Elixir strings

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: kendall
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 09:14 PM

Actually, it has been 51 years, but, who's counting?

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: 53
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 06:39 PM

Kendall - 50 years? - that's a LOT of playing!

I guess since I waited so late in life to start playing it is hard for me to imagine!

We figured out my stats on my 2 sets of Elixirs. I have had my guitar 189 days and played some 154 of those days - 81%, so -- let's see - that's -- Oh, well anyway they are is some good strings to my way of thinking. But then I am playing rhythm.

Glenda

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: 53
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 01:02 PM

boy 50 years of playing that's great i've been playing 36 years and i've only broken 2 or 3 strings and 1 of then was an a string on my takamine, probaly a martin and the other one was a b string on my strat and i think i broke a d string on my gison j-40 but i'm not sure. bob

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: kendall
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 04:43 AM

In 50 years I have broken 2 strings while playing. The last one was an Elixir G.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: BlueJay
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 03:14 AM

I have no direct experience with Elixers other than they sounded great on an acoustic bass I had for awhile. They seemed to last a long time in that application.

But I have had several phone reports from folks, while talking about pickup installations, that Elixers are more susceptible to breakage, especially the G string. The concern arose because the pickups I recommend may require several placement trials, requiring loosening the strings, then retuning to test the placement of the pickup.

The first guy I talked to about this took me by surprise. He said he had a case of Elixers, so he had to use them up. He was clearly dismayed by the need to repeatedly loosen and then retune the strings, as he was certain he would break the G string every time. I suggested he mightwant to buy one set of some other brand for his trials.

This fellow stated that in his opinion, Elixer uses a slightly thinner gauge inner core before winding the strings, and that this was the reason for the frequent breakage. He also stated he did some measurements, but I have no idea if his measurements were accurate. Even if they were, that does not prove that Elixers are prone to breakage.

But I have had a few other folks, (like two or three), other folks tell me of similar experiences, and were hesitant to repeatedly detune and retune the Elixers. I know this evidence is only anecdotal. But our band's guitarist, David, does not use Elixers. David likes to use multiple strange tunings throughout a night. In fact we organize our set lists based on his tunings. Even with Pearse or Di Addarios, he pops a string once in a while, so it seems that using Elixers might make matters worse. Thanks, BlueJay

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: 53
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 10:08 PM

fast fret seems to soften my callous and i don't need that. BOB

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 05:28 PM

Big Mick wrote above... "For the price, which is 2 to 3 times that of other premium strings, they simply don't last long enough. The D and the G, especially the G, will usually break between 3 to 5 good gigs."

I used light strings last night. First gig with a pretty new set. I am just about the put a new D string on my guitar; the G broke almost immediately. The coating is great, maybe it's the strings themselves that are inferior.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: kendall
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 01:50 PM

I use a product called FAST FRET, and it seems to make regular strings last longer. It is a tubular thing shaped like Old Spice roll on, and it lasts a very long time. It's about $5.00 and well worth it. It removes the moisture and acid from the strings. I've given away two of them to infidels. I gotta quit giving things away...

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: 53
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 01:40 PM

les, you are right , elixir strings came on our big baby's too and glenda still uses them, i like them but my preference are john pearse. bob

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Les b (U.K.)
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 11:38 AM

My Big Baby Taylor also came with Elixir strings i,ve had it about 3-4 mths, they still sound great. I,ve changed the Di Addario's on my Taylor 314 twice in that time and they still don't sound as bright as the Elixirs.
Les

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Cllr
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 10:54 AM

I have started to learn to play the Guitar and have just switched to Elixir a month back. For a new player I find them easier on my pinkies which havn't developed calluses yet.

Cllr

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Mike Byers
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 07:38 AM

I've been pleased with the Elixir strings I've used recently, and I believe they changed the coating (possibly made it thinner, I don't know for sure) not too long ago. El McMeen sent me some of these, as he likes the new coating better than the one they first used. These do seem brighter than the first ones I'd tried, but I have to say I still don't sound like El McMeen and I suspect the strings aren't to blame for this.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: kendall
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 10:10 PM

Plus, they are real "twangy" and way too loud! The brightest I have ever used. I hear they do last a long time, but, if you dont like them, that's no advantage. Something you cant use is not a bargain at any price.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: 53
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 10:05 PM

I like Elixir strings. I am on my 2nd set, play almost daily, usually at least an hour. They still sound great. The reason I have Elixir- My Taylor Big Baby came with them. So as a new player, I am happy with what I began with. Glenda

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: kendall
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 10:01 PM

I just put a set on my Taylor and it rattles and buzzes. Think I'll go back to D'Addario medium.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: blt
Date: 13 Jan 01 - 05:01 PM

I changed to Elixir strings last year, after using D'Addario's for a long time. I have a Martin D-28, built in 1974 and I play with steel fingerpicks, haven't noticed any difference in brightness but my guitar is evenly balanced between the high and low end. The biggest difference I've noticed, as many have said, is that the strings keep their liveness longer.

