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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Well, I took out a second mortgage on the house, and bought a set of Elixer Strings :eek: . Since my Legend is STILL not back from repair,I thought I would see how the Elixers jazz up my Balladeer.
My first thought was, I see why they keep their tone 5 times longer, 'cause they start out sounding dead! They just didn't sing like phosphorous bronze. I found it slightly awkward finger picking, due to the slickness of the strings (and I went with the nano-web). I was not impressed, and was ready to call it a bust.
I continued playing for about 45 minutes. Over that period of time, the positives started showing through. First of all, even though they are not as bright as phosphorous, I really began to enjoy the more mellow tone these Elixers have. They also seemed to resonate very nicely. Next,I adjusted to the difference in feel for finger picking, and started to notice the reduced friction and string noise when sliding between chords.
To make a long story a bit longer, after playing these strings a few days now, I have really grown to like them. I also like the idea that I don't have to constantly worry about wiping them down (although I still do).
Like my wife did with me, I'm glad I didn't give up on them right off, and gave them time to grow on me.
Norse(although not always easy at first, sometimes change is good!)man1 |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15686
Location: SoCal | Norsey:
The first set I put on one of my guitars lasted about a day before I pulled them off thinking that they weren't lively enough. But somebody suggested trying them again, and now I realize that they sound like non coated strings do after a couple of days of playing. In otherwords, they sound "played in". I put them on my 6 string, my 12 strings and my electric 6 strings. Elixar doesn't make strings for an electric 12 string, and I hated them on my nylon strings (the balance between the bass and treble strings sounded way off to me). I change them about every 3-5 months and that's it. They get ugly to look at before they start sounding bad. |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | ...not that I'm wanting to start another thread about Elixer strings. Just heard so much about them, and wanted to share my thoughts on them as well.
Norse(since I know the world has been anticipating my opinion with baited breath ;) man1. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Norse, make sure you get a set with the NANO-WEB coating. This is a lighter coating and I love em. My Adamas rings for a long time with these strings. It says on the pack if they are NANO-WEB or the other coating which is thicker....Paul Hebert |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Paul M.,
I see why you switched. Actually, it was your posts earlier on that really encouraged me to try them. Thanks for sharing. I think there will always be a place in my heart for Phosophorus Bronze, but I have made room for the Elixers as well.
Norse(good to hear from you Paul)man1 |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I jez DON like 'em!!! |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Paul H. (what is with all these Paul's anyway?!),
I definitely went with the nano-webs. I thought perhaps in time I might try a set of poly-web lights on my Balladeer to give it more of an electric guitar feel, and put nano-web mediums on the Legend for the majority of my playing.
Norse(middle name is Paul)man1 |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Cliff,
Is it the less lively sound, or the slick feel of the strings that you don't like? Just curious. I know the verdict is still out for me as to the cost, but if they last me as long as they do for Paul Moody(which I would think they would), I suspect I will be very happy with the price over time.
Norse(cheap, but frugal)man1 |
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Joined:
December 2002
Posts: 939
Location: Fort Worth, Texas | I tried some Elixirs out and proceeded to break two strings within about 15 minutes during rehearsal. I didn't really like the feel either. I do break more strings than anybody I know :mad: ...
That was on my old Celebrity, so I was thinking it was the bridge piece cutting into the strings as they would always break down there.
Anyway, I now have my new Legend and a friend gave me a set of Medium Elixirs for Christmas that I haven't been brave enough to try. I went with light gauge phosphour bronze and was liking the sound a lot - allthough I have to change strings about once a week...
I think I'll try the Elixirs out (go from light gauge to medium gauge, I'm not sure if they are the nano-web) for rehearsal tonight. I'll report tomorrow... :D
On a similar note, I went to stock up on strings at a Mr. E's music and they had a close-out three for one bin, so in the interest of saving money I bought three sets of GHS light phosphour bronze (had those on already). When I went to replace a string I found out that each of those boxes had two sets of strings, but they were not light gauge. I'm still not sure just what gauge sets they are, none of them had the string I needed for the set I had on :confused:
Nonetheless, I will try to return them this afternoon and make sure and look inside the boxes on those bargain bin sets!! |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . . Is it the less lively sound, or the slick feel of the strings that you don't like? . . ."
Yes, and . . . . yes.
I don't know if I'd consider the feel to be "slick", it's just the overall "feel" (or lack thereof) in general.
I've used this analogy before about these strings, but (to me) they feel like you're playing with a condom on. You're "accomplishing the task", but it just doesn't "feel the same". ;)
That, and with the way that I play and the conditions that I play in, it just doesn't make sen$e to me to use 'em. Besides, half the fun of our "act" is watching my partner do a solo song while I hurriedly replace a string and tune-up in time for the last chorus. :cool:
Besides, my guitar(s) and I have had a "monogamous relationship" for so long, I don't think I need to worry about catching anything. :) |
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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 32
Location: Columbus, Ohio | My Taylor came from the factory with Nanos. Thought they were great. Tried the D'Adarrio exp's and thought they sounded great. I just put some Nanos on my Korean/Celebrity and wow, sounded great. Replaced the EXP's on my Taylor next with Nanos and Great!!!! I think they both sound great. I actually think the Nanos sound a bit sharper. Isn't it GREAT to have so many nice strings to put on our guitars? Nothing better than new strings to put new life back into your guitar. |
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Tried Elixers for first time...
