Detail 01
Medium light gauge
Medium on the bass strings, light on top. More low-end drive under a flatpick with a top end you can still bend.
Product detailSKU #1274034477776
D'AddarioEJ19 Phosphor Bronze Bluegrass Medium Light Acoustic Guitar Strings
1/9
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Phosphor bronze acoustic set with light trebles and medium basses. For flatpickers who want bass punch without the stiff top strings of a full medium set.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Bluegrass flatpicking where bass runs need volume and cut
- Dreadnoughts that sound thin with a straight light set
- Players who want strong low end but still bend the top strings
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Small-bodied parlor or vintage guitars built for light tension only
- Fingerstyle players wanting even response across all six strings
- Beginners still building fretting-hand strength
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Phosphor bronze
Warmer and darker than 80/20 bronze, and it holds that tone longer before going dull.
Detail 03
Uneven tension across the set
The heavier bottom pushes harder on the top. Fine on a dreadnought, more than some smaller guitars want.
Detail 04
Acoustic-specific
Bronze windings are non-magnetic. They will not drive magnetic soundhole pickups the way electric strings do.
Detail 05
Wound third string
Standard on acoustic sets. Gives a fuller chord voicing but resists bending more than a plain third.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Heavier basses raise total tension — check your guitar handles more than lights
- 02Expect to reset intonation and possibly neck relief after the switch
- 03Bronze tarnishes with hand oils; wipe the strings down after playing
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01What does bluegrass gauge actually mean?
Light gauge on the top three strings and medium gauge on the bottom three. You get the bass volume of a medium set without medium stiffness under bends.
02Is this safe for my acoustic?
On a dreadnought or other full-size steel-string, generally yes. On a small-bodied or older guitar rated for light tension only, stay with a straight light set.
03Phosphor bronze or 80/20?
Phosphor bronze is warmer, with more midrange and a longer usable life. 80/20 is brighter and more scooped when new but fades faster.
04Why does the packaging say blue?
That is D'Addario's color coding for the gauge, printed on the envelope so you can identify the set at a glance. The strings themselves are bronze.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Blue
