Tedster Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 Last time I changed strings on my acoustic, I put on a set of Elixirs. Not all that long ago...and I haven't really played my acoustic much since. Maybe one gig. So, the strings oughta be good for at least one more gig, right? WRONG. First set last night...we started out the night acoustically (as is usual). About the third or fourth song in, the B string broke. I wasn't bending it...it just snapped and went slack from the bridge pin...started flapping around. No problem. Put on my Strat, finish the set electrically...change the string on the break. Second set...new B string. Thought we'd play a few more songs using the acoustic. Third song...G string snaps...again from the bridge pin. I wasn't doing Pete Townshend windmills or anything...not slamming the strings...G string just goes... Okay...a bit more pissed...but...strap on the Strat, finish the set...change the string. On the break, some folks from another band we know wanted to get up and do a tune...fine, we like that once in awhile. It was an acoustic tune...so the guitar player used my Guild. I joked to him after their tune..."Cool, you didn't break a string". I strap it on, get about halfway through the next tune.... THE FUCKING D STRING DOES THE SAME DAMN THING!!!! Went slack...when I looked at it, it was like the core had broken and the winding had come uncoiled. All from the bridge pin! I put the guitar back in the case and finished the night on electric. I've never had so much unbelievable shit. I seriously doubt I'll ever try Elixirs again. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickerman Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 I tried elixirs. I hated them. They didn't sound or feel good and I didn't give the time to last so I wouldn't know about that part... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dak Lander Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 Hey Tedster, If you are going for the supposed ease of play of the coated strings, try the D'Addario EXP's. They've been decent on my Guild and Yamaha so far & are working well on my son's Ibanez. The feel is pretty good, the tone is there & so far the longivity is ok. I'm just not sure if I like them better than the DR Rare Phosphor Bronze I usually play & there's that price difference. The DR's were giving me 3 to 4 times the life of other strings so the EXP's will have to do better than that to be cost effective. They're certainly worth a look, as are the DR's. I too had problems with the Elixir strings, not only breakage but the tonality didn't seem to be there. I never done that before... Our Joint "When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it." The Duke... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted February 11, 2002 Author Share Posted February 11, 2002 Actually, I was going for the longevity of coated strings more than feel. I'd never tried Elixirs before...I was curious. They had an odd feel...I didn't detest it or anything, just ever so slightly greasy or something...but not really. But after last night...I'm probably back to my old standby Martin Marquis. Or maybe I'll try the ones you suggest, Dak... "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Wing Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 Ted, I know I'm not as knowledgeable; but I've been using D'Addario Phosphor Bronze/Light. Got a nice sound to them and they feel pretty good. There are two theories about arguing with a woman. Neither one works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not coaster MODERATOR Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 My daughter had been using them on her Taylor thinking that for $15 they would go a few months. But every week she would come home with a broken string. Forget that says I, and it's back to Martins or D'Addarios for us. I still have a set on my Tak which seems to be holding out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiveMusic Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 I've had my Taylor one year now and have always used Elixirs and I bang the everlovin' hell out of it. Have never broken a string. Funny you should mention this as I have gone to see a band play for the last three Thursdays. The lead singer plays acoustic. First time, he broke two, second time, two, third time, he broke two in one hour and I had to go. I wanted to say to him "What the hell are you DOING with your guitar? I NEVER break strings!" But I didn't. I heard him curse Dean Markley strings (I think) the first time. > > > [ Live! ] < < < Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted February 11, 2002 Author Share Posted February 11, 2002 All I can say is that I've been generally using Martins, until this last set. I'm pretty consistent as far as my attack goes. I've never had anything like this happen to me before. Back to the Martins (I use D'Addarios on my electrics) for me. