Matthew Reis - Posted - 03/26/2012:  08:00:55

Has anyone had trouble with Elixir medium strings? I generally buy these and usually they are very good strings. But recently I bought two packages that were junk. The sound quality was terrible and the strings felt like they had been on the banjo for a long time, even though they had just been installed.

If anyone could help that would be great because I don't want be wondering if the strings I'm buying are good or bad.

Matthew Reis

kmwaters - Posted - 03/26/2012:  08:09:47

I buy GHS and get them in batches at Elderly Instruments.  If you can work your way up to a $49 order total, then shipping is free, or at least last time I looked it was.  I tried the JDMC "private label" strings, and they weren't bad, but JDMC wants as much or more money for them (plus shipping - JDMC has higher shipping prices than anyone I know of, and based on $$ which I will never understand - the more you spend the more you pay to send - that should be their slogan) as they want for branded strings.  And I give the quality edge to GHS anyhow.  How much can it cost to ship a few sets of strings?  Give me a break JDMC.  Next to GHS I would say the best I have used are Black Diamond.

banjotom2 - Posted - 03/26/2012:  08:25:19

I never cared for Elixir strings....

Probably because I'm an old timer and don't like anything 'new'...

Gimme the old ideas...

Elixir string s have always been a lot more expensive than your average, non-coated string...

The people in favor will argue they last longer, so you get your money out of them...

They don't feel like regular strings, so I don't like 'em...

I worked in a shop that sold all kinds of acoustic instruments, Taylor guitars especially had the Elixir string on them... weird... just weird...

If you have a terrible time making string last because of the chemistry in your body... just give the strings a good wipe with "Fast Fret" or even make your own paper towel, add WD40, if you don't mind the smell...

The added oil, put on very, very, lightly... will keep your destructive hand and finger oil chemistry off of the strings... wipe the strings occasionally during your play/practice time...

And again when you put your instrument away.

If you're not changing the strings yourself... learn to...

I started changing strings strings when I was 14 years old...

I'm 51 now and I've never paid anyone, ever,  to change a string...

So...

When I worked in said music store, we carried hammered dulcimers...

Every one that walked in that store HAD to touch the strings...

Normally, you'd NEVER put your hands on a dulcimer's strings... not the hammered kind...

But because people kept doing that, the strings would corrode, and they'd look bad and feel bad when I tuned them.

I used fast fret on the string every couple of days.... and the strings felt like 'silk' and never corroded... again...

*  *  *

Just some thoughts on strings...

*  *  *

I've played fretted stringed instruments since 1974 and it's been a rare occasion that I've had a bad set...

And I just don't trust those coated strings...

Why not coat the whole darned instrument if you're afraid of wear and tear or whatever?

I don't get it...

D'Addario make the strings that I use... and I really don't ever remember having issues...

Sorry for the rant...

Tom

banjotom2.com

mirwin - Posted - 03/26/2012:  08:59:31

I've tried both the Elixer light and medium strings.  The light were OK but nothing special.  The medium were "dull" from the start, though not dead like a set of strings that needed to be changed.  I use GHS PF135 or 140 now.  I've found that most strings need to be changed after a couple months anyway, so the coating is not all that necessary unless you live in a really humid environment or your body chemistry is so acidic that you corrode strings quickly.  If that's the case, wipe the strings down after each use and try using Fast Fret as banjotom2 suggested.  Good luck!

Mike

thefolkshop - Posted - 03/26/2012:  09:38:21

I think that Elixer does not revere its coating very much.  Consider the selling price of a guitar set with four coated strings versus the cost of a banjo set with only one coated string.  Something is not right.

dpete210 - Posted - 03/26/2012:  09:59:38

quote:

---

Originally posted by Matthew Reis

Has anyone had trouble with Elixir medium strings? I generally buy these and usually they are very good strings. But recently I bought two packages that were junk. The sound quality was terrible and the strings felt like they had been on the banjo for a long time, even though they had just been installed.

If anyone could help that would be great because I don't want be wondering if the strings I'm buying are good or bad.

Matthew Reis

---

Matthew, I've not had trouble with Elixir strings, and because they are long lasting and sound good for a long time they have become the only strings I use on my guitars.   I also use them on my mandolin.  However, when it comes to the banjo I usually use the GHS strings.  I tried one or two sets on my banjo, however, my understanding is that the only string coated in a banjo set is the fourth (wound) string.  I don't mind paying more for Elixir guitar strings, but can't see paying the extra for just one coated string in a banjo set.  

If you like the Elixir banjo strings and want to continue with them,  contact Elixir with your complaint.   They may replace them for you.  It is worth a try.  

Pete

miiloo - Posted - 03/26/2012:  10:55:59

Matt,

I use both Elixir meds and GHS Sonny O's strings.  I like them just fine.  I'd like to think hangout members support their neighborhood music store, if they have one, rather than buying online.  It's not that much more money.  Buy local.

Regards,

Milo

Edited by - miiloo on 03/26/2012 10:57:29

Evan C - Posted - 03/26/2012:  11:55:26

I have a set in my banjo case that I've never gotten around to trying. One thing I've heard about them is that they're a little easier on the nail than an uncoated string. That is the primary reason I wanted to try them out at some point.

I've always wondered whether or not only the wound string is coated. It's hard to tell just by looking at them. Seems like thefolkshop knows the answer.

stelling man - Posted - 03/26/2012:  12:10:40

Only the wound string Is coated..

STELLING MAN

John Gribble - Posted - 03/26/2012:  17:20:38

Contact Elixir. Let them make good on it.  Then tell us they made good on it. You may have simply gotten two sets from a bad batch. It can happen.

As they say here in Japan,"Even monkeys can fall from trees," meaning, even experts can make mistakes. 

Matthew Reis - Posted - 03/27/2012:  14:01:09

Thanks everybody!

mikehalloran - Posted - 03/27/2012:  20:43:57

Only the 4th string has the Gore Tex coating. The other strings have an anti-rust plating not found on most plain strings.

I won't use anything else on my guitars and mandolins but, since I use a wound third, there is no set to use. GHS stainless steel does the job for me on my banjos - I bought them in bulk for the gauges I needed.

I used to be a dealer and still have a couple of sets - I put one on a '20s Vega Regent I have for sale and, frankly, they sound really good.

prewartb3 - Posted - 03/28/2012:  04:18:59

quote:

---

Originally posted by kmwaters

I buy GHS and get them in batches at Elderly Instruments.  If you can work your way up to a $49 order total, then shipping is free, or at least last time I looked it was.  I tried the JDMC "private label" strings, and they weren't bad, but JDMC wants as much or more money for them (plus shipping - JDMC has higher shipping prices than anyone I know of, and based on $$ which I will never understand - the more you spend the more you pay to send - that should be their slogan) as they want for branded strings.  And I give the quality edge to GHS anyhow.  How much can it cost to ship a few sets of strings?  Give me a break JDMC.  Next to GHS I would say the best I have used are Black Diamond.

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You can get the same free shipping deal from American Made Banjo Company to anywhere in the world.

americanmadebanjo.com/shipping...c21c1f03a 

Great strings at great prices.