The only other thing is that I've had trouble buying the strings is acoustic instrument shops locally (not available or backordered for the past month). I guess I could shop via the internet, sounds like it would be cheaper, but one of my joys in life is hanging out in acoustic instrument shops, buying picks, strings, and womanhandling the guitars.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: clansfolk
Date: 13 Jan 01 - 09:43 AM

I,ve never tried them on Mandolin and banjo as as far as I am aware it's only the "wound" strings that have the coating - and on the 5 string banjo the only wound string I have is the 4th maybe if they sold single strings?

maybe they'll bring out a skin tight gortex glove to save string wear - they already sell elixir/gortex dental floss (I was sent some when I bought my last sets of strings)however that doesn't last any longer than the standard stuff!

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Chris Flint
Date: 12 Jan 01 - 12:08 PM

I use them on a Seagull 12 string and they sound fine but I have to say that it's mainly because I hate changing 12 strings and I am prepared to pay extra to get longer lasting strings. However i don't like them as much as DR's on my Fylde Orsino and for no reason that I can identify.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: JedMarum
Date: 11 Jan 01 - 11:43 AM

Cap Bob - I wish I'd looked further when I bought a quantity that should carry me through mushc of this year. Yes I do go through a lot of strings. I find that my banjo strings last so much longer and sound great. I guess maybe my guitar playing style hastens the demise of the strings. I do use a lot of left hand pressure, and leave behind oils/sweat, etc. Not that you'd notice it to touch, but I know I have always 'deadened' the sound of my strings quickly. I think because I use a lot of my fingers (doubling up, wraping around with the thumb, etc) and becasue I slide around a lot I may cause some of this quick wear myself. I know when I played electric, and did more bar chords, and less 'wrapping' with my left hand I got longer life out of strings. I'm not sure what it is.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: John Hardly
Date: 10 Jan 01 - 06:23 PM

...since it takes me more than 60 hours of blood sweat and toil to change my mando strings and another part-time job to tune it, I use them for the mandolin--they last longer.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 10 Jan 01 - 04:53 PM

Jed ~ Golly! you certainly go through a lot of strings. If you buy that many at a time be sure to check out FIRST QUALITY ~ they have special prices if you buy 10 sets or more. Elixir's are $10.75 per set if you buy in quanity. I think Elderly may have some special deal also if you buy several sets. Can't remember for sure ~ I usually get several month's out of a set and at my age I don't like to buy ahead too far.....

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: clansfolk
Date: 10 Jan 01 - 02:34 PM

Love 'em, great feel, last longer and don't make so many funny noises, re. price, check out the review on the web site www.fyldefolk.co.uk depending how you buy your strings now (local shop etc....) they might work out cheaper in the long run (last longer between changes)

Have you noticed Taylor guitars all come with Elixer strings?

However like guitars it's always down to personal choice give 'em a fair try then make up your mind....

I supose being 'gortex' cover they're a must for back-packers!!

take care

Pete

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: JedMarum
Date: 10 Jan 01 - 10:07 AM

Cap't Bob - don't tell me you can get 'em for $11.50, I just bought 12 sets for 13 something! I did a lot of looking, and decided I wasn't going to get a better price so I went for it! Oh well.

I's funny - if you look to the top of this thread you'll see that I started out saying I wasn't going to use these strings anymore. Well the Texas summer heat, and the constant use my strings get changed my mind. I have to say that despite a few shortcomings, these really are the best strings for me, and they are much cheaper.

Using other strings, in the summer I blow a set of strings in one night - I would usually play 'em more then one or two nights, but not much. Even during the cooler months, with constant use my strings would last one maybe twoo weeks. Using Elixers I can almost always go a full month - and they sound good the whole time. I suffer some breakage in the summer - and I normally replace the broke strings with normal Martins, GHS singles or whatever I have ... and sure enough those replacement strings go dead long beofre the Elixers.

