A question on Elixir

Guz2 · #1 02-01-2010, 03:15 PM

I'm told that Elixir strings are long lasting, but does that mean that they go a long time without breaking or that they go a long time sounding "new"?

Thanks

lug · #2 02-01-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guz2

I'm told that Elixir strings are long lasting, but does that mean that they go a long time without breaking or that they go a long time sounding "new"?

Thanks

sounding new

cb56 · #3 02-01-2010, 04:36 PM

yes they sound great long after they start looking not so great. I usually change mine every 6 months but I could go longer. I usually kill regular strings in 3-4 weeks.

Guz2 · #4 02-02-2010, 11:37 AM

Ah good, they sound like exactly whay I was looking for. Thanks guys

Just one more question: would these (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elixir-Elbna...5136201&sr=8-1) be good for getting a growly metal tone, sort of like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtGt7Vnufyc

Solarmist · #5 02-02-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb56

yes they sound great long after they start looking not so great.

+1 - Beautiful sounding strings.

Zombbg4 · #6 02-02-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb56

yes they sound great long after they start looking not so great. I usually change mine every 6 months but I could go longer. I usually kill regular strings in 3-4 weeks.

+1

Except I kill a normal set in a week if I'm playing every day. I've had mine on for (wow, just realized) a year. They've been swapped on and off many times, from a 35" bass to a 33", the coating is fraying around the pickups, but they still sound great. I often forget how great it is to not worry about dead strings, washing my hands all the time, buying a new set that will die in a week or two, being broke from buying new strings, having crappy tone ect... If you've got "acid hands" as they say, meaning you kill strings quickly, Elixirs are worth their weight in unobtainium

All_¥our_Bass · #7 02-02-2010, 06:22 PM

They sound new for a long time. For people who like bright tones it's fantastic.

sonic assassin · #8 02-02-2010, 06:32 PM

i killed a set of slinkies in a week. elixir sounds new for 6 months. no brainer for me.

and really.. whos breaking bass strings?

rpsands · #9 02-02-2010, 06:35 PM

Elixirs are about 3 months for me, ish. The issue I'm having now with them is I found out the hard way they are nickel underneath

I'm allergic, so going to try out DR's extra lifes next.

Zombbg4 · #10 02-02-2010, 06:49 PM

Hey, looks like we got the Elixir ad banner at the top (for me anyway)!! Woohoo! Now where's our endorsements?!?!

mmbongo · #11 02-02-2010, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

Elixirs are about 3 months for me, ish. The issue I'm having now with them is I found out the hard way they are nickel underneath

I'm allergic, so going to try out DR's extra lifes next.

I'm pretty sure that DR Extras are stainless underneath so you should be good...assuming you can even get through the coating

stoolpigeon · #12 02-02-2010, 06:59 PM

Great strings...I can destroy a set of regular strings in one show as acidic as my sweat is...lol...I leave Elixers on no less than 6 months at a time.

Zombbg4 · #13 02-02-2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I'm pretty sure that DR Extras are stainless underneath so you should be good...assuming you can even get through the coating

I've tried the coated DR's twice and have knocked them out in a week or two tops. They did last a little longer than regular strings, but still fell victim to the acid hands like the rest.

Anyone try cleartones? They say the coating they use is super, super thin, more so than Elixirs. I'd give em a go but they don't make C strings...

IntrepidCellist · #14 02-02-2010, 08:09 PM

The Cleartones are more mellow and have less 'volume' than the Elixirs, and are taper wound on the low strings. They also actually reach the nut on my 35" scale Schecter, which Elixir Low Bs do not do.

I prefer Elixirs really, but I don't know what the material underneath the coating is on the Cleartones.

Moosehead1966 · #15 02-02-2010, 08:22 PM

LOVE Elixirs!!! I start hating the tone of regular strings after about 6 hours. NO LONGER!! Elixirs on my Spector U.S. bolt-on NS-2J are awesome after months...Who would have thought?? Certainly not me my fine friends. Buy, love, relax and spend quality time doing other things then "boiling, re-intonating and switching and stretching strings". Awesome strings from an "acid- fingered I would never have believed bass player".

Marc

Thingus995 · #16 02-02-2010, 08:25 PM

I play elixers on one of my basses and they have held up quite well... I've had two sets on the bass in roughly 4 years, managed to break a g somehow and the replacing Ernie ball is long dead while the elixirs are going strong

cb56 · #17 02-04-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombbg4

I've tried the coated DR's twice and have knocked them out in a week or two tops.

Same here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntrepidCellist

The Cleartones are more mellow and have less 'volume' than the Elixirs, and are taper wound on the low strings. They also actually reach the nut on my 35" scale Schecter, which Elixir Low Bs do not.........

Are you sure the extra long won't fit? I'm almost positive I used them on my schecters when I had my diamond series Elite 5 basses.
I have to use the extralongs on my Peavey Cirrus 5 and USA Millennium 5 basses
http://www.juststrings.com/elx-15433.html

GLUGSTER · #18 02-16-2010, 01:38 PM

So to all you fans of Elixir, do you guys get little threads of coating coming off right where the picking/fingering goes on? This has happened to me and I don't like it. Any ideas about this?

Zombbg4 · #19 02-16-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLUGSTER

So to all you fans of Elixir, do you guys get little threads of coating coming off right where the picking/fingering goes on? This has happened to me and I don't like it. Any ideas about this?

I get that too, I think its normal from use and doesn't affect protection. I don't use a pick though on the E and A strings its pretty frayed. Looks knarly but again its nothing to worry about, I don't even notice it anymore unless its right in my face like while adjusting pup height or something.

spidey112669 · #20 02-16-2010, 02:32 PM

If you like what they sound like when you put them on(deep and clear, bright top end, no growl or much mid bass at all, kinda scooped, really)then you will be happy...I keep a set on an active jazz, and they are over 3 years old...played 2 sets a week on them for over a year, they frayed up, but the goop was still in between the windings where it counted!