#1333134 - 01/11/01 12:53 AM
Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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michael saulnier
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Loc: San Diego,CA,UNITED STATES
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I'm on my fourth set of Elixir strings on my Taylor 710BCE. The first set lasted about 4 months, (put on the first day I got the guitar), and the second set after about 6 months more, and the recent set about 5 months. I used to change my strings on other acoustics about once a month. (I liked Dean Markley's).
I didn't like the Elixir's at first... it all seemed to "slippery". But now I'm hooked. I play my guitar a little almost every day and they've been very consistent and sweet sounding.
I haven't taken the plunge to try them on my electrics yet... still not sure that I will. But I gotta go with the God's gift thing for the acoustic.
What do you think?
guitplayer
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#1333135 - 01/11/01 01:21 AM
Re: Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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Anonymous
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I tried the Elixers on a '53 Martin 00-17. The wound strings were good. The tone was like a set of strings already broken in, but remained consistant for 6 yo 7 months. The unwound strings, were a great big disappointment. They broke within the first 3 weeks. I tried them on my Alvarez Jumbo and was beg time disappointed. They didn't last as long on it as the cheap strings I buy every now and then (to experiment with). They lost their sound quickly and broke easily (in odd spots on the string). My strings usually last 4-6 months anyway, unless I break them early. The cost of the Elixers seems a bit exorbitant to me, even consdering the higher cost of manufacturing them. I'll stick with Martin Marquis' and Gibson Les Paul Tone Tempered strings. Just my opinion.
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#1333136 - 01/11/01 04:37 AM
Re: Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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dinopop
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Registered: 09/08/00
Posts: 85
Loc: Arlington,TX,UNITED STATES
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The interesting thing about Elixirs is that you rarely find a neutral opinion. People either seem to love them or hate them.
For me it's a love/hate thing.
Love em on acoustics.
Hate em on electrics.
On my acoustics they maintain their sound a lot longer than any regular strings I've tried. I've never had breakage problems, (but then I rarely break strings anyway).
I did not like the way they sounded on my Strat. The low end just seemed to go mushy no matter what I did vis-a-vis amp/pickup selection.
I think a lot has to do with your personal tastes as far as tone and your playing style. Also, to some degree, your personal physiology matters. i.e. do your hands get sweaty, acidic, etc.
As far as the price, if they don't last you any longer than cheaper strings then they're not worth it. If they last 3 - 4 times as long (which has been my experience) then they are.
Like the man sez - your mileage may vary (extremely).
-Layne
_________________________
- Layne
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#1333137 - 01/11/01 01:40 PM
Re: Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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jsj
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Registered: 01/11/01
Posts: 48
Loc: Grafton,WI,UNITED STATES
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I've been using Elixir strings on my Taylor 420R for the last year and a half. I take them off only after I break a string - about every six months. They definitely last longer than the D'addrio I was using before.
Though I've been using them a long time, I've only used three sets (third set is on right now). When I put the last set on, the low E was buzzing and so muddy that I ended up cutting it off and stringing a D'addrio in its place leaving the remaining Elixirs on. I think I purchased too heavy a set for the nut on my Taylor.
I haven't tried them on either of my electrics and not sure I plan to. I'm going to watch this thread to see if someone can convince me to take the step.
Nothing else is ever going on my Taylor except Elixirs, even if I have to get a new nut for the low E 
-John
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#1333138 - 01/11/01 04:48 PM
Re: Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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tonemonkey@yahoo.com
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Registered: 10/21/00
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Loc: ,CA,UNITED STATES
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As a multi-instrumentalist, I tend to go long periods of time between playing some of them. Elixirs are a godsend to those situations.
For instruments I play more often, I use standard strings and change them a lot. Even on bass, I've found that Elixirs don't justify the extra $$$. They last me two months but are more than twice as costly as a standard set of bass strings.
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#1333139 - 01/11/01 10:10 PM
Re: Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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camn
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Registered: 01/03/01
Posts: 12
Loc: ,,UNITED STATES
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I think they last long and have a consistent sound throughout their life. And if you happen to like a muted, crummy tone, than you get it for months.
