Elixir HD Light Phosphor Bronze on an Pre-2013 Taylor

alex.aseltine · #1 04-21-2014, 08:37 PM

I've been using the Elixir HD Light Phosphor Bronze strings on my 2009 Taylor 714ce SD for the past month now and have found them to be very responsive on my guitar, maybe even more so than the old Elixir .012 gauge strings that were standard from the factory. Has anyone else found them to be more responsive or better sounding, especially on older Taylor grand auditorium guitars? For me, I think they're going to be my go to string from now on.

Ciarre · #2 04-21-2014, 08:42 PM

Have some coming in the mail. Your experience makes me hopeful of similar results.

B Chas · #3 04-21-2014, 08:45 PM

Just strung up the Goodall RCJC with 80/20s over the weekend. Prefer them to the lights so far.

Guitar1083 · #4 04-21-2014, 08:52 PM

I have 80/20's HD's on my Martin and love em

epaul · #5 04-21-2014, 10:50 PM

So far, I like them on every guitar I have tried them on (a Taylor, a Martin, and a Bourgeois). A lot.

I have, however, learned over my guitar life that liking something after a week or two is not the same as liking something after a year or two. So, only time will tell if I will be liking them as much next year as I am liking them right now. But, to repeat, right now I am liking them a lot. They seem to be functioning as a magical, cure-all elixir; trebles that sometimes sounded thin are now fuller, trebles that sometimes were a tad strong, edgy and overly bright are now sweeter and rounder. Whatever the issue, they seem to solve it.

But, I have been down String Road before. I'm liking them right now, and that's all I can say. Will I still be using them a year from now? Don't know. Maybe, maybe not.

andocommando · #6 04-21-2014, 11:10 PM

I have them on my dreds right now and I'm really really liking them. I have a feeling that these custom elixirs are going to become very popular.

Stonesinger48 · #7 07-16-2014, 08:57 AM

I have a 2013 Fall LTD 414 in Tasmanian Blackwood with a Cedar top. My wife calls it the "Poets Guitar" because of the mellow sound it had with the Elixir strings it came with. Bought 4 sets of the new HD Phosphor Bronze Elixirs developed for the 800 series and put one on this guitar the other day. They totally changed the mellow character of this guitar and make it sound harsh to our ears. Talked to my local Taylor dealer who confirmed these strings were designed to give a bolder, brighter sound. That may work on some tonewoods, but Tasmanian blackwood is not one of them. I've never taken a set of strings off after a week before, but these are coming off as soon as I have the time to change them. Don't think I'll try them on my maple 14 either - it's bright enough on 80/20 lights. Will take some of the sets to my dealer and exchange them!

Judson · #8 07-16-2014, 10:15 AM

Just put Elixir HD Light phosphor bronze strings on my 2011 Taylor GA3 and have been very impressed!

I've used nothing but Elixir PB lights on this guitar since it was new, so there is definitely something different about the new HD Lights.

And by "difference", I mean improvement.

Bearclaw Spruce · #9 07-16-2014, 10:38 AM

I wonder if it's safe to try these on my Martin OM with 1/4" forward shifted scalloped braces?

magazine · #10 07-16-2014, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judson

Just put Elixir HD Light phosphor bronze strings on my 2011 Taylor GA3 and have been very impressed!

And I've used nothing but Elixir PB lights on this guitar since it was new, so there is definitely something different about the new HD Lights.

I recently put them on my 2011 GA3 as well, and love them!

Coffeeaddict · #11 07-16-2014, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stonesinger48

I have a 2013 Fall LTD 414 in Tasmanian Blackwood with a Cedar top. My wife calls it the "Poets Guitar" because of the mellow sound it had with the Elixir strings it came with. Bought 4 sets of the new HD Phosphor Bronze Elixirs developed for the 800 series and put one on this guitar the other day. They totally changed the mellow character of this guitar and make it sound harsh to our ears. Talked to my local Taylor dealer who confirmed these strings were designed to give a bolder, brighter sound. That may work on some tonewoods, but Tasmanian blackwood is not one of them. I've never taken a set of strings off after a week before, but these are coming off as soon as I have the time to change them. Don't think I'll try them on my maple 14 either - it's bright enough on 80/20 lights. Will take some of the sets to my dealer and exchange them!

Few months back when the Road Show was in town I chatted with the Taylor Rep about the HD strings, he said that they wouldn't be for everyone, or for every guitar. He said that he had tried them on a number of his guitars and liked them on some and found they really didn't suit others.

Stonesinger48 · #12 09-03-2014, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffeeaddict

Few months back when the Road Show was in town I chatted with the Taylor Rep about the HD strings, he said that they wouldn't be for everyone, or for every guitar. He said that he had tried them on a number of his guitars and liked them on some and found they really didn't suit others.

That is similar to what I'm hearing from my sales person here in Houston. I took them off the Blackwood/Cedar and put on DR High Beam lights, which he had recommended. Now I have back the guitar I fell in love with 2 years ago!
I'll be very careful which guitars I try these on. Probably not my maple/spruce 314ce LTD. It's plenty bright enough already. Might try them on "Curly", my Mahogany/Eur. Spruce LTD from last year.