Why Not Elixirs?

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WhiteStrat

WhiteStrat

Don't stare at the eye.
No, I'm not fight-baiting. I'm serious. Over the past few days I've read a few negative things about Elixir guitar strings. Some were off-handed jabs, some were more direct.

Here's the thing, I have Elixirs on my acoustic and I really like them (not so much on my electrics). I'm getting ready to change them and have another set of Elixirs at the ready.

Before I do so, I want to hear why I shouldn't use them, and what are some well favored alternatives. I'm more than willing to be educated. And if I can learn and improve my tone and/or gear at the same time--well sign me up!

Thanks!
 
I have used them in the past, on my taylor and well, the guitar sounded mostly mid rangy and kind of nasty nasal sounding...

I also used them on a Guild D25 for a while, and while it gave a really bright sound, it was not as woodsy sounding as I would have liked, phospher bronze sounded warmer and phatter in the low end, than the Elixirs.

Also I have noticed more strings being broken when the player is using Elixirs...

While they do last a while, I have found that I like the sound of the EXP coated strings a little better, and the new ClearTone strings WAY BETTER if you are gonna use coated strings... I buy in bulk myself, in big wreaths and my strings cost me around $1.85 a set... they get old and dirty.... I replace them. big hairy deal. using clean hands when you play guitar will help you a great deal, also just keeping your fingerboard clean will help also...

I just feel like for the heavy power picked folky guitar stuff I play that they sound brittle and harsh, and also nasal...

Sorry if I step on someones toes here... I just am not into em.
 
Other than musicianship the single most important thing for everything is the signal chain. IMO! And strings are really close the the first things in the chain. So basically you need to experiment and find out what you do or do not like about what coated or non coated strings do to your sound. Keep in mind different brands and different sizes will also make a noticeable change in tone.

It's your voice. You get to change how it sounds.

For me I prefer darker tones that allow more overtones and 'frequency dancing.' So coated just don't work for me. But again it's up to you, it's your voice. Just remember that there are a lot of steps to the signal chain, and they all effect each other. And you will better serve yourself by making small adjustments over many things, rather than large adjustments over a few things.
 
I dunno... to me, what makes a string sound bad as it ages is the junk that accumulates on it, and impedes it's vibration. To start out with a coating seems counter-intuitive.

Peace!

~Shawn
 
On my Taylor they sound dead as soon as you put them on. While the medium D'Addario's phosphor bronze that I put on, sound clean and crisp. I do change strings more often, but to me they just sound better.

I think you just have to find the right strings for the guitar you have.
 
Thanks for all the replies (so far!) gang! I've not put the new Elixirs on yet...but I'm also not convinced otherwise.

For starters, I only use Elixirs on one of my acoustics, and it's a nice dark sounding cedar Seagull. So maybe the brightness of the Elixirs counters the darkness of the cedar. Now that could be good, or it could just be a waste of cedar trying to sound like spruce. In other words, maybe the guitar would sound even warmer--more uniquely cedar--with some phosphors or something (can't remember if I've always used Elixirs on this guit or not...)

And maybe I'm thinking about it too much...:D
 
They sound dead and dull, and I don't care if they last forever - if they sound like shit to begin with, why bother? They have no sparkle, no warmth, and no liveliness. In short, they suck.


But that is just my opinion, and if you feel differently, I'll be happy to sell them to you. But I will keep encouraging you to buy real strings.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Light said:
They sound dead and dull, and I don't care if they last forever - if they sound like shit to begin with, why bother? They have no sparkle, no warmth, and no liveliness. In short, they suck.


But that is just my opinion, and if you feel differently, I'll be happy to sell them to you. But I will keep encouraging you to buy real strings.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
Click to expand...

That's the point of my original post. If to other experienced ears, they sound dead and dull, maybe I've bought into the marketing hype. Now's the chance for me to try something else and maybe like them better.

Here's the scenario--cedar top guitar; mahogany back, sides and neck. Rosewood fingerboard. All solid, no plywood anywhere. So this thing's warm--I love it's tone. I use it for recording, not playing out. Mostly I'm using a pick--even if the majority of my work is picking instead of strumming, I still use a pick.

If that was your situation, what strings would you try?
 
I personally love the sound of Elixers on my Taylor. I have a 410ce and I am yet to find strings that sound as good. Ernie Balls sound ok, Martins are really bassy, havn't tried out D'Addario's yet. I love them, plus they last forever. I use DR stings exclusively on my electrics so I cannot vouch in that field. Play what sound best to you. Experiment a little it won't kill you. If you don't like the sound a certain set of strings is giving you take them off. They don't cost that much $!!!
 
