Head to head

D'Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic vs D'Addario Pro-Arte Nylon Classical

The short answer is that the alloys differ (Phosphor bronze against Silver-plated copper wrap on the bass strings), and they sit in different price brackets ($15 - $30 against Under $15). Below, every specification we hold for both is lined up, with the 12 rows that actually differ marked out.

D'Addario

EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic

Light .012-.053, three sets

The default acoustic string, and the one to buy if you are not sure

7.3/104.7 (38,577)

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D'Addario

Pro-Arte Nylon Classical

Normal tension, tie-end

The reference nylon set, and the one most classical guitars are voiced around

7.2/104.6 (28,780)

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Score profile

The editorial axes for strings, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where it gains ground.

D'Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic7.3
D'Addario Pro-Arte Nylon Classical7.2

Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.

Specification by specification

D'Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic compared with D'Addario Pro-Arte Nylon Classical
	EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic	Pro-Arte Nylon Classical
Brand	D'Addario	D'Addario
Model	EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic	Pro-Arte Nylon Classical
Type	Strings	Strings
Fretline score	7.3 / 10	7.2 / 10
Value for money	9 / 10	9 / 10
Amazon rating	4.7 / 5 (38,577)	4.6 / 5 (28,780)
Price	$15 - $30	Under $15
Gauges	.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053	—
Alloy	Phosphor bronze	Silver-plated copper wrap on the bass strings
Winding	Roundwound	Wound basses, clear monofilament nylon trebles
Core	Hexagonal high-carbon steel	Multifilament nylon
Coating	Uncoated	Uncoated
Tension	—	Normal
Strings in the set	6	6
Scale length it fits	—	Tie-end, for a classical bridge without pins or ball ends
Sets included	3	1
Brightness	7 / 10	6 / 10
Sustain	7 / 10	7 / 10
Durability	6 / 10	7 / 10
Feel	7 / 10	8 / 10
Tuning stability	8 / 10	6 / 10
Suits	Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Professional	Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Professional

A marked row is one where the two differ. A highlighted cell is the stronger figure where one can be judged objectively — which, for most accessory attributes, it cannot be. Empty cells are specifications the manufacturer does not publish, never estimates.