Elixer

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: JedMarum
Date: 27 Jul 01 - 09:36 AM

I am one of those who just hated the Elixirs when I first used 'em (coudln't stand the feel). But they are so cost effective I learned to get used to 'em. I am one who breaks strings occasionally and I have to say that after using Elixers on three guitars for over one year; I do not break them any more often then I break other brands. The problem I have with breaking Elixers, and this is a common complaint among my guitar player friends ... is that they are expensive to replace (since I could not buy them individually). But I solved that probem. I bought G's and D's in the appropriate size from any brand that my music store carried in singles. I keep a bag of singles at all times. So when I break an Elixir, I replace it with a non-Elixir string. Yes, eventually the mismatch sound bothers me and I replace the entire set - but, it seem to me, at the same time I would have anyway. Also, I've lately discovered at least one store near me sells Elixir singles, so I've started stocking up on those.

While I didn't like the feel of these strings, at first - and their sound is only pretty good, compared to some of the others - they sound pretty good for a looong time. And I can get up to a month of hard playing on them, where the others I replaced every week, or more often.

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: Bob P
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 02:28 PM

For what it's worth,

Looking around for Martin SP mediums to experiment with, I called Martin Tuesday to ask why the literature for SP+ read suspiciously like literature for Elixirs.

After a bit of stammer, the admission that Martin was going after the "coated string" market came out, but with some double-talk about how SP+'s were different due to the way their made.

Anyway, the SP+'s are so new the rep for my local store hasn't produced them (announced last Fri, due any day, per him).

No price yet, but best guess from Tobias Music, Downers Grove, IL (authorized Martin Center) is around $11.00.

That beats Elixirs around here by at least $5.00.

So maybe Elixirs days are numbered as the "coated string of choice".

Bob P

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 02:17 PM

I thing separate forums would in fact make it harder to find things. Like all the separate sections in newspapers. You read something, and then you can't remember which section it was in, and whether it was the one you put down for the cat to scratch on.

But then the very things I'd not want changed and eliminate are the very things other people might like to change and eliminate. For example, I reckon separate forums would bugger up creative thread drift and make everything much more disciplined and ordered. Neat and clean and well advised.

Maybe it'd be possible to have some gizmo under which you'd push a button, and only the threads with the requisite prefix would appear on your screen, and you could treat it as if it was a separate forum. Of course that'd only work if there were the right prefixes, and people used them. And in any case I wouldn't use them, preferring the full Monty.

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 04:00 PM

*pokes spaw in the eye fer bein' a goof*

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 03:31 PM

Yeah Clinton, on the "Start a New Thread" thing, I agree. We used to at least have a reminder and I don't know how useful that was, but it was better than nothing. I'd like to see a mandatory thread search where it automatically checks for past threads with matching words. Even then though, I think a lot of folks would look at it and say, "No, I still want to start a new one," ....even if it was exactly the same damn thing. I dunno'............anymore I pretty much say ta' hell with it and not worry too much about it. Even the other day, I brought it up as a joke on the latest "Songcatcher" thread and got my ass romped.........the usual lack of a sense of humor that often invades the joint.

Max has an update happening in a couple of weeks.....Be interesting to see what changes. Whatever it is, I'll live with it 'cause I still like the place......even you CH! (:<))

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 03:11 PM

One thing that would help would be to broaden the search here at Mudcat... and include that broader search in the "Create New Thread" steps...

If the current search wasn't so myopic, these other threads would be found when people started new ones, and that might lead them to simple refresh an old thread instead of starting a new one...

Another thing I'd like to see here simply for the sake of organisation is forums... split the current open forum into smaller pieces... a Gear forum, a lyric/tune request forum, ect ect... tough to define the exact boundaries I know, but it would make finding anything here a hell of a lot easier...

And that can only make Mudcat more useful, no?

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 02:02 PM

Well, Ed..............I kinda' tried that and it didn't work on a smaller scale, so there's no reason to think it will work on a larger, although I love the idea.

