Elixir lovers - PSA

[Edward]

Strings and Beyond is doing a buy two get three Elixir pack.  Not all gauges, but my medium PBs are there.  With every cost going nuts, this is a great buy, all! 

Edward

[Earl]

I am resisting.  At the rate that I change strings (not often) and my now reduced collection of guitars I'm probably set for life on strings already.  It may be years before I buy another set.  There have been a few sales from S&B and Just Strings that I have taken advantage of over the past year, and my string box literally runneth over.  Friends are urging me to try the D'Addario XS strings, but it is hard to add another type/brand to the mix when I'm hip deep in strings already.

[Edward]

Yeah, folks seem to like the D'Addario coateds. but like you I am reticent to switch if only because I have an existing stockpile of elixirs already, every one of them purchased on some kind of sale.  So yessir, little desire to try another style when I'm already "invested," lol!

Edward

[DennisG]

I remember trying out D'Addario XS strings a couple years ago, then immediately giving away my collection of Elixers to friends.

[Earl]

I have yet to try the new XS strings.  Maybe I should get a couple of sets to try.  They sent me a set of XT strings (now discontinued) and I was very unimpressed by them.  My string box has at least a dozen sets of Elixirs ready to use, and I don't change strings all that often.  It will take years to use up my current stock.

[Mandotim]

I still can’t for the life of me understand why Taylor ever used Elixir strings. I needed to re-string my 2003 810, and I happened to have a set of Elixirs handy. Just….no. The strings completely killed the tone and volume of the guitar. Bass response is non-existent, trebles are harsh, and the strings just give up completely if you need to dig in a little. Add to that my experience of strings breaking at the ball end, which Elixir just ignored. Add price gouging in the UK and elsewhere, with Elixir forbidding US dealers from exporting Elixirs at US prices, then charging double in the UK. Bad company, lousy strings. They are in the bin, and uncoated D’Addarios are back on; hey presto, my guitar is back.

[Earl]

Tim, the reason that Taylor used Elixir coated strings was for the retail sales floor.  They were always fresher than the uncoated old strings usually found on competitor's guitars in shops.  It just gave them an edge in the retail environment.  I don't think they ever really claimed that Elixir was the best sounding string (but who knows with Taylor market-speak)?

My Taylor guitars have worn all kinds of strings over the years, some good and some not so good.  I come back often to Elixir for the long lifespan.  Changing strings is a necessary chore not a hobby unto itself.  My ears also don't like the sizzle of brand new strings, so older is better -- for me.  I use D'Addario EJ16 and EJ17 strings a lot, especially on guitars that see altered tunings regularly.  Tuning and retuning quickly kills the tone of any string, so using Elixirs becomes pointless and expensive. 

We all hear differently and have unique mental images of "ideal tone".  I can also see why on your side of the Pond the cost is a big issue too.

[Edward]

PSA alert update: Strings and Beyond has free shipping on elixirs.  I’m full up on that last sale, but this is a good opportunity for anyone to grab a set and you dont have to hit the $35 threshold for free shipping.  Have fun, all!

Edward