Author Topic: Elixir strings : really worth their price ? (Read 388 times)

dubalbal · « **on:** January 14, 2006, 06:26:33 AM »

Hi Folks ,

I've been proposed elixir strings today in a music shop ...do some of you use them ? what do you think of these specific coated strings ? ...i bought Dr's one , elixir's were really expensive...so before i buy one set , i need your so good advices !

Tkx

ALAIN

bracheen · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2006, 08:34:12 AM »

Alain, I've used the Elixir nanoweb strings. I did like them, good tone, smooth feel, very little finger noise. They stayed in tune reasonably well but that wasn't a strong point. The price is why I don't use them on a regular basis. My regular string choice, Dean Markley nickel plated Blue Steels, are about half the price. I like them just as much and they stay in tune better. So to answer your question, the Elixers are good but not enough for me to pay the higher price. That's my opinion. Strings are a personal choice. There's as many favorites as there are players it seems. The only way for you to know if it's the string for you is to get a set and try them. You may find them worth the price.

Sam

richbass939 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2006, 09:45:41 AM »

Alain, I had nanowebs on my Epics 4 and 5 for a while. I liked the tone and longevity pretty well. I believe what they say about the coating making them last longer. They sounded good for a really long time. I experimented with other strings and settled on another type because the tone and feel were more what I was looking for.
I agree with Sam. Taste in strings is a very personal thing. I feel the Elixirs were good strings. They may turn out to be exactly what you are looking for.
Rich

bassfingers · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2006, 11:09:29 AM »

Hi Alain,
I tried the Polywebs not long after they came out and fitted them the night before starting a 12 day tour in Italy.The E string didn't seem to have the twang I'd hoped for when fitted.Oddly,after the first gig it sounded much better.I attribute this to my lack of knowledge about 'witness points',especially at the bridge.

They were some of the hottest,sweatiest gigs I've ever done but only the E string had faded a little by the end of the tour.I got another 6-8 gigs out of them when I got home.Way impressive!.I've used nanowebs since (taking care to establish the witness points this time) with much the same result.

Cost and availability are the only issues I have.I can't always afford them and many shops don't stock them because customers are reluctant to incur the expense in order to experiment.Personally I think they're worth the price and would suggest you try them.As Rich said,they could be just what you always hoped for,but only you can be the judge of that.Good luck and if you try them,please let us know what you think.
Best Wishes,

Simon.

mrben · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2006, 03:38:36 PM »

Strings are such a personal thing... I know a number of people who hate Elixirs, for reasons I've never fully understood.

But for me, they've been a revolution and a revelation. Conventional strings beneath my probably rather sweaty fingers become dead as a dead thing after only a couple of days. Elixirs on the other just go on for months, remarkably. Their consistency/quality control has been excellent in my experience, with apparently dead sounding E or B strings invariably caused by inadequate contact with the bridge (push firmly either side of the bridge point and you'll avoid this). Tone isn't quite as zingy as some regular strings straight from the packet but stays the same for a long time - I'm very happy with their sound and smoother feel. Eventually they can get slightly 'furry' looking but the tone just keeps on going.

As to expense, well they might seem too much to begin with, but their longevity more than compensates in the long-run. I should point out that I have no connection with the company whatsoever, I speak only from having spent far too much dosh on strings in my life!

Just my opinion though, not everyone is find of them.

Ben

dwmark · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2006, 08:46:46 PM »

Also like them but had a set that dewebbed after a bit of use and actually snapped one while playing (finger style guy--only time that has ever happened). With that, they're a strong second choice to the TI Jazz Flats.

daveo · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2006, 01:17:23 AM »

I used to use them on my guitar, but stopped because I felt even the nanowebs were dulling my sound. I've had great luck with DR's but they're pricey, too.

richbass939 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2006, 07:51:04 AM »

As Ben said, you do start to notice hairs of the coating sticking out after a while. But on mine the hairs occurred where the string contacts the frets. Since I don't finger the string right on top of the fret itself I don't see that any finger gunk would work its way in where the coating was wearing off. The fur is so thin and short that nobody would notice from 2 feet away. I also agree with Ben that in the long run they are a good deal if you like the sound and feel.
Rich
Edit: On second thought, they did get hairy where I pluck fingerstyle, so they could get a little gunky right there. However, I don't think it created a problem in terms of their usable life.

