Alan Hill - Posted - 09/19/2009:  13:16:09

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Have any of you players tried Elixer strings they are coated in somthing to make them last longer i wondered if they affected the tone ?

alan

bigfeller - Posted - 09/19/2009:  14:07:43

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They are coated with a light coat of polymer, it doesn't affect tone, it's just the wound strings sound newer longer because they don't get gunk in between the windings. I haven't tried their banjo strings, but I have used their guitar strings, they do last a lot longer than uncoated strings, I can get about a year out of a set of guitar strings, and I play every day. I don't really like the feel of the plain steel strings coated with this stuff, they feel a little weird to me, but that's just me. I usually just replace those with regular uncoated plain steel strings. I don't know why they coat the steel strings, there is no need to.

Travis

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Edited by - bigfeller on 09/19/2009 14:12:20

RG - Posted - 09/19/2009:  14:19:13

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Alan,

Check out this recent thread...

http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/t...IC_ID=156997

Cheers!




******************************************************
A banjo picker walks into a restaurant after a jam and realizes that he forgot to lock the car doors with his banjo in the back...he runs out to the parking lot and back into the restaurant 1 minute later sobbing hysterically...the waitress asks "Did someone steal your banjo?"...to which the banjo picker replies..."It's even worse than that…now there are 2 banjos in the back seat!"...

Seansvoice - Posted - 09/19/2009:  14:47:22

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Alan,

I don't like Elixr strings. Not at all...on any instrument.

My feeling is that they are a GOOD thing on instruments in a shop where many folks are handling them. But as soon as I get it home...or before, I take them off.

A dear friend calls them "strings with condoms." I believe that assesment to be spot-on.

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“It's ironic that in our culture everyone's biggest complaint is about not having enough time; yet nothing terrifies us more than the thought of eternity.”

- Dennis Miller

<")))><

PharmBoy - Posted - 09/19/2009:  15:35:55

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People have strong feelings about Elixir strings. I have played them, and I think they sound fine (and they do last longer than uncoated strings). However, Elixirs are extremely expensive, so I don't really think you're saving money. The other thing is the coating affects only one aspect of string aging. The coating prevents gunk from filling up the windings on the wound strings, and corrosion on the unwound strings. However, the coating does nothing for the inevitable metal fatigue which sets in over a period of time in all strings. Eventually, you'll notice that your Elixirs still sound bright, but you can't get them in tune, or they go out of tune quickly. Then, you need new strings...

I play what sounds good, and what is reasonable cost-wise. I currently play Martin strings (bought 3 sets on sale for what you'd pay for ONE set of Elixers).

Strings are relatively cheap, so , try out a bunch of different kinds until you find the ones you can't live without.

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There is no growth in the Comfort zone, and no comfort in the Growth zone.

"The instrument proper to them is the Banjar, which they brought hither from Africa."
-Thomas Jefferson

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jimmorgan - Posted - 09/19/2009:  15:37:31

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I like Elixer strings on both banjo and guitar. I don't notice a major difference in sound, and the convenience of not having to change strings so often is great.

What I don't like is the price tag. I've found that changing out cheaper strings more often is cheaper in the long run that springing for elixers. That said, every now and then I feel compelled to buy a set, they feel great on the fingers.


-Jim

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Edited by - jimmorgan on 09/19/2009 15:49:22

Kevin B - Posted - 09/19/2009:  15:52:22

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I have used the D'Addario coated strings on my Dobro. They last much longer on it. On my banjo I never use them because I change strings too frequently to worry about the one wrapped string.

Kevin ( )=='=~

'Possum, It's what's for dinner . . ."

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Edited by - Kevin B on 09/19/2009 16:23:23

stringbeaner - Posted - 09/19/2009:  16:02:32

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I like 'em! They sound good on the 2 banjos I have them on.

Stringbeaner

Poisoned Dwarf - Posted - 09/19/2009:  16:07:32

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The tone might last longer but on guitar the D and G strings break alot sometimes twice a performance. Wont use on guitar anymore and never tried on banjo only one wound and $2.50 a pack.

BanjoBach - Posted - 09/19/2009:  16:23:44

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Thanks for an interesting post, Alan. Being new to string instruments and especially the banjo, I am always interested in such topics to help me get the best I can from my instrument.


Banjobach

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I'm a man who is frailing in life.

LParker - Posted - 09/19/2009:  16:37:19

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I have tried the Elixr strings and I find they don't hold thier tune. The price I pay for one set of elexr I could by 3 or four sets of my regular strings



Gotta smile

Cheers, Lee

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Edited by - LParker on 09/19/2009 16:37:59

scaggs7 - Posted - 09/20/2009:  07:51:20

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I can’t see paying that kind of money for one coated string.

bigeasy - Posted - 09/20/2009:  11:03:09

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I've been using Elixers for the last 5 string changes and found them absolutely fantastic. my wife and I are going over to Nashville on Friday for the IBMA thing. planning to buy as many sets of strings Elixers or otherwise as they are about 33% of the cost to us in the UK. Having said that, the set that's on now have been on for a few months (elixers) yup I know that it's only one string that's wound but when I play I don't have to retune much if at all. and yes I know that most strings come from the same place, but with a different name, but somehow or other they are the Bee's knees! if that makes sense!
take it easy John

after all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

nick556pm - Posted - 09/20/2009:  16:35:55

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quote:

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Originally posted by Poisoned Dwarf

The tone might last longer but on guitar the D and G strings break alot sometimes twice a performance. Wont use on guitar anymore and never tried on banjo only one wound and $2.50 a pack.

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here in the U.K. elixers cost a round £8.a pack

the more you know the less the better. (my old granny.)

pernicketylad - Posted - 09/20/2009:  17:28:40

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I'll bought a load of strings in bulk off the net...........too pricey in Ireland.....10 euro.
Don't like elixir strings....I think that coat affects the tone negatively.....they seem dead to me.


There are three types of people in the world.....those who can count and those who can't!

John Gribble - Posted - 09/20/2009:  19:01:23

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I've never used them on a banjo, but I do use the polyweb version (thicker coating, nanoweb is the lighter coating) on my biscuit cone resonator guitar. There isn't quite so much slide noise and they mellow out the tone, make it a bit darker. That guitar's pretty snarly with regular strings.

I see where the wound string in the banjo set has polyweb finish. So if you like a bright 4th string, maybe this set isn't for you. But try them. Find out for yourself.

John Gribble
Tokyo, Japan