D'Addario XTC46 XT Classical Guitar Strings, Hard Tension
The D'Addario XTC46 is a six-string classical guitar set in hard tension: each string pulls a little more than in the normal set, for a firmer attack and, in D'Addario's words, a rich tone with strong projection. Its silver-plated copper basses are treated against corrosion.
What sets it apart
- 87.4 lb overall, 6.3 lb more than normal tension
- Noticeably tighter basses: 16.1 lb on the A
- XT treatment on all three wound strings
- Intended for classical and jazz playing
Where hard tension shows up
Between normal and hard, the trebles barely move: the high E goes from 16.2 to 16.8 lb. The real difference sits in the low end, at 14.0 lb on the D, 16.1 lb on the A and 15.8 lb on the low E, against 12.4, 13.9 and 14.7 lb in the normal set. A player who digs in with the thumb finds basses that push back harder under the picking hand.
For the hall and for ensemble work
D'Addario aims this set at classical and jazz played on a nylon-string guitar. Anyone playing an unamplified room, or sitting inside an ensemble, looks to it for the projection the company ties to this tension.
Materials stay the same across the silver-plated copper XT sets: multifilament cores in the basses, Pro-Arté nylon in the trebles, tie ends. Tension alone sets the XTC46 apart.
Specifications
| Number of strings | 6 |
|---|---|
| Tension | Hard |
| Trebles | Pro-Arté nylon, monofilament |
| Basses | Multifilament core, silver-plated copper wrap, XT treatment |
| End type | Tie-end |
| Treble tension (E, B, G) | 16.8 / 12.4 / 12.3 lb |
| Bass tension (D, A, E) | 14.0 / 16.1 / 15.8 lb |
| Recommended for | Classical, jazz |
What it's for
- A recital or service in a room with no amplification
- Jazz played on a nylon-string guitar
- A picking hand that attacks hard with the thumb and wants more resistance
Compared with other manufacturers
Classical string makers also offer sets tighter than the norm.
| Set | Tension | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|
| D'Addario XTC46 | Hard | XT-treated silver-plated copper basses |
| Savarez Alliance Cantiga Premium 510AJP | Hard | Alliance composite trebles |
| Augustine Classic Blue | High-tension basses | Classic nylon trebles |
| La Bella 2001 Hard | Hard | Nylon 202 trebles, silver-plated wound basses |
Frequently asked questions
- Can hard tension damage a classical guitar?
- D'Addario publishes no warning for this set. It adds 6.3 lb to the total of the normal set; on an old or delicate instrument, a luthier can confirm the top and bridge will handle it.
- Is one brand's "hard tension" the same as another's?
- No. Each maker sets its own thresholds. It is better to read tensions in pounds, string by string: 87.4 lb overall for the XTC46.
- Are the XTC46 trebles treated too?
- No. The XT treatment is reserved for the wound basses; the three trebles are Pro-Arté nylon.
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