Elixirs users. What's your resort?

[Godspeed64]

Elixirs are like part of us already.
I wouldn't care so much about tone if my strings won't even last a week.

Somewhat agree but Elixirs tone is better than most other strings I have used to my ears. It's just right.. I prefer (tonally) the DR Hi-Beams which Davis stopped bringing in since 2008. So Elixirs win in longevity and tone to me.

 

[subversion]

My fingers and brain do the work of tone for the elixirs that may sound really terrible or unsatisfactory to some.

nah... Elixirs aren't sub-standard, just that it's not finger fodder for the rest of us. i know what you're driving at here; it's like asking a coffee drinker to make do with tea

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

it's like asking a coffee drinker to make do with tea

haha that's exactly how i feel! =/

i heard from brendon the EXP's don't quite last as long as elixirs. how do the curt mangans compare with elixirs and EXP's in terms of lifespan?

 

[subversion]

EXPs weren't made to be that extended in terms of lifespan but they last longer than the average non-coated set. at least they last longer than the typical non-coated d'addarios. i've tried too many string brands along the way, i've come to accept that some of them were manufactured to sound wonderful but not meant to last. i'm sure glad there are lots of string brands & coated technology to choose from, today. there was a point in time when we could only relate to Dean Markley's Blue Steels & GHS's Sub-Zero Boomers- these weren't even coated, just cryogenically treated.

 

[dorngo]

in terms of life span, curt mangan has a shorter life. for me, ive sweaty palms, my elixir nano coated can last me about 3 months before the high E will snap. for the curt mangan, ur looking at about half of that life span. but thats just for me. not sure bout u guys. but i really like the curt mangan in teerms of tone. i like that 'springy' feeling that i get with curt, but never with Elixir

this is my 2c when comparing them both

Elixir:
Life span:9/10
tone: 6/10

CurtM:
Life span : 7/10
tone: 9/10

but then again, its subjective. hope this helps

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

haha my hands are super acidic also! elixirs used to last me around 2 to 3 months. normal non-coated strings die in a week. any form of extended string life is welcome! haha

we're talking about the coated versions of curt mangan right?
http://www.curtmangan.com/10-52-phosphor-coated/
http://www.curtmangan.com/9-46-nickel-wound-coated/

which shop sells them the cheapest?

 

[dorngo]

Quite a few actually, guitar east, guitar77.
but since it's more convenient for me to get at guitar east, I buy there instead. But prices are about the same la. plus minus. Anyway, yeah, the coated e guitar strings. The one In silver packaging.

 

[mockingbird]

Being more of an electric player, acoustic Elixirs are great for me. Don't have to change them often. This current set has been in my acoustic for 4 months and they still sound crisp as day one.

I'm down to my last pack of coated acoustic Elixirs. I haven't been down to see the new uncoated ones. Do the new uncoated strings apply to acoustic strings as well?

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

elixirs still remain coated. so their wound strings last just as long. just that the plain steels are no longer anti rust. which is usually the problem for most set of strings anyway cause normally, the plain steels are the first to go even before the phosphor bronze wrap on the bass strings tarnish!

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

quote from jazzrat on tgp, 5th april,

"The current production run of Elixirs DO NOT have the Anti-Rust treble strings.
They had a supply issue with the material. I e-mailed them and the said they would have
AntiRust trebles again soon. Not sure when that will be."

guess good news for us acidic fingers players livin in humid singapore soon!

 

[Ized]

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Soon? It has been more than half a year and I have yet to see elixir get their act together.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

maybe they over produced those non anti-rust sets. and nobody's buying them so they trying to clear stock! haha

 

[mockingbird]

Then they should sell it at a cut-price since they're unable to clear it. Hehehe...

 

[Godspeed64]

Just think of it as a temporary supply shock. Should a company STOP production and waste the potential profit from improvising on production?
After all they have to consider that time is money, and leaving machines idle would simply mean you are wasting resources (capital, technology, labour). I think what they did is to slow down production to a small extent and stock up on inventories (which is economically viable).

Half a year isn't a long time actually to source out for a proper cost-effective solution. Given that they most likely would know that supplies are dwindling perhaps 3-6 months before the actual cut, I'd say they've been at it for a year plus maybe? Hopefully it gets solved soon and production can resume as before.

 

[Ized]

Guys, good news. I just bought polywebs for my Taylor acoustic from standard value today, and the pack says "with ANTI-RUST plain steels"! It didn't come cheap at $23, but at least Elixir is finally back!

I simply can't live without Elixirs for my Taylor...did i mention how much I hate changing strings on acoustic?

However, for electric guitar strings, no luck finding any yet. Looks like they've still yet to hit the shelves.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

polywebs are not as popular as nanowebs, so those might be 6 mth old stock! haha *might

 

[Ized]

nah I doubt so man, cos I didnt see those previously.

polywebs are surprisingly popular for bright sounding acoustics like taylors. Cos the thicker coating lends a warmer tone as well as longer life.

 

[edgie]

Just a thought guys, are you wiping down the strings after each use at home after practicing or coming from a gig? The D'addarios in my Tyler is still in good shape since December when I had it set up. I just always wipe the strings with Dr Ducks above and under. And I also keep the guitar in the case after. I play daily for at least an hour. Maybe that would help in perserving your non-coated and less expensive strings unless of course you're the type of player whose sweat can really kill a string within an hour or two or if you're using strings which have already have some corrosion right off the box.

 

[Nicholasim]

Honestly for me, i never had problems with strings, they stay shiny and bright for a long time, im talking about months. I dont use coated strings. I use D'addarios for both my acoustic and electric.

What i do is use GHS "fast frets" on the strings after im done playing and I keep my guitar in their hardcase after im done playing.

Remember to wipe down the strings with a dry cloth before AND after applying the fast frets. Remember, more doesnt mean better, just swipe down the strings once

I only need to change strings when i feel like doing so haha, they really stay in good condition for a long time. Give it a try!

 

[zesn]

Dear Zion,

Thank you for your interest in Elixir® strings and for taking the time to contact us. You should be seeing our anti rust strings back on the shelves within the next couple of weeks. The packaging will be clearly marked showing the anti rust information, so no worries! I'm glad you've had the chance to experience the difference our strings can make.

Thanks and regards,
Loretta

Elixir® Strings
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
201 Airport Road
Elkton, MD 21921 USA
Ph: 800.367.5533
Fx: 410.506.7692
Reply to: elixirstrings@wlgore.com
To place an order: esorders@wlgore.com
ELIXIR, NANOWEB, and POLYWEB are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.