D’Addario EJ26 Phosphor Bronze 11-52 Acoustic Guitar Strings, Custom Light
Referred to as Custom Light, EJ26 strings are a D’Addario original hybrid gauge and a comfortable compromise for players who want the depth and projection of light gauge bottom strings, but slightly less tension on the high strings for easy bending.
Phosphor Bronze was introduced to string making by D’Addario in 1974 and has become synonymous with warm, bright, and well-balanced acoustic tone. D’Addario Phosphor Bronze strings are precision wound with corrosion resistant phosphor bronze onto a carefully drawn, hexagonally shaped, high carbon steel core. The result is long lasting, bright sounding tone with excellent intonation.
A D’Addario hybrid gauge, combining light gauge bottom strings with lighter top strings for easy bending.
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‘Custom Light’ Acoustic Strings have an interesting back story.
Many string sets have been designed based on the materials and diameters that were available at the turn of the century. Manufacturing has improved dramatically since then and today we can draw much more precise, and finer, wire.
Take a look at the individual gauges in the following three string sets:
EJ15 – Extra Light : 10, 14, 23, 30, 39, 47
EJ26 – Custom Light: 11, 15, 22, 32, 42, 52
EJ16 – Light: 12, 16, 24, 32, 42, 53
Ever notice how quirky the Custom Light gauges actually are? You might naturally expect that all strings go up in gauge from set to set, but with Custom Light strings this isn’t true. The wound 3rd / G string, is actually LIGHTER than what you would find in an Extra Light set.
This is all to do with relative tension and the Custom Light set actually provides a much more natural balance and feel, something we refer to as compensated tension.
What started out as a clever tweak in gauges, based on the personal preference of Jim D’Addario, has resulted in EJ26 Custom Light strings being our second most popular acoustic string.
