Author Topic: Elixir's G-string  (Read 5075 times)

TaylorMate

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Elixir's G-string
« on: August 30, 2014, 12:38:44 PM »
Finally convinced that the new (with Taylor developed) Elixir HD strings were truly doing fine on my 512 and 812 I decided to buy a couple of sets. But oh, oh, after playing them 2½-3 weeks an old nasty issue came up (I remember it now, but should have remembered earlier): the G-string shows unusual wear, certainly not in line with all the Elixir promisses of superiority. And apart from the wear the string sounds muffled and shows 'thinning' so that I am afraid I will break on my next gig (tomorrow). Single strings are not yet avalable so I have to plunder my other sets. But anyway this should not happen! See my picture attached. With the naked eye you see even more damage. >:(
« Last Edit: August 30, 2014, 01:59:40 PM by TaylorMate »
If you dig it, do it; if you dig it a lot, do it twice (Jim Croce)

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Edward

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Re: Elixir's G-string
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2014, 01:13:24 PM »
When I broke a wound g on a brand-new 12-er set and I emailed Elixir, they were promptly apologetic and sent me a full new set.  They also included a self-addressed envelope and asked me to send back the old string (which unfortunately I had already tossed).  My guess is they're trying to figure out if something is amiss, but at least they're stepping up to the plate and taking care of their customers.

Edward

TaylorMate

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Re: Elixir's G-string
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2014, 01:56:25 PM »
Thanks Edward! I have mailed Elixir. I hope they look into the problem for the benefit of us all. And oh yeh you reminded me of the fact that my first new G-string (0,25) I put on broke! But my dealer was so kind as to send me a new set.
« Last Edit: August 30, 2014, 02:01:40 PM by TaylorMate »
If you dig it, do it; if you dig it a lot, do it twice (Jim Croce)

Lyrics and music: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6gaSzHsXOYq-j_eQH6IwsW_K0S3CHfbk

dangrunloh

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Re: Elixir's G-string
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2014, 10:43:40 PM »
My Elixer G's last a lot longer now that I have worn the crown off the frets under it.

You can buy single Elixer strings from www.stringsbymail.com


GreysSonicPlayground

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Re: Elixir's G-string
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2014, 01:28:40 PM »
Get cleartones, problem solved ;)
2010 414CE
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MB

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Re: Elixir's G-string
« Reply #5 on: September 13, 2014, 02:26:02 PM »
Could it be a problem with the guitar? I've never had a problem over many years of using Elixirs on my Taylor guitars.

Rod Neep

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Re: Elixir's G-string
« Reply #6 on: September 13, 2014, 04:28:55 PM »
It isn't the guitar... it is the strings.

This may look familiar to you... ??
This was after less than 1 hour's playing on my mandolin.
They fray!

I promised myself that I wouldn't use Elixir strings again, but since my new Taylor Custom came with them I am giving them another shot. So far, so good.


Earl

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Re: Elixir's G-string
« Reply #7 on: September 13, 2014, 06:01:26 PM »
Elixir Polywebs are well known to fray off the Teflon coating at wear points like at frets or where picked.  That is why they came out with the Nanoweb version which has less coating, or coating only down in the grooves and not on top of the windings.  You get much less fraying with Nano's as a rule, plus they tend to be a bit brighter in tone.  You also get more string "squeak" with finger movement as compared to Polywebs.  The photos all look pretty normal to this long time Elixir user, but the fraying does really bother some people.

Remember that the G string is the tightest string on the guitar.  If any one is going to break, it will be the G string first.
Taylors:  424-LTD (all koa) and a 114ce that lives with friends in Alaska.  Low maintenance carbon fiber guitars are my "thing" these days, but I will always keep the koa 424.  Several ukulele and bass guitars too. 
*Gone but not forgotten:  a 2001 414ce, 410, 354-LTD twelve string, 314-N, 416-LTD baritone, T5 Classic, 615ce, 2006 GS-K, 1996 (first year) Baby

GreysSonicPlayground

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Re: Elixir's G-string
« Reply #8 on: September 13, 2014, 06:53:28 PM »
It isn't the guitar... it is the strings.

