Does anyone actually like Elixer strings?

[dangrunloh]

Tried them all and have come back to Elixer Nanos either 80/20 or PB's on my 414ce.

They are not the brightest or most harmonic but they have a very consistent tone throughout their life. They are not constantly changing like many other types.  Most strings last me 6-8 weeks coated or not playing about one hour per day.  The Nanos sound better plugged in than many others. I also like Martin SP PB's very much but they are a littler squeakier.

[GuitNGood]

I really tried not to like elixir nanos on my 514. I went on the ultimate string quest this year by trying Pearse, Daddario, Cleartone, etc. Coated and non coated varieties. I still came back to the elixirs. They respond well imo to my fingerstyle and strumming style. The only alternative I would consider are daddario pb and I may be biased bc I love daddarios on my electrics.

[Jersey tuning]

I've gotten away from ELixirs the past two years in favor of John Pearse PB's, DR rares/sunbeams, and D'Addario EXP 16's, but I plan to come full circle and try Elixirs on my Taylors again in the near future.  So far J.P.'s are my favorite (and last 6-8 weeks)............ 

[azslacker]

Just put a set of vintage strings on my mini today. A set of Martin M150 med. strings that I know I've had floating around the house for 15 -20 years. Nicely surprised at how good they sound. I'm sure thay won't last long. A little mellower than Elixer's, but really clear sounding with good sustain.

[stepchildusmc]

i'm more of a fan of John Pearse and D'addario's EXP16's( either the JP's or EXP16's on my GA's) and EXP15's( my string of choice for my GS')

[thermostrat]

I used them on my Martin also...Good quality and longevity, IMHO.

[Terry]

Don't know if it's a chicken or egg type  thing, but the only string that sounds right, to me, on my Taylor guitars is Elixer. I have tried Elixer on my Martins and Guilds and hated them.
T

[imorroy]

I like both Elixers and D'Addarios and switch between them.

[MexicoMike]

I initially hated the concept of coated strings and would never even consider them.  But after buying a Taylor 414ce and trying all the usual suspects, the Elixer Nanos sound the best to me on that guitar.  So that's the only strings I use now on it (medium basses, light trebles).  I went to med on the low strings to get a bit more bass but that's a function of the guitar shape/size, not the strings.  Nobody else's' strings generate any better bass…unless you hook them to my HD28!    (but the treble/mid is not as good).

[azslacker]

  I was pretty locked in to Elixers until I found myself without a spare set, one day. I had just replaced the tuners on the GS-Mini and I went to my string drawer and,,, nothing there but a set of Martin M150's. I put them on the mini and was pretty impressed. They sounded great. I didn't think they would last, but they really stood up well for about 3 weeks. I usually get about 4-5 weeks from Elixers. The big difference is the price. I can buy 3 packs of the Martins for less than 1 set of Elixer's, and still have money left over for a beer at happy hour. I tried the Martin's on my 312 and they sound decent. Will probably stick with Elixers on it, but I think the Martins sound better on the mini.

[mgap]

azslacker I think you need to upgrade your beer taste , that has to be some mighty cheap beer.

[Strumming Fool]

I like both Elixers and D'Addarios and switch between them.

Same here...I primarily use D'Addario EXP16s, because they are less expensive than Elixirs. If Elixirs' pricing aligns more with D'Addarios, I'd be inclined to expand their use on SOME of my guitars.

[Steve Mo]

I note many seem to use the EXP 16's when changing from Elixir. Was just wondering why the EXP over the EJ16 PB? Not a great fan of coated strings and I find the EJ16's have a much warmer sound and are easier to play. Changing them every two to three weeks really isn't that much of a chore.

[Herb Hunter]

Taylors used to come strung with D’Addario phosphor-bronze strings and I’ve used those strings since I bought my first Taylor in 1992 much preferring them over the Elixir 80/20 strings to which Taylor eventually switched. However, I hate changing strings so two years ago, I decided to try the Elixir phosphor-bronze strings and found them to be a good compromise between tone and longevity. So now, four of my Taylors are strung with Elixir phosphor-bronze strings and the fifth with a set of Cleartone phosphor-bronze strings that I’ve been evaluating.

[Mick0145]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned RotoSound strings. I like the Elixir Nano's but I like the RotoSound strings much more - either the Jumbo King 11's or the Super Bronze 11's. To me they epitomize the definitive sound of the acoustic guitar. The distinctive difference between RotoSound and other strings is that only the center core of the string rests on the saddle and not the outer winding. This lowers the action slightly but the brightness and sustain are incredible. Check out the full, rich sound in this YouTube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJCPXkRdUCU