Elixir vs Other string brands

[Big Harry]

Hi guys ,
I have 3 simple (stupid ? :o ) questions regarding Elixir vs Other strings brand.

1. I am using Elixir's exclusively in the last 5-6 years .

Due to their slinky smooth surface (and Jumbo SS frets probably ) , I cannot build enough hard callouses , so from time to time I did tried other strings ,but than always comeback to Elixirs because of other variables as : tuning , vibrant clear sound , harmonies, long lasting ...etc

What is your experience regarding building up enough hard callouses with Ellixirs ?

2. Right now I am again in the process to find replacement for Elixirs .
Already tried (again and again :( ) GHS,EB ,D'Addario,Rotosound ,Dean Markley .... in the last few weeks .
Somehow they ALL sound so awful and odd on my DT that I cannot explain it to you !

Can anyone tell me what it can be ? Is that because Tom designed his guitars (only ) for Elixir strings :D ? I cannot beilive it , but what else can be ?


3 . I ordered a few "boutique " string sets as my last chance : Mangan, SOB and Pyramids , will keep you informed about results .

Did anyone tried any of those boutiques so far on TAG ?

Thanks for your time ,
Zoran

[dannopelli]

My callouses are no different since I switched from uncoated D'Addarrio to Elixir. I would just stick with Elixirs. Also, I would think the Jumbo Frets would cause more callouses than the mediums I play.

Maybe your fingers are just too delicate to allow for callouses? :) :) :)

[Big Harry]

no man :D , with standard strings I'm building huge ,though callouses what's giving me a full control over bending,vibrating ,sliding etc .
If playing only Elixirs over Jumbo SS , my finger tips becomes too soft during a time since there is no enough friction for callouses building (???)
That's why I am looking for string brand replacement from time to time .

[dannopelli]

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii83/barthmichael01/2009_0111fingertips0003.jpg

Like this?

[Big Harry]

like that ! ;)

[Pietro]

Actually, it's kinda creepy.

I've tried to switch to something cheaper from time to time... But I always come back to the Elixirs. on all my guitars.

[markus]

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii83/barthmichael01/2009_0111fingertips0003.jpg

Like this?

Wow!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

[tom]

i find that with taller frets i tear up my calluses, but with low rise they stay intact. whenever i play non elixir strings they feel dirty and rough to me.

[LearnedHand]

I use SOB ONs 10-46s on my Classic. I find the string tension is less than Elixirs or D'Addarios, what I normal use. I like the tone out of them as well. The wear compares to any well made non-coated strings.

[paleolith54]

no man :D , with standard strings I'm building huge ,though callouses what's giving me a full control over bending,vibrating ,sliding etc .
If playing only Elixirs over Jumbo SS , my finger tips becomes too soft during a time since there is no enough friction for callouses building (???)
That's why I am looking for string brand replacement from time to time .

..play your acoustic more?

[mdrs]

I've used D'Addario 10's or 11's for years, and they work great.

I've been very impressed with Elixirs, which I first came into contact with when I bought my first Andy. I really like their feel alot. I'm not sure I can say I notice any other definitive differences.

As for callouses.............I play a lot of acoustic guitar. It's the best way I know of building up my strength and callouses.

I really love electric guitar. But, for me anyway, acoustic is the foundation.......

[jem5150]

7 years ago by accident I cut off 1/2 of the tip of my fret hand ring finger. My body has done a remarkable job growing back replacement scar tissue but the tip is a little less full and shorter than the others. It is one of the most heatbreaking things that ever happened to me because I love playing guitar. I can play to about 95% of the ability I had before the accident (some string bending is challenging) so I am thankful. It could have been worse.

I'm not trying to bring everyone down just make a point. I'd give almost anything to reverse that accident. Callous issues can be annoying... work through them, appreciate your hands, enjoy playing, it could be worse and be careful with sharp tools !

[Big Harry]

i find that with taller frets i tear up my calluses, but with low rise they stay intact. whenever i play non elixir strings they feel dirty and rough to me.
You nailed it again Tom ! Elixir's in combination with Jumbo SS tear up my calluses , that's all secret about this .
Build up calusses with acoustic and tear it up with Elixirs :rolleyes:

All good advices ,thanks guys .
Especially thanks to Paleolith , it seems my paleolithic :D age might be a reason as well :) .

Jem5150 ,
I had a similar accident with my middle finger , but with much smaller damage than yours . Anyway , I was out of playing guitar for a few loong months !

