Why Elixirs are so expensive...

Nitebob

Found out this weekend why Elixirs are so much more expensive than other strings....because they are worth more. On X-rated Bob's suggestion on coated strings on another thread, I went the usual route...googling. Asked a friend what he has on his Breedlove, so I went for Polyweb coated 11's. Man it sound like a much more expensive guitar. Never again will I subscribe to the 'strings are just strings' school of thought.

Bob-Dubery

Nitebob wrote: Found out this weekend why Elixirs are so much more expensive than other strings....because they are worth more. On X-rated Bob's suggestion on coated strings on another thread, I went the usual route...googling. Asked a friend what he has on his Breedlove, so I went for Polyweb coated 11's. Man it sound like a much more expensive guitar. Never again will I subscribe to the 'strings are just strings' school of thought.

The value for me in Elixirs is that they last so much longer. The tone is a more subjective thing. Not saying that I don't like the tone - but there is another brand that I prefer a little more in terms of tone, but that I can't get anywhere near the same life out of.

But yes, strings are not strings - even within a brand. PB Elixirs will sound different to 80:20s, and to my ears the nanowebs sound better than the polywebs.

psyx

I love the nanowebs! And they last sooo much longer than uncoated strings. And I agree... When I moved to Elixers I liked the sound they gave me. And their smooooth... :?

Squonk

I tried them once but broke a string after 5 days, so I was a bit dissapointed.

I normally use 12's on my Takamine and got the Elixir 12's, but maybe because of the coating I should have got the 11's(Could have caused the string to snap, and it snapped at the bridge)

Will put them on next

Bob-Dubery

Squonk wrote: I tried them once but broke a string after 5 days, so I was a bit dissapointed.

I normally use 12's on my Takamine and got the Elixir 12's, but maybe because of the coating I should have got the 11's(Could have caused the string to snap, and it snapped at the bridge)

I doubt the coating is thick enough to cause that sort of problem - especially at the bridge of an acoustic.

I suppose one can get dud strings, even dud batches. I had three sets of Elixirs in a row where the 2nd string broke at the nut. Andy McGibbon, then the importer. checked the guitar to make sure there was nothing in the nut slots that would cause this breakage, pronounced it OK, pondered that there had been a batch with manufacturing problems and gave me a new string - which didn't break, and I've had no breakages since.

Squonk

X-rated Bob wrote:
Squonk wrote: I tried them once but broke a string after 5 days, so I was a bit dissapointed.

I normally use 12's on my Takamine and got the Elixir 12's, but maybe because of the coating I should have got the 11's(Could have caused the string to snap, and it snapped at the bridge)
I doubt the coating is thick enough to cause that sort of problem - especially at the bridge of an acoustic.

I suppose one can get dud strings, even dud batches. I had three sets of Elixirs in a row where the 2nd string broke at the nut. Andy McGibbon, then the importer. checked the guitar to make sure there was nothing in the nut slots that would cause this breakage, pronounced it OK, pondered that there had been a batch with manufacturing problems and gave me a new string - which didn't break, and I've had no breakages since.

Yeah, should have had them checked, a lot of money to spend for 5 days of playing, had my guitar checked and it was all cushty, must have been a dud string. Strange enough it was the 2nd string

Nitebob

@Bob, I agree the sound is subjective, but I propably will stick to them now...might try Nano's if I can't get the Poly's...but te sound difference from D'addario 9's is jawdropping.

???I've been playing guitar for a year now...I've never broken a string... :-[ Am I too soft?

Bob-Dubery

Nitebob wrote: @Bob, I agree the sound is subjective, but I propably will stick to them now...might try Nano's if I can't get the Poly's...but te sound difference from D'addario 9's is jawdropping.

Well going from 9s to 11s should result in a noticeable difference in tone.

Nanos have a thinner coating. They look and feel more like a conventional string.

If you're happy with the polys then stick with them. Different brands, different gauges, different compounds all give different tones, different feel, different useful life. There's no one right answer.

