. YMMV as with anything, but I'm telling you these are the real deal, there is no better string at the time of this writing, in my humble opinion.Sound:Electric sound- who cares; there's so much more to your sound than the strings on an electric, so play strings that feel good and last, agree with me or not but that's my advice.Acoustic sound- well, if you're a sound snob for your acoustics, you may -or may not- like these. They don't seem as bright and nasally as Elixirs, but they are bright and crisp, for what I like my acoustics to sounds like they're perfect for me. If you have a spruce top, you may think they're extra bright, my main one is solid mahogany so they work wonderful. Again, YMMV if you seek a specific sound from acoustic strings based on your guitar's wood or top type.

Love D'Addario! These are great strings - last a long, long time.

Lasted me about half a year

Awesome strings! Happy

I love these strings and they do make a difference but how my low E string just snapped while wrapping it around the tuning peg :0

I have used Elixir nanoweb strings exclusively for probably the past 15 years. I have new Hollowbody that felt a little stiff compared to my other 24.75 scale guitars. So I wanted to try a lighter gauge but didn't want to use 9s. These fit the bill perfectly and are similar to the Elixir feel. I also don't feel a huge difference under the fingers compared to 10s and these made that particular guitar feel more like my other short-scale guitars. Overall, very happy and happy to have this slightly lighter gauge without going to 9s

I grew up playing D'Addario strings; they're great. I switched to Elixr's for about a decade for longevity. I tried these, and honestly I can't really tell a difference, but I like them. I would say they're as good or better. Why are they better if I can't tell a difference? Good question! These strings are available in more guages. I really like 9.5 strings, and I don't think it was possible to get coated ones until these were available. Thank you D'Addario for making great stuff!!!!