When I first started using them I couldn't get used to the feel. They are a bit slick, and they feel smaller then their specified gauge - since I do a lot of single finger doubling of strings this was a bit of a problem for me ... it took a while, but I did get used to it. It's also ture that they don't have the remarkable brilliant sound that some of the special alloys have right out of the box. But that special brillinace lasts the first set, then it's gone! The Elixers sound pretty good right out of the box, and they sound almost exactly the same a dozen gigs later! It took a while to convince me, and if it weren't for this relentless Texas heat (when you leave a lot of meat, sweat and oil and your strings) I mat never have stuck with 'em long enough to find out, but I am conviced now. The Elixers strings are damn good.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Calach
Date: 10 Jan 01 - 04:02 AM

Back staying in Edinburgh again, thanks for the renewing of the thread guys.....
I was in the states last month and bought a Taylor 410, it came with elixirs fitted, and as I'm acid fingered, I'm impressed with the longevity of the brightness. Although I've not had phosphor bronzes on my guitar yet, I'm sure that i'm losing in the tone dept, but they are lasting MUCH longer.
Thanks for the link to FQMS, I've ordered a catalogue and will buy from there in future $10.00 for Elixirs, $4.25 for Martins.
Much better than paying £14.00 for Elixirs in Edinburgh!

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 11:35 PM

To my ears it seems that I get better sound out of the Elixir 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th strings. However, I prefer the sound of regular 1st and 2nd strings.

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: GUEST,Mike Byers
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 11:07 PM

The best thing about Elixir strings is their resistance to corrosion. They don't sound as bright to me on my dreadnought-style six-string guitar, but they sound fine on my 12-string and six-string banjo. I tend to stick with extra-light phosphor bronze on the six string, but did send a couple of packs of Elixirs to a friend in Hanoi, Vietnam. The weather there is mighty tough on strings, and my friend says they're doing pretty well when it comes to lasting longer, but he agrees they don't sound as good.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 10:46 PM

John ~~ Just checked out FIRST QUALITY and they have the strings a couple of bucks lower than elderly ~ around $11.50.

check out: http://www.fqms.com/acoustic_guitar.htm

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 10:35 PM

John ~ Elderly's Elixir string page can be found at:

http://www.elderly.com/cgi-bin/elderly/search.pl

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 10:21 PM

Thanks Cap't Bob, I've just sent them an email. Regards, John

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: pict
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 08:28 PM

I like string noise but anyway my mate in Barra who gigs constantly through the isles and the mainland swears by them and is sending me a set because I can't get them in Denmark but I find it difficult to believe that a material like goretex could sound as bright as bronze strings even after playing in.I'm open to change though I like the sound of played in strings but I still like a bit of brightness,there comes a point when the string just sounds dead and I like to change them before it gets to that point.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 08:18 PM

While on about strings. What price can reasonable bronze medium general purpose (52 / 54 gauge 6th) be bought for in the U.S. I have been using Carter strings (a local luthier) and paying £5 (pounds) per set but my supply just dried up.

I would be interested in bulk buying 25 (ish) sets (any idea's ?).

Spot

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 08:14 PM

John I bought my Elixir strings from Elderly Instruments for $13.30 per set. They also have a three pack for $34.95.

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 08:05 PM

Thanks to this thread I've just bought my first set of Custom Lights from Elixir - the only ones available here in Brisbane. I'm absolutely delighted with them on my Japanese Lowden but at $37 AUD they certainly are quite pricey. If I could find them at about $14 US or less I would consider buying them from overseas, but the only price I've seen to date at a US site they were $25 US. Any clues would be appreciated. I intend to do a lot more playing in 2001.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 10:06 AM

Refresh for an idiot who's too lazy to look.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: GUEST,Sheepdog
Date: 25 Mar 00 - 08:26 AM

Save your money and buy John Pearse Strings: they're the best!

Sheepdog

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: GUEST,Newfoundlander
Date: 25 Mar 00 - 07:22 AM

I,ve been using Elixir strings on my Gibson Advanced Jumbo for the last 4 months. I find they sound great and last much longer. I bought them in St Pete's, Florida for $11.00 US ($17.00 Canadian) Here in Newfoundland they cost $26.00. I go to Florida every fall and will stock up on them.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Sabra
Date: 25 Mar 00 - 02:01 AM

Hi guys, (Calach here; not Sabra)
I'm in the states on holiday (Kansas, visiting Sabra) and was asked to get a few sets of elixir strings for my friends in Scotland.
OK here's the deal over here......
EVERY DEALER says they're great for playing through amplification, where the amplifier makes part of the sound, but they ALL say the ELIXIR strings are CRAP for live acoustic playing beacause they appear dull and dead from the word go.
OK, that's my slant on the thread.....see ya all when I get back to Edinburgh.
Calach.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Terry Allan Hall
Date: 24 Mar 00 - 05:55 PM

I like 'em tone-wise, and the tone lasts for a long time, but they do seem to break easier than the D'Addarios I usually use. And they're getting more expensive, altho JustStrings.com has a fairly good price on them at the moment.