RustPuppet

Nitebob wrote: @Bob, I agree the sound is subjective, but I propably will stick to them now...might try Nano's if I can't get the Poly's...but te sound difference from D'addario 9's is jawdropping.

I've found the complete opposite: I had Elixir nanos on my Takamine and found the tone too bright and thin, but I switched to D'Addario EXPs and the tone and playability are in a different league.

Different strokes.

Reinhard

Some of the guys on an acoustic forum feel the Elixirs colour the tone too much. Never tried them, but might try some on my Hummingbird as it likes newer strings.

I have been using the EB Earthwoods lately, but I would love to try some Pearson? strings. Apparently Hugh (from Hugh's Fine guitars) sells them.

Nitebob wrote: @Bob, I agree the sound is subjective, but I propably will stick to them now...might try Nano's if I can't get the Poly's...but te sound difference from D'addario 9's is jawdropping.

???I've been playing guitar for a year now...I've never broken a string... :-[ Am I too soft?

I can't remember the last time I broke a string. If you don't have issues at the saddle or maybe the nut, there is no reason the string should break (unless there is some production fault).

Bob-Dubery

Reinhard wrote: I have been using the EB Earthwoods lately, but I would love to try some Pearson? strings. Apparently Hugh (from Hugh's Fine guitars) sells them.

If you're thinking of John Pearse then Hugh does have some of those.

Nitebob

Its very true, different strokes....I'm just hyper excited that I finally got the tone I was looking for, and wanted to share...

Reinhard

Nitebob wrote: Its very true, different strokes....I'm just hyper excited that I finally got the tone I was looking for, and wanted to share...

From what I read about acoustics, it is really about trying different strings to find what works best for your guitar. I'm glad you found what works, I am still looking ?

X-rated Bob wrote:
Reinhard wrote: I have been using the EB Earthwoods lately, but I would love to try some Pearson? strings. Apparently Hugh (from Hugh's Fine guitars) sells them.
If you're thinking of John Pearse then Hugh does have some of those.

That's it bob! Thanks.

Fingerpicker

I normally run Elixirs for about a year and change them when I change the battery. They sound just as good at the end. I broke a string for the first time the other day, the low E, - must be all the tuning down to Dropped D tuning. I find the new Elixirs a little slippery at first and fine when run in, about a month.
I don't strum or use a plectrum, maybe that helps.

I use Elixir 10's on the Taylor 414ce (mainly for practice and playing in close quarters)
And 11's on the two Larrivees. All nano.

I don't have hearing as good as you guys, so tone doesn't matter, especially when playing through a PA.

Reinhard

I finally decided to try coated strings on my acoustic as the EB Earthwoods just weren't lasting. Ended up putting D'Addario EXP's on my Hummingbird (very nice combination). Got them at the Bothner's sale for R110 a pack. My J-45 is in for a new nut and bone saddle and will also be set up with EXP's. I have yet to try the Elixirs, but what I have noticed with the EXP's is that they feel like a normal uncoated string.

studmissile

I was horrifically disappointed with Elixirs after two packs, EXP's sound better, feel better and play better and last longer. But truth be told I've gone back to good old D'Addario Phosphor Bronze, you've go to change them more often but they still the best. IMO.

se7ent7

I used to hate Elixirs prior to Nanowebs.

Now I think they are the best acoustic strings you can buy at a reasonable price (including EXPs).

Still don't like polywebs. They just feel icky. If you're doing any bendy bluesy stuff they don't work at all.
Probably fine for straight fingerpicking with long nails ?

Seventhson

RustPuppet wrote:
Nitebob wrote: @Bob, I agree the sound is subjective, but I propably will stick to them now...might try Nano's if I can't get the Poly's...but te sound difference from D'addario 9's is jawdropping.
I've found the complete opposite: I had Elixir nanos on my Takamine and found the tone too bright and thin, but I switched to D'Addario EXPs and the tone and playability are in a different league.

Different strokes.

Yeah also found that and hey rusty ?(Tsar)