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D'Addario

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The D'Addario EJ38 12-String Light Acoustic Guitar Strings blend innovative design with the highest quality materials to achieve a tone that sparkles. D'Addario pioneered the phosphor bronze acoustic guitar string in 1974, and today these precision-wound strings are considered the industry standard for 12-string acoustic guitars. The phosphor bronze alloy wrap wire provides a warm, lush tone with bell-like overtones, while the hexagonal steel core adds stability and improved intonation. These strings provide tonal versatility for all 12-string acoustic playing styles and musical genres.

Premium Phosphor Bronze Alloy for Resonance and Projection

The phosphor bronze alloy used in the EJ38 strings retains flexibility and produces a rich, enveloping tone for hours of play. This material, combined with precision-winding, creates strings that sing with resonant, far-reaching projection ideal for the naturally wider range of 12-string guitars. Musicians will love the blend of warmth, clarity and sustain.

Hexagonal Steel Core for Stability and Intonation

At the heart of the EJ38 strings is a high-carbon steel core with a hexagonal shape, which provides more surface area to grip the windings. This design delivers greater stability under tension, improved intonation up the neck, and a longer lifespan. Players will appreciate how these strings hold tune through energetic strumming and picking.

Color-Coded Ball Ends for Convenient Changes

The EJ38 strings feature color-coded ball ends to make string changes fast and frustration-free. The color-coding allows for quickly identifying the correct string gauge, so musicians can get back to playing as soon as possible. These corrosion-resistant strings arrive factory-fresh and ready to install right out of the packaging.

Complete Tonal Control for All 12-String Styles

With a light .010-.047 gauge, including .010/.010, .014p/.014p, .023w/.008p, .030w/.012p, .039w/.018p and .047w/.027w, the EJ38 strings offer the ideal balance of volume, projection and comfortable playability for most 12-string guitars and playing styles. The set is versatile enough for fingerpicking, strumming and flatpicking in any genre from folk to rock. D'Addario, a trusted brand for musicians worldwide, these high-performance phosphor bronze strings will inspire new creative heights.

D'Addario EJ38 12-String Phosphor Bronze Light Acoustic Guitar Strings
D'Addario EJ38 12-String Phosphor Bronze Light Acoustic Guitar Strings
D'Addario EJ38 12-String Phosphor Bronze Light Acoustic Guitar Strings

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    collapse expand iconReviews

    4.53

    40 Reviews

    94%

    of respondents would recommend this to a friend

    D'Addario never disappoints!

    Most Liked Positive Review

    5

    Best Strings for the 12 String

    I bought my Takamine acoustic 12 string back in 1985. And I've probably had every kind of string made on it. The guitar has a very rich tone with some excellent bottom end. So I've always looked for strings that emphasized the bottom and enriched the natural tone of the guitar. Bingo. The D'Addario EJ38 Phosphor Bronze lights do the trick. Whether in an open tuning or not, these strings sing. My Takamine will always get strung with the EJ38.

    VS

    Most Liked Negative Review

    1

    disappointed

    The strings themselves are fine but the 7th string (secondary D string) came short out of the package. It didn't reach the post. I returned it to the store and they looked at me like I broke it and was just trying to get a new one for free. I assured them I didn't break it, that it was defective. They said they didn't replace strings once the package was opened. How was I to know the string was short without opening the package? They tried to sell me another string but I refused. They finally consented to giving me a new one but acted like they were doing me a favor.

    Filters
    Best Uses
    1. Concerts14
    2. Practicing14
    3. Back-Up13
    4. All around & for everything.1
    5. Recording1
    Cons
    1. Breaks Easy1
    2. Not Consistent1
    Describe Yourself
    1. Experienced22
    2. Professional Musician7
    3. Novice3
    Pros
    1. Good Tone30
    2. Consistent22
    3. Long Life18
    4. Well Built / Quality17
    5. Great for recording or live performance1

    Reviewed by 40 customers

    • D'Addario never disappoints!

      5

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitted5 months ago

      byMichael

      fromLos Angeles, CA

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      I've been using D'Addario strings since 1978. I have never ever once been let down by their products. Consistent quality and great selection of sizes and materials make them a great choice I've never needed to look elsewhere.

    • I would buy this product again, and I have, many times.

      5

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitteda year ago

      bySuzanne

      fromEugene, OR

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      I have used D'Addario 12 String Phosphor Bronze Light Gauge strings for many years. I have never wanted to use any other brand.

    • Good Strings

      4

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitteda year ago

      byJon

      fromGoodfield IL

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      My go to strings for home practice 👍🏻

    • Only D'Addario

      5

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitted2 years ago

      byScott

      fromAthens AL

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      I depend on D'Addario strings for all of my guitars. I''l probably step up to their next level of strings soon, although I can't imagine how they can be better than these.

    • I will buy these strings again.

      5

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitted2 years ago

      byZach

      fromLenoir NC

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      I've been using D"Adarrio strings for 50 years. I love em!

    • Perfect strings to have around for my 12

      5

      Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

      submitted2 years ago

      byKen

      fromNaples. Florida

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      #sweepstakes These will work great and are good to have around

    collapse expand iconQ&A

    Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

    • submitted4 years ago

      asked byDavid

      fromYork, Pennsylvania

      What are the guages of all 12 strings? only 6 are listed? this is an extremely important question. Many people are breaking the 6th string (High Octave G). I don't understand why string manufacturers pack the high octave G string with a lighter guage than a typical 1st string at a nominal .09. I just received a Vangoa 12 string and broke both high octave G strings that came with it. The set on it & the replacement set from the bundle package. My high G was a .08. That's thinner than most E strings; its a wonder how these string companies sell any sets for 12 string guitars. Well they sell the first pack to an unknowing customer, then possibly more trying to fix the issue.

      What are the guages of all 12 strings? only 6 are listed? this is an extremely important question. Many people are breaking the 6th string (High Octave G). I don't understand why string manufacturers pack the high octave G string with a lighter guage than a typical 1st string at a nominal .09. I just received a Vangoa 12 string and broke both high octave G strings that came with it. The set on it & the replacement set from the bundle package. My high G was a .08. That's thinner than most E strings; its a wonder how these string companies sell any sets for 12 string guitars. Well they sell the first pack to an unknowing customer, then possibly more trying to fix the issue.

      Open Reply - Thomas
      I’m sorry, the manufacturer has not made that information available