Effing Elixirs! :mad:

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marshall409

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i play my acoustic tuned down a step most of the time. this is the second time in about a month or two that ive broken a g string ( :p ). it happens when i tune the g string back up to g after being at f for a while. i guess its sorta my fault but my electric never does this. ive read that elixirs break easy and someone even said that they always break the g string first. anyone else had experiences with this? i cant buy them individually at my usual store, and i dont think anyone else sells them indiviudally either, but i might go and look.

i notice there are other coated bronze strings out there. id really like to get off elixirs because of the ridiculous price. but is there any thing out there that feels kinda like them for a better price?

Adam
 
You've finally uncovered the guitar string maker's biggest hidden story thats been going on for over 50 years. They make G strings differently than other strings. They're made to break. Simple as that! ESPECIALLY elixers.


Obviously I'm joking, but there are many things that could be of interest that aren't noted. Are your strings a month old? Where is the string breaking? Same spot? Are there any burrs on the bridge or nut? Why are you tuning down a step ( ;) ). I've tried the EXP D'addario strings and they're fine.
 
rory said:
Obviously I'm joking, but there are many things that could be of interest that aren't noted. Are your strings a month old? Where is the string breaking? Same spot? Are there any burrs on the bridge or nut? Why are you tuning down a step ( ;) ). I've tried the EXP D'addario strings and they're fine.

well the strings are a couple months old....except for the goddamn g string i just spent 25 bucks plus tax to replace!

the string broke at the tuner this time. i dont remember where last time, but some where down the neck i think. maybe in the same place. the guitar has recently had a setup, including some nut work so i think thats fine.

i tune down a step because i want to. i find it much easier to sing most songs i know down a step and have just gotten used to playing in that. it feels better under my fingers and i think it sounds deeper on my acoustic, which is a tiny but thin in regular tuning.

thanks ill check out the d'addorio's

Adam
 
marshall409 said:
i play my acoustic tuned down a step most of the time. this is the second time in about a month or two that ive broken a g string ( :p ). it happens when i tune the g string back up to g after being at f for a while. i guess its sorta my fault but my electric never does this. ive read that elixirs break easy and someone even said that they always break the g string first. anyone else had experiences with this? i cant buy them individually at my usual store, and i dont think anyone else sells them indiviudally either, but i might go and look.

i notice there are other coated bronze strings out there. id really like to get off elixirs because of the ridiculous price. but is there any thing out there that feels kinda like them for a better price?

Adam
What gauge? If you are breaking strings consistently, for example the "G", you need to take note of where it is breaking. Strings are designed to withstand a fair bit of extra tension above their optimum pitch. The usual cause of your problem would be a sticking nut or badly finished and set saddle. After that look at the tuners, sharp or rough edges and slipping gears can cause string breaks although it's not as common. After that look at your technique. I have seen guys break strings just by the attack they have.

Also check under the strings if they are breaking at a fret. The condition of the other strings can give you a clue if you have a fret problem. This would be unlikely.

Did it break strings before the work you had done on the nut. That would be my first guess then the saddle then the tuners. Tuning up and down a tone shouldn't be a problem. Neither should the fact that they are Exr's.

Instinct tells me you have an issue with the nut.
 
if it breaks at the tuners...

take an old string and snip it 4 inches or so from the balll end.

take the broken g, loop it through the ball, and twist it around the g with some pliers.

just make sure you twist tight and keep it behind the nut when you actually put it back in and tighten up. sometimes i use 2 pliers. one holding the twist, and then one doing the twisting.

i do this all the time if i've broken a newish string. if i've broken an old string too...

i'm cheap.
 