The problem is that very (and I do mean VERY) few people will bother to check a past thread before starting a new one. They won't check a Perma-Thread either and if you link a Perma-Thread, there will be a lot of info on it nad they'll still probably not check it. I don't know why. AS Clinton will testify, we've had about 15 threads discussing Seagull Guitars (fine guitars) and if anyone would look back at them or refresh them it'd be great. Rarely if ever happens though.......Just start another one! On one of those Seagull threads (they don't all have the word in the title BTW), Ol' Clinton was off and about hopefully making a buck and for the first time, didn't show up on a Seagull thread. SinceI had said to "expect him" and he didn't show, I posted his thoughts for him because I knew damn well what he'd say. I think I also linked one of his older posts too.......I wanted him to be represented......LOL!!!

It happens on a lot of topics (we have NINE threads about the movie "Songcatcher").........No real solution except to somehow get folks to search using the "DT and Forum Search" for the word or phrase they are considering for a thread topic. I have a lot of the threads bookmarked on strings, guitars, woods, etc., so I can call them back easily like here. I like the PT idea, but I think it's a lot of work that won't get used.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: UB Ed
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 01:35 PM

Ya know, Clint, you're right though. I've been gone for a bit and spent time wading through another thread to kinda catch up and man what a bummer was had by all. Questions were raised about the usefulness of the 'Cat and it would be great if we had some generic permathread categories (Strings, Acoustic Guitars, Electric Guitars, Recording, PA, etc) that could just float at the top for quick reference, especially to those of us who are new.

I responded to this concept in another thread (lost) but apparently nothing much will come of it?

Ed

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 01:26 PM

We really need to permathread the whole string topic!

LOL!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 12:37 PM

elixer eleixer elovzer

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 11:08 AM

Well, I thought somene might want to look them up, and some of these search engines can be picky. (Like the other day I was trying to find a thread with McGrath in it, and it weren't there. It turned out it was Mc Grath.)

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 09:16 AM

The problem has come up on several previous Elixir threads as well as the "Love 'em of Hate 'em" feelings these strings seem to generate.

Elixir 1

Elixir 2

The breakage problem has also been brought up in several other threads lately and it seems to be worse instead of better. Someone brought up breaking an E (6th) also which is pretty rare. Interesting situation BJ.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: UB Ed
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 09:01 AM

Wow McGarth, you really hit it on the head, man! Of course, that's it! There is nothing wrong with Elixir strings. There never was! Its the knock-off fake Elixer strings that are the problem.

Thanks for laying this problem to rest.

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 08:50 AM

Shouldn't that be "Elixir"?

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 08:45 AM

From what I've heard, this seems to be a common problem with Elixirs. I have used them a few times, and have noticed some quality control issues myself; not only breakage (I had one episode of this that I remember, because I rarely break strings), but also problems with the uniformity of the coating. Maybe they've worked the bugs out by now, as I'm sure they have heard the complaints, but it kind of soured me on them.

Subject: RE: BS: Elixer
From: UB Ed
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 07:56 AM

Well, I've broken Elixer G strings, but can't really say with any more frequency than Dean Markley or others (For some reason, I;m always surprised when I break a string). I'm generally running .10 to 42 gauge strings with a jazz style pick. I am inspecting the picks more closely as their wear can sharpen the pick and cut the string.

Regarding your fingerpicking friend, that is baffling. Perhaps a direct inquiry to elixer regarding their core?

Subject: Elixer String Breakage?
From: BlueJay
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 03:26 AM

I talked yesterday to a fellow who says he likes Elixer Strings on his guitar, (six string), but has noticed that the G string breaks more frequently than other brands. He plays fingerstyle guitar, without fingerpicks, and rarely flatpicks.

He believes thatthe Elixers use a thinner gauge inner core than other strings, which may cause excessive breakage.

Now I've broken my share of G strings, but not to the extent that this gentleman states. I usually don't bust one unless I'm playing loudly with a flat pick, which makes his claim noteworthy to me.

He bought a batch of them, which is why he hasn't changed brands. I'm leaning towards the idea of a bad batch of strings. He hasn't had this problem with other brands of strings, which would probably rule out the instrument being the cause.

Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this phenomenon with Elixer strings. I've never tried them myself, but I've heard good and bad comments. Just curious. Certainly not the most pressing issue of our times. Thanks, BlueJay