GuitarGuy51 said:
I personally love the sound of Elixers on my Taylor. I have a 410ce and I am yet to find strings that sound as good. Ernie Balls sound ok, Martins are really bassy, havn't tried out D'Addario's yet. I love them, plus they last forever. I use DR stings exclusively on my electrics so I cannot vouch in that field. Play what sound best to you. Experiment a little it won't kill you. If you don't like the sound a certain set of strings is giving you take them off. They don't cost that much $!!!
Click to expand...

You're right, they don't cost that much. I have a plastic tub full of strings, 9's & 10's for the electrics, nylons, bass, and quite a few set for the acoustics. I'm not a luthier like some folks here, but when people see all my guitars and accessories they think I am.

All that is to say, I know it's up to me, and I'm not a newb--I've just been using Elixirs long enough on this guitar, that if I'm gonna change, I don't wanna guess. And I'd rather hear from you guys than the accessory counter guy at Banjo Mart. :D

BTW--I'm with you on the DRs for the electrics. I like those too...
 
They sound "okay" on mine but still just really dull. It's like a dull sound that lasts forever.

Try some D'Addario Phosphor Bronze. I tried them and haven't used a different kind since.
 
If you like them and they give you the sound you want use them. There is absolutely nothing that will hurt your guitar or fingers with them.

I don't like them for one reason. To my ears which are fairly acute when it comes to these things they inhibit a lot of the dynamic possibilities of your attack when playing.

I have always use D'addario EJ series. These things are personal choice.
 
Light said:
They sound dead and dull, and I don't care if they last forever - if they sound like shit to begin with, why bother? They have no sparkle, no warmth, and no liveliness. In short, they suck.


But that is just my opinion, and if you feel differently, I'll be happy to sell them to you. But I will keep encouraging you to buy real strings.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
Click to expand...

Couldn't disagree more.
 
WhiteStrat said:
Here's the scenario--cedar top guitar; mahogany back, sides and neck. Rosewood fingerboard. All solid, no plywood anywhere. So this thing's warm--I love it's tone. I use it for recording, not playing out. Mostly I'm using a pick--even if the majority of my work is picking instead of strumming, I still use a pick.

If that was your situation, what strings would you try?
Click to expand...

If you haven't tried a set of John Pearse strings, you really should. Your guitar and your ears will thank you.
 
For me, the desicion to use elixers on (acoustic) has been the life of the strings. I use regular when tracking, but they always lose their tone within a couple of days. I have a Whecter acoustic that I haven't played in a couple of months. I get off tour and pull it out of the case and the strings sound brand new. If I were a salesman, I would put elixers on for the longevity, but regular strings definately have a more natural voicing than Elixers. I say get an uncoated set, put em on, and when they sound dead after a couple of days, put the Elixers on and compare.
 
I guess it's more personal preference than anything.Myself I buy ten packs of strings and get a set for about $3 so I really dont care how long the strings last.
 
Opinions, opinions. For every person who dislikes Elixers there is another just as experienced or qualified (or not) who does.

Every guitar is different. So is every player. Don't listen to others. Just put the damn things on your guitar and play it. You will either like them or you won't. Why do you care what we think? Are we playing your guitar and listening to your guitar for you? Are you going to decide if you like them based on some consensus here? And, BTW, this same question has already been asked and answered way too many times on this board.
 
WhiteStrat said:
That's the point of my original post. If to other experienced ears, they sound dead and dull, maybe I've bought into the marketing hype. Now's the chance for me to try something else and maybe like them better.

Here's the scenario--cedar top guitar; mahogany back, sides and neck. Rosewood fingerboard. All solid, no plywood anywhere. So this thing's warm--I love it's tone. I use it for recording, not playing out. Mostly I'm using a pick--even if the majority of my work is picking instead of strumming, I still use a pick.

If that was your situation, what strings would you try?
Click to expand...

I think a lot depends on the guitar. Perhaps with a cedar top things might
get a little boomy on the low end. I would imagine these could help the
sound.

I use them only on my taylor 412ce a very compact acoustic more designed
for finger picking than strummying on. The Elxirs give this little guitar a lot more low end and help a lot in reducing fret and finger noise.

Another string you might want to try is the Clear Tone brand I've only used
them on hollow body electrics so far.
 
tdukex said:
Opinions, opinions. For every person who dislikes Elixers there is another just as experienced or qualified (or not) who does.

Every guitar is different. So is every player. Don't listen to others. Just put the damn things on your guitar and play it. You will either like them or you won't. Why do you care what we think? Are we playing your guitar and listening to your guitar for you? Are you going to decide if you like them based on some consensus here? And, BTW, this same question has already been asked and answered way too many times on this board.
Click to expand...

My humble apologies...

Considering the three pages of "opinions, opinions" that recently grew out of a simple question on guitar cables, I really didn't think this was out of line. And for the record--that's what this place is about: opinions.

And no, I'd never decide anything based on a consensus found here--but it does give me some informed options rather than shots in the dark.

I'm sorry if this thread cost you a slice of your life you'll never retrieve.
 
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