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 Originally posted by LiveMusic: I've had my Taylor one year now and have always used Elixirs and I bang the everlovin' hell out of it. Have never broken a string... I, too, am surprised to hear you're breaking strings with Elixir, Ted. I've used them for about a year, and have been completely satisfied with the timbre and longevity, and specifically the longevity OF the timbre. My hands sweat a lot, and normal strings get dirt in the winds, causing them to go dead pretty quick. The Elixir polyweb solves that problem at the ever-so-slight expense of brightness when brand new. Mine have always kept a far more consistant timbre over time, and I haven't broken any strings. I like the slippery feel. It's like built in Fast Fret. IMO, they are the best strings available. It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip McDonald Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 Originally posted by Tedster: But after last night...I'm probably back to my old standby Martin Marquis. Or maybe I'll try the ones you suggest, Yikes, Tedster! Marquis? I don't get people buying those: they're the stiffest strings I've ever encountered.... .11's feel like .12's, or worse... and they're sort of limited in their response, they don't put out a lot of low end and the high end kind of "stops"... and they go dead almost immediately! SP's are great... DR's, D'Addarios... EXP's are nice... but Marquis'? Ahhhgg...... Guitar Lessons in Augusta Georgia: www.chipmcdonald.com Eccentric blog: https://chipmcdonaldblog.blogspot.com/ / "big ass windbag" - Bruce Swedien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 Have you guys tried John Pierce strings? They aren't coated or anything but they seem to last way longer than any other bronze string I've tried. Sound really great too. -David http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelangelosMuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted February 11, 2002 Author Share Posted February 11, 2002 Sigh... Okay, I have tried John Pearse...they were swell, I don't know that I actually like 'em better than anything else. I guess it is time to try something else. Yep, I've used D'Addarios too. So many brands, so little time... "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arjay Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 Hey, Tedster... Elexirs came installed on my Big Baby Taylor when I got it last June, and I left them on as long as I could, kind of as an experiment in tone longevity, and to see how fuzzy they would get. I figured I'd replace the whole set as soon as I broke one string, rather than just replace that string. I never broke one, but I finally took the set off and replaced them with my usual trusty D'Addarios this past weekend, so the Elixirs lasted quite a while, and I was obviously not plagued with breakages. I can't complain abou tthe tone, either, but I do not believe that I would return to the Elixirs as a regular set. I found them to be a little too slippery for my taste. I don't like satin sheets, either. No traction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikey_dup1 Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 I have had similar problems with Elixers - string breakage. I've had much better luck the new Martin SP plus strings which are coated as well. You might want to check those out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Submersible Posted February 12, 2002 Share Posted February 12, 2002 I was given a set of the "beta" elixirs back in 1995 to test. I don't know if anyone else remembers what those were like, but it was enough to permanently scare me away from them (sounded like a crusty set of flatwounds.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dak Lander Posted February 12, 2002 Share Posted February 12, 2002 Yeah, I got a set of those. Jeez, I took off a set that was still ok & the Elixir's were deader new than the ones I took off. I wrote them a letter about it too. I never got a response. They were so bad I had a problem trying the new ones. They didn't seem to be much better. They are the one reason I wouldn't buy a Carvin guitar right now 'cause Elixir is the Carvin string of choice. DR's or D'Addario's are the way to go. Our Joint "When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it." The Duke... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted February 12, 2002 Share Posted February 12, 2002 Originally posted by daklander: ...They are the one reason I wouldn't buy a Carvin guitar right now 'cause Elixir is the Carvin string of choice. DR's or D'Addario's are the way to go. Dak, that is, perhaps, the goofiest statement I've read on this forum. And there have been some doozies! You put off buying a guitar (that I have to assume you would buy otherwise) because of the STRINGS that are standard??? How about you buy the Carvin and.. here's a nifty idea.. CHANGE THE STRINGS WHEN IT ARRIVES!!! Are you taking guitar lessons from Chip McDonald? The check is due on the.... It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted February 12, 2002 Author Share Posted February 12, 2002 Okay, okay...easy folks... I just bought a set of DRs. I'm gonna try 'em... Oh, BTW...I bought another guitar. An Epiphone Dot. I had to have a semi hollow, the thing played and sounded nice. It wasn't a Casino, sure, but it had the natural maple finish (not unfinished) but, enough to give it that Lennon vibe. "I'd like to thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we passed the audition..." "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dak Lander Posted February 12, 2002 Share Posted February 12, 2002 Originally posted by fantasticsound: Dak, that is, perhaps, the goofiest statement I've read on this forum. And there have been some doozies! You put off buying a guitar (that I have to assume you would buy otherwise) because of the STRINGS that are standard??? How about you buy the Carvin and.. here's a nifty idea.. CHANGE THE STRINGS WHEN IT ARRIVES!!! Are you taking guitar lessons from Chip McDonald? The check is due on the.... Neil, I stated ONE of the reasons I wouldn't buy a Carvin right now is the