D'Addario · Phosphor Bronze · 12-16-24-32-42-53
D'Addario EJ16 (12-16-24-32-42-53) in Drop D on a 25.5" scale
12-53 Light, Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings on an acoustic guitar with a 25.5" scale, tuned to Drop D (E4 B3 G3 D3 A2 D2), pulls 155.5 lb70.5 kg692 N in total and 25.9 lb11.76 kg115 N per string on average. That is a medium feel for an acoustic guitar. The set is moderately uneven (spread 7.9%). String 6 (D2) deviates most: −24% from the set average.
- Total tension
- 155.5 lb70.5 kg692 N
- Average per string
- 25.9 lb11.76 kg115 N
- Balance
- moderately uneven
- spread 7.9%
Tension per string
| # | Note | Hz | Gauge | Item | Type | Tension | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E4 | 329.6 | .012 | PL012 | plain | 23.4 lb10.61 kg104 N | −10% |
| 2 | B3 | 246.9 | .016 | PL016 | plain | 23.4 lb10.59 kg104 N | −10% |
| 3 | G3 | 196.0 | .024 | PB024 | wound | 30.1 lb13.66 kg134 N | +16% |
| 4 | D3 | 146.8 | .032 | PB032 | wound | 29.9 lb13.57 kg133 N | +15% |
| 5 | A2 | 110.0 | .042 | PB042 | wound | 28.9 lb13.12 kg129 N | +12% |
| 6 | D2 | 73.4 | .053 | PB053 | wound | 19.8 lb8.97 kg88 N | −24% |
| Total | 155.5 lb70.5 kg692 N | ||||||
Similar sets in Drop D, 25.5"
| Set | Gauges | Avg per string | Total | Feel | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Addario XSABR1253 | 12-16-24-32-42-53 | 25.4 lb11.50 kg113 N | 152.2 lb69.0 kg677 N | loose | moderately uneven |
| Elixir 11050 | 12-16-24-32-42-53 | 25.6 lb11.60 kg114 N | 153.4 lb69.6 kg682 N | loose | moderately uneven |
| Elixir 11052 | 12-16-24-32-42-53 | 25.6 lb11.60 kg114 N | 153.4 lb69.6 kg682 N | loose | moderately uneven |
| D'Addario XSAPB1253 | 12-16-24-32-42-53 | 25.9 lb11.75 kg115 N | 155.5 lb70.5 kg692 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| EJ16 (this page) | 12-16-24-32-42-53 | 25.9 lb11.76 kg115 N | 155.5 lb70.5 kg692 N | medium | moderately uneven |
| Elixir 16052 | 12-16-24-32-42-53 | 26.3 lb11.92 kg117 N | 157.7 lb71.5 kg702 N | medium | moderately uneven |
Best match for a medium feel in Drop D, 25.5"
Ranked by how close every string is to 26.8 lb12.14 kg119 N (lower deviation is better).
- Elixir 16052 12-16-24-32-42-53
- D'Addario EJ16 12-16-24-32-42-53
- Elixir 11075 12-16-24-35-45-56
More for the EJ16
Other tunings on 25.5": E standard, Eb standard, D standard, Drop C, Open G, Open D, DADGAD
About these numbers
Tension is calculated, not measured: T = μ · (2 · L · f)², where μ is the string's mass per unit length (unit weight), L the vibrating length (scale) and f the pitch (A4 = 440 Hz, equal temperament). kg means kilogram-force: 1 kg ≈ 9.81 N ≈ 2.205 lb.
How a set feels also depends on the guitar's setup: action height, break angle over the nut and saddle, string length behind the nut and bridge, and your playing style. Plain strings feel stiffer than wound strings at the same tension. Use these figures to compare sets, not as an absolute measure of feel.
Sources
- D'Addario product page, tension chart for EJ16 (2026-10-31): unit weights derived from the published tensions, cross-checked across sets.