Farmer Roy

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I used Elixirs for the first year that I had my Larrivee and liked them at the time, but I had several sets of Martin SP Lights on hand and decided to give them a try. As long as I keep them fresh, I prefer the Martin SPs, the guitar just sounds more "alive" to my ears. What are the rest of you using? How many of you are continuing to use the Elixirs?

I should add that I liked the Elixirs when I used a pick, but I play mostly fingerstyle and the Martin SPs just sound better to me when I play that way. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!  

Elbody

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I still used the elixers lights 12-53. Next changes will be the Nanowebs...then the D'Addarios EXP lights 12-53. Then i will decide which of the three. I've used D'Addarios in my other T***** acoustic and its the BOMB. Depends on the guitar though. That ones a DREAD as opposed to the L-Body. Will see.Plus i tend to sweat a lot so maybe the Elixers would be a better choice. But the D'Adds have a coating too, so will see which of the three gets a NOD for me at least.

Happy Pickin'

Peace!!!  

Farmer Roy

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Elbody's post brings up a good point about sweaty and oily hands. One thing that I have to do before I touch a guitar is thoroughly wash my hands. I spend so much time during the day working on farm machinery that my hands are permanently stained by grease and oil. Even this time of year when I spend more time in my office doing bookwork, I still find myself washing my hands before playing.......it's become a habit. I get fairly good life out of non-coated strings and it's not unusual for me to have a set of strings last for 2-3 months even when I play an hour or two every night. (Harvest is another story, I can never get my hands thoroughly clean of grease and grime. It's such a stressful time of year that I look forward to grabbing my guitar each evening to help unwind before I go to bed so I still play several hours a week. I can't get more than a week or two out of a set strings. After a couple of playings, I'll wipe down the strings and the cloth will be black!! I assume it's probably the acids from the grime that breaks them down so quickly.) Anyway, except for the 4 weeks during harvest, string life isn't a big issue to me. If sweat and acid from my hands was a problem year 'round I wouldn't think twice about continuing to use the Elixirs.  

frrobert

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I use medium polywebs on my L-05. Next to changing the saddle from tusq to bone, use of these strings had the greatest influence on toning down the brightness of the guitar. I also tune down a half step.

I love these strings, but only on this guitar.

Bob  

gospelRon

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Nope.For my style of playing I like the Martin SP 80/20 over anything else.I usually get a month or so out of em' and that suits me just fine.Besides,my C10 has so much bass that the Elixrs couldn't do it justice.
 

Mybronda1

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I use the Nanoweb lights on my Taylors, Guild, Gibsons and Larrivée. I like em. I think the Polywebs are too dull, especially on the Larrivée L-05.  

michaelC05

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Yep! I hated the first set and went back to Martin strings. I have really toxic fingers though, and tried them again, liked them a little better. That kept going for about a year and I like Elixirs overall now for picked and fingerstyle. They work well on the guitar and Martins now sound a bit shrill and last too briefly. I go back and forth between Polyweb and Nanoweb, but am sort of settling for Nanoweb. It's definitely Nanoweb on electric, but I haven't made up my mind acoustically.

I have tried the D'Adarrio coated, but not the Martin coated. I wonder how the Martins compare? Last?

I use lights. (On the electrics I use the same gague as acoustic. Im too new returning to electrics to handle those super slinky things--I feel like my hand is falling off the fretboard. I aproximate my acoustic gauges and people ask me if I'm trying to be Stevie Ray Vaughn. Hardly, I just can't do extra extra extra light!)  

Elbody

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Guy's??? Dont go for what other fellas are using??? Go for the feel and longevity of the strings along with the sound.If you have sweaty hands, then its a different story. I've gotten at least 6-8 months on a D'Addarios EXP on my YAMAHA FG-335 II Dread.Im hoping i would get the same with my other Dread which uses the Elixers Poly,The Larrivée LV-03E has just past the 2 weeks roundabout.>D  

zselby

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I don't like the Elixirs at all. I feel like I'm sliding all over the place.

That being said, I do end up changing my strings about every 3 weeks. There's downsides to both I guess.  

DesertJason

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I don't like Polywebs, but Nanowebs are pretty good. I didn't like the set of EXPs I tried on my Larrivee OM-09.

Next I'm going to try a set of Dean Markley Alchemy strings. These have been raved about by some. Now if I can just get this set of Nanowebs to wear out so I can try them...  

Jay3863

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Nope. I don't like elixers, too slick. I'm waiting for my first set of Dean Markley Alchemy's (coated, but not too slick I understand). I like martin SP's too. Just no more Elixers for me, please.  

