Author Topic: What do you feel about Elixir Strings? (Read 112 times)

mario_farufyno · « **on:** February 02, 2009, 06:47:32 AM »

Some time ago I tried a Elixir Set and found them very confortable to play. They felt really soft despite it had a bigger gauge than I was used to (I always prefered the lightest ones - .040 - and they were .045). My main concern wasn't the bright tone because I'm not really deep into this matter, but I'd liked its softness and buttery feel. But, after a couple of weeks, I noticed something weird.

Altough it kept its brighty tone, it seemed to lacked its capacity to tune accurately. The string kept sounding like new but looked like the tunning was deceptive as an much older string set than it really was. To confirm that I used a Strobo Tunner and it was there. The pitch slightly fell and raised in little bursts and the Elixir string never fully stabilized in a single defined pitch.

It was annoing because I really liked the Elixir's feel and it wasn't even peeling by aging (as can occurs to old coated strings)... But I was wondering if it wasn't caused by some negative interaction of the string and its coatting.

So I stoped using them. Does anybody noticed this same issue?

(p.s.: I'm brazilian and is very difficult to me to express myself gracefully in english, hope you all understood me despite an occasional misuse of certain words or spellings.)

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2009, 07:18:14 AM »

Damm! FEEL FEEL FEEL FEEL...

[moderator's note: the thread title has been edited for spelling!]

(Message edited by davehouck on February 02, 2009)

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2009, 07:19:41 AM »

God! I'm not crazy... Just portugese educated

nikobask · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2009, 07:35:46 AM »

the best strings for my needs !
I am a big elixir fan
it sounds great on my Alembic5 and my J and P basses too

adriaan · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2009, 07:42:05 AM »

Hi Mario - we can understand you just fine, don't worry!

If the strings can't keep tune during a single note, there must be something wrong structurally. Were you holding the bass still? I sometimes notice a slight detuning effect when I turn the bass up/down/left/right - just a small wobble in the tone.

Is it the same problem on all strings?

I don't know Elixirs, but for instance if you check the DR package it has a warning that you must not cut off excess string length unless you've made a small V-bend before the point where you want to cut it off.

xlrogue6 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2009, 12:34:23 PM »

I've been using Elixirs on my fretted Rogue 6 for several years now. They last way longer than any other roundwound string I've used, and I've never had any intonation issues.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2009, 04:44:30 PM »

I use elixir's on my guitars ( not basses though ) when I'm touring and have to play full out on a hot stage every day. They just last longer and have a slightly stronger tone i think than my regular strings.

When not touring I use D'addario XL 9's.

Jazzyvee

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2009, 07:53:24 PM »

Hi, Adriaan.

Maybe this specific string had manufactering problems, I don't know... The problem was clearer in E string, but it wasn't as the detuning effect you described, it really was an quick drop and raise in pitch. Like glimpses, if you know what I mean, or one single vibrato.

It wasn't too evident to ears, but it was strange when someone used a eletronic tuner. The needle simply looked undecided. You could take one right pitch by mean, but the needle sudenly would made that quick left and right swing.

I usually cut off highs and favored neck PU (and plucked lightly near the 24th fret), to prevent any possible harmonic interference since I read an article about that. But it didn't worked (as was useless using both PUs or the Bridge one, changing plucking position and strength or using 2nd Harmonic).

I usually am very methodic on changing strings.

I change one string at a time, usualy going from bass to treble, always leting around 2 ~ 2 1/2 inches over the post and sharp bending the string before cutting it near the bend. I let 1/3 inch or so at the end to insert the string into the post hole. The lenght slightly varies if the string is thicker because the idea is to get just 2 or 3 full turns of the string around the post (always forcing the string down on each turn to sharpen the angle string make at the nut).

I use my hand and arm to keep some tension on string while it's still loose and, after tuning all strings for the first time, I force each down and up at the middle, at the bridge and above the nut before tuning them again (and repeat before that, until they stabilize). And I always tune the strings standing still with the Bass on the strap (avoiding touching the neck)...

No, it wasn't me or the Bass, may be it was simply bad luck and I was blessed by a bad set. It can happen (sometime ago I had a string that magicaly broke when I first started to turn tunning machine, almost no tension yet).

This is why I'm asking. May be I should try one of these again... Thanks.

olieoliver · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2009, 07:06:00 AM »

I've tried the Elixir, even stil have a few sets, but I didn't really like them especially for their price.
I love the crisp growl (or grind) of a new set of strings and the Elixirs didn't seem to have that, to me anyway. Maybe it's the nano-coating.

When I can find them, John Pearse are what I use. They feel great, sound great and last longer than anything I've ever used.

On my fretless, D-Addario half-rounds are what I use. Pretty close to a round wound sound (say that 3 times real fast) and easy on the fretboard.

OO

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:16:40 PM »

I really like the elixirs for guitar. I've never had any problems with them and tuning. I wonder if that string wasn't made symmetrically or something.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:24:54 PM »

Double post. . . .

(Message edited by hydrargyrum on February 04, 2009)

bassfingers · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:32:40 PM »

I use the extra long scale Elixirs on my Schecter 5 string (35 scale),and haven't had any problems at all.The last time I changed them was nearly 2 yrs ago and,even though I'd like to get a new set on there,the existing set are still sounding great.

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #12 on:** February 04, 2009, 05:52:22 PM »

I am currently using ultra-light GHS pressurewound (0.040~0.098), that has a compressed outer winding that fells smoother than regular round but aren't as dark as flats (and I feel them more gentle to fingers than half or groundwounds).

I am fine with them (they sort of balance the Alembic's open tone) but I'm happy that you're kind of encouraging me to give a second try on Elixirs...

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2009, 05:17:51 AM »

When my son was ready to leave for college, he only had his Strat. I told firmly that he was NOT taking my accoustic, so he spent his summer-job earnings to buy his own. It came with Elixers as factory equipment. I didn't like the sound or the feel as much as the D'Addarios I use, but that set lasted well into his junior year - when another guy played it & broke one. These are guitar strings, mind you, not bass, and this is a kid who works as a bicycle mechanic & is not (I say with embarrassment) particularly fanatic about washing his hands before he picks up an instrument. As I said, not the best sounding to my ear, but OK, and nothing outlasts them! Oh, and they still stayed in tune fine right to the end.

Peter

u14steelgtr · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2009, 01:52:51 PM »

I am guessing that the tuning issue that Mario is talking about may be the Elixir string breaking down. When the coating or the winding becomes uneven in density or just plain worn/corroded; the string vibration can become less less consistent because the coating/winding actually inpedes the vibration of the string in some arcs more than other arcs. Strings do not vibrate on the same axis all of the time every time; and when the coating breaks down it will influence the vibration of the string differently depending upon which arc the string is vibrating in.

I concur with cozmik_cowboy about the Elixir acoustic guitar strings being robust but lacking in desirable tonal qualities. I have not purchased a set of Elixirs for years because I find that they can not bring out the best in my instruments.

The edvantage of Elixirs is that they retain their sound/tone for a long time and they are more resistant to corrosion while the instrument is on display and being played by everyone that come in to the store.

I am sure that Elixir might make an OK electric string. But I own less than a dozen electrics (some of which get much more or less attention than others) and they do not work (for me) for playing with a steel/slide. More than half of my electrics are Steel guitars.

I do not find changing most strings to be particularly challenging. So I am willing to lose the durability in exchange for better tone.

-E