Elixer Strings or other "Coated" Opinions ...

Mr. Wu · #1 04-16-2008, 11:51 AM

What do you guys think of the Elixer strings? I've never played "coated" strings before and wanted to see what folks thought of them.

I usually change strings about every 3 weeks or so and I've heard great things about the longevity of the "brightness".

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Wu

Nikoubis · #2 04-16-2008, 01:06 PM

A long time ago I tested Elixirs on my POS Squier. Not bad, but not that great either. Then I put on DR Black Beauties. IMHO they pwn Elixirs in every aspect (brighter tone, even more longevity and kick-ass looks, of course). If I buy coated strings again they'll probably be the colored DRs.

Would'e? · #3 04-16-2008, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikoubis

A long time ago I tested Elixirs on my POS Squier. Not bad, but not that great either. Then I put on DR Black Beauties. IMHO they pwn Elixirs in every aspect (brighter tone, even more longevity and kick-ass looks, of course). If I buy coated strings again they'll probably be the colored DRs.

I've never tried Elixirs but I find that DR Extra Life strings (Black Beauties et. al.) are anything but bright. I found them very mellow at least when compared with High Beams, Low Riders or even new nickel coated steels. They are very consitent over time though and growl nicely with a little extra gain. I don't like that the color wears off so easily though. The strings look diseased after a couple of months.

obviousmrfuller · #4 04-16-2008, 02:46 PM

I have been swearing by Elixers for the past 2-3 years as a gigging musician. I felt they were the only things that will hold up unless I wanted to change them every month. They sound a little darker than regular new rounds, but the newness does last a lot longer than regular strings. I recently tried boomers and I like the feel and they seem to last fairly long. I next want to try half-rounds, after hearing people on this sight talk about them.

pizzicato16 · #5 04-16-2008, 04:37 PM

I love the DR Black Beauties!

**Thor** · #6 04-16-2008, 04:44 PM

I bought a Jazz bass from a fellow TB'er that came
with Elixer's.

I usually use GHS Boomers 45-105 long scale.

I inadvertently brought the bass to a practice instead
of a Geddy I had planned. I absolutely hated the tone.
I changed
a string between each song.

I use Elixers on my acoustic 12 string and love them as
I live in a very humid environment near a salt water bay.
But the bass strings lose a lot of tone with the plastic
filling the windings. IMHO and YMMV.

I just hated them.

Woofenstein · #7 04-16-2008, 04:51 PM

I've been gigging with Elixirs for about 3 years - I love them! To me, they have a nice mellow tone with the right amount of snap for fingerstyle, and they keep that tone for 3-4 months. I tried Black Beauties a while back and (IMO) the tone was bright for about 2 weeks then they went super dull. So I like Elixirs much better.

73jbass · #8 04-16-2008, 04:56 PM

They aren't bright or zingy right out of the box like standard roundwounds,but sound like a set of settled in roundwounds,and thay stay that way for a long time. The first set I ever tried stayed on the bass for 6 months before I noticed a change in tone.I have them on all 9 basses except one,

fishtx · #9 08-12-2008, 09:09 AM

Anyone try out the D'Addario EXP coated strings?

TheIrishOx · #10 08-12-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishtx

Anyone try out the D'Addario EXP coated strings?

I had a set of EXP's on my roadgear, loved them, not too bright, but bright, and not to mellow. Very good string but for me the tension on the set I had was very tight for some unknown reason. lasted long time though

neurotictim · #11 08-12-2008, 09:34 AM

I tried really hard to like coated strings - Elixirs and DRs both. They just feel too slippery for me. My neighbor had a set on his Warwick, and it played awesome, so I bought a set of Elixirs for my Spector. Instantly did not like them - don't know why I liked them so much on his 'wick, but I actively hated them on the Spector.

I tried DR Black Beauties on my SX B&M Jazz, and also hated them - so much, in fact, that I took them back to the store. (Didn't get my money back, but I figured it was worth a shot).

I'm so used to my Markely Stainless Cryo's that I just don't feel right zipping around on the coated strings. My recent favorite is the MM Fat Beams... For tone, feel, and longevity (in that order), I guess I'm just a stainless kinda guy.