LowdenDan

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Nope,
I took mine of the day after I got my L.
I replaced them with John Pearse Phosphor Bronze Lights and like them much better. I also have some DR Rares to try.
Dan  

cpatchett

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I use light Polys on my Parlor to tone down the brightness. On my DV-03RE I use John Pearse Slack Keys (mix of light and medium).

Craig  

I went back to the Elixers after trying several different brands which included my usual favorites, D'Addarios. They just seem to have a more complex tone, especially after they break in a bit.

Still prefer D'Addarios on my Seagull though.

 

The first string change for my L03 was to the D'addario EXP's (.12's) only because the shop was out of Elixir Nanos. I thought I'd give the D'addario's a try. I put the phosphor bronze on because I heard someone over at www.acousticguitar.com comment that Larrivee's love 'em. Not.

I replaced them with Elixir Nanowebs (.12 - .53). I like the tone and the longevity without the slickness of the polys.

I like the sound of uncoated strings better, but last time I put on John Pearse strings, they lasted a day.  Literally, one day.  It was frustrating.  I can get a good three weeks out of Elixirs.

I wish I could play uncoated strings, but they just don't last long enough.  Plus, I play around 2-3 hours a day, so I need a long-lasting string.

I want to try the D'Addario EXPs.  I've heard they last long but sound like uncoated strings.

You know, the Elixur Nanoweb strings have to be the greatest strings ever made. I am sticking with them. They are expensive, but they seem to last forever and the tone is on a par with the state of the art uncoated strings (John Pearse, DR, Gibson, D'Addario, etc.)

The only exception I would make is D'Angelico's Silk and Steel 12-Strings. There is no way I would use anything else on my 12-string guitar.

Griff

I'm using Pyramids. They sound great and last a long time.

no...i`m a bit of a heavy handed player and tend to go through them too fast...they actually start to come apart(or unwind?) in front of the soundhole and in the first position on the fretboard...i find the cheaper Martins or D`addarios a better match for me because of this...that being said, a few friends of mine have been raving about Newtone strings from England recently...so I`m going to give those a shot this coming weekend...I`ll try them first on my jamming g-tar(OM-02) and if I like `em, I`ll aslo try `em on my L-09...cheers!

After owning my Larrivee for 4 years, the strings I've come to prefer - Ernie Ball Earthwood phosphor bronze.

They're not expensive, but sound warm and clear. Every now and then I pitch in a couple extra bucks and treat myself to Gibson J200's. I love the sound....just kind of pricey.  

I've tried a lot of different strings, and settled on the Elixer Phosphor Bronze lights on my OM-03R SH.  They bark like a big dog when flat picked, but sound real sweet and soft when finger picked.  But as others have said, it's really between the specific guitar and the player's ears...

wow, this one is back from the dead. i hope no one is still using the same set of elixers.

I'm using Elixer Phos. Bronze on some of my axes, both lites and bluegrass sets, depending on the guitar and what I'm using it for. Other guitars are being  strung with Newtones Phos. bronze, the "Drop" 'D' set.

Elixers work better on boomier guitars like Martin.  Paradoxically, I think they sound like junk of Larrivees and the Larrivees are much much better off with Martin SP's (which is what i have on them).

No SP dont last as long, but they also only cost 1/2-1/3 of the price.

I love the Elixer Nano PBs I have on my OM-05mt hey sound great and have for the last 6 WEEKS!!!!  On the other hand I have Nano mediums 80/20s on my Parlor and they aren't quite doing it for me...maybe I'll try the PBs next.

So....yes...still using Elixers....just Nanos

:cheers

Blue

Yeah, I like Elixirs -- PB and Nano are the only ones I've tried so far. Gonna try Polywebs on the LS-05 -- I note that Pete Huttlinger uses these on the Spruce/Hog small-bodied Collings that he plays. These (i.e. small-box hog-bodied guitars) tend to sound bright, so maybe the Polys will help EQ the treble.

This is really interesting. I guess it is true, the best strings are the ones you like.
I have been using Nanoweb (yes the Polywebs with their thicker coating are not as lively sounding to me).
I also been using the D'addario EXP's. I put a set of non-coated on and I thought I was sticking and squeeking, I decided I like the slick feel.
I have tried the DM's in the past and have a friend who swears by them, but I am not real fond of the sound.
The Elixr PB's are really alive and seem to last forever. I got a great deal on the EXP's so I will be playing them for a while.
Been using either the hybrid set 12-56, or straight meds. I find the heavier strings just ring better on the guitar.
My fingers adjusted quickly, and the truss rod needed a little tweek, but they all play smooth as butter.
I have a Dread and an OM.

I kill Martin SP's in an hour... so it isn't a good cost/benefit ratio. :(  I use Elixir PB Nanoweb Custom Lights.

