D'Addario XT Coated Phosphor Bronze Mandolin Strings – Custom Medium (.011.5-.040) | 2-Pack | No Limit Guitar Co, Idaho Falls
The D'Addario XT Custom Medium Mandolin Strings sit between the standard Medium and a lighter gauge — the Custom Medium specification at .011.5-.040 provides a slightly more responsive, nuanced feel under the fingers while maintaining the full tonal body and projection that phosphor bronze mandolin strings are known for. The XT extended lifespan treatment on every string preserves the natural tone and feel of uncoated phosphor bronze while lasting at least four times longer, and high carbon steel cores with advanced corrosion resistance keep the strings performing consistently through demanding playing conditions. Particularly well-suited to bluegrass and jazz mandolin players who want the liveliness and responsiveness of a slightly lighter gauge alongside XT's long-lasting, fresh-tone durability. Two complete 8-string sets included.
Product Overview
The Custom Medium gauge occupies a specific and deliberate position in D'Addario's mandolin string lineup — lighter than the full Medium's .011-.040 but heavier than a light gauge set, the Custom Medium's .011.5-.040 specification is the choice for players who find the standard Medium slightly stiff for their technique or playing style but want more tonal body and output than a lighter gauge provides. For bluegrass players who need responsive, quick-speaking strings for fast single-note runs and aggressive picking, and for jazz players who want a lively, articulate response with good sustain and warmth for chord melody and single-note improvisation, the Custom Medium hits a practical middle ground that the standard Medium and Light gauges don't.
The XT treatment is what makes this set worth choosing over conventional uncoated custom medium strings — the advanced corrosion resistance applied at the micro level keeps the phosphor bronze winding's natural acoustic surface intact through weeks and months of playing, delaying the dulling and tonal loss that uncoated strings develop as oils, moisture, and environmental contaminants accumulate on the winding surface. Players who have switched to XT strings consistently report that the strings sound and feel fresh through playing sessions and across time spans where uncoated alternatives would already need replacing — the four-times-longer lifespan claim is backed by D'Addario's commitment to preserving the natural tone and feel of the uncoated string alongside the extended life.
Phosphor bronze winding over high carbon steel cores produces the warm, balanced, harmonically rich tonal character that mandolin players in acoustic, bluegrass, and jazz contexts consistently prefer — fuller and warmer than 80/20 bronze, more articulate and present than pure nickel, with the sustain and projection that both genres demand from a mandolin string. The round wound construction delivers the full tonal response and playing feel that characterizes premium mandolin strings in this alloy.
Ideal For
- Bluegrass mandolin players who want responsive, fast-speaking Custom Medium gauge strings with XT's extended lifespan for consistent performance through heavy picking
- Jazz mandolin players who want the Custom Medium's lively, articulate response for chord melody and single-note improvisation with the warmth of phosphor bronze
- Players who find standard Medium strings slightly stiff for their technique and want the slightly lighter Custom Medium feel without sacrificing tonal body
- Mandolin players who want a 2-pack value for keeping a fresh backup set on hand between string changes
- Mandolin players in Idaho Falls looking for D'Addario XT Custom Medium phosphor bronze strings in the bluegrass and jazz-ideal gauge
Key Features
Custom Medium Gauge — .011.5-.040
The Custom Medium sits between Light and Medium — slightly more responsive and lively than the standard Medium while maintaining the tonal body and output that phosphor bronze and the mandolin's double-course construction demand.
XT Extended Lifespan Treatment
Advanced corrosion resistance applied at the micro level extends string life at least four times beyond uncoated alternatives — preserving the natural tone and feel of the phosphor bronze winding through weeks and months of regular playing.
Phosphor Bronze Winding — Warm, Balanced, Articulate
D'Addario's most popular mandolin alloy delivers warm, balanced, harmonically rich tone with clear articulation and projection — ideal for bluegrass, jazz, and acoustic ensemble playing.
High Carbon Steel Core — Enhanced Break Resistance and Pitch Stability
High carbon steel cores resist break fatigue and maintain pitch stability through demanding playing conditions — strings that hold their tune and their integrity under aggressive technique.
Natural Tone and Feel of Uncoated Strings
The XT treatment preserves the physical surface character of the phosphor bronze winding — strings that sound, feel, and respond like uncoated strings but last dramatically longer.
2-Pack — 16 Strings Total
Two complete 8-string sets included — one on the instrument, one fresh and ready in re-sealable inner packaging for when it's time to change.
What's Included
- D'Addario XT Coated Phosphor Bronze Mandolin Strings, Custom Medium (.011.5-.040) — 2 Complete Sets
- Free standard shipping
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Series | XT |
| Instrument | Mandolin |
| Gauge | Custom Medium |
| Gauges | .011.5, .015, .026, .040 |
| Number of Strings | 8 (Per Set) |
| Wrap Material | Phosphor Bronze |
| Core | High Carbon Steel |
| Construction | Round Wound |
| Treatment | XT Extended Lifespan / Advanced Corrosion Resistance |
| Ideal For | Bluegrass, Jazz |
| Quantity | 2-Pack |
Get Your Hands on These Mandolin Strings Today
The D'Addario XT Custom Medium Mandolin Strings are available now at No Limit Guitar Co in Idaho Falls. Stop in to pick up a 2-pack or reach out online to order yours — the lively, responsive Custom Medium gauge with XT's extended-life phosphor bronze tone that never fades away.
