Anyone Else Hate Elixir Strings???

[Americanelson]

I had spent about 2 months trying out acoustics when I tried an epi aj500rns. It sounded bright and I liked the sustain and balance in tone. Really liked the neck. But, it wasn't until the guy replaced the strings with the elixirs that I was sold. They really enhanced the sound. So, on my epi AJ500, I guess I like 'em!

If you were to portray Elixirs on an equalizer it would look like a frown (how appropriate).....light on bass and trebles, OK on mids. Funny thing with Elixirs the better the guitar, the worse they sound and they break far too often for me.

[Guitaardvaark]

nah i dont hate elixirs anymore
I dont use them anymore

D'Addario EJ17's for fingerpickinz
Martin SP4200's for strumminz

elixirs are overactive high tension strings. when you have an active top on a higher end guitar combined with an active playing style or active over-playing style like most guitarists, elixirs seem to hurt your overall tone from all the activity

[BHulkster]

Originally Posted by beachbum205

I used to dislike them a lot. Until I started playing Taylors, and until I started playing chord shapes up and down the neck.

I put some on a Martin I owned a while ago, and to my ears, they sounded really bad. OTOH, somehow they seem to go with Taylors- to me, they just seem to work well with the way Taylors are voiced, at least to my ears. I like the clarity and sparkle that I hear.

I also have come to like the lack of squeaks and squeals as I'm sliding my hand up and down the neck with chord changes. Uncoated strings now sound very noisy and squeaky to me.

Of course, YMMV. And if you hate them, you are not alone, that's for sure.

+ 1

I didn't like them on my first Taylor (210e). Everytime I would try to barre or slide down the neck I found it really hard to get my chord forms down because it was just way too slippery. I tried some 80/20s, D'Add PB, until finally finding D'Addario EXPs which I think sound the best.

I recently picked up a 414-R limited with Elixirs and it sounds amazing. So I bought a couple sets of a member here and I've decided to give them another try. Right now I'm about 50/50 with Elixirs

[stream]

You may try Nanowebs - I believe their coating is thinner, and they sound brighter than the Polywebs. More like uncoated strings to my ears.

[flaggerphil]

I've always liked 'em. They (to me) sound great and they last forever. I've been using PBs since they came out.

[Larry Pattis]

For me Elixir strings are the finest guitar string product on the planet.

For my hands, my ears, my guitars, and all three of my solo guitar CDs.

I haven't had any complaints at concerts or with customers.

Go figure.

[JJFIELDS]

.............................................I hate double posts......

[JJFIELDS]

I frayed the set of Poly's that came on my 1999 614ceab. I then switched to DR Rares, which are a very good non-coated string. I used them for a few years, but when Elixir sent me a set of PB nano's, I was very surprised how good they sounded, and even more surprised how long they lasted(more than 4 months). I have been using them ever since.

The only guitar strings that I "hate" are the ones that poke me and make my fingers bleed when I am changing them........

Jeff

[dgeorge]

Originally Posted by Larry Pattis

For me Elixir strings are the finest guitar string product on the planet.

For my hands, my ears, my guitars, and all three of my solo guitar CDs.

I haven't had any complaints at concerts or with customers.

Go figure.

I second that! I've tried many different strings and keep coming back to Elixir nanos. I would not say I hate the other strings I have tried....I just did not like them so I don't use them. Also I have no string breaking issues. Currently have them on 4 Taylors a Blueridge and a Gibson.
I love Elixirs!

[ryanfender]

I have used Polyweb lights on my "beater" dread for years. I just got a Gibson J-185 that had D'Addario PB mediums on it and they sound good but they squeak a lot. I have a set of medium gauge Polywebs waiting in the desk for it. I think I will experience with different strings on it though but I have always liked Elixers. Everyone talking about the negative effects on tone the Elixers create, makes me wonder if the grass is greener somewhere else.

[kristalmusic]

use them all the time, love em

[fsusubdad]

I love Elixir Nanowebs. I use 'em on my Taylor, my Martin, and my CA. They sound great, play better than anything else I've found out there, and last a long long time.

Dan

[NateDog16]

Originally Posted by Larry Pattis

For me Elixir strings are the finest guitar string product on the planet.

For my hands, my ears, my guitars, and all three of my solo guitar CDs.

I haven't had any complaints at concerts or with customers.

Go figure.

HAHAHA

Can you imagine after a concert someone complaining about your strings!?

[rmyAddison]

I don't hate Elixers but they sound like crap on my Martins, on Taylors they sound pretty good. To me it depends on the guitar.............