Elixir bass strings.. Thoughts??

[micgtr71]

Never tried them on bass but I have tried them on acoustic. Hated the feel of them. I also never change my bass strings. I like them to be old. If I need zing, I go to the amp. Plenty of punch in the strings that I changed last summer (they were 15 or so yrs old) and they are just breaking in.

[JimmyM]

I tried a set of Elixirs a couple years ago when Elixir was doing some tests on them. Way better than when I tried them years ago, but since I play with a pick sometimes, I didn't care for them. The pick made dents in the coating and would have certainly torn after a while, which for me, negates the gains in how long they last. However, otherwise they sounded good and felt OK, though I prefer feeling the metal.

[Toptube]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I tried a set of Elixirs a couple years ago when Elixir was doing some tests on them. Way better than when I tried them years ago, but since I play with a pick sometimes, I didn't care for them. The pick made dents in the coating and would have certainly torn after a while, which for me, negates the gains in how long they last. However, otherwise they sounded good and felt OK, though I prefer feeling the metal.

the new coating that came out last year is supposed to be a lot harder wearing. I wouldn't know though, because I don't really use a pick.

[zazz]

Originally Posted by Toptube

My only complaint with elixirs, currently, is that low E seems noticeably unbalanced/low tension compared to the other strings. and if you look at Elixir's tension chart, that is confirmed. Its a strange choice. Its a problem on a couple of basses I've strung up with them. But its not always a problem.

I do get a sense of that ....when de tuning ....the low e tends to suffer more than the rest.... But not a deal breaker.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Toptube

the new coating that came out last year is supposed to be a lot harder wearing. I wouldn't know though, because I don't really use a pick.

I was told that the Elixirs I had were made with the new coating. They felt different than the old Elixirs I played a long time ago, that's for sure.

[Dinosaur Punk]

Tonally, I thought these were fine. They seemed durable as well.

One caution: I've noticed my stock Fender Jazz seems noisier (60 cycle hum) with these strings and I wonder if they are suffering from the phenomenon described by Roger Sadowsky for Bass Gear

The tone wasn't so distinctive that I plan to stay with these strings. My answer might be different if I were running hum-canceling pickups.

[zazz]

Originally Posted by Dinosaur Punk

Tonally, I thought these were fine. They seemed durable as well.

One caution: I've noticed my stock Fender Jazz seems noisier (60 cycle hum) with these strings and I wonder if they are suffering from the phenomenon described by Roger Sadowsky for Bass Gear

The tone wasn't so distinctive that I plan to stay with these strings. My answer might be different if I were running hum-canceling pickups.

I heard the same issue about rust forming on the saddles..... It wouldn't hurt to strip the coating at the saddle point....see what happens.

[hibachiduck]

I'm not a fan. They just kinda sound bland to me. My favorite coated strings are the DR Dragon Skin or DR Black Beauties.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by zazz

I heard the same issue about rust forming on the saddles..... It wouldn't hurt to strip the coating at the saddle point....see what happens.

That would do no good, as your fingers are still not making contact with metal because of the coating.

[zazz]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

That would do no good, as your fingers are still not making contact with metal because of the coating.

Ah yes...I see..

[Evil Undead]

I love them. I've used them on Warwicks, ibanez (4 & 5 strings) and currently on my Fender P. Tone and feel are perfect for me.

[Jools4001]

I use Pro Steels or Stadium Elites on my fretted basses, but I always use Elixirs on my fretless. Being nickel they're slightly warmer, they last for absolutely ages if you're a finger style player. I was in a band for a few years where fretless was my main bass and I've had Elixir sets on there for nearly a year - and I am the sort of player who changes strings out as soon as they start going dead (it's been as little as 2 weeks with Rotosounds).

I like the tension, they seem a lot kinder on fretless fingerboards than any other roundwound and the slick feel makes vibrato and gliss techniques very easy. IMHO they are the perfect strings for fretless

[Vincent P]

The Ibenez SR506 I just got came with a set installed. The first time I've played them and so far like them. They seem to hold tune quite well. I will see how long they last. I'm a die-hard DR Marcus Miller, and Rotosound 66 player on my Fenders, so am a bit curious on how a set fo Elixirs would sound on one of these basses??? Which ever bass has its strings in need of a change first will get a test run with a set!!!

[FerK]

My SR 1200 came with a set as well, and after almost 3 months they are still a bit too bright and clanky for my taste. A lot brighter than the D'addario XL rounds I had on my previous SR800. Since I am not gigging I will try to live with it until they wear a bit more. Otherwise I'll go back to my previous "play-at-home" string of choice, Dunlop's Medium rounds. They're pretty decent, very cheap, and give a good bottom end with regular gauge.

[Junk420]

I had my bass repaired at a local shop here and the tech said he 'snuck' a set of Elixirs onto my bass because my Ernie Balls were dead. I'm very happy that he did. 6 months later and they still sounds great