Elixir string free trial vote

HMZ · #1 03-15-2011, 09:36 AM

I see everyone is getting their free trial set of strings from Elixir. I know we have a thread going and everyone is giving comments about the strings but I wanted to see what the general consensus is.

BackToTheGroove · #2 03-15-2011, 09:47 AM

A set of Elixer's arrived on my ATK750KA this past Sept. The store owner said he thought they took away some brightness, but I thought they sounded fine in the upper clarity zone - especially using the ATK's very musical EQ to get what I want, depending on song style.

What I did notice is the coating starts to shred after only a bit of use. I only use a pick now and then, when needed, and with my fingers are strong, they aren't claws, but enough to leave bits of Elixer's coating sort of 'fluffy' looking over the play area.

queevil · #3 03-15-2011, 05:33 PM

Subscribed. I've only had them for a day. I'll chime back in.

Floyd Eye · #4 03-15-2011, 06:10 PM

They seem alright. I've only put a couple hours on them though. I am primarily a pick player and I haven't noticed the coating wearing off yet. If it does, I'm done. This is the reason I quit using them on my acoustic guitars.

One Bad Monkey · #5 03-15-2011, 06:21 PM

Thus far, they've been just okay. I like the feel, but the lack of high end is a problem for me. Slap bass really sounds poor on these.

Joe Gress · #6 03-16-2011, 08:03 PM

Dunno yet, I'll reply in 8 weeks.

HMZ · #7 03-16-2011, 08:04 PM

They sound very dull and dead to me. I don't like the feel of them ether. very slippery...

Jeff 66 · #8 03-16-2011, 08:17 PM

I received mine a couple of days ago and I'm debating over which bass to put them on for the trial.

My main player is a Spector Euro 4LX, but it is strung with DR Sumbeams and set up accordingly.

Are these Elixers going to be significantly higher tension? I really don't want to have to adjust the truss to compensate, as I feel pretty sure I'll be going back to the Sunbeams on this bass once the trial is over.

Tension wise, how do these feel at standard tuning?

JimmyM · #9 03-17-2011, 12:00 AM

geez, not bright? mine sure are.

i voted just ok, btw. i used them on a gig earlier tonight, and while i didn't find them offensive, i don't care for that plastic feeling. they didn't start fraying yet, but looking at them where i banged them with a pick on a few songs, i can see the potential is clearly there. if i get through this trial period it'll be a miracle.

Craig_S · #10 03-17-2011, 12:33 AM

They are definitely not great for pick players, but only because the coating frays and gets fuzzy looking. I've used them off and on for years. I have a set on my SR5, right now. They don't lose much high end because of the coating. The slap sound works just fine, for me. I think they sound great.

drewfunk · #11 03-17-2011, 01:13 AM

They are mellower than my Blue Steels for sure. And i dont really care for the slick feeling when i'm playing aggressively because my fretting hand will slide all over the place. I wouldnt buy them.

HMZ · #12 03-17-2011, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff 66

I received mine a couple of days ago and I'm debating over which bass to put them on for the trial.

My main player is a Spector Euro 4LX, but it is strung with DR Sumbeams and set up accordingly.

Are these Elixers going to be significantly higher tension? I really don't want to have to adjust the truss to compensate, as I feel pretty sure I'll be going back to the Sunbeams on this bass once the trial is over.

Tension wise, how do these feel at standard tuning?

They're very loose feeling...Like rubber bands.

whitedk57 · #13 03-21-2011, 01:34 PM

I just put them on last night. They seem a little bright to me, but not too bad. I also like that they were smoother than other rounds, and I didn't get the finger squeak when fretting.

I think the brightness will quiet down like most strings do. I had just bought Neon DR strings, but I wasn't digging on those too much because of the excessive string squeak. The Elixirs are less bright than the ones I just took off. I don't use a pick and I don't slap, so my only gauge is finger-style.

So far I like the tone and feel.

FunkMetalBass · #14 03-21-2011, 01:42 PM

I wasn't selected to participate.

Double Agent · #15 03-21-2011, 01:45 PM

Just used them at practice last night...and I voted No. I wonder if we are all getting the same kind of strings for the test. Mine are on my Jazz and they are not bright..AT ALL. Highs are very muted. The slap tone is very unsatisfying, and I have used a P-bass w/ flats for slap in the recent past and liked it just fine. These don't have the lows of flats or the zing of stainless rounds. Fairly anemic tone.

Plus, the feel of them is very slippery. I'm sure I will adjust to that, and may even grow to like it, but I don't care for it at the moment. I feel the same way about new flats, so I'm hoping that the slippery feel goes away as the strings get a little wear on them, like it does for flats.

I have tried Elixirs in the past and these don't seem, from what I can recall, to be any different than what I have used before. I wonder if they have sent some people the old Elixirs for a placebo effect. I know tone can be subjective, but some are saying really bright and others are saying not bright at all. I find it strange that there would be such a wide disparity.

Jeff 66 · #16 03-25-2011, 09:24 PM

I put mine on a few days ago and they actually feel very similar to the DR Sunbeams they replaced... tension-wise, at least.

I haven't noticed them pulling any additional relief into the neck.

I was assuming these were hex-core, but now I'm thinking probably round.

Overall, I like the feel. Very smooth and nice tension. They sound good on the Spector Euro. I'm thinking the coating may tame the edginess of the Tone Pump a little bit.

So far, I'm enjoying them. That will change real quick if the tone goes south or the coating starts to fray.

HMZ · #17 03-26-2011, 03:50 AM

OK I've had my set of Elixirs (HOB) for two weeks now. I hated them on my P bass and actually took them off. I just reinstalled them on my Jazz bass and they sound much better. I still am not crazy about the slippery feel of them but they sound so different on my jazz bass I'm actually liking them now.

Floyd Eye · #18 03-26-2011, 08:15 AM

I've been using them for 2 weeks and while I still prefer the Blue Steels, whoever says they aren't bright is way off base. They cut through the mix nicely and have a piano string clean quality. I had to actually EQ some high out.

I'll have no problem playing them for 8 weeks (assuming they last that long) and at the end of the trial, I will put some Blue Steels back on.

alec · #19 03-26-2011, 08:56 AM

Mine weren't from the free offer. They came on a new 35" Schecter I bought but they'd been on there for a couple of years. I don't think that would affect them, but I hate them. They lack punch and harmonics and their slippery feel ***** me to the point that I've given up playing that bass until my Circle K strings arrive.

BurningSkies · #20 03-26-2011, 08:58 AM

The overall feeling is that there isn't just one type or set in circulation...so the poll doesn't really work. At this point the evidence shows that there are at least two if not more formulas being 'tried'.