How often to change Elixirs?

[doctorjazz]

I've been running the factory set of Nanowebs on my bass for about a year, and while I haven't noticed a drastic change in tone, my experience with these strings on my guitar tends to be that they "creep" into deadness so slow that it can barely be noticed until I put on a new set and realize how much better the new strings sound. A year is a hell of a long time, and I'm wondering if the same thing could be happening to me without my realization.

So, on average how long do your Elixirs last, and should I change them, given that I average an hour to an hour and a half playing each day and the current set has been on for about a year?

[roger winkler]

I have Elixers on all of my basses...G&L L-2000 Tribute, USA California P-Bass Special, and a MIM P-Bass Special. I have not changed the strings on them in almost a year. I'm still getting the tone and fat bottom sound that I love. In about 6 months I'll change them out, not because of tone, but the coating is starting to shred. I do like Elixer strings, they just keep on thumping.

[Ale]

It really depends what kind of tone you like ,
I know blues guys that like their elixirs after 2 years (of playing and eating chicken)
I change every week.

[Basshole]

Yeah, when they start looking like they have psoriasis, it's perhaps time to swap 'em out.

[nad]

My last set of Elixirs is on my Tobias right now, they've been there for a year and a half. The B-string is pretty much dead, but the G and D are zingier than my 2 week old DRs on two other basses.

Anyhow, I had used Elixirs for so many years that I forgot how quickly other strings die! I think I'm going back to them next round.

[Michael Jewels]

Originally Posted by doctorjazz

I've been running the factory set of Nanowebs on my bass for about a year, and while I haven't noticed a drastic change in tone, my experience with these strings on my guitar tends to be that they "creep" into deadness so slow that it can barely be noticed until I put on a new set and realize how much better the new strings sound. A year is a hell of a long time, and I'm wondering if the same thing could be happening to me without my realization.

So, on average how long do your Elixirs last, and should I change them, given that I average an hour to an hour and a half playing each day and the current set has been on for about a year?

I'd say a year is a good interval to change your Elixirs.
If the tone isn't bothering you, and they're not shedding yet, why change them at all?

Mike

[rhythm]

I love Elixir's, they're the best strings I've used to date (I would like to try some DR's though, just to see).

I have noticed that on my 5 string I change them more regularly than on a 4 string because of the low B (every couple of months).

[vindy500]

Originally Posted by Ale

It really depends what kind of tone you like ,
I know blues guys that like their elixirs after 2 years (of playing and eating chicken)
I change every week.

ouch, feel free to send your "old strings" across the channel

[Supernova67]

i put on my last set of elixers in April and they're just starting to die. and i kill strings faster than anybody i've ever seen. uncoated strings last me maybe 2 days.

[vindy500]

Originally Posted by Supernova67

i put on my last set of elixers in April and they're just starting to die. and i kill strings faster than anybody i've ever seen. uncoated strings last me maybe 2 days.

for me uncoated strings take a few days to break in

[Supernova67]

Originally Posted by vindy500

for me uncoated strings take a few days to break in

yeah, but i play 4-6 hours a day

[vindy500]

Originally Posted by Supernova67

yeah, but i play 4-6 hours a day

i mean what you call dead is what i call broken in

[Thinkarogadum]

I've had great results using Nanowebs on my basses. I've had a set on my P-bass for 2 full years, and the E string is pretty dead, so I'll change them soon. I've played close to 10 shows with the elixirs on my jazz bass, and I tend to sweat alot during our long sets, and they still sound great.