how are elixer strings?

parklife101 · #1 06-13-2008, 12:43 PM

I bought a new set of elixer strings for 4 string bass. The first time i switched strings was when I sent it in for repair and they did it. Those strings worked wonders, the second time i did the strings they where HORRIBLE the strings bounced making a crap load of fretbuzz and it had bad sound. Now I bought elixer strings, I still don't need to change them out but im just wondering. I saw them in bass player magazine, how are they? I like to play a lot of slap and pop, metal and fast paced stuff, as well as slow stuff. I need quiet durable strings, could someone tell me a run down. I'm not sure about it. Also if i take my bass to GC will they help me change the strings? when I did it i think i may have messed up the bridge which added to my messed up sound

I play on this bass btw:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-S...49-i1170752.gc

bebop1 · #2 06-13-2008, 01:30 PM

Elixirs are my present favorite strings and have them on all my basses.

Their advantages to me are:

broken in feel from the start
smooth, slinky feel that I have come to love
easy on my fretless fingerboard for a roundwound
at least 2 to 3 times as long a life
can sit on my basses for long periods and stay fresh sounding

Disadvantages to me:

higher initial cost
don't get that new string sound out of the box - sound broken in

Barcza · #3 06-13-2008, 01:47 PM

I do'nt like Elixir strings. It make a lot of fingerboard noise on Jazz Basses, and really hard to get the bridge growl, but it works very well on MusicMan basses.

1954bassman · #4 06-13-2008, 01:57 PM

I really like and reccomend Elixirs. Smmoth feel, and consistant sound. Very durable. I have used them on lots of different basses with success. Not a string to end all strings, however. I play mostly G&L's and the Elixirs sound great on them. I use TI Jazz Flats on my fretlles G&L.

I also like DR strings as well.

parklife101 · #5 06-13-2008, 02:11 PM

yeah thanks i need mroei nput though its half and half

dave_bass5 · #6 06-13-2008, 04:14 PM

Ive just put my first ever set on my Lakland Duck Dunn and love them.
Ive been getting some clank recently with my Lakland SS strings so thought i would try these.
Normally i would use Nicks but when i got my DD it had these SS on them so i ordered some more as they sounded great. I think they might be a bit too bright for me though.

First impressions are that they are higher tension than any string i have used before. Not really a bad thing IMO and yes, they don't sound as bright as my 3 week old SS strings but they do feel smoother, quite like TI's.

i was worried i might not break them in quick enough for tomorrows gig but already they are sounding perfect. i cant say how long it will last but according to the reports it should be a few gigs at least.

Jonny B · #7 06-13-2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bebop1

Elixirs are my present favorite strings and have them on all my basses.

Their advantages to me are:

broken in feel from the start
smooth, slinky feel that I have come to love
easy on my fretless fingerboard for a roundwound
at least 2 to 3 times as long a life
can sit on my basses for long periods and stay fresh sounding

Disadvantages to me:

higher initial cost
don't get that new string sound out of the box - sound broken in

+1

**ExaltBass** · #8 06-13-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bebop1

Elixirs are my present favorite strings and have them on all my basses.

Their advantages to me are:

broken in feel from the start
smooth, slinky feel that I have come to love
easy on my fretless fingerboard for a roundwound
at least 2 to 3 times as long a life
can sit on my basses for long periods and stay fresh sounding

Disadvantages to me:

higher initial cost
don't get that new string sound out of the box - sound broken in

I agree with all of the above...

I have found that with the amount of playing I now do that I can get by with a year per set. That offsets a few changes.

I use them on 3 of my basses (including their AWESOME Acoustic Bass Guitar Set) and Sadowsky Flats on my fretless and DR Bootzillas on my Carvin 5

BarkerBass · #9 06-13-2008, 05:22 PM

My ibanez btb 556 6 string came equipped with elixers 6 months ago and they sound amazing. the btb has a variable 3 band eq so i can dial in anything from HUGE bottom end to crisp and crunchy mids and the elixirs sound good in all situations. i find they have a nce smooth warm tone but a nice crisp slap sound (the barts may play a roll in this)tapping and chords and they cope well with all style but the coatin does begin to frey and peal when excessively played (esp if using a pick)... my strings sound great still even tho they've been heavily abused and rocked for 6 months straight and the coating is freying they still found fresh and very reliable.

i also use them on a 4 string headless project of mine with a P/MM pups and they sound great although low action can lead to clacking on the E string (my 6 string doesnt have this problem wven with uberlow action

)
for the cost (twice a set of slinkys) they last far far far longer and sound better and more consistant to me ears atleast. they sound broken in but never bull, in my experience.

CapnSev · #10 06-13-2008, 05:31 PM

That is the only brand that goes on my SR5 now. They sound like a good set of roundwounds with a couple of weeks on them, and stay that way for a very long time. I hate that clanky new string sound, and these eliminate that. They are not dead by any means, just smooth.

They are easy on my fingers too, especially after a 3 hour set.

They have a nice tight tension too.

djshawn47 · #11 06-13-2008, 05:43 PM

I just bought my first pair as well for my Fender American Deluxe Jazz FMT. Ive always used DR High Beams.....Im kind of torn....

I do like the silky feel, I cant vouch for the longevity as Ive just strung my bass with them a week ago...they definitely sound much different than High Beams...fatter, not as bright, there is something about them that I can describe properly.....they sounds more (upright bassy) to me. If that makes any sense.

They are kind of growing on me...

and oh yeah....I also bought them because of the ranking in the issue of BP. LOL

matrok · #12 06-13-2008, 08:31 PM

I got my first set during the Elixir string trial, loved them. Certainly a bit more money than the D'Addario's I've been using, but I get a lot of mileage out of them. I do find the coating a little inconsistent in wear though. I play mostly fingerstyle, some pick, and the current set didn't last as long before getting fuzzy.

parklife101 · #13 06-13-2008, 10:03 PM

hmm looks like i might have picked up the wrong strings. Any alternatives. I don't know what I have now but I have a lot of clancking on the 4 string for low end action. I have to tune it up just to play it. Its really bothering me.

Jonny B · #14 06-13-2008, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parklife101

hmm looks like i might have picked up the wrong strings. Any alternatives. I don't know what I have now but I have a lot of clancking on the 4 string for low end action. I have to tune it up just to play it. Its really bothering me.

Clanking is not usually a string problem (unless you are using extremely light gauge strings on a long scale bass), but a set-up or technique problem. If by clanking, you mean buzzing, then you need to either raise your saddles a bit, or give your neck some relief (loosen the truss rod).

PilbaraBass · #15 06-14-2008, 04:13 AM

thursday night Andrew Ironside came to our church.

He was playing a Yammy RBX375 with Elixers through a Aphex Bass Aural Exciter and a Behringer MIC100 tube preamp...

Now I've not been a fan of the RBX375 sound (I just couldn't get away from that dominant midrange)...but Andrew managed to get a deep, yet defined powerful bass response that really held up underneath the band.

I was impressed...I may have to check the Elixers or the D'Add EXP's out in the not-so-distant future.