Elixir strings

[3'scompany]

Re: Elixir strings

My general rule (along with a few others from what it seems) is that they're great for acoustics, but I don't care for them on electrics. They break really quickly for strings that cost about $11 on average a pack. D'Addarios work just fine for me. They last a long time and don't take for ever to stretch out when I first put them on. Dean Markleys are the worst for stretching. I got them free with the last band I was in but still bought D'Addarios any ways cause I couldn't stand to stretch guitar strings for 5 min per guitar before shows... especially when I had to change strings on 3 guitars.

 

[GuitarGuy503]

Re: Elixir strings

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?

Perhaps you didn't leave enough slack in the string when you put it on (I believe its index finger length raised above the fretboard). The last time I had my acoustic restrung I got a set of Elixir Polywebs put on and it sure made the cheap acoustic guitar I have sound amazing.

 

[exnihilo]

Re: Elixir strings

They last too long, lol. i finally pulled the F---ers off, just to try something else. They coating does rub off, and IMO, they sounded (on an electric) kinda sterile.

¢g

 

[Pierre]

Re: Elixir strings

Perhaps you didn't leave enough slack in the string when you put it on (I believe its index finger length raised above the fretboard). The last time I had my acoustic restrung I got a set of Elixir Polywebs put on and it sure made the cheap acoustic guitar I have sound amazing.

I had 3 or 4 winds around the post. I really don't think that was the problem. Maybe there just was a kink in the string at this point which chose to snap. No idea.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: Elixir strings

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?

I dont mean to be a jerk but strings breaking is usually caused by the person or the instrument, not the string.

I have used Elixir strings on electric and acoustic and they dont break anymore than any other string. If you like the feel they are just fine.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

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.

THe coating is supposed to wear off. It means that you should change the strings.


Not a flaw, its how they are designed. Elixir doesnt say they last forever.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: Elixir strings

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

How about this?



sometimes strings just break.....welcome to the real world where not everything goes like you want it to.

Elixir strings are fine.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Elixir strings

I use Elixirs on my acoustic and electrics. Never broke a string since switching, love the feel and the strings really last much longer. This is a big deal for me because I tend to get a lot of oil on my strings when I play. (I'm also very good about wiping down my strings and fretboard after playing.)

- Keith

 

[Pierre]

Re: Elixir strings

How about this?



sometimes strings just break.....welcome to the real world where not everything goes like you want it to.

Elixir strings are fine.

I know it's me, it's just pissing me off because I never usually break strings when tuning up :jester: And especially since the pack cost me TEN pounds. That's about 15 dollars.

Mhmm I just re read what I said and it doesn't seem like I'm blaming the strings for me? Sure I have no idea what went wrong but I didn't accuse the string of being faulty. I'm just wondering what other people have to say about the brand. Sorry if it sounded like I was blaming it.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Elixir strings

I know it's me, it's just pissing me off because I never usually break strings when tuning up :jester: And especially since the pack cost me TEN pounds. That's about 15 dollars.

So will you never try Elixirs again? (There's no wrong answer and nobody's going to lynch you. Just curious.)

 

[Pierre]

Re: Elixir strings

No idea. If they settle and feel good, then sure. Right now they feel very loose and rattle a lot, and it's been 2 days since I put them on, which is not what I'm used to. I'll see in a week. So far they just don't appeal to me too much.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Elixir strings

I personally don´t like the feel of the Poly coating... feels "slow" to me, may just be my impression, though...

But after trying them a few times on a few guitars years ago I went back to my DR Tite-Fits and Phosphor Bronze and was happier than ever before... and IMO they didn´t last that much longer that the extra price would have been justified...

When gigging steadily I change strings every 2 shows at latest (assuming the guitar was only used for one show then as a backup at the next, I gig w/ 2x2 guitars), so there they could last forever and it wouldn´t make any difference anyway....

YMMV

 

[hareek]

Re: Elixir strings

I made the switch to Elixr's on my acoustic and it was the best decision I ever made. A little expensive, but she still sounds like a ringing a bell and I've had them on for a few months. As for electric, don't even waste your money. If your like me, you'll end up breaking a smaller string before you even have time to wear out the thicker ones, especially with a set of elixrs. If you have a strat (or similar guitar) with a tremelo, Fender super bullets all the way. They hold their tuning great and they sound awesome and at around $4.79 a set, you can't go wrong.

 

[zero element]

Re: Elixir strings

ahhhh elixers they were the first stings i used but eeee, i didn't really thinkt hey were anything special but for acoustics i hear they are real good but not on electtric at least my opinion. I like GHS boomers 11-50 the best and also Daddario 10's are nice

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Elixir strings

I made the switch to Elixr's on my acoustic and it was the best decision I ever made. A little expensive, but she still sounds like a ringing a bell and I've had them on for a few months. As for electric, don't even waste your money. If your like me, you'll end up breaking a smaller string before you even have time to wear out the thicker ones, especially with a set of elixrs. If you have a strat (or similar guitar) with a tremelo, Fender super bullets all the way. They hold their tuning great and they sound awesome and at around $4.79 a set, you can't go wrong.

You say "don't even waste your money" but I've been using Elixirs for well over a year on multiple electrics without any problems. As others have suggested, you may want to take a look at your saddle.

Elixirs are an option: You can use 'em or not but it's not so black and white that they're either perfect or crap.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Elixir strings

I have not used them so no angry replies please. but i have heard thay are dead sounding when you first put them on, even. I don't know this to be true. I bought a set for my old Ibanezz rg770 and they were too thik of a guage for my floating floyd type trem so i pitched them. I wanted to try them and all the guy in the shop had were 12s. he said I could make them work, just adjust the trems tension. Well it didn't and since that was my only electric at the time i threw them away. But i have not heard good things from people i know.

 

[stonabus]

Re: Elixir strings

Won't play anything else on my Taylor.

same here...
i dont have any experience with the electric strings. though, a friend of mine bought a set and the high 52 didnt have the little ball thing on the end! it was just a string. odd.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Elixir strings

Elixirs are great on acoustics. The only concern I have is that when I tried them before (I still have the originals on my Taylor), when the died, they DIED. No tapering off, just BLECH. OTOH, while they are good, they are exceptional.

I like DR's just as much, and they are cheaper. However, I think I'll stick to Elixir for the Taylor.

I'll continue to use DR for the electric.

 

[hareek]

Re: Elixir strings

You say "don't even waste your money" but I've been using Elixirs for well over a year on multiple electrics without any problems. As others have suggested, you may want to take a look at your saddle.

Elixirs are an option: You can use 'em or not but it's not so black and white that they're either perfect or crap.

Oh I don't think they're crap. They are excellent strings. I just don't think that its worth the money at the rate I'm breaking strings on my electric. Granted, I do play aggressively with .009's, I don't think it's my saddles. But you are right, they are an option depending on your guitar and your playing style. I just highly recommend fender super bullets for a strat style guitar with tremelo.