High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

[darkshadow54321]

I've been reading about Elixir and other highly-priced string brands, and I've been wondering whether they're actually worth the money...

Some people say they last twice as long as other brands, but this isn't that much of an advantage to me. Let's say Elixirs last 2 months no problem, and Ernie Balls last 1 month (just an example). Elixirs cost over twice as much as EB's, so it would be a better deal to buy EB's and just switch them more often. It's only if Elixirs last way longer than other brands, like 4 months or something, that it would be a good deal...

The other selling point is better tone and smoother feel/better playability. Is this really true? Can they be *that* much better? Of course, everything adds up to great tone, so it is important... I'm just wondering whether it's just hype.

Anyway, in conclusion, are highly priced strings actually worth it, and if so, what should I try?

 

[psy]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I don't agree with the statement conc. Elixir because only the wound strings have this condom, but the treble strings still oxydize.

I use Maxima Gold Strings since I play guitar and they definitely last much longer than all others I have ever played. Also they never ever break, but sound little different.

Thomastik Infeld also has similar strings. AFAIK they are called Techno Brights - hard to get

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I really like the sound and feel of Elixir strings on my acoustic . . . they made a world of difference when I play it (I usually play acoustic in the summer more than my electric, so I'm always sweating more and corroding the strings, I'd say that they last 4-5 times longer for me)

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I'm inherently cheap, so I can't see the advantage of laying out more than 4 or 5 bucks per set. Plus, I really don't want a set that stays on my guitar for over a month or two. Even if they aren't oxidized, they've lost their snap.

I'm a 3 Pack D'Addario kinda guy. With 15 guitars, I can't afford to be stringing them up with $12 packs. I don't settle for cheap guitars or amps, but I guess I'll settle for cheap strings.

 

[nuntius]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I just don't like the feel of them VS uncoated strings.

Elixers that is. I can't bend the G on my acoustic easily without it feeling like it's gonna slip. I'd rather have control over what I'm playing and feel comfortable with it; the elixirs just feel weird. Don't really like them on electric either

DR black beauties I hated, to the point I took them off the guitar only a few hours after I put them on. That was an expensive mistake, but they seemed to sound so dead they may as well have been old strings. (This was on electric)

I can't remember trying any other coated strings apart from Kerly Cues on my acoustic (I think they're coated) and they were ok.. but I had a really thick set 13-54/6 I can't remember.. I had them in D not E so I can't fairly judge. They were cheaper than elixir I'll give them that...

I'm sticking EB regular slinky for electric, and finally have found a set of strings I'm sticking to on my acoustic - dean markely signatures :/ These seem to have decent string life, and feel nice and don't sound half bad on my guitar.

 

[Peterku]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

Try Newtone strings and you'll never look back... They last ridiculously long, play smoother, notes have a nicer attack and presence etc. I must admit I only have one electric and one acoustic, though.

 

[Pandemonium]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

Not to me.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I think mid range prices are the best for strings.... we're talking DR, and I guess EB as well. I don't think $15 is fair for a pack of strings.

 

[aleclee]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I use Snake Oil Strings and PRS Strings, both "expensive" (more pricey than D'Addarios) strings in my book. IMO, they definitely sound better and probably last longer than D'Adds. Unlike GJ, I don't mind older strings. The SOS's on my PRS have been there since last July. Living in CO definitely helps my strings last, though.

 

[Im_in_Disguise]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

Elixirs are a good deal to me. I don't play acoustic with a pick much at all, so I don't wear the coating off very fast and they end up lasting and sounding like new for 3 or 4 months because they just don't corrode.

Dean Markley Alchemy strings are excellent coated strings too, and slightly cheaper than elixirs. I like them a lot because they're not a typical phosphor bronze string, they're gold bronze. It's got a slightly mellower, fuller tone to it. I'd say "golden," but that would sound corny.

With electric playing though, I just stick with the good old EB power Slinkies. I just have to say that the more expensive coated strings do have some merit to them.

 

[theodie]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

The Elixirs are more than worth it on acoustic's but, I didnt think they were worth a damn on electrics. They didnt last any longer than a cheap kind of strings on electric.

 

[RGN]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I'm inherently cheap .... I don't settle for cheap guitars or amps, but I guess I'll settle for cheap strings.

Ditto!!!

When people ask me what strings I used the answer is always the same: Whatever is on sale.

I'll even buy the 10 sets for $20 at GC and get the no name brand. I can't really tell the difference and I hardly ever break strings.

At the Dallas Guitar Show I bought some of those real fancy Black Diamond strings. I haven't tried them yet but they were 2 sets for $5 so I can't go wrong. I bought 10 sets of them. I think they run $12 a set so if I like them I guess I'll be leaving the GJ cheap strings camp.

 

[Pandemonium]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I didn't even know they still made Black Diamond strings, cool. When I was starting out they were all I could find, nothing thinner than bridge cables either. I bought mine at a TV repair shop of all places.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

It's not like I think that higher end strings are bad, it's just that when I'm standing in front of the accessories counter looking at the 3 packs, then down into my wallet, I always opt for those! LOL

I used to use Ernie Balls, but found that the D'Addarios keep their punchiness longer, especially on the wound strings. GHS Boomers just break on me, so never again.

 

[philthis]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I really like the sound and feel of Elixir strings on my acoustic . . . they made a world of difference when I play it (I usually play acoustic in the summer more than my electric, so I'm always sweating more and corroding the strings, I'd say that they last 4-5 times longer for me)

+1 elixer's on an accoustic realy do make it sound better and on some Jazz guitars as well. :beerchug:

 

[Bones]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I can't be picky with my prefered size 10-52 so anything on sale. I have really liked the Everly Rocker 10-52 the most so far.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I liked Elixirs on my acoustic; they did seem to last longer than most others.

But for electrics they're a waste of money for me. My sweat tends to get pretty corrosive and strings tend not to last very long. But what's weird is that 11's seem to last longer than 10's; they just seem to corrode at a MUCH slower pace.

BTW...I use webstrings.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I have yet to listen to somebody and go, "Oh, that tone is killer! Must be *insert hi-dollar brand here* strings!"

My string choices are based on how long they take to die. Dean Markleys seem to last awhile, as do S.I.T.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

I use Snake Oil Strings and PRS Strings, both "expensive" (more pricey than D'Addarios) strings in my book. IMO, they definitely sound better and probably last longer than D'Adds. Unlike GJ, I don't mind older strings. The SOS's on my PRS have been there since last July. Living in CO definitely helps my strings last, though.

I haven't been quite as lucky with my SOS sets. The high E recently snapped on me and I've only had it on there for two months I'll have to see how the others will hold up with time. One thing I can say is that they don't lose their new tone ever! They seem to sound better with time so I just hope I won't have any more problems with them breaking.

On my Ovation, the Elixir Nanowebs are lasting much longer than the D'Addario Phosphor Bronze and they sound and feel better to me. I will definitely be getting more again!

 

[pinto79]

Re: High $$$$$$ strings.... worth it?

GHS Boomers and nothing else for me...

I've tried 'em all.

Just a note on Elixer... The strings are bought from D'Addario, then coated in the same fabric used to make Dental Floss, then BAKED so teh "Coating" shrinks onto the string. So... You're paying 3 times the price for a Baked, dead string wrapped in dental floss. The reason they sound the same for so long is because they are DEAD right out of the expensive packaging.

Put a set on one of my guitars once and played through the coating and caused the strings to go black in 2 hours. Boomers last me 3 to 4 weeks with lots of playing, and I haven't broken a string in 7 years.

Higher price does not necessarily equal better value.

Cheers!