kewlpack
11-30-2004, 03:06 PM
ELIXIR Nanoweb Acoustic Guitar Strings
Extra Light (10's), and Light (12's)
PROS:
--EADG are all coated to provide longevity and lasting tone.
--The coating works. I've had sets last me around 40-50+ playing hours before the coating had worn significantly (in the picking area). Even then, the tone was still great - like new. Compare that to a set of any uncoated strings that go dead on me in about 4 hours. Yes, I'm Mr. Ultra-Corrosion hands. It's a no-brainer for me to use coated strings.
--Good tone. Much better than the old Polyweb version. Not as punchy or harmonic as some uncoated brands, but for durability and consistency over a long period, they are remarkable. Think about it - two months go by and you never have to worry about changing them out or losing good, working tone.
--Coating is akin to having GHS Fast Fret on your strings all the time (e.g. they are a little slicker than normal strings). I like this, and it cuts down on string noise.
--Better than D'Addario EXP Phosphor Bronze. I suspect it is more the difference between the Elixirs being 80/20 instead of Phos. Bronze. I like the bright quality of 80/20s.
CONS:
--Tone is not "amazing". The coating does have an effect on the string, but not enough to worry too much about. Still, the character of some brands of normal strings may suit you more...if you can get them to last!
--Expensive. $10-13.50 per set is kinda high. You have to look at how many sets of normal strings you'd go through and weigh the bang-for-buck. For my scenario, coated wins, hands down.
--B and E strings are NOT coated. This is where I really have a fit. I get superb longevity and use from the wound strings, but manage to rust through the uncoated/plain steel strings in a couple of sessions. I have to constantly scrub them down and even then change them out more often than I want to.
OVERALL:
I've used Elixirs on my Ovation S771 for about a year now. I've tried lots of other brands and always come back to these. I am currently using 10's as an experiment, but I think I'll move back to 12's eventually. They have a fatter presence (duh) and 10's seem to be a bit too slinky for what I want in an acoustic tone.
You know, for $10+ bucks a pop, I want ALL of the strings to be coated properly. I hate having to buy several singles for the top B and E strings.
Elixirs are good, but could be better. I am REALLY interested in getting my hands on some DR Extra Life Acoustic 11's! All of the strings are coated...stay tuned. Buggers are hard to find locally.
RATING:
8 out of 10
Extra Light (10's), and Light (12's)
PROS:
--EADG are all coated to provide longevity and lasting tone.
--The coating works. I've had sets last me around 40-50+ playing hours before the coating had worn significantly (in the picking area). Even then, the tone was still great - like new. Compare that to a set of any uncoated strings that go dead on me in about 4 hours. Yes, I'm Mr. Ultra-Corrosion hands. It's a no-brainer for me to use coated strings.
--Good tone. Much better than the old Polyweb version. Not as punchy or harmonic as some uncoated brands, but for durability and consistency over a long period, they are remarkable. Think about it - two months go by and you never have to worry about changing them out or losing good, working tone.
--Coating is akin to having GHS Fast Fret on your strings all the time (e.g. they are a little slicker than normal strings). I like this, and it cuts down on string noise.
--Better than D'Addario EXP Phosphor Bronze. I suspect it is more the difference between the Elixirs being 80/20 instead of Phos. Bronze. I like the bright quality of 80/20s.
CONS:
--Tone is not "amazing". The coating does have an effect on the string, but not enough to worry too much about. Still, the character of some brands of normal strings may suit you more...if you can get them to last!
--Expensive. $10-13.50 per set is kinda high. You have to look at how many sets of normal strings you'd go through and weigh the bang-for-buck. For my scenario, coated wins, hands down.
--B and E strings are NOT coated. This is where I really have a fit. I get superb longevity and use from the wound strings, but manage to rust through the uncoated/plain steel strings in a couple of sessions. I have to constantly scrub them down and even then change them out more often than I want to.
OVERALL:
I've used Elixirs on my Ovation S771 for about a year now. I've tried lots of other brands and always come back to these. I am currently using 10's as an experiment, but I think I'll move back to 12's eventually. They have a fatter presence (duh) and 10's seem to be a bit too slinky for what I want in an acoustic tone.
You know, for $10+ bucks a pop, I want ALL of the strings to be coated properly. I hate having to buy several singles for the top B and E strings.
Elixirs are good, but could be better. I am REALLY interested in getting my hands on some DR Extra Life Acoustic 11's! All of the strings are coated...stay tuned. Buggers are hard to find locally.
RATING:
8 out of 10