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Has Anyone Used D'Addario NYXL Strings?
Posted on 2/2/26 at 9:19 pm
Posted on 2/2/26 at 9:19 pm
I'm curious what the difference is between their regular set and their balanced tension set.
I bought my first Gretsch (a G5232T Electromatic Double Jet) on a crazy sale at Focus Pro Audio for $408 shipped with no tax and will probably switch out the stock strings when my luthier buddy sets it up. I asked another rockabilly friend who's owned Gretsch's for years and he recommended the NYXL D'Addario's. More just wondering what would be the benefit of balanced tension strings would be.
Thanks for any input you might have.
I bought my first Gretsch (a G5232T Electromatic Double Jet) on a crazy sale at Focus Pro Audio for $408 shipped with no tax and will probably switch out the stock strings when my luthier buddy sets it up. I asked another rockabilly friend who's owned Gretsch's for years and he recommended the NYXL D'Addario's. More just wondering what would be the benefit of balanced tension strings would be.
Thanks for any input you might have.
3
Posted on 2/2/26 at 9:35 pm to Mizz-SEC
I tried them. Same gauges as my usual XLs. Zero noticeable difference on my Strat.
That said, I built a stupid Epi 335 in 2018. Rio Grande Texas BBQ humbuckers, Gotohs, strap locks, bone nut, upgraded bridge. I spent probably twice as much on the upgrades as I did the guitar itself. I do feel they play marginally better and hold tuning a little tighter. IDK if it is worth the money difference. I'm a bedroom guy that occasionally plays with friends and has done a fill-in spot a couple of times.
That said, I built a stupid Epi 335 in 2018. Rio Grande Texas BBQ humbuckers, Gotohs, strap locks, bone nut, upgraded bridge. I spent probably twice as much on the upgrades as I did the guitar itself. I do feel they play marginally better and hold tuning a little tighter. IDK if it is worth the money difference. I'm a bedroom guy that occasionally plays with friends and has done a fill-in spot a couple of times.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 9:18 am to Mizz-SEC
Balanced Tension sets ... they tweak the string gauges so that the strings' tautness/floppiness feels more consistent string to string. It's a personal taste thing only you can answer if you need this. No harm in experimenting - strings are cheap.
I can tell you after selling thousands of sets of D'Addario's to thousands of workshop clients, I can only remember two clients/occasions where balanced tension XLs were specifically requested. Safe to say the vast majority of players use standard tension strings, regardless of the manufacturer.
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Standard XLs vs NYXLs ... the latter uses a different alloy that is more durable and that holds their tone and consistency longer over string lifespan compared to XLs. My opinion, however ... NYXLs don't sound as good as common XLs.
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I use the common everyday XLs. They are the best strings on the planet for tone, feel, durability, freshness/packaging, quality control/consistency, price, ease of availability. Again, strings are a personal thing only the individual player can answer for himself. Test for yourself and pick your favorite.
I can tell you after selling thousands of sets of D'Addario's to thousands of workshop clients, I can only remember two clients/occasions where balanced tension XLs were specifically requested. Safe to say the vast majority of players use standard tension strings, regardless of the manufacturer.
------------------
Standard XLs vs NYXLs ... the latter uses a different alloy that is more durable and that holds their tone and consistency longer over string lifespan compared to XLs. My opinion, however ... NYXLs don't sound as good as common XLs.
-----------------
I use the common everyday XLs. They are the best strings on the planet for tone, feel, durability, freshness/packaging, quality control/consistency, price, ease of availability. Again, strings are a personal thing only the individual player can answer for himself. Test for yourself and pick your favorite.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 10:47 am to TheFretShack
quote:Interesting. I've been using Ernie Ball for years but I may give these a try. Thank you.
I use the common everyday XLs. They are the best strings on the planet for tone, feel, durability, freshness/packaging, quality control/consistency, price, ease of availability.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 11:31 am to TheFretShack
It is amazing how much tonal difference there can be with strings. I play bass and everytime someone says they want to change out their pickups, I tell them to consider either new strings, because you know how bass players can be, or different strings. Different brands, different materials, different windings. I always try that before I settle on the fact that I really do want to do a pickup swap.
