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

#61
All my Ibanez basses came with them stock, and they do last longer than non-coated rounds. For me - they lasted about 6 months before I noticed them starting to die out, and I do love the sound of them, but they cost considerably more than my usual D'Add Prosteels which are lower tension strings which I much prefer.
 
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#62
madbass6 said:
I say like the good old saying says
"if ant broken why fix it!"
They have some special coating on them that makes them last for ever! but the feel on them is not every one, I tried them out and it wasn't for me! But it Doesn't mean it won't be for you.
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I guess $40 is all it takes to know :) Too bad it's not like drug dealers; first time it's free - after that you pay ;)
 
#63
Aidil said:
No pun intended to those who have said the issue, but I'm wondering whether they were really experiencing the string grounding problem while using the Elixir Nanowebs or they were using the older Elixir Polywebs... Or could be they had the problem when using other brands of coated strings and made generalization on all coated strings...?
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I've had this problem on some basses, with Nanowebs (I've actually never used Polyweb neither for bass or guitar in 17 years using them! I realized it a couple of years ago, always used nanos), but it was an issue only while at home playing alone or recording.

while playing live it's almost impossible to notice.

PS: as far as I know, the only contuctive coating is the DR's one, but only because I red about it, never used it.

Aidil said:
But yeah, I'm aware you meant to say EMG Active pickups which don't require grounding the bridge
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you're right :D I always forget that EMG also produces passive pickups. I've only had them as replacement for some basses or guitars, so for me EMG = Active
 
#66
Gizmot said:
So - in my opinion, TI Jazz Flats sound and feel better than Elixirs AND will provide a lot longer useful life too.
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yes, as every flatwound would do if you like the flatwound sound :D I'm a long time user of flats (in particular TI, Labella Jamerson, Pyramid Gold and D'Addario Chromes), and I would not ever compare them while talking about rounds.

what a roundwound player wants is the brightness and metallic/zingy sound of a roundwound string, a thing that flats won't give.
 
#67
Pier_ said:
yes, as every flatwound would do if you like the flatwound sound :D I'm a long time user of flats (in particular TI, Labella Jamerson, Pyramid Gold and D'Addario Chromes), and I would not ever compare them while talking about rounds.

what a roundwound player wants is the brightness and metallic/zingy sound of a roundwound string, a thing that flats won't give.
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For years I wondered how anyone could stand the sound of Flats. They were too lifeless and squashed the dynamics. Then - after hearing one of my friends rave about Flats - I was goaded into trying them. To my surprise I did like them and then I discovered Jazz Flats. Now they’re all I use. If you like round wounds, that’s great - but I’m happy with everything I get from Jazz Flats. Ciao!
 
#70
Pier_ said:
sure, and I'm on this side too :D it's just that it's not the theme of the this topic :p Elixir does not produce flatwound, and it's famous for selling coated rounds that keep the "roundwound" sound for a longer time.
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Thanks for the note. I have tried Elixirs on my bass and acoustic guitars. Even if I wanted round wounds, I wouldn’t use Elixirs. I simply don’t like the sound and the feel. Several of my friends do like them - and if you do, that’s great.
 
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#71
Elixir sounds good on my Warwick Streamer, and sounds like a crap on my Fender AVRI 62 jazz bass.
My opinion: elixir strings are very good choice for active basses, witch are poorer on harmonics than passive basses.
But I have to use uncoated strings on passive basses due to their sound.

Elixir - it’s all about money saving, and not about the sound.
 
#73
BAG said:
I have to disagree. In my experience Elixirs don't sound quite as good as uncoated strings on the day you put them on but they don't change tone so from day 3 the indicated strings have lost their brilliance. This might be ok on bass but not on guitar.
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You can be wrong. Elixir don’t have enough bottom, don’t have this growly midrange right out the box! Regular strings like my DR or Dunlop have it!
You can’t fix it on Elixir strings, and only have desirable “zing” all their “life”.
On regular strings you can easily add “zing” and brilliance just restringing you bass with new set of strings, and will have all the tone pleasure.
One more time: Elixir - it’s all about money saving, and not about the sound.
 
#74
Eastwood Baritone.jpg I guess I'm sorta with the OP's brother. Jessie, the owner of Cowtown guitars here in Vegas, gave me a set of Elixer Nanoweb Baritone guitar strings .. oh, must have been about 3 years ago, now. I think he just wanted to get rid of them, and I guess I'm the only goof he knows who has one... Anyway, I'd have to say that yes, they are pretty nice strings - on a guitar. They do sound pretty darn good on this thing, and while I don't play it a lot, still sounding good after all that time is saying something for guitar strings. However... on a Bass? Sorry, but they just don't strike me as the kind of strings I'd want on my basses. Well made strings, for sure, but... I'll pass...:whistle:
 
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#76
I'm firmly in the camp of loving Elixirs. I often try different strings, then the Elixirs always go back on within a month, sometimes less. I've tried and liked Dunlop Super Brights, Cobalt rounds, DR's of many kinds, D'addarios of many kinds, Dean Markley's, Fodera stainless, and who knows what else I've been forgetting. I'm cursed with string killing chemistry and I love a snappy, zingy round wound sound for when I need it. They also feel wonderfully smooth while reducing excess string noise. I can also get them to growl and thump. The Fodera's were great and seem to last longer for me than other non-coated strings... about a month. For the first week, I really like the Cobalts and the Super Brights. The DR Sunbeams were close behind them.

But of my three basses, all are equipped with fully active EMG systems. When I received my Kiesel multiscale Vanquish, it was with passive pups, active pre. I did notice a bit more hum (even with humbuckers) with the Elixirs. After chasing strings again, I had EMG'S installed AGAIN, put the Elixirs back on and couldn't be happier. I love the tone and consistency. It's comforting knowing I don't have to tweak my live rig or recording presets on account of strings changing their character.

But I'm sure I'll try more soon, just to put the Elixirs back on in the end.
 
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#80
alex-ramm said:
One more time: Elixir - it’s all about money saving, and not about the sound.
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You say it like it's a fact...... when it's only an opinion. Many people love the sound.

I think Warwick Streamer's are one of the worst feeling basses ever (after Rickenbacker's)...... I could remove the first two words of that sentence and It'd sound like I'm stating it as a fact...... but it's only an opinion.
 
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