(Message edited by richbass939 on January 15, 2006)

worldfamousandy · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2006, 08:10:42 AM »

I was turned on to D'Addario EXPs a couple years ago, and I am sold on them. I'm sure there are similarities between all the manufacturers' coated strings, but I have never noticed any fur on my strings, even after doing a dozen gigs. EXPs play great, and they hold a nice tone for 12 gigs and all the rehearsals and practice that accompanies that amount of work. In fact, I usually replace them because of the dents in the strings from the frets. Tone is normally still pretty good at that point, although that does vary a little from one set to another. Playability is normally what causes me to change them.

willride3 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 15, 2006, 12:03:42 PM »

I am using a set of the early polywebs on my 95 Essence 5. Elixir sent me a free set when they were being introduced in the Detroit area, I put them on about 5 yrs ago. They still do a great job, sound great, feel great. I play fingerstyle, and some with a pick. There are some spots where the strings have gotten fuzzy. I use them for regular practice, and play almost every week. My hands don't sweat, maybe that's key to the long life. Also, I don't beat them up too bad with my fingers, but the pick has made some bare spots. I've tried lots of strings over the years, I like the Elixir Polywebs a lot. I did buy a set of the Nanowebs, but I changed my mind about replacing the Polywebs just yet. Someday soon....maybe. I hope I like the Nanowebs as well, whenever I do put them on. Willride3

dubalbal · « **Reply #10 on:** January 15, 2006, 01:17:19 PM »

Hi Folks ,

Thank you so much for all your useful comments on this brand ! ...i remember that my very first bass had kind'o such strings...it wasn't in fact, it was really plastic coated and gave the bass a fretless sound...it was horrible...

Elixir's seem to be excellent strings but i am not sure i 'll buy a set , even to try . I got back at the store and felt the strings,they gave me back this bad impression of those awful strings i had on my first bass...I perfectly know that there's a world of difference but honestly , i'm not sure i would like them , ...just a matter of feel or sensation ( on my fingers ).

I had d'addario's and Dr's since i got my new baby and both please me . D'addario are really bright and punchy , DR's are , imo , the same but give a more round sound and last longer .

I'm using ebs fafner head + 2 ebs cabs 4x10 . I'm also using ( brand new ) a tc-electronic effect unit : G-system ( made for guitar but in fact works so great for bass too ...!!! ) + ebs octaver pedal .

...and here's my baby : http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/18268.html?1131566691

Thank's very much folks

Best regards to you all from Belgium

ALAIN

jazzyvee · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2006, 12:03:00 PM »

I have been a user of D'addario XL's for years for my strats and I find them excellent strings. However as my fingertips sweat is quite acidic they usually last one gig or 2 max before the chrome is completely off and the string starts to corrode.

Last year I decided to try some nanowebs and bought 10 sets from the guitar centre in LA. I think I came back from a 2 week tour with 7 sets left. I think they are great for me as the coating keeps the strings long lasting and although they feel a big heavier under my fingers they do have a good sligntly mellower tone than my usual strings.

I'm gonna put some on my orion guitar before my next gigs.
Never tried them on bass. I'll wait till I'm in the states again and get a couple of sets there. Prices are more favourable than the UK.
:-)

rockbassist · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2006, 08:36:19 AM »

I used to use DR's. I now use Curt Mangan. According to their website, Curt worked for Dean Markely for 17 years prior to going out on his own. I love the tone and they last at least as long as anything else I have used. They are very easy to deal with and they have an artist sponsorship program which can save you a ton of money.

dubalbal · « **Reply #13 on:** January 18, 2006, 10:03:07 AM »

Hi Kevin ,

Tkx for your advice ,i'll check that asap !

ALAIN

jetbass79 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2006, 11:16:43 PM »

I thought that Elixir strings were A) really expensive and B) I didn't like the sound -- and the coating would start to come off after awhile. On my Alembic I use CX strings that came on it. I liked the way they sounded when the bass was new and I still like them. They lasted a long time -- and are half the price of Elixirs. Then again, I'm not one to sweat as much as some people do.