Strange condition with Elixir Nanowebs

whacker · #1 07-26-2006, 05:49 PM

I purchased an Ibanez BTB 405 a couple of months ago, and it came with these strings installed. I like the bass, I like the strings (although they're a little slippery), and they seemed to be lasting a bit longer (which is, as I've learned, part of their marketing angle for the coating).

Had a gig a few days ago, and I'm nowhere near a flogger when it comes to how I attack the strings (typical two finger stroke most of the time, with some pick, some slap).

Today, I took the bass out of the case to do a little practicing, and looked down at the area between the pickups where I normally strike the strings, and there was this "fuzz" (for lack of a better term) showing on the B, E, and A strings. Just about an inch long on each string, right about where I hit 'em. At first I thought I might have had mozzarella cheese on my fingers when I was playing at the previously mentioned gig, but on second thought, I'm cleaner than that. So I kind of scraped at the fuzz and it didn't exactly come off, just kind of moved around. Then I got some tweezers and plucked at it a little. Didn't come off in any continuous or organized form. It's just kind of there.

Has anyone ever heard of this kind of thing with Elixir Nanowebs? It's got to be the coating (what else could it be?). Or is this just the normal sign that it's time to change the strings? They don't sound dead yet, just a little of the brightness and twang is gone, like a regular set of strings would wear with as much as I play.

Very strange. Your comments are welcome, and I might write the string company about this too.

BurningSkies · #2 07-26-2006, 06:03 PM

Yup. That's the coating that makes them nanowebs. You've shreded it when you played. Time to change them out!

I tried a set that the company sent me, and I couldn't stand them. They killed the feel of my bass!

Basshole · #3 07-26-2006, 06:21 PM

The strings are covered in a very thin plastic coating. That's what keeps the finger oils out of the windings, and makes them last typically longer than regular strings.

It also subtley damps their vibration, so even new, they're not quite "as new" (sounding) as uncoated strings, but they tend to keep what newness they do have for a bit longer....er, provided you don't abrade the coating off, like you did.

nad · #4 07-26-2006, 06:39 PM

The flakiness is normal, and I for one didn't really notice a difference in tone when that happened. I used Polywebs exclusively until they were discontinued, don't really like the Nanowebs. Oh well, it was time for a change anyhow.

whacker · #5 07-29-2006, 04:51 PM

Yeah, I kinda figured it was the coating. They're still sounding okay, so I'll use 'em a few more weeks.

New question: With this extra-long scale bass (35"), does anyone have first hand knowledge of garden-variety strings that'll fit, with winding length adequate from bridge to nut (primarily concerning the B string)? The strings anchor at the bridge, not thru-body. A bass player friend with a Lakland 55-02 told me he just uses Ernie Ball 5 String Slinkies, which I'm familiar with and like, especially the price. I just need some corroborating testimony before I waste money on something that won't work.

Indi86 · #6 07-29-2006, 07:14 PM

DR strings will fit it, and you can get coated ones too.

SBassman · #7 07-29-2006, 07:16 PM

Do yourself a favor, change out those strings for regular ones, and never look back.

Eublet · #8 07-29-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

Do yourself a favor, change out those strings for regular ones, and never look back.

Or leave them on there, and never look back. Elixir has saved me a lot of money over the years.

xshawnxearthx · #9 07-29-2006, 08:38 PM

elixir poly's were great strings. but they all flake. all coated strings flake. unless the coating iss so micro thin that it is barely there.

if you want your strings to last.

www.caig.com
they are called axe wipes.
get into it.

thebassclef · #10 07-29-2006, 08:44 PM

Oxyclean pads work, too. Though I am not sure how they work on coated strings.

xshawnxearthx · #11 07-29-2006, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebassclef

Oxyclean pads work, too. Though I am not sure how they work on coated strings.

they didnt work on my face, so i doubt they will on my bass.

Fuzzbass · #12 07-31-2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eublet

Or leave them on there, and never look back. Elixir has saved me a lot of money over the years.

Amen. I love Elixirs. Every time I play a hot humid outdoor gig... as I do a few times per year... I think about the money I save. My sweat can kill a set of uncoated strings in one gig.

Sure, the feel is different, but I didn't have trouble adjusting.

Fuzzbass · #13 07-31-2006, 10:09 AM

P.S. I disagree that the flaking of the outer coating means it's time to change the strings. Both of the sets I'm using are flaking in spots, but the strings still sound fine. IMO, let your ears and not your eyes decide when it's time to change strings.

bkief1 · #14 07-31-2006, 12:02 PM

As an alternative to the Elixir coated strings, another option are the PTFE (teflon) coated strings offered by Dave Wyre at http://www.wyresstrings.com/

agplate · #15 08-02-2006, 09:27 AM

I also agree about the flaking NOT necessarily being a sign of dead strings. Especially if it's only flaking where you pick, pluck or slap the string. That's no big deal. I've even had flaky strings along the neck that lasted for months (especially with the old POLYWEBS)- For me the time to change them was when they started to feel a little sticky rather than slick and the tone was noticably dulled.

radmin · #16 08-07-2006, 02:38 PM

Keep in mind they were on there when you bought it. They could be realy realy old.