D'Addario or Elixir

[Jim Bo]

I am having a tough time deciding which type string I like the best. Each have distinctive qualities and I'm curious what other pickers think. What would you recommend for bluegrass picking?

[HangFire]

I play with D'Addario EXP17s on everything but one of my L's, I put Elixir nanowebs meds. on it for open tunings. :GRN>

[jmhyer]

I personally prefer D'Addario non-coated phosphor bronze (EJ16, I think).  It's strictly personal preference, though.

I think you'll find a fairly equal mix of Elixir and D'Addario fans around here.

For what it's worth, Dan Tyminksi and Ron Block (both of Union Station) use Elixir acoustic guitar strings.  -_-

[jeremy3220]

If you can't tell a difference or have a preference , don't worry about it.Buy the cheaper string.

[Fstpicker]

As a Flatpicker, I'm not normally an Elixir fan to speak of, but I was fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of their new "trial" set of Phosphor Bronze strings recently. Let me tell you, as a D'Addario PB EJ-17 hardcore fan, I was blown away by the sound of these new PB Elixir strings. I've had them for 2 weeks now, and still love them. They have mellowed a tad bit now(an okay thing), and still sound fresh, loud, and cutting.

They are supposed to be out on the market by the end of the Summer, if you're interested.
 
Jeff

[ronmac]

Of course there are differences between the strings, and everyone has an opinion of what is best. It really is an excersise that you have to go through, trying different guages, brands and coatings for each guitar. Sometimes it comes down to other factors. I know one player that hates changing strings so much that she plays with a coated string, even though she doesn't like the tone as much as playing with regular strings.

The string use can also be dependant on a particular situation. Some players will switch from PB to 80/20 when they record. The only time I have ever used coated strings was in a festival situation where I knew it was going to be very hot, humid and sticky. They got me through the weekend and then I tossed them.

Celebrity endorsements, or usage, should be taken with a grain of salt. You will find someone saying that each brand is the best.

String changes are one of the easiest, non invasive ways that we can customize our guitars to fit our playing style and quest for a particular tone.

Oh yeah, when you change strings you may want to experiment with the style an weight of pick you use. This can make as much difference, or more, in tone and feel as anything else you alter.

[NewStrings]

Well said Romac!  I echo your comments regarding the ability to acquire the sound you want from an instrument by altering the the types and gauge of strings used.  This is one the least expensive ways to get the most out of your guitar.  And the pick selection is another very valid point.  I use every thing from .38 to .72 thinkness to change the sound to match the style and sound of the music I wish to reproduce. 

I feel strings and picks just don't get the recongition they deserve!!!  We love to talk guitars and make statements that guitar brand A sounds better than brand B and model C better than D.  But chances are, they may all have different brands of strings,  some older, some newer and the comparison is really not fair.  To prove this point, I will tell a story about a guitar I could have purchase but regret to this day I didn't.  The model was a Martin limited edition Gordon Lightfoot.  It was very average sounding, nothing to get excited about.  The strings were old, probably never changed in 3 months or more.  I guess I couldn't see past the strings.  Now, here is the hard part.... I recently bought a CD by the East Coast musician J.P. Cormier and on the right on the cover of the CD is the exact guitar!!!  Apprarently he bought it with the old strings but recognized the potential this guitar had.  It became an inspirational piece for him and soon after,  he released a tribute CD of his lifelong idol, Gordon Lightfoot.  And the guitar sounds great!!! 

Just thought I would share this story of lost love.....     :<>

NewStrings

[ronmac]

Great story Newstrings!

I may be able to offer some comfort to you. I have done a few shows with J.P. and I can tell you that he could put strings on a '49 Ford 1/2 ton truck bumper and make it sound better than anything else on stage! Give him a nice guitar, some fresh strings and whoooaaa!

It may comfort you to know that he also is constantly buying, and selling his instruments. You never know, that D may be on the block some day again.

[NewStrings]

Thanks Romac,

J.P. certainly is an exceptional musican and, like you said, can making incredible music come from anything he touches!!  It sure would be nice if he ever had the wish to sell that Martin Gordon Lightfoot, but I think it hold a lot of special meaning for him considering who's signature is on it.  But one never knows....

NewStrings

[thebo]

I highly recommend that you all try FireWire strings.  I use the 80/20 mediums.  They are my favorite strings after having tried Elixirs, D'addarios, John Pearse, Newtones, and Dean Markley Alchemy.  Excellent tone and longevity to boot.  I get mine from Red Bear Trading.

[drathbun]

Different guitars respond to different strings. I use EXP's on my Yamaha FG150 and Elixir nanos on my Larry L05 and Yamaha FG720.

[dreamsinger]

If you can't tell a difference or have a preference , don't worry about it.Buy the cheaper string.

In my experience that would be the Nanowebs.  The added life I get from them makes them far more cost effective by a factor of three.  I prefer the sound of D'Addarios from day 2 to day 7 but after that the Elixirs sound better and   are stable for much longer

[Randy_R]

The D'addario EXP coated strings have extended life also. I have some guitars that like the EXP's.

[dreamsinger]

The D'addario EXP coated strings have extended life also. I have some guitars that like the EXP's.

None of my guitars liked the EXP's. Don't know the truth for sure but I've heard that Elixirs start out life as D'Addarios anyway.  Maybe Gore is better at the coating process.

[jimmyd]

Elixer and DAddario use different coating techniques. Elixer coats the string after it is wound, DAddario coats the windings before they are wound on the core. Elixer, until recently, did not offer a phospourbronze string which I suspect has a lot to do with the difference between Elixer and EXPs. EXPs remain my favorites.

[ronmac]

I would like to try the new Elixir in PB. Summer is here and playing festivals on hot sweaty days can really chew up the strings.

[chris]

By the way, a D'Addario endorser told me that Elixir strings are actually made by D'Addario. Gore buys them from D'Addario, adds the coating and sells them under their own name.

[Jim Bo]

By the way, a D'Addario endorser told me that Elixir strings are actually made by D'Addario. Gore buys them from D'Addario, adds the coating and sells them under their own name.

The plot thickens. I wonder how many string distributors buy from the same factory and package them under their own name. The Mapes factory is located about 50 miles from me and I suspect several companies buy the same strings from them. Would be interesting to know.

[dreamsinger]

By the way, a D'Addario endorser told me that Elixir strings are actually made by D'Addario. Gore buys them from D'Addario, adds the coating and sells them under their own name.

The plot thickens. I wonder how many string distributors buy from the same factory and package them under their own name. The Mapes factory is located about 50 miles from me and I suspect several companies buy the same strings from them. Would be interesting to know.

I've heard that too from so many sources that I'd believe it. I wish Gore would make a deal with John Pearse to coat his PB's.

[ronmac]

I have heard that John Pearse are also made, to his specs, by D'Addario.