Daylia, make sure that one of your first purchases is a humidifier. That cedar top requires that you keep that right. Also, make sure the action is adjusted right for you.

With regard to Elixirs, I have never yet got a set to last anything close to 6 months, but I play a fair amount of gigs. And a lot of our music has a real drive to it. They do last a bit longer, but the real advantage of them, IMO, is that they sound almost the same when they break as when you put them on. It is the tone that lasts, and that is why I like them. But............they ain't cheap!!!!

I would not recommend them for a 12 string, unless you buy a handful of the G octave strings out of the gate. You will break them fairly quickly.

Congrats on your new baby. It has a cedar top, yes? That is what mine had. I must tell you that if you treat that instrument right, it will develop this very unique and appealing tone. It truly mellows with time.

Mick