Does anyone NOT like Elixirs?

[InRodweTruss]

I've only used XL's because they seem good enough and there's no funny little coating on them....just a pure string. But I hear nothing but good things about Elixirs. Are they really worth the $40 at GC??

Discuss...

 

[moopants]

I don't like them.

 

[Ach]

I am actually not a big fan of Elexirs. This is very subjective, but there are my cons of them:
- Very piano tone (esp with my emg powered, mahogany body IBZ SR),
- Cost,
- Lifetime if used with a pick is very similar to life tima of regular strings (cost again).

These string are good for solo players, i believe. I am a fan of Ernie Ball Slinkies, actually.

 

[Ampeg SVT]

I had a set all snap on me, so im questionable about them.

 

[fenderphil]

i donut like them

 

[najman]

where as non-coated strings get "funky" after moderate use,
i find elixers to end up sounding like rubber bands.
not very good to say the least.

also, they feel slimey.

 

[InRodweTruss]

where as non-coated strings get "funky" after moderate use,
i find elixers to end up sounding like rubber bands.
not very good to say the least.

also, they feel slimey.

AH-HA!! Thats's what I was looking for! If that so-called coating, is going to get in the way of my playing, then I'd rather deal with changing strings once a month.

 

[Hollow]

I only buy elixirs. Last way longer. Worth 40 bucks cause if you do the math you save money considering they last 2-3 times longer. Plus i think they are some of the best sounding strings IMO.

 

[Ben Lesser]

I never found the coating to be an issue. I used the Elixirs that came on my Ibanez SR506 for 2 years. I only changed them because I broke my C string. I really enjoyed the longevity of them and the sound was along the lines of what I wanted from strings.

They are massively expensive, though... to replace them from a local shop here, I would have had to pay $100.

 

[Petethebassman]

Tried 'em, didn't like the feel (too stiff) or the tone (too bright). Definitely not for me.

 

[adge]

im not massive on them, i tend to sweat when i play live and i find myself slipping and sliding all over the place when i used elixirs...

i also think strings are at their peak after about a week or so...

elixirs just sound too un-natural for me...

just my opinion though...

 

[Andrew.Glose]

They're stiff, if you're into that.

The coating won't 'get in the way' of your playing, but if you're feeling funny about 'sliding around all over the place,' they're probably not for you. At least they won't 'eat' your fingers up.

They're bright, to say the least. Especially when new.

But...

They'll last a long time (the equivalent of a couple string boils)

They're tougher than hell.

They'll cut through the mix, if it's a rock sound you're going for.

 

[bassteban]

Firmly in the don't like them camp. They sound half-dead to me out of the box, then stay that way. I've used Black Beauties & liked them, so it's not just the coating.

 

[bongomania]

I absolutely love the low B Elixir, because the "half dead yet piano-like" sound happens to be more articulate and cutting than the average flatwound low B yet more bassy and less clangy/clattery than the average roundwound low B. IOW absolutely perfect. But I wouldn't necessarily use Elixirs as a whole set, as in the E through G strings I prefer to bring the tone to "more growly/cutting" (nickel rounds) or "more dead/boomy" (flats) territory depending on the situation.

 

[Andrew.Glose]

I absolutely love the low B Elixir, because the "half dead yet piano-like" sound happens to be more articulate and cutting than the average flatwound low B yet more bassy and less clangy/clattery than the average roundwound low B. IOW absolutely perfect. But I wouldn't necessarily use Elixirs as a whole set, as in the E through G strings I prefer to bring the tone to "more growly/cutting" (nickel rounds) or "more dead/boomy" (flats) territory depending on the situation.

I agree. They do have a killer B(!)

 

[derrellvis69]

I'm a relatively new player (little over a year of lessons) I personally have really acidic sweat and ruin strings pretty quickly, so I have a choice of going with either Nickel or coated.... I mix it up between Elixirs and Dean Markley "Blue Nickel". I'm in the process of trying most of the popular strings out there, but the Elixirs last so long that I haven't had to change them since I put them on 4 months ago.

I guess I could go the GAS route and buy a few more basses to try some DR's, TI's, and Labella's that I have sitting in boxes waiting to be called into duty

I like the Elixirs alot, but on the other hand I don't know what sound I hear in my head yet, so maybe I'm not a good resource... I'm still trying to get my fingers to stop hurting, let alone looking for the "elusive" bass sound of my dreams... But since I'm dreaming... can I have Rhonda Smith as my bass teacher?

 

[Parabolic Box]

Experimenting with strings is a gigantic money sink, no doubt.

If you find a set you like, stop there. That's the best advice I can give.

 

[adge]

Experimenting with strings is a gigantic money sink, no doubt.

If you find a set you like, stop there. That's the best advice I can give.

amen... i can understand and accept that people will experiment with strings (including flats) at first, but then once a fav is found.. stick to it...

 

[InRodweTruss]

I've only used XL's, they have a sound I like, they've never broken on me (and I beat my strings pretty hard), and they're affordable, so I don't mind changing them on a regular basis.

I'll probably play with XLs forever...but I ask just because I want to know what I'm missing out on.....

 

[Pacman]

I've hated every coated string I've ever tried. I can hear the difference, and I hate the feel.