Guitarists often joke about the “quest for tone” — the illusive and seemingly endless pursuit of the “perfect” sound. A lot of truth is said in jest, and while perfection may be more of a journey than a destination, the desire for better playing, composing, and performing has remained the engine of countless sonic innovations, including the XS guitar strings designed by D’Addario and Taylor. Both companies share an unbridled dedication to advancing their craft, and who better to guide a round...