Elixir strings

[Pierre]

Today I decided to treat myself with a pack of Elixir strings...The guy at the shop had guaranteed me they wouldn't break, and I didn't believe him.



Well I was right. The high e broke right while I was tuning up (slowly, stretching the string a bit).
****! I buy a friggin TEN POUNDS set of strings and one breaks in the first minute!!!!
It broke at the bridge so I'm going to file the saddle down a bit and see if there are any rough edges.
I NEVER break strings when restringing. It just never happened. Maybe once, but I can't even remember so. I broke my high e today with the old set while tuning DOWN (it broke after the peg though)
Thankfully I also bought 2 packs of D'addario XL11s so I have replacement. But this PISSES ME OFF.
What do people think about these strings? Do they live up the hype in the long run?

 

[Artie]

Re: Elixir strings

I use Elixir's on my acoustics, and I never heard that they didn't break. I heard that they last a long time due to being protected from finger oils/acids by a poly coating. To that end, they work great for me. I don't change my acoustic strings very often, and they hold up great, and sound good.

Never had one break.

Artie

 

[RW James]

Re: Elixir strings

I've used Elixirs and I liked them, but I use D'Addario primarily because they are easier to find - and a bit cheaper.

I used to break strings a lot before I got GraphTech saddles... but recently I broke a D'Addarrio e string (10) just like you did. The reason was stupidity on my part - I cranked it up too tight. Snapped really badly and whipped around and hit me in the face - really did sting!

I used to change my strings whenever I broke them - but now I find I have to change them when they sound dull - because I rarely break them.

I think you are right in assuming there maybe something wrong with your bridge.

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Elixir strings

They felt great and they did last long, but after a while the coating would start to wear off...

Just not worth the huge price tag.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Elixir strings

I liked them for my acoustics. They seemed to generally live longer on the acoustic I gigged out with pretty consistently. They tended to last about 4x as long as other sets. I played one set for an entire Summer of gigs.

On my electrics I tried them and they lasted a little longer, but not nearly long enough to merit the difference in price.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Elixir strings

Won't play anything else on my Taylor. I like the Nanowebs, as opposed to the Polywebs....the coating is much thinner. Worth every penny. I've had my acoustic for almost a year now, and have only changed strings once.

 

[nepalnt21]

Re: Elixir strings

for acoustics, ive never broken one, but thats not saying much. for electric, i broke one the first day and that never does happen. i didnt like them much for electric anyway.

 

[Davey]

Re: Elixir strings

never tried any.. too expencive.

 

[Lee Bob]

Re: Elixir strings

Elixirs are all I use on my acoustics. They do last much longer and I generally prefer the tone as well. I tried them on my LP and didn't care much for them so I returned to D'Addarios or Ernie Balls.

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: Elixir strings

I switch back and forth between D'Addarios and Nanowebs for electric, based on what's available to me at the time. I've never broken an Elixir string and I play like a neanderthal. Sounds like a bur in the saddle to me.

 

[Lee_L]

Re: Elixir strings

I've never broken an Elixir string. Ever.

 

[FenderStratRock3]

Re: Elixir strings

Use 'em on my acoustic. Awesome there. Dislike them on the electrics. DRs seem to last just as long, sound better and feel better for cheaper.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Elixir strings

I switch back and forth between D'Addarios and Nanowebs for electric, based on what's available to me at the time. I've never broken an Elixir string and I play like a neanderthal. Sounds like a bur in the saddle to me.

Broke at the headstock
I installed a d'addario after and nothing went wrong, it's set up just fine now.

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: Elixir strings

Broke at the headstock

Is there anything worse than hearing a diagnosis of having a "nut bur"? I think not.

 

[Robbiedbee]

Re: Elixir strings

I got a set for Christmas as a part of a really cool guitar-related tool kit. They are for electrics, and I still haven't tried them.

 

[SOLO GUITAR STEWIE]

Re: Elixir strings

I always use elixers ...for both my acustic and electric...either the polyweb or the nano....depends on whats in stock at the store...never broke a string and they easily last me 3-5 months with moderate playing.

chris

 

[nuntius]

Re: Elixir strings

No, they don't live up to the hype IMO. They always snap prematurely with me also, and I'm talking both electric and acoustic sets here. I've tried poly and nano variations.. same deal. They snap, and that's a problem I rarely have with any string brand. The icing on the cake was at the Manchester guitar show a few months ago, at the JJ guitars stand. The guy there was just telling me about the new Elixir set the guitar was strung with.. (the set that has a coating on the plain strings too) and how great they were when I snapped the high E...

I now use Newtone strings on both my electrics and my acoustics. I'd highly reccommend them, Pierre, and they can be had from http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/

They do seem slightly lower tension than other brands that I have tried but IMO they sound great, and the tone lasts for longer than EB/Daddario/Roto/DR etc.. for me anyway

 

[Jimbojsr]

Re: Elixir strings

D'addarios are GREAT for not breaking. I've lost count of the number of Gibson brite wires that have snapped when being put on for the first time, but the D'addarios NEVER break. I'm sure there are better sounding strings out there, but they are just so bliddy reliable I never really buy any other electric strings.

 

[mr breaker]

Re: Elixir strings

I use the Elixers on my acoustic guitars and I think they have a great sound. They also keep their great sound much longer than any other kind I've tried.

I just recently tried a pack of their new bronze strings...and I like them a lot too.

I've tried the electric strings a few times, but I thought they kind of felt a little weird, and the sound and longetivity didn't offset the price for me. I've been sticking to D'addarios for my electrics.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Elixir strings

Thanks for the input dudes! Nuntius, I checked out these strings through the website but I only use 11s and they don't seem to do that Thanks anyway!