D'Addario XSAPB1253 XS Phosphor Bronze Twin Pack — 2 Sets + Free Blue Peg Winder

The D'Addario XSAPB1253 XS Phosphor Bronze Twin Pack gives you two sets of D'Addario's most advanced coated acoustic guitar strings plus a free NVE Blue Peg Winder. The XS Phosphor Bronze represents D'Addario's mission to create the finest coated acoustic strings in the world — combining an ultra-thin film coating with NY Steel hex core technology, Fusion Twist plain steels and digitally controlled winding to produce a coated string that sounds, feels and performs at a level that standard coated strings cannot match.

Angkor Music — D'Addario's Best Acoustic Coated String

The XS Phosphor Bronze is D'Addario's answer to a very specific problem that has plagued coated strings since they were invented — the coating that protects the string also dulls the tone, and the plain treble strings die at a different rate to the wound bass strings, leaving you with a set that is half-dead and half-fresh. D'Addario solves both issues with the XS. The ultra-thin coating is applied to every string including the plain steels — so the whole set ages uniformly. And the coating is thin enough to preserve the open, resonant D'Addario phosphor bronze character rather than smoothing it into something generic. For players who have tried coated strings before and been disappointed, the XS is worth another look.

D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze — What Makes It Different

Ultra-Thin Film Coating — Tone First

D'Addario's previous coated string technology — the EXP series — used a thicker coating that was effective for protection but noticeably affected the tone and feel of the string. The XS takes a fundamentally different approach. The ultra-thin film coating on the XS is engineered first and foremost to preserve the D'Addario phosphor bronze tonal character — the balanced warmth, harmonic complexity and dynamic range that players know from the EJ series uncoated strings. Protection is a secondary outcome of the coating, not its primary design goal.

The result is a string that sounds like a fresh uncoated D'Addario phosphor bronze set — because that is precisely what D'Addario designed it to do. Smooth under the fingers, quiet on string squeaks during chord changes, resistant to fraying at the frets — the coating improves the playing experience without compromising the acoustic one.

Whole Set Coating — Trebles and Wounds Together

Most coated strings apply protection only to the wound strings — leaving the plain steel treble strings uncoated and therefore subject to the same corrosion and tonal degradation as on an uncoated set. This creates the familiar problem of a coated set where the wounds last significantly longer than the trebles, leaving you playing on a set that is half-dead.

The XS applies the ultra-thin film coating to every string in the set — including the plain steel trebles. D'Addario's unique polymer treatment on the plain steels provides a natural, protected feel rather than a coated one. The whole set ages at a consistent rate — no more half-dead sets.

Fusion Twist Technology — Tuning Stability on Plain Steels

The plain steel strings in a set are the most prone to detuning — the twist at the ball end that secures the string can have slack in it, causing the string to slip and detune during and after tuning. D'Addario's Fusion Twist technology eliminates this slack by controlling the twist at the ball end with greater precision than standard manufacturing. The result is plain strings that hold their tuning better from the first moment they are on the guitar — less stretching in, more stable under playing.

NY Steel Hex Core — Intonation and Stability

The wound strings in the XS Phosphor Bronze set use D'Addario's NY Steel hexagonal core — the same core used in the premium NYXL and XT electric string series. The hexagonal shape provides more surface area for the wrap wire to grip, producing a stronger mechanical bond between core and wrap. This translates to better intonation across the neck, more consistent tone position to position, and greater resistance against the wrap loosening over time.

Digitally Controlled Winding — Set to Set Consistency

D'Addario's manufacturing process uses digitally controlled winding to ensure every string in every set is wound to precisely the same specifications. The practical benefit is 1:1 consistency from set to set — when you find the XS gauge and tension that works for your guitar, every subsequent set will feel and play identically. No surprises, no adjustments, no variation.

NVE Blue Peg Winder — Free With This Pack

The NVE Peg Winder in blue is included free — a fast, practical string-change tool for both electric and acoustic players. The notched end pulls acoustic bridge pins cleanly without damaging your bridge.

