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

[rickde]

I have a 20-year-old US-made Taylor 214 all solid wood Spruce/Sapele. I had been using Elixir 12-53 Phosphor Bronze nanowebs and was quite happy with them. Their longevity is insanely long, up to a year depending on how much you play. I recently decided to try the D'Addario XS 12-53 Phosphor Bronze. At first, I didn't like them, they were too bright. But I discovered they just take longer to break in. The Elixirs basically sound good from day one (I just stretch them slightly when I install them before tuning fully) After several days of playing, however, the D'Addario XS strings sound great. To my ears the D'Addario XS still sound a bit brighter and crisper than Elixirs even after break in. But I am quite satisfied with them none the less. I will also say that, even though I'm using the same gauge as before, the D'Addario XS strings feel slightly slinkier and easier to play. I would attribute that to the difference in the feel of the coatings. To be fair, I would have no problem with using either the D'Addario XS or the Elixir's going forward. I will see how the longevity of the D'Addario XS compares to Elixirs over the next few months. Hopefully, they are just as long-lasting because I really hate the process of changing strings. lol

[Edward]

^^^Great feedback, man, thanks for that!  I still have a stash of Elixirs so I ain't thinking of switching --or even trying-- the D'Addarios any time soon.  But it's always good to know there is a good "equivalent" to the Elixirs that have proven superb to me for decades. 

Fwiw, like you, I like the longevity, but even more how the Elixirs retain their tone all the way up to the end of their useful life.  With all other strings I've used the tone degrades week by week, every one I've tried.  The consistency of crisp, defined tone throughout their usable life is why I have stuck with Elixir nanos for over 20 years now.  I look forward to hearing whatcha think as the D'Addarios wear. 

Edward

[rickde]

I really like the XS strings.

I think in general D'addarios in the same gauge feel easier to play than Elixir, and some (not all) Elixirs are obnoxiously slippery, especially if your fingers start to sweat.   I know in some cases the Elixirs actually have higher tension specs for the same string gauge, so it's probably not placebo.   That might not have to do with the coating.

I do perhaps think the Elixirs on a Taylor will sometimes add a little extra chunkiness to the bass strings if you need that.

I think Elixirs lose high end faster than the low end as the strings age, it's subtle but it's there.  The XS strings I think age a bit more evenly.

I agree completely with this assessment on all points. I found the exact same characteristic differences between DA's and Elixirs. In particular, the DA XS strings feel slightly slinkier and brighter than Elixir. Elixirs do have a tad more bass. In the coming months, I will find out first-hand how the longevity of the XS strings compares to Elixirs. Time will tell but, for now, I'm enjoying the XS Phosphor Bronze strings.

[gscratchutay]

Even though this is the Taylor forum, I thought I would comment on this D'Adddario vs Elixer thread

I bought a Larrivee L-09 about ten years ago.  When I needed strings I contacted them and they recommended the D'Addario XS so I bought those and have used them successfully.  Recently, I've started to dislike the sound.  I had a set of Elixer in the same gauge (PB Nanoweb 12-53) that I was intending to put on my 512ce and decided to put them on the Larrivee and see what I thought.  They've been on for about two weeks now, and I find that I prefer them to the D'Addarios.  There is a bit more bass response and the tone is more balanced.

just my $0.02