D'AddarioMandolin Strings - Coated Mandolin Strings - XS Phosphor Bronze - For 8 String Mandolin - Maximum Life, Smooth Feel - XSM1140 - Medium, 11-40

I'm picky about my mandolin strings, and I hate when string sound tinny. These strings have a nice rich sound and last a long time.

Since the Elixir mandolin strings are not available, these are the next best thing. Be sure to get the XS Phosphor Bronze, because they last the longest.

Great strings, I’m hooked. I was using EJ74s but these last 3-4 times as long. No monthly string changes!

These strings are great. They have a sweet tone and very balanced. Don't know if they will hold long enough to make them worth the extra $, but if they do, they're my new go to strings.

I rarely go “wow” when I change strings, but when I put these on my Collings MT-O today, I said “wow, this sounds like a whole different mandolin” — a significantly better one. Brighter, bolder, fewer g-string squeaks. And that’s coming from D’Addario XTs, which shouldn’t be THAT different, I wouldn’t think. (I have to confess I was using String Fuel cleaner, which maybe ruined the XTs, so there’s a variable I haven’t investigate thoroughly. I won’t be using that stuff again with these XSs, for sure.) These instantly felt perfect to the touch, for me, like there’s no coating there at all.I can’t speak to how long this euphoria will last, as I’ve only had them on for a day. I’ll have to get back to you on that.

Great sound for months—better every day. No oxidation ever.The challenge of changing strings is mercifully greatly reduced!

I used to consistently buy the coated phosphor bronze strings (EX24s were they?), and always loved them. Then one day out of nowhere they were discontinued, inexplicably. So I bought the XT version because I didn’t know what else to get. I just discovered the XS and my Givens sings like it hasn’t in a long time. Just beautiful. Can’t yet speak for longevity, but it doesn’t matter. New ones every show! Giving someone at D’Addario a pat on the back.

These strings are way to expensive to be this brittle. When putting them on, 2 A strings broke at the loop end. Have never had this problem before. The g and D strings were fine, though.