Elixir strings anyone? Here's what my brother told me...

[bikeplate]

Had to try a set because i got tired of changing strings after two gigs. I use them on all my basses now. Happy with Elixir

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I had SS elixirs on an active jazz and I still had to cut the treble to remove zing after 6 years. No lie.

I avoided using a pick with the SS Elixirs for several month, but when I finally used one they sounded like the lasers in Star Wars.
Those who are saying they're dull-sounding are probably talking about the Nickel-wound sets.

 

[Maynjo]

Ugh, I went through an elixir phase. To me they sound dull and plasticky and don't last much longer than regular strings since the coating just peels off and looks like dead skin hanging off of them. Every thread about strings I keep saying over and over and over Dean Markley Blue Steels. They sound amazing, and if you wipe down your bass and strings every time you're done playing, they'll last almost indefinitely. They actually sound better once they're a bit worn in.

 

[hintz]

I love them despite not being as zingy as I prefer but they keep a relatively fresh sound for months(other strings always die quick on me)

 

[Aidil]

My Nanoweb nickel Elixirs were from 2014 and these are still rocking my bass...

Also in 2015, I put Nanoweb 80/20 Bronze on my Acoustic Electric Bass, they are likely not going anywhere soon.

I'd like to try their Nanoweb Stainless Steels but the specs said 36.5" winding length, which is too short for my 35" scale bass(es), while I don't have 34" scale (electric) bass anymore besides my fretless.

 

[KaseOfBass]

Ugh, I went through an elixir phase. To me they sound dull and plasticky and don't last much longer than regular strings since the coating just peels off and looks like dead skin hanging off of them. Every thread about strings I keep saying over and over and over Dean Markley Blue Steels. They sound amazing, and if you wipe down your bass and strings every time you're done playing, they'll last almost indefinitely. They actually sound better once they're a bit worn in.

I used to play Blue Steels and liked their tone. My local music store stocked them and it was convenient, but I'd kill them within a couple of gigs just like all the others despite washing my hands and keeping them wiped down religiously.

I'm not a pick player, but I've never had any of the coating on the Elixir strings peel off. I've read about this issue in older threads, but I've never experienced this at all with their current nanoweb coating on the bass strings. I know absolutely zero about the current polyweb and optiweb on the regular guitar strings.

 

[Maynjo]

I used to play Blue Steels and liked their tone. My local music store stocked them and it was convenient, but I'd kill them within a couple of gigs just like all the others despite washing my hands and keeping them wiped down religiously.

I'm not a pick player, but I've never had any of the coating on the Elixir strings peel off. I've read about this issue in older threads, but I've never experienced this at all with their current nanoweb coating on the bass strings. I know absolutely zero about the current polyweb and optiweb on the regular guitar strings.

Cobalt aren't coated...

the coating on the Elixir used to fray only untile 2012, when they changed the nanoweb formula. I use them on the guitar since 2001, and prior to 2012 they used to fray and die earlier.
also, the plain strings were coated.

in 2012 they changed the coating and put an anti-rust treatment on plain strings. in the last 4 years I've had them on my two electric guitars, and they are still shiny and new. a couple of years ago they changed again, making the coating even thinner and long-lasting, and my acoustic guitar that has them is really happy.

on bass I never liked them, too scooped on the mids and poor on the lows... also they are tighter than other strings at the same gauge.

So, apparently they changed the coating in 2012? I used them before that, so I guess they corrected the problem. It was enough to turn me off from ever using them again. I prefer the sound of the worn in Blue Steels, I don't like the way they sound fresh from the pack, so I guess thats why I like them so much.

 

[inanimate_carb]

I've stayed away from Elixirs or any other coated string. Most of the coatings the manufacturers use - including Elixir - are non-conductive, so the strings are not grounded properly because they can't make electrical contact with the bridge. As a result, the coated strings defeat the function of the string ground and cause hum problems for the player.

 

[MattB88]

I've stayed away from Elixirs or any other coated string. Most of the coatings the manufacturers use - including Elixir - are non-conductive, so the strings are not grounded properly because they can't make electrical contact with the bridge. As a result, the coated strings defeat the function of the string ground and cause hum problems for the player.

I have ran into this with some for sure but never with elixir’s thankfully.