LearnedHand ,
Do the SOB original nickel stays in tune as Elixir ?

Cheers,
Zoran

[FFOGG]

i find that with taller frets i tear up my calluses, but with low rise they stay intact. whenever i play non elixir strings they feel dirty and rough to me.+1 but also sound lifeless and they go dead so much sooner

[GuitArtMan]

I never cared for the Elixirs, but then I don't turn my strings all shades off black and blue and green just by playing them either. In fact, I can play on a set of strings for weeks if not months with no visible signs of tarnishing.

Now I've only tried their acoustic strings - Taylors sound 100% better when you get the Elixirs off of them. I liked the SIT! strings Tom used to use, but have a hard time finding them locally. I've gone back to D'Addario as I buy them a box at a time and like their corrosion resistant packaging.

[pdicristina]

Love the Elixirs. In fact, I moved up to 9s after more than 30 years of playing 8s because I liked them so much (though I do tune down now :). I haven't noticed any impact on calluses either way.

For me, jumbo frets make it easier to play because I don't have to press as hard to get a solid connection between string and fret. So they're noticeably easier on my fingers (and calluses). As it's been noted before, everyone seems to have a different feeling about these things.

[Big Harry]

All of this is about making compromises .
-no other strings stay in tune so good as Elx
-no other can make chord to sound so good in harmony (with TAG and its BFTS of course) as Elx
-no one last so long as Elx
-I cannot play with pleasure anything except Heavy or Jumbo SS'
But , all of the above make my calluses to disappear, and feeling with Elx and Jumbo is not so pleasant :mad:
I will not change Jumbo's , except if I go to heavy with Bulldog .

So , I'll continue to find the strings which can made both -to sound and to feel well under fingers .

Will inform you again once I try a few another boutique string brands .
Up to date , only Rotosounds from masss production kind came close to it .

Of course that's only me , for every and each player out there it might be completely different .

Highly appreciate your comments .
Thanks,
Zoran

[tom]

i would not think it's the string brand so much as the fret height that tears up your fingers. tall frets always feel like cheese slicers to me:eek:

[Big Harry]

"cheese slicers " :D
In my case this is just partialy correct . Same guitar , same gauge , but this time - Rotosound Orange strings - don't slice my fingers , even more , they are very pleasant for playing , and Jumbos show their full advantage ,no complain .
Problem arises after few days , when Rotosound becomes dead and out of tune . Even new, their sound is (say) 30 % less louder /vibrant than ELX , and never so good in tune . :mad:

So ,what to do , go back to slicing a cheese ! :rolleyes:

[LearnedHand]

LearnedHand ,
Do the SOB original nickel stays in tune as Elixir ?

Cheers,
Zoran

Yes for the gauge set that I use: 10-46 size. I cannot comment on the 9-42 gauge.

I also use the acoustic 13-56 and 12-53 sets for my acoustic guitars for my GA and OM style guitars respectively.

The reason I use them is that I find this brand works on both my acoustic and electric guitars very well and I am trying to simply my guitar life with just using one brand of strings and not different string manufactures with different strings gauges. Additionally, Dean Farley is very responsive to helping determine what formula would work for you and can make custom sets. For instance, for my OM style guitar, his brightest acoustic set works the best for me.

The strings are expensive compared to the major string manufacturers' prices. If I was a professional musician that had steady gigs, I probably would not be using these strings because it would be cost prohibitive. However, I am just a hobbyist and thus I can splurge a little and get a little better tone and feel under my fingers IMHO.

[Big Harry]

Hardly waiting for my first SOB's .
I ordered both Nickel and Rock formula in a few different gauges .
According to everything I know and tried so far , they are my last chance to replace Elx's .

Thanks again for sharing your experience and Cheers,
Zoran

[LearnedHand]

Hardly waiting for my first SOB's .
I ordered both Nickel and Rock formula in a few different gauges .
According to everything I know and tried so far , they are my last chance to replace Elx's .

Thanks again for sharing your experience and Cheers,
Zoran

Keep us posted on the results. I settled on the original nickels in 10-46 for all my electric guitars.

[Big Harry]

This journey is over .
The right Strings I was looking for has been finally found .

In total I did tried about 15 famous/boutique brands in two-three months time .

The winner is : SOB Strings .
They are so superb ,that there is no one string brand on the second,third and fourth place .
Place number five is occupied by Mangan's .

