The Watering Hole

Never been a fan of Elixir strings. I decided to give them another try last week. Put them on and damn, they sound fantastic. I got the Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze. I think I love them now, ;D

What strings do you guy's use the most for acoustic guitar?

I haven't tried everything, but I haven't found anything better than Elixers.  They last so long that I hesitate to even try other strings.  

I use the same strings I use on my electric guitars DiAddareo XL 110's Not as good sounding but easy on the fingers. I rarely play my acoustic anyways.

I use Martin Acoustic SP bronze  - mediums  - 13's.
The phosphor bronze sound the best but are more expensive.
But they weren't in stock when I last bought acoustic strings.

I'll check out Elixir next time.

No surprise I'm sure, but it's been so long since I've changed strings on my acoustic that I don't even remember what I use! ::)

I will say that when I tried Elixers on one of my basses, I didn't care for the covering coming off when I was using a pick (which I use about 40% of the time), but they lasted so long I didn't care.  

For my electrics I use ghs Boomers (10-46's) and Dean Markley Blue Steels for my baritone (13-56's).  For years I used to use Ernie Ball Super Slinky "Doc T's" (because my guitar tech and the guy I bought all my gear through was Doc T - not even sure what it stood for - and he would give me free strings.  For years when you bought Super Slinky's they would say "Doc T" at the top.).

I used the Martins also Fingers. The problem I have with them is the short life of the strings. They just don't last.

I've had it in my head that I wanted natural strings, no coated anything. I simply refused to give the coated strings a chance. Now that I'm sick of changing stings so often, I tried Elixir again and see to like them so far. The sound is great, but my fingers seem to slip around on the strings. I guess I have to get used to them. I'm very impressed so far. Their is so much bullshit when it comes to asking people about strings and guitars and stuff in shops that you'd be better off buying what you want and making a decision yourself. I've had some crazy shit put in my head by these so called experts at shops.

Also. I think my acoustic guitar hit a little sound improvement deal lately. It's about 4 years old now and every once in a while it seems to improve in sound just a tad. Ever notice that with your acoustics? A little more sustain or just seems to sound better sometimes??? Could be in my head, but I doubt it. I have a little desire for a Taylor right now. ;D

I have never played  coated strings.
wtf are they coated in - does it come off string ?

I guess I'll check em out - only strings anyway.

@HookB
It's not in your head, it's for real.
The sound of an acoustic guitar goes better and better provided it is well and often played.... this is a reason why it is sometimes difficult to choose a brand new one, even Martin's, Guild's, Taylor's, takamine's and so on. The instrument is too "fresh", it has to be played for some years to give it's best.

I quit using Elixers on electrics....but on acoustic they are pretty ridiculous in my book.

On electrics I've gone back to Ernie Ball Bitches.

Ever since I've started using the DUnlop stuff to clean my strings I simply do not need the elixirs on the electrics.

I am using DR Rare Phosphor Bronze at the moment.

They sound good and are supposed to be lower tension, although I can't tell much difference.

I might try the Elixers for recording.  Less string screech for a so-so acoustic player such as myself?  

Earthwoods.  Wait.  What's an acoustic?  

DreamTheaterRules — Dec 14, 2008I haven't tried everything, but I haven't found anything better than Elixers.  They last so long that I hesitate to even try other strings.  

they dont last long for me, i pick hard with heavy gauge picks. what happens is the coating starts to peel away at the sound hole.

The Phosphor Bronze Elixers are awesome.  Sound better than the regular Elixers.

I'm with Paul; what's an acoustic.   :D ;)

Elixars on acoustics for the last few years here. My problem with them is the same as Assman in that my prefered pick is a Jim Dunlop stubby 1.0mm so I wear the coating around the soundhole pretty quick. However, until the coating wears off the fretboard area, I find that tone is not really effected. Given how often I play the Takemine, I still find a set of elixars lasting a good 6 months. last time I had a set of regular strings on the Tak....1-2 months best before they started sounding dead.

Enough difference for me to to be willing to pay the extra £/$ for the elixar's.

Reduced slide screach is just a bonus given that I'm not that technically proficient as a player. (I.E. I'm a lazy fucker ;D)

I must grab some as I never  use a pick with acoustic.
It's a finger picking instrument to me.

so the flaking off thing shouldn't be a problem.

reducing string shriek is a bonus when recording, with close mic'd,  it really picks that noise up and emphasises it.
I have listened to people recording with my guitar on my equipment and been stunned by the amount of noise that was recorded.

It wasn't as noticeable in the room

Fingers,

Try them immediately.  With sharper edge picks, they do "peel" some around the picking area.  But like Andy said, they still sound good WAY longer than non coated strings.  For fingerpickers, they will last even longer. And left hand finger noise is greatly reduced.   GO FOR IT!  

Standard issue on Taylor.  Good enough for me.   ;)

Just ordered a couple of phosphor bronze mediums.

Let me know how you like them.  

I'll probably record and post something when I get them.

sweet.  but part of the charm with them is how long they last and how long they retain their original tone.  It will take a while to see that.  

So record something, but then let us know how you like them after they've been on for a while, as well.  

I use Ernie Ball Hybrids for electric. I don't have an acoustic, but if I did, I would use Elixirs. I have a friend who has them and they sound real nice!

cgtrox  8-)

Bump......

I've just got a set of Elixir's ( 12-53 ) and put them on my Alvarez.