On topic, on the bass side, the regular XL are consistent and what I use (along with Dunlop super bright nickels) if I ever put on nickels, plus they do a gauge I like. I was not a fan of the NYXLs. I think they are tonally similar but lack the kind of harmonics you can get with the regular XLs and though they advertise extra brightness, which I love, they do not achieve that in a pleasing way. Too brittle.
I mostly will stick with my Rotosound steel roundwounds. I don't even know why I try different strings anymore, none of them can compare. The Dean Markley Blue Steels used to come very close but they changed ownership or where they are made or something and they suck now. I like the Dunlop strings probably next. They are decent. I have never gotten along with the DR strings or Ernie Ball strings.
On topic, on the bass side, the regular XL are consistent and what I use (along with Dunlop super bright nickels) if I ever put on nickels, plus they do a gauge I like. I was not a fan of the NYXLs. I think they are tonally similar but lack the kind of harmonics you can get with the regular XLs and though they advertise extra brightness, which I love, they do not achieve that in a pleasing way. Too brittle.
I mostly will stick with my Rotosound steel roundwounds. I don't even know why I try different strings anymore, none of them can compare. The Dean Markley Blue Steels used to come very close but they changed ownership or where they are made or something and they suck now. I like the Dunlop strings probably next. They are decent. I have never gotten along with the DR strings or Ernie Ball strings.
This post was edited on 2/3/26 at 11:37 am
Posted on 2/8/26 at 5:35 am to Mizz-SEC
I loved their balanced tension sets, but Ive since moved on to either Elixirs or Stringjoys for the most part. Stringjoy makes a 9.5-46 balanced set that is killer for all my 25.5 inch radius guitars.You can also custom order a set with whatever size string gauges you like.
This post was edited on 2/8/26 at 5:38 am
Posted on 2/8/26 at 8:12 am to Easye921
Well I had a chance to give my new Gretsch a spin Friday night and I'm straight up in love.
My band mate / luthier set it up with the stock Fender 10's on it and played it for the first 2-3 hours when it was just us and it handled everything he threw at it exceptionally well from surf to rock, country, jazz and of course rockabilly. Then when the guys showed up I took it back and it was blown away with the feel of the neck and variety of sweet clean tones I was getting.
I guess I do have another question if anyone has the time and experience... Do shorter scale Les Paul style guitars like the extra string tension of 10's vs. 9's? I put 9's on my Jazzmaster once and immediately went back to 10's. For now I'm leaving the 10's on to see if hand fatigue gets me to try 9's (My Gretsch band mate uses 11's. Ugh!). When my bud hammered the Bigsby it wanted to go out of tune.
I'm just curious if 9's would be a mistake on a 24.75 scale guitar especially with a Bigsby?
My band mate / luthier set it up with the stock Fender 10's on it and played it for the first 2-3 hours when it was just us and it handled everything he threw at it exceptionally well from surf to rock, country, jazz and of course rockabilly. Then when the guys showed up I took it back and it was blown away with the feel of the neck and variety of sweet clean tones I was getting.
I guess I do have another question if anyone has the time and experience... Do shorter scale Les Paul style guitars like the extra string tension of 10's vs. 9's? I put 9's on my Jazzmaster once and immediately went back to 10's. For now I'm leaving the 10's on to see if hand fatigue gets me to try 9's (My Gretsch band mate uses 11's. Ugh!). When my bud hammered the Bigsby it wanted to go out of tune.
I'm just curious if 9's would be a mistake on a 24.75 scale guitar especially with a Bigsby?
Posted on 2/8/26 at 8:45 am to Mizz-SEC
I've got Elixir 9s on my LPjr. that has a Bigsby now. So far I like it fine, but It's not getting much playing time, since I've bought 3 other guitars since we finished putting on the Bigsby. ( I'm really loving the Acoustasonic Telly)
I traded for a used Eastman PCH2 OM yesterday, especially for acoustic finger picking stuff. Having a K&K pickup installed this week and am going to try the NYXL strings on that one.
Well I was thinking about trying them, but it appears they don't make an acoustic set yet. I guess it will get the Elixirs.
Really love that color on the Gretsch.
I traded for a used Eastman PCH2 OM yesterday, especially for acoustic finger picking stuff. Having a K&K pickup installed this week and am going to try the NYXL strings on that one.
Well I was thinking about trying them, but it appears they don't make an acoustic set yet. I guess it will get the Elixirs.
Really love that color on the Gretsch.
This post was edited on 2/8/26 at 9:07 am
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