Elixir Guitar Strings

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: Musket
Date: 16 Jul 11 - 09:16 AM

I started using them when I bought my Rainsong, as a new set came with the guitar, (plus the ones on from the factory were unused.)

Since then, I have found them excellent on every guitar other than a Jim Harley dreadnought I use occasionally. For that, they are too bright. Also, as this is the only acoustic I use a plectrum on, I like a heavier string. Elixir seem to shine better on the lighter strings, or is it just me?

The longevity is one aspect, but I also find they squeak less when sliding up and down the frets. Some feel the squeak is part of the music, I don't. Hence I love them.

I buy quite a few strings and although they last a long time, I still get through a few sets a month all told and have found a supplier on Amazon seems to give best price / delivery.

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: GUEST,999
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 08:03 AM

Mark, your memory's better 'n mine. But those were the days of Marlboro being $.35 a pack when ice still covered much of North America . . . .

Zen, many thanks. I'll give them a try. Appreciate the input.

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: GUEST,shayleen
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 06:56 AM

I agree with Murray over Elixir though etring preference is a personal thing. I use La Bella and /Gibson strings. Elixirs in the Uk cost around 16 pounds a set for the nenowebs :-)

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: Betsy
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 07:23 PM

I've got a couple of Martins - wouldn't dream of buying Martin Strings as I think they go dead too quickly. Tried Elixir they're OK but don't have the crispness of D'Addario 11 > 52 Phosphor bronze which suit me in all departments of sound ,price and longevity.
Horses for courses I suppose - what suits one may not suit others , but the price is also fairly restrictive so the manufacturers may need to think again.
I am reminded of an old mate of mine who used to used to sell Christmas trees during THAT particular season.
When asked by older women (Mams and Grandmas) why he charges slightly more for his trees ,he replied "They've been specially treated to avoid the needles falling off".
What do you treat them with asked the old ladies ," Ah " came the reply
" It's a special chemical which is not dangerous in the household setting - and it's called H 2 O ".
Notwithstanding water , I feel that Elixir might be a fad that is being totally overpriced / marketing.
I won't be buying anymore

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: Will Fly
Date: 08 Nov 13 - 03:57 AM

I've said this on other threads regarding Elixir strings, but I'll repeat it here.

I have hands that kill conventional phosphor bronze strings stone dead in a day - just skin acidity. Elixir Nanowebs last me 6-8 weeks, depending on the current playing level; even when starting to shred the coating down over the soundhole area, they still sound reasonable.

So, on pure economics alone - from my perspective - even if Elixirs are double the price of other strings (and the price in the UK has been affected by rising postage costs), I'm still getting better value from them than other makes. I've also tried D'Addario and they didn't last me either.

If you don't have the acidic skin problem, or you're happy with dead strings - which many guitarists prefer - then that equation might not work for you. But it does for me.

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: GUEST,Shayleen
Date: 08 Feb 16 - 09:04 AM

Elixir strings are good. I preter d'addario exp. Dr sunbeam are quiite good and work well on rosewood/sitka guitars like the martin d35 :-)

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: Brian Peters
Date: 08 Feb 16 - 10:11 AM

I've used Elixir for years now (same reason as Will Fly)and been very happy with them, but in an attempt to cut costs I recently bought a pack of three sets off Ebay for something resembling a cut price.

The first set went dead after one gig. The second set nearly as bad. Not sure whether they are fakes - the packaging looks authentic enough.

Be warned.

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: Will Fly
Date: 08 Feb 16 - 10:43 AM

That's odd, Brian - I've also bought a 3-pack set, from one of the usual Amazon suppliers, and so far the first set is holding up nicely. They were no cheaper after postage, though.

The pack was the .012-.053 Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb type.

For my smaller 0 model guitar, I use the .011-.052 set - also Nanoweb, but just Bronze, not Phosphor Bronze.

The Tenor guitar takes the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th string from a standard .010 Phosphor Bronze Nanowen set - but I use any old .009 as a first, as the .010 top string from the set is on the edge of snapping if overtightened. (Tenor tuning is CGDA).

It's always possible that quality control varies, even with the best of firms. There was a period some years ago when the 3rd and 4th Elixirs from the .012 set were snapping very quickly. I and several other players formally complained to Elixir's European office - and they seemed to improve, but probably coincidentally!

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: Brian Peters
Date: 08 Feb 16 - 11:00 AM

I just did a search, Will, and it seems I'm not the first:

Counterfeit Elixir strings

Just to stress, they were bought from Ebay, not Amazon. I've never had a bad set before.

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: Will Fly
Date: 08 Feb 16 - 11:44 AM

Thanks for that info, Brian - appreciated, and I'll keep a watch out in future.

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: Mike Strobel
Date: 22 Jul 20 - 12:57 PM

Ah, guitar strings..............I've used Elixir strings ( both medium and lights ) for 20 plus years. They sound great ( in my opinion ) on 2 Taylor guitars , 716 CE and 410 and 1 Eastman Accoustic guitar I own. Currently , over the past 2 to 3 years I buy ELIXIR strings in 3 or 4 packs from Amazon for around $40--$43.00 in USA currency.

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: GUEST,Sol
Date: 25 Mar 21 - 07:15 PM

I bought a set of Elixirs of EBay(and yes,I know). Anyway, the top E string just wouldn't tune up. Whenever it reached the right pitch it stretched and went way out of tune.(Much more than the expected bedding-in stretch). After around a dozen re-tunes over several minutes, it snapped at the machine-head post.
I have emailed Elixir Customer Service four or five times since the start of the year for comment however, apart from two auto-replies of "We'll be in touch" I've had no reponse whatsoever. Even allowing for Covid, this is a pretty poor show re. customer relations. Has anybody else had the cold shoulder treatment from Elixir? I've been using their strings regularly for the past 10 years or so, but no more - finito.

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 02:47 AM

”I bought a set of Elixirs of EBay”

There’s your answer. eBay is notorious for counterfeit guitar strings. Caveat Emptor.

Don’t be a skinflint, buy your strings direct from a reputable dealer, help keep a genuine business up and running, and have certainty that what you buy is the Real Deal.

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 03:42 AM

I was caught out that way, when my daughter bought some for me. I contacted the company and they had been broken in to, and packaging stolen. The boxes were changed some years ago after the break in, and have a new logo or what ever it's called that changes in the light. Is it Hologram ? Please excuse this old fart.

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: GUEST,Sol
Date: 27 Mar 21 - 08:55 AM

Thank you Backwoodsman & Nick for your comments. The Latin lesson was very welcome too - everyday's a schoolday. :-)

Subject: RE: Elixir Guitar Strings
From: gillymor
Date: 27 Mar 21 - 09:32 AM

I tried Elixirs on an acoustic guitar some time back and didn't really care for the sound or the feel. I went through 3 sets over the course of about a year and was happier when I went back to Daddario phos. bronze. I had never done anything to my guitar necks apart for rubbing on some Fret Ease now and then and cleaning them with a Scunge until a few years ago a friend introduced me to Duck's Ax Wax which I apply to the neck and strings whenever I change them. It eliminates squeak, gives the neck and strings a silky feel and definitely prolongs string life. Just my experience.