Elixer nanoweb strings

Riaan

I went back to 10's on my Godin after trying 9's the last time. I wasn't happy with the tone I got with 9's even though they played comfortably. So today I put on a set of 10's Elixer Nanowebs. And a nice setup after polishing the frets with my Dremel (yes...I finally got one too! What a nice tool!). Guitar feels like new, and I'm now happy with the tone.

I was wondering - is there any point in using Stringfellow or similar protective lubricants on these Nanowebs, since they're coated already? Won't the lubricants damage the strings protective coating?

AlanRatcliffe

Ah, good to hear. And the tone is back?

No harm from using a string lubricant (the Elixir coating is a fairly inert polymer), but no point point doing so, unless you want a really fast feel. In my experience the lubricants tend to grunge up the fingerboard a lot faster.

Riaan

Yep, the tone is great, like when I first got it (the seller had it set up nicely). I don't think it's all due to the strings though. I never noticed that the neck humbucker's screws were loose and the pickup was way down and too far away from the strings. Also, the bridge needed some minor adjustment. All things I never noticed until I really paid attention to the details while fitting the strings.

I must admit I don't really like those string lubricants - I don't like the feel of it on my fingers. I occassionally used it, usually in the first few days with new strings, but I've always viewed that as having to eat my vegetables...I don't really like it but they say it's good. ?

aubs1

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Ah, good to hear. And the tone is back?
No harm from using a string lubricant (the Elixir coating is a fairly inert polymer), but no point point doing so, unless you want a really fast feel. In my experience the lubricants tend to grunge up the fingerboard a lot faster.

I used Stringfellow a few times Alan, and never really experienced any diffs......I was under the impression it was more of a String cleaner rather than a lubricant (I use nano-webs), so you say it grundges up the fingerboard faster (that's what got my attention here! even though I've never experienced grundging at all)? I do use a lot of "elbow grease" when polishing or cleaning my guitars though......what would you recommend then? Or just a good wipe down.........geez, why do I get the feeling this is a bit of a silly question?

AlanRatcliffe

To be honest, I haven't used Stringfellow - I'm basing what I say on Fast Fret and other, similar string products. As with anything guitar related, pure Naphtha (lighter fluid) is the best string cleaner, can't do any harm to anything and leaves no residue. I use isopropyl alcohol myself ?

Bob-Dubery

aubs1 wrote I used Stringfellow a few times Alan, and never really experienced any diffs......I was under the impression it was more of a String cleaner rather than a lubricant (I use nano-webs),

Why do you want to use a string cleaner with Elixirs? The whole point of those strings is that you don't get an accumulation of grime between the windings because of the protective sheath.

I use nanonwebs, and just give them a wipe down after playing. Though I never see any marks on the cloth from wiping down the wound strings, and not much from wiping down the plain strings.

AlanRatcliffe

Elixirs still have grooves Bob, the coating is thin and doesn't fill in the spaces between windings completely - that would essentially make them feel and sound like flatwounds. So they can still be affected by grime. But yes, a simple wipedown is probably all you need.

I still want to try a set of Cleartones, which seem to be plated with a few microns of some kind of inert, anti corrosive metal, rather than coated (remember Maxima Golds?). The plating is done to the core and the wrap wire before the string is wound, so it still has the grooves between the windings. Bonus is that it's also electrically conductive.

[deleted]

Alan Ratcliffe wrote I still want to try a set of Cleartones, which seem to be plated with a few microns of some kind of inert, anti corrosive metal, rather than coated (remember Maxima Golds?). The plating is done to the core and the wrap wire before the string is wound, so it still has the grooves between the windings. Bonus is that it's also electrically conductive.

I bought a few sets of Cleartones, they cost me an absolute fortune... They are firstly 20% more in $ than any other coated strings and I was not impressed with them at all. I might be sour from the price paid compared to my favorites, the Dean Markley Alchemys. They are NO better IMO than Elixers, D'Addario, or the Dean Markleys. If anything they sound duller to my ears on Acoustic. Never tried the Electric ones, don't think I will either.

I dont clean, my strings so often. I always wash my hands before I play. No matter what, so I dont get as much grime on them. ?

AlanRatcliffe

Hmm. Thanks for that.

The problem I've had is that the online stores that carry them have minimum shipping charges and you have to buy a bunch of strings to make the shipping cost worthwhile. It's tough to make up that order as I can get Ernie Balls pretty cheaply locally if I buy them by the box, Elixir doesn't allow shipping outside of the US to protect their distributors (fair enough, but aggravating), and they don't carry the double-ball end strings for my bass. So it would mean buying a whole lot of Cleartone strings - and what - if like you - I don't like them?

I have heard rumours of local distribution, but nothing solid yet...

AlanRatcliffe

Just Checked and Music Connection are the distributors now. I'll send them an email, see if they want a review. ?

aubs1

Thanx Alan, I used to use isopropyl alcohol many years ago, but then struggled to get the stuff, and eventually forgot about it. Will get some again.

Bob Dubery wrote Why do you want to use a string cleaner with Elixirs? The whole point of those strings is that you don't get an accumulation of grime between the windings because of the protective sheath.
I use nanonwebs, and just give them a wipe down after playing. Though I never see any marks on the cloth from wiping down the wound strings, and not much from wiping down the plain strings.

@ Bob, pure habit Bob.....

IceCreamMan

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Just Checked and Music Connection are the distributors now. I'll send them an email, see if they want a review. ?

Anything come from that ?

I have just put on Cleartones, first time i have tried them. Expensive yes, but the blurb says they will last 3 to 5 times longer.

Tone wise and playiblity wise i like them with the proviso that i am pretty much a noob around a fretboard

[deleted]

IceCreamMan wrote I have just put on Cleartones, first time i have tried them. Expensive yes, but the blurb says they will last 3 to 5 times longer.

I think Cleartone made that up... 3 to 5 times longer than what?

I tried 3 sets of Cleartones on my Larrivee and they are absolute garbage IMO... they sound good for the first 5 days... after that.. nothing to talk about cause I didn't even want to play anymore.

I thought the first set I tried was maybe a dud 'cause I couldn't believe after 3 days they where lifeless, felt heavy and miff. second and third set where the same...

Asked Andy Mcgibbon what he thought of them... same thing... So ja I am not the only person in the world that cannot stand Cleartones... There is two of us so far!! ?

AlanRatcliffe

IceCreamMan wrote Anything come from that ?

I never got around to it. Added to my (long) "must try sometime" list.

Gray

With all these coated stings do any of them help you retain tone, protect the string from warping not just corrosion.

Sounds great if they last 3-5 times longer against oxidation but I don't really see a benefit if you do a lot of bending and the strings warp before they rust. ☹

IceCreamMan

Admittedly i have not played much since having them fitted, bit of tendonities but got a couple of jam sessions coming up. will give my noob perspective in a couple of weeks.

if they crap , then its school fees .. a case of a fool and his money kinda thing ...

thus far i must say i do like them though .. time will tell.

aja

do coated strings hum more since they are not conducting when they touch your hands?

AlanRatcliffe

aja wrote do coated strings hum more since they are not conducting when they touch your hands?

Yup - my only problem with the Elixir Nanowebs. That is the theoretical advantage with the Cleartones - it is a metal coating that conducts, so you get earthed as per usual and act as part of the screening.