Thanks Dean !

Cheers,
Zoran

[Mister T]

I was an Elixir devotee for years then one day a friend handed me a set of Thomastik Infeld Powerbrights. I havent looked back. They have a very smooth feel, almost like a coated string, and a much longer life than other non coated strings I have used.

They are pricey but fortunately I have Family in Germany and Austria so I can stock up when I am visiting.

HIGHLY recommended.

[ducmike]

Slightly OT, but is Dean shipping regularly now? I love the SOB strings, but his delivery and CS went south awhile back. I wish I could get used to the tone of nickel plated, but I just can't, so it's pure nickel for me. The plated seem to have too much bass to my ears that doesn't work well with the plain strings, I can't balance them. Now that I'm back in a band with 2 practices a week, 2-3 shows a month, and a lot of wood shedding in between, I kill a set of strings in no time. Used to get a month out of good strings, and 6 months out of the Snakes.

I should have my new DT in a couple of weeks (way earlier than expected), I might just leave the Elixer strings on this time, instead of having Brian change them to burnished nickels before I pick it up.

[Big Harry]

Yes , it seems Dean is back to business (after his partner left it out ;) ) .
He sent me two packages to South Africa in less than a two weeks shipping time and he promptly answered on my questions .
Unfortunately , Vintage (pure nickel ) are not appropriate for my H1 /H3 humbuckers , but Rock ones are .
I put Vintage' on my Fender , and they sound so "vintage '' what ever it does mean . :D

[dannopelli]

Anybody try the DR's? Imagine putting blue strings on a blue guitar, or mix a set of red and blue on a white guitar for a 4th of July gig?

I've never used them, wonder if they sound any good?

http://www.drstrings.com/demo/catalogs/coated-colored

[Pietro]

Never on my own guitar, but they're crap imho. DR is hype. I've tried them a few times, disappointed every time.

[dannopelli]

OK, flame away:p :D :)

I'd never flame anyone. But I do like the Elixirs. Used D'Addario for years.
I also agree with all your SUK reviews. Just never tried the DR's. Thanks for the heads up.

[dannopelli]

I purposely didn't include coated strings. If I did, Elixir would be the clear winner. I didn't like the D'Addario EXPs - acoustic or electric.

So, there you have it. Other TAG members: Don't even try to debate this because my ratings are absolute:p ;)

I was going to ask your opinion of the EXP's vs the Elixirs. Guess I'll stick with what I know!

[morty]

I just love the feel and the sound of the Elixir`s i was just trying it out at first on my Fender, and found out that it was my kind of strings.. i put it on my Anderson, and became very happy with them! i already use Elixir`s on my Tylor Acc. when i ordered a new Anderson DT the choice was easy..it was already fit and adjusted with Elixir`s and the suite me and the guitar well!

[Big Harry]

the latest update :
more than one month I am playing my dream string set :
(pls don't laughing' on me :eek: )
E - .010 SOB
B - .013 SOB
G- 0.17 SOB
D , A , E - .026 ; .036 ; .046 = guess what ? - Elixir :p

Up to now , the Best strings set ever , imho :cool: :D
I can't remember when I tuned it for the last time !
Anyone want to buy my Turbo Tuner ? :rolleyes:

[LearnedHand]

the latest update :
more than one month I am playing my dream string set :
(pls don't laughing' on me :eek: )
E - .010 SOB
B - .013 SOB
G- 0.17 SOB
D , A , E - .026 ; .036 ; .046 = guess what ? - Elixir :p

Up to now , the Best strings set ever , imho :cool: :D
I can't remember when I tuned it for the last time !
Anyone want to buy my Turbo Tuner ? :rolleyes:

Never thought of combo or a hybrid set. Might have to try it the next time I change strings on my Classic.

[chriswhite]

sounds expensive

[Big Harry]

sounds expensive
..sounds fantastic and last for ever as well :)

[BFC]

The thing I like about the Elixer strings is the anti rust plains. I am one of those people that turns most plain strings black in just a couple of hours. These don’t do that.

[markus]

Same here. I used to play Ernie Balls and I turned them black within a matter of one show or practice. The Elixirs I play for months and they feel great all along! Great strings in my opinion, but it's obviously all subjective. :)

The thing I like about the Elixer strings is the anti rust plains. I am one of those people that turns most plain strings black in just a couple of hours. These don’t do that.