So I just wash my hands before playing and use normal strings. Keep em clean and they last almost as long. Only they sound good, instead.
xoxo
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#1333140 - 01/12/01 12:11 PM
Re: Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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bluedawg@mail.com
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Loc: bluefield,WV,UNITED STATES
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I'm an old-fashioned,blues player and those strings just weird me out.they're like having a condom on your guitar strings.Just doesn't feel natural.......bluedawg
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#1333141 - 01/13/01 03:03 PM
Re: Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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Anonymous
Anonymous
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I was given a free set of Elixers (light
acoustic) at the Cleveland Folk Alliance
convention last Feb. Put them on my main
gig axe (Martin 000-28EC) and found them
somewhat "tinny" sounding compared to my
D'Addario's (acoustic sound). However,
they sounded fine played through the preamp/
piezo pickup. They lasted for months without
noticeable change in feel or sound. For
miking the acoustic sound in studio I'd
probably go with the D'Addarios for warmth.
I'm a rythym/fingerstyle player, never use
flatpicks or fingerpicks, so I'm pretty easy
on strings. I've found that using "Tone"
"finger ease" string lubricant before and
after each session extends the string life
greatly. Spray it on a soft cloth and rub
down strings and neck thoroughly. This seems
to prevent corrosion. I get 4-6 months on
the D'Addarios (practice guitars) this way.
------------------
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#1333142 - 01/13/01 08:05 PM
Re: Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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michael saulnier
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 12/06/00
Posts: 4070
Loc: San Diego,CA,UNITED STATES
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Originally posted by WoodSound9@aol.com:
I've found that using "Tone"
"finger ease" string lubricant before and
after each session extends the string life
greatly. Spray it on a soft cloth and rub
down strings and neck thoroughly. This seems
to prevent corrosion. I get 4-6 months on
the D'Addarios (practice guitars) this way.
I havent' used this product before, but I know it's been out there for some time. Elixir's are based on the idea of "sealing" the roundwound strings to keep out the gunk... Is this more of a "cleaner" rather than "sealer" product?
How about the sound of the strings... Is there any difference in sound after you apply this?
guitplayer
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#1333143 - 01/13/01 09:33 PM
Re: Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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InsightPro
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Registered: 12/10/00
Posts: 101
Loc: Houma,LA,UNITED STATES
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At one time I used finger ease on my acoustic guitar. I don't find that it made any difference in the sound of my guitar, however, it did make my strings very slippery which took a while to get used to.
--Matt
_________________________
"Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish, and he'll spend all day in a boat drinking beer."
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#1333144 - 01/15/01 10:51 PM
Re: Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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Anonymous
Anonymous
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Always used Dean Markley, med brass acoustic strings. Tried the Elixers. They sounded good for 3 weeks instead of the usual 2 for the Dean Markley's. However, I thought the Dean Markley's sounded brighter out of the box and the Elixers needed a couple of days before they sounded good. I've gone back to the Dean Markley's.
You need to find out what string sounds best on your guitar by experimentation.
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#1333145 - 01/16/01 03:43 PM
Re: Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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A belated reply to guitplayer's question re:
"Tone" Finger Ease" guitar string lubricant:
This is a lubricant. It does seem to cut
down on friction and doesn't affect tone.
It also is a cleaner. I wipe the strings and
neck before and after each session with a
soft cloth which was treated with one or two
short sprays. Before, I would start to see
corrosion spots on the strings after just a
few days. This product seems to prevent the
corrosion with regular use. I believe that
corrosion is a major factor in tone loss on
acoustic guitars. Definitely believe in this
product. Don't recommend spraying it directly
onto the fretboard, although I've noticed no
ill effects from wiping the back of neck or
even the top or sides after playing to get
the fingerprints/skin oils off the finish.
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#1333146 - 01/19/01 06:16 AM
Re: Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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virtual.ray@prodigy.net
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Registered: 08/21/00
Posts: 92
Loc: Houston,TX,UNITED STATES
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WD-40! Little dab'll do ya...
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#1333147 - 01/20/01 03:07 AM
Re: Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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Slow-Deep-and-Hard
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Registered: 01/19/01
Posts: 4
Loc: baltimore,MD,UNITED STATES
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Hey. I've been playing with Elixer strings for a long time now. I use them on my Strat and I like how it sounds - I don't find it muddy or shitty at all. I actually find it clear and crisp. I don't keep strings on my guitar for 6 or more months as long as I can help it because out of all the strings I've used they all loose the tone I really like after that period.
-Logan
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#1333148 - 01/23/01 11:30 PM
Re: Elixir Strings? God's gift or Satan's revenge?
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BK_dup2
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Registered: 03/19/01
Posts: 113
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I love these things. I was using D addario for the longest time. I do alot of sessions and I would change the Strings on my Taylor once a week. They really sound nice on my 514. They also record as good or better than anything else I have used. On top of that I leave them on for 4-6 weeks. What a joy!!!! cause I hate changing strings...
I have not tried the electic sets yet. I just might have to try them.
Hasta
BK
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