Elixer strings... Are they worth it?

SONICATTACK · #1 10-02-2001, 12:17 AM

I'm considering getting a set of Elixer's. But before I shell out the 50 beans I kinda want to know what everyone thinks of them. I mean can I live without them or should I give them a try??

Flatwound · #2 10-02-2001, 09:18 AM

A. You can live without them.
B. They're worth the money.

I have a set of Elixir Polywebs (050-105) that I've used on two basses. They are very nice, and keep their tone for a long time. They sound like nickel rounds, which they are under the plastic, but the coating mellows them somewhat. I currently have them on my Washburn, and they sound really good on that bass. I didn't like them as much on my Precision, which is now wearing Slowounds.

The reason I say you can live without them is that there are plenty of nickels that sound just as good and cost a lot less. However, if you like the sound of the Elixirs, they're definitely worth the money IMO. Also, I think you can get them for considerably less than 50 bucks US if you try.

rsautrey · #3 10-02-2001, 11:28 AM

SONIC ATTACK, what kind of sound are you after?? If it is a bright tone, Elixirs probably will dissappoint you. Tell us more about the sound you're after.

Mike · #4 10-02-2001, 12:43 PM

Elixir's aren't terribly bright but bright enough for me. I like their tone but LOVE their feel more than anything.

SONICATTACK · #5 10-02-2001, 05:03 PM

In my band we play anything from old beach boys type music to all out Mosh pit metal.

So I guess i'm looking for a clear bright but slightly warm tone. Which so far I've acheved with my Boomers but hey there's always room for improvements. I like my eq pretty much flat exept a boost at ~50hz and a slight curve upward at 1.5khz and I tend to drop frequencys ~125 hz down 6db. Get's rid of that muddiness.

MJB · #6 10-02-2001, 05:34 PM

Tried 'em in 2 different gauges, just didn't like them, but a lot of players swear by them. My current faves are TI Jazz flats and rounds, and GHS pressurewounds.

**embellisher** · #7 10-02-2001, 10:55 PM

I finally took a pair off of my Geddy Lee Jazz after a year. Still sound like new, but they just aren't bright enough for me.

If someone could make a string as bright as stainless that was coated, I would be all over it.

lo-end · #8 10-03-2001, 09:57 AM

Elixirs arent for you dude. They sound dull and are horrible with a pick. I have nanowebs and I still think theyre dull. Cant wait to go back to my beloved Ernie Balls.

Donne Demarest · #9 10-03-2001, 10:21 AM

I've been using Elixir's for 4 years and won't use anything else.
I got a free set of Warwick Black Label strings so I naturally put them on and they were off in 2 days with a new set of Polywebs.

They last forever.

Yes they are mellower then Stainless Steel Wound Rounds, but thats what I like about them.

Slippery Sliding without the "zipper" sound.

No blisters.

They save my frets. Years of constant playing with Elixir's and my frets are still perfectly new.

eli · #10 10-04-2001, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SONICATTACK
In my band we play anything from old beach boys type music to all out Mosh pit metal. So I guess i'm looking for a clear bright but slightly warm tone. Which so far I've acheved with my Boomers but hey there's always room for improvements. I like my eq pretty much flat exept a boost at ~50hz and a slight curve upward at 1.5khz and I tend to drop frequencys ~125 hz down 6db. Get's rid of that muddiness.

I love Elixirs and consider them less expensive in the long run because they last so long. So I imagine you play with a pick frequently? I dunno how long Elixirs will stand up to that. I play almost all fingerstyle, and I don't like very much high edge.

Donne D, do you play pickstyle much? How much? Are the Elixirs on a fretted bass? And what life do you get out of a set?

And by the way you can get a set of 4 for only $36 plus shipping at www.juststrings.com

Donne Demarest · #11 10-05-2001, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by eli

Donne D, do you play pickstyle much? How much? Are the Elixirs on a fretted bass? And what life do you get out of a set?

And by the way you can get a set of 4 for only $36 plus shipping at www.juststrings.com

I play finger-style on a fretted Warwick Streamer.

I use the Elixir "Regular-Long Scale" with the .050 G string rather then "Soft Top's" with the .045 G.

The slightly fatter G string is much better.

Actually I've never worn out a set of Elixir's.
I change them every 6 months or so, even though they don't really need to be changed.

When Elixir came out with the new 'Nano-Webs" I thought they were going to discontinue my favorite Poly-Webs... so a stocked up and bought a few sets at once. Well they are (so far) making both types of strings. I pay $40 a set.

SONICATTACK · #12 10-05-2001, 04:08 PM

Yeah I do, about 50% of the time, It really depends on the attitude of the song, whether it needs a more round sound or a beater clicky type attack. What ever the tune calls for is what it getts.

eli · #13 10-17-2001, 12:29 PM

Well, I just put a set of Elixir Polywebs on my frettted Conklin 7 (with a wound stainless high F -- I think it's the Conklin Snakeskin that came on the bass). I pick a couple of songs a gig -- which are sadly somewhat sparse these days

.

Will report back after a few more gigs with pick wear and such.

RAM · #14 10-17-2001, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lo-end
Elixirs arent for you dude. They sound dull and are horrible with a pick. I have nanowebs and I still think theyre dull. Cant wait to go back to my beloved Ernie Balls.

Ditto. Except I couldn't wait to go back to my DR's. I'm happy again