1) theys sound good, but not better than other strings
2) left hand noises are still there, as loud as with "normal" strings ... no change  

But I paid € 23 for the set !!!  

Hope they will last long, at least ..... as I play finger picking only, that should do it (I use a thumbpick, though...)  

TB, I'm not sure how you have as much string noise as regular strings.  There are two kinds of Elixers.  The nano web is thinner coating and won't reduce finger noise as much, but still quieter than regular strings.  The regular ones have WAY less finger noise.  

Also, the thing with Elixers is not that they sound better than everything else when you put them on.  It's that they sound the same for a much longer period.  When I was using Martin Marquis there where a few phases they went through.  Brand new they were bright and buzzy.  After a little play, they settled in and sounded great.  After 1 week, they lost a little but still sounded good for a couple weeks, after which they sounded ok for a month or so.    With Elixers, there's little change from brand new to 4 months old.  

Exactly DTR!

And you got fucked on the price you paid TB! Wait, can you put that price in english? ;D

or Dollars?   ;)

I'm surprised no one has mentioned these. A strictly acoustic player I know turned me on to them.  Rotosound Country Gold strings.

Try them.  They have one major difference from other acoustic strings... the windings on the wound strings do not start right at the ball end of the string.  So what sits on your acoustic bridge is the plain core wire, then the winding starts past the bridge.  They look like piano wires.

They sound absolutely huge and sustain better than other strings.  Sure, they won't last forever like elixirs, but I can almost guarantee you will love the sound if you try them.

Yes, I bought the nano Web... they're the ones and only I can find here. They're sold in ONE shop only in La Rochelle, 45 miles far away from my house. So, I'm mandatory fucked up with the price...

And what might that price be, for the second time? ;D ;D

Charger......did you order those on line or do they sell them at shops....guitar center?????

Sounds like you're lazy asses, in the deep south, huh ?????
€ 23 ........ you should find how much it makes in $ with some search in Google, no ???   ;D :P ;D

Edited.... today:  € 1 = $ 1.3519... do the maths

Hookbender — Jan 09, 2009And what might that price be, for the second time? ;D ;D

Charger......did you order those on line or do they sell them at shops....guitar center?????

They are on Musician's Friend for $9 a set.  I bought mine at my local shop, the Starving Musician, not Guitar Center.  I would be a little surprised if GC had them, they tend to carry only the most popular stuff, but I know they can get them, because they own Musician's Friend...

Rotosound is a UK co - so those charger strings are cheap here a fiver - might try some if I can be bothered changing strings again.
Elixir is US and while cheaper here than TB's experience still twice as expensive.

I have been holding off reporting about Elixir strings - as I wanted to let my impressions settle.

Normal string story...

New strings sound buzzy and twangy -  this doesn't normally bother me as the strings soon age within days - a few hours of playing.
They then mellow down to the main part of their life - for a couple of months.
Then they lose any sense of a jangly top end and start/feel  more like a nylon string instrument.
Then lose intonation - time to change.

Like a huge EQ change over that cycle.

So I don't really like the sound of them - they are  sounding - like a new set of strings interminably.
Not fucking changing to the second phase - which is probably a month off by the signs

Now I quite like that sound in one way - I have found that it cuts through the mix, play a chord and it is present.
So I  ideally would like to have a guitar strung with them when I want a newly strung guitar sound.

But I think I  favour the duller but more tight, precise sound of the late second stage/early third stage.
Which is new nylon strings on a classical guitar territory -

So the result of this elixir string experiment  -
I probably  need to get a decent classical guitar again.
But  in a month or so the strings will have settled to a point that I like these elixirs and they will stay there for ages.

Just hasn't happened yet  - after 3 weeks it still sounds like I have just put them on.

Fingers

Try to stay away from your guitar for a week or so. At least a few days, then see what you think. I've found with strings they all have just a touch of different sound to them. I've also found that for me the kinda sound I prefer changes over time. I think that's true for most acoustic guitarist......because of the desire to try or buy different guitars over a period of time.

I used to like a real deep sounding acoustic, I bought a Martin. Now I want a lighter bass and would love to have a Taylor. Kinda the same with strings. If I want a cleaner true Martin sound, I use the same Martin strings you do, or did. If I want a lighter bass and more highs, I  like Elixirs or D'Addarios uncoated. ;D

Anyway, my point is to give them a fair listen and you can always go back and fourth depending on the sound you need or want.. :)

Sorry, double post, see below... I had too much Lagavulin yesterday evening    ;D

My Taylor acoustic came with Elixirs so that's all I've used on it. They seem to hold their tone forever. Including the ones that were on it when I got the guitar, I'm up to my third set in nearly 5 years.

The strings seemed to have settled down now - after 4 weeks.

They are playing like strings a few days later. still bright sounding but the buzzy period is gone.
Bodes well for longevity - they will likely be on for a year at least  at his rate.

Probably reach the stage 3 I loosely categorised above  sometime in 2010 :)

Ahhhhh, just send me a check for the price of a really good six pack at least. Seems we saved you a few bucks on strings this year. ;D

:)

HB:

I agree.  

I have used them all.  

As I have said in the past, I believe strings are one of those things that should cost $5.

However, when I put the elixer nanoweb bronz babies on my takamine, they sound so bright..    Howver on my martin it doesn't seem to make that much
of a difference.     I think the last set I bought at GC  was $12.  the sales dude asked me to bend over.  I did. I really like the strings... damn  

can anybody find them cheaper?  online somewhere?