  • Fast String Winding: Spin strings up to tension in seconds
  • Notched for Bridge Pins: Pulls acoustic bridge pins cleanly and safely
  • Universal Fit: Fits all standard tuning pegs
  • Colour: Blue
  • Keep One in Every Case

Specifications

Pack SKU XSAPB1253-2-BLUE
Strings Included 2x D'Addario XSAPB1253 (SKU: XSAPB1253)
Peg Winder Included 1x NVE Blue Peg Winder (SKU: NVE-PEG-BLUE)
Brand D'Addario
Series XS Phosphor Bronze
String Gauge .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 (Light)
String Material Coated Phosphor Bronze
Core Type NY Steel Hexagonal
Coating Type Ultra-Thin Film (applied to all strings including plain steels)
Plain Steel Technology Fusion Twist for enhanced tuning stability
Winding Process Digitally controlled — 1:1 consistency set to set
String Instrument Acoustic Guitar
String Origin Made in USA
Winder Feature Notched for acoustic bridge pin removal
Winder Colour Blue

Expert Advice at Angkor Music

At Angkor Music Melbourne we stock D'Addario's full acoustic string range including the XS, EXP and EJ series. If you are deciding between coated and uncoated strings or comparing the XS with other premium coated options, our team is happy to advise. Visit us at 4 Drake Boulevard, Altona.

★★★★★ 4.9 Stars — Read Our 1,500+ Google Reviews →

Frequently Asked Questions

What gauge are the D'Addario XSAPB1253 strings?
The XSAPB1253 is a Light gauge set gauged .012 .016 .024 .032 .042 .053 — the most popular acoustic guitar gauge, comfortable for most playing styles while producing full acoustic volume, warmth and sustain. Light gauge is the standard recommendation for most acoustic guitar players.

How is the D'Addario XS different from the older D'Addario EXP coated strings?
The EXP series used a thicker coating that was effective for protection but noticeably affected the tone and feel of the string. The XS uses an ultra-thin film coating engineered specifically to preserve the D'Addario phosphor bronze tonal character — the coating is thinner, the tone is more open, and the feel is smoother. The XS also applies coating to the plain steel treble strings, which the EXP did not, ensuring the whole set ages at a consistent rate.

How does the XS compare to Elixir Nanoweb coated strings?
Both extend string life significantly compared to uncoated strings. Elixir's Nanoweb uses a polymer tube coating around the wound strings — effective but noted by many players for a slightly different feel and tone compared to uncoated strings, and it does not coat the plain steel trebles. D'Addario XS uses an ultra-thin film coating applied to every string including the plain steels, with a different feel profile that many players find closer to an uncoated string. The choice between them is personal — we stock both and are happy to advise.

What is Fusion Twist technology?
Fusion Twist is D'Addario's manufacturing process for the plain steel strings in the set. Standard plain string manufacturing can leave slack in the twist at the ball end, causing the string to slip and detune. Fusion Twist controls the ball-end twist with greater precision — eliminating the slack and producing plain strings that hold their tuning better from the moment they are on the guitar.

What is the benefit of digitally controlled winding?
Digitally controlled winding ensures every string in every set is wound to precisely the same specifications — the same tension, the same diameter, the same wire wrap consistency. The practical benefit is set-to-set consistency: once you find the XS gauge that works for your guitar and playing style, every subsequent set will feel and perform identically.

How often should I change coated acoustic strings?
The XS coating extends string life significantly compared to uncoated alternatives. D'Addario describes them as some of the longest-lasting strings in their catalogue. That said, strings should still be changed when you notice tonal dullness, tuning instability or rough feel. The second set in this pack ensures you always have a fresh replacement ready.

Why is the peg winder especially useful for acoustic players?
The notch on the NVE peg winder levers bridge pins out cleanly and safely in one motion — preventing the bridge damage and pin cracking that can result from pulling pins by hand or with a screwdriver.

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SKU XSAPB1253-2D-BLUE
Brand D addario
Unit Of Measure ea

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