Hey there marshall409, these postings cover the issue of string breakages so regarding other string brands there are of course the D'addario EXP's (I heard from a D'addario distributor that they are contracted to make the Elixirs but then took the Elixir concept and improved on it ~ I dont know if thats true or just a sales pitch). Anyway, I've got a 35 year old Maton dreadnought (made in Australia) and I found the EXP's pretty good (held their tone for ages and didnt break) but I find Martin SP's have a better tone to my ears (warmer lows, crisp highs but not harsh) on the Maton at least~every guitar has it's own unique characteristics. It can get expensive to experiment so perhaps do some reference recordings each time you try a new brand. I'm tuned down a tone these days (vocal range seems to have dropped as I get older) and went from 12's to 13's and intonation needed a little attention. I use a capo now instead of retuning back up to standard pitch. Clever idea from cello_pudding :)
 
Thanks

thanks for all of the replies.

im so tempted to do that string splice idea. id be scared of it flinging up in my face though. but then again, who needs a face?

i think ill pick up a pack of the d'addarios next time. i dont know how much cheaper they'll actually be at my stores but from prices ive seen online they should be cheaper.

i really like the elixirs. theyre what came on my guitar and they feel and sound pretty good to me. hopefully the cheaper d'addarios will hold up a bit better. im trying to think whether or not i even tuned the string up to standard tuning initially when i put the string on :confused: that definitely seems like it would make it more prone to breaking when i tune it up to g.

Adam
 
I've had the same problem with Elixers on 3 different guitars. They go quite a bit longer tone wise than most strings, but it is ALWAYS the G string that get the guitar a fresh set of strings. I think it is mother natures way of saying "hey string your strings". Actually I've read of this being a very common problem on several acoustic forums. I have been using Memphis Electric strings for some time now they never break for me but they do unwind after a little playing. I'm back to a hodge podge of strings once again. Elixers on acoustics, Ernie Ball and D'addario on electrics and Martin on my mandolins.
 
Haven't had that problem in the 5 years plus I've been using the strings
 
Strange....

ya ive read its the g string that everyone breaks. very strange indeed....

i tried that idea from cello pudding. works perfect! thanks alot!

but still. next time ill be trying out martins and d'addario exps.

Adam
 
I'm not sure if it is the Elixers or some other wound classical strings. The actual solid core of the 3rd string is actually smaller than say the 1st string before it is wound with the outer winding. Maybe some energetic person can mic it?

Big Kenny, are you using light or medium gauge? acoustic, electric, both?
 
Light on both acoustic and electric. Gretsch power jet and 6120, LP standard, Beck Strat, Power Tele, Taylor T5, Taylor 615, Larrivee 12 string, 72 Martin D28, all got 'em....
 
Wow, I'm an Elixer fan for acoustics. I've never broken a single string. I get rid of them when they sound flat or when I get worried that I might get tetinus. I use the lights on my finger pickin' guitar and mediums on my big strummer.

I donno, I've been real lucky, you've been very unlucky or, there's something up with your set up.
 
i'm a huge elixir fan for acoustic, too. and it's always the g string that breaks when i tune it up to g. my friend has the same problem.
 
I'm still savin' up for my first set of Elixers...But the EXP's have been vethy, vethy good to me...

Gawd what a puss I must be. I can't for the life of me remember breaking a string that I didn't break on purpose...

Eric
 
Elixirs break twice as fast as any D'ddario string. Now this was 2 years ago but, I put on a new set of Elixir 10's on my strat and went to the gig; the first set I broke the G string, second set the high E broke and on the third and last set I broke a A string! I have never broke an A string in my life nor since. If I put on a new set of D'ddario's they will last all night long and will still sound good in the morning. Elixirs are way too expensive, the tone is not that great and just don't last.
 
Double said:
Elixirs break twice as fast as any D'ddario string. Now this was 2 years ago but, I put on a new set of Elixir 10's on my strat and went to the gig; the first set I broke the G string, second set the high E broke and on the third and last set I broke a A string! I have never broke an A string in my life nor since. If I put on a new set of D'ddario's they will last all night long and will still sound good in the morning. Elixirs are way too expensive, the tone is not that great and just don't last.
Bah, just got a bad set.
 
If the G string breaks soon after putting it on, call up Elixir. They will UPS a G-string for you. I've done this maybe three times since I started using Elixirs back in 1998 (on ~6 different guitars) Now don't abuse this or they'll put you on the "Don't sell Strings to this guy" list :)
 
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