SPs last a long time for me. But then again my body is of the most pristine condtion. At least they last longer than most uncoated strings. I don't like the modern sound of coated strings.

I use Dean Markley Alchemys on my 6 strings. I just got my 12 string (had been going back and forth on strings on the Mossman) and put nano lights on the LV-03-12. Then I broke a g-string (embarassing) and had to put an uncoated string on to replace it.

I hate changing strings and will do just about anything to keep from having to do it!

:nanadance :nana_guitar :nanadance :guitar :nanadance :nana_guitar :nanadance

No matter what kind of strings I have on my L-09 , nano, cleartone, jp, dr rare, exp or regular ej17's they begin to break after two weeks so I stick with the ej17's which I can get for next to nothing compared to elixirs. When it comes to tone, I actually do like the ej17's the best since after two weeks they begin to become dull they are aready breakin and im changing em

I still have a set of the prototype elixer strings they sent to me all those years ago (wonder if they are worth onything on ebay?).  They have certainly improved since then, but I don't care for them.  I use JP or D'Addario.

I use Elixir PBs on both my Larrivees...and my Taylors, too.  I use D'Addario EXPs on my Webber.

I've strayed from Elixirs a couple of times.  One was a set of Martin Phosphor-Bronze, which got cruddy somewhat quickly on the wound strings and sucked the shimmer out of the lower strings on the guitar - and quickly switched back.

Lately I've had a set of D'Addario EXPs on the Larry (someone sent me a coupon for 2 freebie sets) and I have to admit that they have lasted much longer than I expected they would.  More string squeak on wound strings than with Elixirs, so once I'm done with this set, I will be putting Elixirs back on and keep the extra set of EXP in the case for backup.

Elixirs allow me to be more sloppy with my playing without sounding like a squeak-fest.  To me that's a good thing.

-Scott

I've been using Newtone MC 12-54 and I love them, they last forever. They sound their best at about
2 or 3 months. I usually change them after 6 months whether they need it or not.  :thumbsup

i used them for a couple years. strangely enough, i got laid off from my job and felt irresponsible spending all that money on guitar strings, being unemployed, so i tried some other strings. ive never looked back since. im pretty much a martin SP player now. though i do like those bulk unpackaged strings from www.stringthis.com  to me, these are an amazing value. i do like elixirs, but it just bugs me to pay that much for guitar strings.

I'm using the Nanos on my OM-03R 11-52 set and I like them and have no reason to change them at this point...I had the same experience with John Pearse strings...one day and totally dead too bad cause they sounded great! I play a mix of finger and strumming and have been known to hit it hard!

How long are the Nanowebs lasting for you guys?

Chow,
Seegs

I have become addicted to Elixirs, which is unfortunate, because I break at least one string every other gig. We're talking about a total of 12 hours of playing time maximum before I break one.

To answer the immediate responses:

Yes, I have checked, sanded and/or filed and rechecked my saddle over and over again.

Yes, I have tried polywebs, heavier string gagues, and checked my saddle again.

I have checked my picks and fingernails to see if they contain acid or some type of hidden metal cutters.

I tend to break G's and D's constantly. So does my friend Mike, who plays gigs with me.

I'm moving up to mediums, because these last a little longer. I love the tone and sustain these strings produce, but I can't seem to make a G last for more than a gig and a half.

Quote from: aaronjnoone on September 22, 2006, 10:48:42 AM
I have become addicted to Elixirs, which is unfortunate, because I break at least one string every other gig. We're talking about a total of 12 hours of playing time maximum before I break one.

To answer the immediate responses:

Yes, I have checked, sanded and/or filed and rechecked my saddle over and over again.

Yes, I have tried polywebs, heavier string gagues, and checked my saddle again.

I have checked my picks and fingernails to see if they contain acid or some type of hidden metal cutters.

I tend to break G's and D's constantly. So does my friend Mike, who plays gigs with me.

I'm moving up to mediums, because these last a little longer. I love the tone and sustain these strings produce, but I can't seem to make a G last for more than a gig and a half.

you may consider buying some bulk G strings from one of the online string dealers. they wouldnt be elixirs, but at least youd get the tone/feel....not to mention your money's worth out of the other 5 strings.

.02

Quote from: the_sound_of_acoustic_soul on September 23, 2006, 01:00:09 AM
you may consider buying some bulk G strings from one of the online string dealers. they wouldnt be elixirs, but at least youd get the tone/feel....not to mention your money's worth out of the other 5 strings.

.02

Yeah, I did that too. That's when I started breaking D's ^_^

I use Elixir PB lights on my D-18GE ,Martin finger style lights on my OM, and I alternate between Elixir nano's and Martin SP lights on my Larry MT and D-05.