This may look familiar to you... ??
This was after less than 1 hour's playing on my mandolin.
They fray!

I promised myself that I wouldn't use Elixir strings again, but since my new Taylor Custom came with them I am giving them another shot. So far, so good.



hence using cleartones. They wind the wire BEFORE winding onto the core, they are WAY more balanced, never fray, and last for WAY longer. The Martin sp lifetime strings are great too, in fact usually a little cheaper, esp @ stringthis.com
2010 414CE
And a pair of happy hands.


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Rod Neep

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Re: Elixir's G-string
« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2014, 02:27:51 PM »
Elixir Polywebs are well known to fray off the Teflon coating at wear points like at frets or where picked.  That is why they came out with the Nanoweb version which has less coating, or coating only down in the grooves and not on top of the windings.  You get much less fraying with Nano's as a rule, plus they tend to be a bit brighter in tone.  You also get more string "squeak" with finger movement as compared to Polywebs.  The photos all look pretty normal to this long time Elixir user, but the fraying does really bother some people.

The photo I posted of my mandolin strings with the fraying were Nanowebs.
Note that the fraying happened under the fretting fingers!

Rod

mgap

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Re: Elixir's G-string
« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2014, 02:51:13 PM »
It isn't the guitar... it is the strings.

This may look familiar to you... ??
This was after less than 1 hour's playing on my mandolin.
They fray!

I promised myself that I wouldn't use Elixir strings again, but since my new Taylor Custom came with them I am giving them another shot. So far, so good.



hence using cleartones. They wind the wire BEFORE winding onto the core, they are WAY more balanced, never fray, and last for WAY longer. The Martin sp lifetime strings are great too, in fact usually a little cheaper, esp @ stringthis.com

I have been playing Coated Elixirs for years now.  Never have I seen this happen before, except in pictures on the "internet"haha.  No really.  My Elixers last for months with no wear and I only change them because of tone. 
Cleartones are the strings I use on my M36, they are nice and good strings, they are what Martins puts on them at the factory and they service me well.  To say that they are better balanced, sound better, and last longer in my opinion is not true.  They seem to be equal to Elixers, but just not any better. 
He who loses money, loses much; he who loses a friend, loses more; he who loses faith, loses all.

GreysSonicPlayground

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Re: Elixir's G-string
« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2014, 08:16:52 PM »
Up until I found cleartones, I used elixir nanos, and had the fray phenomenon happen every night, causing deadening of tone immediately, forcing changes of strings way too often(gigs 5 nites a week)
Given the price, not worth it. I was changing strings twice a week. (ouch)
With cleartones, I only had to switch sets once every two weeks. Now that I'm mostly a livingroom player, it's once a month, if that. Now, I understand some(like me) may have more acidity in our sweat causing a breakdown of the elixir coating, and some don't. But if I'm going to pay top $$ for strings, I want them to at least perform as advertised.  Hence, cleartones. Problem solved.  ;D
2010 414CE
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oogaboogachiefwalkingdeer

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Re: Elixir's G-string
« Reply #12 on: September 18, 2014, 04:48:20 PM »
Elixors are way over rated as well as over priced

MB

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Re: Elixir's G-string
« Reply #13 on: September 18, 2014, 09:44:35 PM »
Just did some research on the Cleartone strings. Discovered they have a new gauge that mirror the HD Lights from Elixir.
Only available at Sam Ash as of today but it looks like they will be stocked at all the online stores soon.
The challenge video was very impressive. I must give them a try!

Edward

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Re: Elixir's G-string
« Reply #14 on: September 19, 2014, 12:39:51 PM »
Ugh, here we go again ...don't feed the troll!!!  :o

Have a good Friday, all, despite the abject silliness  ;)

Edward