 

[Bo-Weevil]

I use the Nano Nickels on my Fender P and my 4 and 5-String Warwick’s and I really like them.
They still sound as fresh as the day I installed them.
Now that I’m playing a Dingwall, I’ve had to switch over to the Dingwall Nickels and now I can “feel” a difference in the two string types, but it’s nothing that would make me stop using the Elixers. And, they are still just as bright as the Dingwall Nickels I just installed.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

My brother's been playing six string guitar since 1991. He's pro level. He's tried pretty much everything but has been a D'Adarrio guy forever. The guy that does his setups informed my bro that he uses Elixir's now. My bro gave some push back and was like "Nah....can you just put D'Addario's on?" The guy was like sure - but I'll have to order them special unless you want to get them yourself and bring them to me. But then the guy hands my brother his Dave Mustaine signature guitar with Elixir's on it and says "Here, try this." My brother said he started noodling around and was like "Wow. Pretty impressive." And the guy said "Right? And those strings your playing right now are a little over a year old." That freaked my bro out (in a good way) so he had the guy string his guitar with Elixir's.

Anyway, I trust my brother's opinion and was now wanting to try them on my P/J bass. Anybody else run Elixir's? What are your thoughts? Nickel or steel do you play?

Thanks!

If I can't fork the cash for my Optimas, I get the stainless elixirs with the nano web. They rock. Bright as hell, smooth, and last a long time. I just prefer gold optimas.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I've stayed away from Elixirs or any other coated string. Most of the coatings the manufacturers use - including Elixir - are non-conductive, so the strings are not grounded properly because they can't make electrical contact with the bridge. As a result, the coated strings defeat the function of the string ground and cause hum problems for the player.

For the record, they are silent. There is no hum...at all

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Is it only the Polywebs that fray and leave bits of coating hanging off? I have Nanowebs on a couple of basses and a few guitars and I've never seen it.

The coating does start to wear off though. On the B string before anything else. But, it kind of "strings", it doesnt peel and leave bits of the coating anywhere like that guy said. I've only ever used the stainless though.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

My brother's been playing six string guitar since 1991. He's pro level. He's tried pretty much everything but has been a D'Adarrio guy forever. The guy that does his setups informed my bro that he uses Elixir's now. My bro gave some push back and was like "Nah....can you just put D'Addario's on?" The guy was like sure - but I'll have to order them special unless you want to get them yourself and bring them to me. But then the guy hands my brother his Dave Mustaine signature guitar with Elixir's on it and says "Here, try this." My brother said he started noodling around and was like "Wow. Pretty impressive." And the guy said "Right? And those strings your playing right now are a little over a year old." That freaked my bro out (in a good way) so he had the guy string his guitar with Elixir's.

Anyway, I trust my brother's opinion and was now wanting to try them on my P/J bass. Anybody else run Elixir's? What are your thoughts? Nickel or steel do you play?

Thanks!

I’ve been using Elixers on my Taylor dread for 14 years or better. I did some field testing for them back in the early oughts. The set that is currently on it, are 12 years old. The are finally showing wear and need to be replaced. I’ve not tried Elixers on any of my basses. I do have my first set of Warwick strings on my Warwick that have a similar coating, and sound really good. I’m currently clocking how much time of play I’ll get. Typically I get about 100 hours out of a set, so it should be interesting to see how these do.

 

[Badwater]

I like elixr on acoustic guitars. But, not on solid body electrics and basses. They are expensive, and the coating does wear out, and the tone does get muddy over time depending on how hard and how much use they get. When I had acoustic guitars that didn't get much play I used the elixrs. I changed strings on my main guitars every week or 2 because of the amount of play time it had. With bass, I'll use flats over the elixr. But that's just my way of doing things. It's not the right way for everyone, and it's not the best and only way to get things done.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

I’ve used them since they sent them to me to beta test them a long, long time ago.

I like them and have used them exclusively on all my basses. They resist my corrosive mutant sweat so well that I don’t have to replace them but twice a year.

 

[packhowitzer]

i like them on acoustic guitars and nothing else.

 

[pcake]

i've only had elixers on my taylor GC8, and they were just dandy on it. i love the smooth feel - although i hear the nanos can peel - and the sound is just right for a taylor, which has a sparkly top end. i've played them on friends' guitars and didn't feel they were appealing on them. never tried them on bass.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I never tried the Elixirs, but I must say I love my DR Black Beauties.

 

[Thir13teen]

I've stayed away from Elixirs or any other coated string. Most of the coatings the manufacturers use - including Elixir - are non-conductive, so the strings are not grounded properly because they can't make electrical contact with the bridge. As a result, the coated strings defeat the function of the string ground and cause hum problems for the player.

Anyone else experience this? You would think that this would be an obvious issue from a company that makes only one thing - guitar strings.