D'Addario XS vs. Elixirs- mini review

[donlyn]

I like to string most of my guitars with Elixir PB HD Light gauge strings.

Since this is not a gauge D'Addario makes, I'll just say if it works I ain't fixin' it.

So sorry, not sorry.

Still going to use Elixir HD gauge.

Don

[Earl]

Don, I often mix my own.  Buy a set of light gauge and a set of medium gauge.  Take the trebles from the medium set and you essentially have HD's.  Take the remainder and you have a bluegrass set with heavier basses and light trebles.  I use both on different guitars, but I tend to buy those sets already assembled.  I have not done this with XS strings, not having tried them yet.  I stocked up my string box last spring before the big change, and my supply is set for a while.

[Joseph Hanna]

CONS
- they don't feel as smooth or slick as Elixirs

Don't look now, but you're feeling the actual wound string, not the too-thick coating. 

The D'Addario XS strings are coated and coated similarly to the Elixirs. Maybe, and it's a tough one, maybe the XS has a slightly more rigid (traditional) feel, but if you apply the umbrella description of a "too-thick coating" to the Elixirs, you gotta include the XS. That said, I've been using Elixir 80/20s since the day they were released, as there has just never been any reason for me personally to change. I have, however, recently tried 3 or 4 sets of the XS 80/20s and really liked them. They are so dang close in tone, and feel it's not worth tryin' to figure the difference. They have roughly the same right-hand pushback, and they appear to have roughly the same longevity. For me, it'd come down to which one was on sale. As I've mentioned in other guitar string-related discussions, and not to throw the thread into a tailspin, but I have discovered Martin's relatively new Luxe strings, which puts an entirely new spin on things for me.

[Mandotim]

Maybe a contrarian post, but I stopped using Elixirs years ago. I was constantly snapping G and D strings, always at the nut or bridge. Not a problem with the guitar, it was the same across half a dozen instruments, and friends had the same issue. Elixir weren’t interested when I complained. Then there were the restrictive trade practices. Elixirs here in the UK are ridiculously expensive, and Elixir don’t allow their US dealers to export cheaper strings to the UK; price fixing.
Then there’s the tone. Like all strings, Elixirs sound fine when new and played in for an hour or so. After that, they are just ‘ok’, but they stay ‘ok’ for longer. When I was gigging regularly I needed the great tone for each gig, and that meant string changes at least every other gig. With Elixirs, the cost was prohibitive, and the so-called advantages of coated strings were lost.
I’ve gone back to my old standby; D’Addario Phosphor Bronze, bought in bulk from Strings and Beyond. Cheap enough to not worry about frequent string changes, no breakages, great tone that lasts longer than expected, especially if I give them a wipe before putting the guitar away.

[Guitars44me]

Got some new XS on one of my nice customs.  First impressions are GOOD

I like the sound and playability. I usually use Elixirs HD Lights, but these are XS medium

I don’t noticed the bass strings being any stiffer to fret on the XS.

Sound may be a bit more bright with the new XS, but pretty close to my old beat up ears.  Haha

We will see how they age….

Play on and have fun

Paul

[Edward]

PSA and fwiw, Strings And Beyond has the elixir buy two get three pack now. 

Edward