( http://www.juststrings.com )

I've been told by different people that D'Addario sells Elixir the strings, then Elixir then adds the polymer to them...anyone have any idea if this is true?

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Mooh
Date: 24 Mar 00 - 08:53 AM

John Blackwood, I bet you're right about the oscillating. Cheapest Canadian price I've seen (and I still have a one hour drive to get that) is $25.00 including the taxes. A fellow local musician is using Elixir strings on his Guild dreadnought and I gotta say they sound wongerful.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 23 Mar 00 - 05:17 PM

John,

No, I haven't noticed any particular tendancy for them to buzz more. My action is set medium to low though not ultra low.

Best regards

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: GUEST,John Blackwood
Date: 23 Mar 00 - 05:05 PM

In reply to Liam's brother, the cheapest I,ve seem them here is around £9. Nine pounds. Thanks for your comments, but anyone else find they buzz more? I agree they seem to feel 'lighter' under the fingers and I wondered if they were oscillating more - greater amplitude than I'm used to - hence the buzzing on an already low action.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Hasek
Date: 23 Mar 00 - 03:33 PM

Hi ! I have a Martin D-28 ( cica 1974 ) and a Gibson J-100 and I love Bronze wound strings on these guitars ( especially D'Addario Medium Phosphor Bronze wound . I do quite a bit of flat picking and I did not like Elixir Strings at all. Based on their cost I felt, Elixir strings were a bad experiment which still went even worse.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Mooh
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 10:46 AM

Easy Rider, I'm with you. During a heavy period of gigging and jamming, I'll still only change strings twice a month. The exception is for recording, when I'll change strings the day before and/or throughout if needed. But I got a friend who can totally deaden a set of brand new strings in an afternoon of playing. Something about his skin I guess. This doesn't seem to apply to classical strings in his case, including the wound ones, thank goodness. He just is used to dead sounding strings alot of the time. I think that plywood guitars only make dead strings sound worse, and solid wood guitars allow a string to sound acceptable longer. Any opinion about this in cyberland? How about the sound of old strings on graphite (or other materials)guitars? Mooh.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Easy Rider
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 09:24 AM

Changing strings once or twice a week seems excessive to me. I try to pracitce almost every day, but I change them only once a month, usually just before the monthly song circle.

Phosphor-Bronze strings tend to fade very fast, but I like the 80/20 Bronze better. I think they are more consistent and have a warmer tone. Give them a try, and let us know what you think.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: JedMarum
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 08:33 AM

I like the reduced finger noise of the Elixers, and I can see where the different touch these strings have is a positive to some people. I think I actually have a bad habit of using too much muscle when I play - and I think that is why the Elixers feel 'small' to me. The jury is still out on the me, for me and these strings. I used them all last summer on two guitars, but went back to Martins this winter. In Dallas summmers, my sweat seems to burn up strings much too fast ... the Elixers last for me, even then. I may end up trying again to get used to their feel, out of neccessity - otherwise I'll change my strings once or twuce per week!

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Mooh
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 08:29 AM

When I first encountered these strings, all I could get were light guage which felt lighter than what I was used to, and didn't down-tune very well. Otherwise, they sounded great, lasted much longer, didn't squeak, and felt comfortable under my fingers. I would have kept using them if they had been available in a medium guage, which I understand they now are, so maybe I should revisit them. Breakage was never a problem, but never has been for me, my guitars are all set up very well by the builder, Marc Beneteau. My only complaint, aside from cost, was the hassle of replacing the unwound strings as frequently as ever before because they were no better than any other. A small stock of D'Addario plain strings was at hand. The Elixirs were great for recording and performance with a mic, due to the reduced string noise. Probably cost effective in the long run, I am however a musician, and my "live-for-the-moment" financial planning doesn't often provide for a hundred bucks worth of strings at a time. (With taxes, I payed almost $25 a set. You can guess where I live.) The other benefit I found was they were very tolerant of weather changes, and were great for playing outside on damp nights. For me, I guess this is a glowing recommendation. However, I do not have acidic skin, I wipe off my strings periodically, and I'm using great instruments. Change any of these factors and I might not feel the same. Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 08:15 AM

I have been using Elixirs off and on for the past year on my Larrivee and my Lowden, and I have mixed feelings. Like a previous poster, I don't tend to like a string that sounds too unnaturally bright at the outset; these strings are slightly less bright initially than the D'Addario phosphor bronze lights that I typically use, but pretty comparable. The reduction in finger noise makes them very good for recording, which is a lot of what I've been doing over the past several months. Their tone also lasts quite a long time, and I never break strings, so that's not an issue. The Gore-Tex coating does tend to wear and fray a little around the right-hand picking zone, but that is something I notice visually, not sonically. For close-miked recording applications (solo guitar or small ensemble with the guitar being the most prominent instrument), I will probably continue to use them; for all-around playing I'm inclined to go back to the D'Addarios. Also, I think the difference in price is excessive, and putting together custom gauges (which I also do) is not really an option with these.

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 03:49 AM

I have changed to them on the guitar (Lakewood M-18) that I use for fingerpicking. I have used this every day since putting the Elixirs on (almost exactly three months ago) and they sound as fresh as the day they were put on. I didn't find them particularly dull when new but personally I don't like a very "bright" tone. As has been observed in many threads here before, it's all a matter of taste regarding sound. Unlike Jed above I actually like the feel and there is a noticable reduction in squeak which is welcome when fingerpicking slow pieces.

I agree the sixth string seems slightly harder to tune and I am a fanatic about being in tune! I have noticed a slight wearing of the Gore-Tex on the third strings in the area just aft of the soundhole where I tend to pluck the string.

All in all I think they're great for fingerstyle and will continue to use them for that. They certainly do last well and I tend to corrode normal strings quite quickly being "acid-fingered"!

My other guitar (Flambeau-Lowden) tend to get heavy and long plectrum workouts backing Irish music and I continue to use D'Addario phosphor bronze on this and also on my mandolin and octave mandolin. I'm not sure how well the Gore-Tex coating stands up to heavy plectrum use and would be grateful to hear from any users concerning that.

All the best,

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 21 Mar 00 - 03:09 AM

I don't like them. They don't have the brilliance of bronze strings when they are new - they sound almost dull to me. I know strings lose their brightness and become dull after a few playings, but I don't want them dull from the get-go. All the best. Seamus

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: JedMarum
Date: 20 Mar 00 - 10:02 PM

I stopped using them. They sound good, and I found they last forever, but I don;t like the feel. I know they are rated the same thinkness, but they just feel smaller to me, and the bend a little too easy. That may be why people find they are difficult to tune (because they are bending a bit under your fingers). I never broke one, but I haven't broken a strin yet on my Larrivee (don;t know why - I play it hard enough)!

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Mar 00 - 08:25 PM

I have been playing these for about a year now. I play a mid 60's vintage Guild 12 string with a marvellous action. I am about to change brands on the 12 string. I probably agree with Liam's Brother's assessment. If I am headed into the studio, I would put them back on the Guild, if for no other reason than the lack of string slide noise. I have found them to have a very nice tone, and they hold that tone consistently throughout the life of the string. But there is the rub. For the price, which is 2 to 3 times that of other premium strings, they simply don't last long enough. The D and the G, especially the G, will usually break between 3 to 5 good gigs. I am rough on the strings due to the variety of music we play, but 8 to 12 hours of playing time for the price just doen't cut it. I will keep them on the 6 string, as they seem to outperform other brands on that instrument. I agree that they are not as bright as bronze wound, but they sound just fine and maintain that throughout their life. And on the six string they last longer than other brands.

All the best,

Big Mick

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 20 Mar 00 - 07:10 PM

We were just doing some recording and, for the big reduction in string squeak, they are simply great. They sound good on the guitar after 1 month of light fingerpicking. I just wish they weren't 3 times the price of other strings. What is the price in the UK?

Subject: RE: Elixir strings
From: Bert
Date: 20 Mar 00 - 05:37 PM

They seemed OK. to me, they didn't last long though.

Bert

Subject: Elixir strings
From: GUEST,J Blackwood - Scotland
Date: 20 Mar 00 - 05:01 PM

Elixir strings have only just become available here and I'm wondering if other people have had my experience with them. They don't sound as bright as bronze wound, to begin with, but don't change much thereafter! I play a lot and I have'nt noticed much difference in a couple of months. My only criticisms are: a. The sixth string is more difficult to tune, and more likely to be out of tune, especially when slack tuned. b. I think they buzz more. ( I have the action low anyway!)

I'd appreciate any observations.