Elixir strings. That is ONE!!! of the reasons. It may indeed sound goofy to you but it is a valid reason, disregarding the string changing idea. Don't you usually change the strings out, if not right away, soon after you get a new guitar to what you like to use? Or, do you just play what ever is available? I've owned Carvin electrics, use Carvin PA & really like the Cobalts. I live within an hour of the San Diego store & I've played the Cobalts & guess what, they actually sound pretty good, even with the Elixirs. Just imagine how good they'll sound with good strings on them. I'm certainly interested in the Cobalts but I also found a Gibson I like real well so it could become a toss up, but guess what. I'll change the strings on the Gibson if I buy it too. The main reason is, I'm not looking for another gutar at this time. I suppose the point I was trying to make is that if a guy goes out, as a new buyer & has the choice of a couple of comparable guitars & one has Elixirs, I'd recommend the other, all other things being as equal as possible. As far as the lessons go, my mommy said to have you tell Chip the check is in the mail... Got a reaction anyway, eh? [ 02-12-2002: Message edited by: daklander ] Our Joint "When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it." The Duke... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaeton Posted February 12, 2002 Share Posted February 12, 2002 Submersible I was given a set of the "beta" elixirs back in 1995 to test. I don't know if anyone else remembers what those were like, but it was enough to permanently scare me away from them (sounded like a crusty set of flatwounds.) Heeeyyy.... I like my crusty flatwounds!! Oh yeah... I'm a wierdo. Nevermind. Dr. Seuss: The Original White Rapper . WWND? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan South Posted February 12, 2002 Share Posted February 12, 2002 DR, Baby!!!!!! Well, they work great on basses... The Black Knight always triumphs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricknbokker Posted February 13, 2002 Share Posted February 13, 2002 Originally posted by Submersible: I was given a set of the "beta" elixirs back in 1995 to test. I don't know if anyone else remembers what those were like, but it was enough to permanently scare me away from them (sounded like a crusty set of flatwounds.) I, too, was sent a beta set to test. It was hilarious! I put them on the guitar, spent two days or so tuning the dang thing up, then started playing. What a trip. Within 45 minutes, the 'nanowebbing' started to come off, sort of like long, stringy, spider webs, but not sticky. (thank God!) Another lesson learned... people that make winter coats (Gore), shouldn't make guitar strings. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Submersible Posted February 13, 2002 Share Posted February 13, 2002 I wrote them a letter about it too. I never got a response. Hey, me too! At the same time I received the strings, a friend of mine also received a set. He's not too picky about his strings (he changes them once a year, whether they need it or not.) He sent back the evaluation card, just like I did, except with no specific comments, no separate letter, and no critical remarks. Several months later, he received a thank-you letter and another free set of strings. Go figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonic dogg Posted February 13, 2002 Share Posted February 13, 2002 Hey Tedster!....this is my number one bitch with the elixer company....they came as the recommended string on my taylor...the first two sets were great..long lasting tone ..nice feel and when they're fresh they werent too toppy...then! breaking the next four sets ...some with less than an hour on them ...much like your experience...an e-mail to the QC did nothing...no reply ...nothing...so...its the finger to them and now its the martin sp string...try that one ...better than the marquis'...PEACE Recorded in Fabulous Cacaphonic Sound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted February 13, 2002 Share Posted February 13, 2002 Originally posted by daklander: ...They are the one reason I wouldn't buy a Carvin guitar right now 'cause Elixir is the Carvin string of choice. DR's or D'Addario's are the way to go. I swear I'll leave it alone, Dak, after this post. As you can see, typo or not, you stated Elixir's are "the" reason you wouldn't buy one. Taken that way, it's pretty goofy. If you meant to say they are one of the reasons you wouldn't buy a Carvin at this point... well that's a whole different story! It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dak Lander Posted February 13, 2002 Share Posted February 13, 2002 Damn! Ya got me Neil. I'll try do a better job of proof reading my posts before I submit them. Could be worse though. It could actually be something important. Thanks, Our Joint "When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it." The Duke... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelandre Posted February 16, 2002 Share Posted February 16, 2002 I've switched to Elixer strings sometime ago for both electric and acoustic guitar. They are the Nanoweb ones and not the Polyweb's. On my telecaster I use a G- and a B bender and I haven't broken a string yet. In combination with my Yamaha acoustic, which was a little bass heavy, it works really well and it sounds nicely balanced now.I like these strings a lot, just wished they make them for pedal steel too. Andre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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